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Few places elicit festive feelings more than the best Christmas markets in Europe. From the scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts to the sound of Christmas carols, these markets are sure to bring out some festive cheer whatever your age.
Many of the oldest and most authentic Christmas markets are in Germany (where I’m lucky to live). Today the most magical markets are located in northern and central Europe, so that’s the region I’ve focused on here. Based on my personal experiences and plenty of research, here are my favourites.
The best Christmas markets in the UK
If you don’t want to travel far there is a range of authentic European-influenced Christmas Markets here in the UK. Fun, festive and full of goodwill – and glühwein!
Bath Christmas Market, Bath
- Where: The streets around Bath Abbey
- When: 28th November to 15th December 2024
- Don’t miss: Bath on Ice – Royal Victoria Park is transformed into a huge ice skating rink just north of the market
The World Heritage City of Bath isn’t short on atmosphere at any time of the year. During the Christmas season, it becomes even more beguiling. Over the end of November and early December, its Christmas Market unfurls through the picturesque Georgian streets at its heart.
The market’s 170-plus twinkling chalets pass by medieval Bath Abbey and the famed Roman Baths and Thermae Spa. Perfect for a rejuvenating soak after a hard day of festivities.
En route, you’ll find locally made housewares, jewellery and gifts. More than half the products are handmade in the UK and most chalets are run by local businesses. The market also offers free chalets to local charities to help raise awareness and funds.
There are more food stalls than you ever could dream of eating at. Everything from German bratwurst to sausage rolls, mince pies and mulled wine, cider and even mulled gin. International food stalls line the streets surrounding nearby Southgate if you want to try something different.
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market, Oxfordshire
- Where: The Great Court, Blenheim Palace
- When: 15th November 2024 to 1st January 2025
- Don’t miss: The Sleeping Beauty themed Christmas afternoon tea in the Orangery – truly festive and extremely indulgent
For a spectacular Christmas setting, look no further than the Blenheim Palace. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough, it’s best known as the birthplace of Winston Churchill. At the end of the year however, it becomes an ode to all things Christmas.
The market is spread across the Great Court. Rows of wooden chalets selling arts and crafts, ceramics and textiles and lots of food and drink. This year there’ll be a new covered ice rink too.
Inside, the palace is transformed into a swashbuckling interpretation of Peter Pan. Follow Tinkerbell through the state rooms as the story of Neverland unfolds from one to the next. When the sun drops, join the Illuminated Trail. Twinkling installations and huge lit-up artworks shed new light on the gorgeous Palace grounds. Amid the tunnels of lights and giant LED spheres, see if the kids can spot Santa. He’s definitely there somewhere.
The best Christmas markets in Germany
Germany has long set the global standard for the quintessential Christmas market. Their combination of old city settings, warming and filling food and drink, and artisanal crafts is a model copied around the world. But Germany still does it better than anywhere else.
Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt, Munich
- Where: Marienplatz & Rindermarkt
- When: November 25th to December 24th 2024
- Don’t miss: The Krampus Run – 300+ participants in sometimes scary mythological costumes parading through the market is hard to forget
Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. Hosted in Munich’s main square, Marienplatz, it’s been held since Medieval times and is bursting with atmosphere and authenticity.
The neo-Gothic town hall provides a stunning backdrop. Never more so than Sunday to Thursday evenings, when Bavarian bands take to its balcony to entertain the crowds below. There are plenty of activities among the market stalls. Kids can make their own presents in the town hall workshops. Adults, meanwhile, can indulge in glühwein and feuerzangenbowle or “fire tongs punch”.
In terms of food, try local favourites including Lebkuchen (a type of spiced biscuit), magenbrot (gingerbread) or classic wurst (sausage) with mustard followed by a sweet plum cake. Stroll up to the foyer of the Michaelskirche church for around 5 pm to enjoy German advent carols.
Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg
- Where: Hauptmarkt Square
- When: 29th November to 24th December 2024
- Don’t miss: The Lantern Procession up to Nuremberg Castle is pure Christmas theatre – great for kids and adults alike
Halfway between Frankfurt and Munich, Nuremberg hosts one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. “The little city of wood and cloth” is home to nearly 200 wooden booths with red-and-white-striped cloth roofs. For most of December, they transform Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt (main market) Square into a festive wonderland.
Among its handmade decorations and gifts, the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt offers some unique quirks. Few are stranger than the popular Zwetschgenmännle. Figurines made of dried prunes, they’re dressed to look like everyone from a pastor to the devil. Pick up a chimney sweep for good luck over the coming year.
Food is at the heart of every German Christmas market, but is particularly special here. The famed bratwurst sausage can trace its origins back to Nuremberg in 1313, and it’s well worth a try. There are excellent self-guided tours available to help you find its hidden treasures. If you’re taking the whole family, don’t let your kids miss the Kinderweihnacht party on Hans-Sachs-Platz.
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, Cologne
- Where: Cologne Cathedral, Roncalliplatz
- When: November 18th to December 23rd 2024 (closed November 24th)
- Don’t miss: The children’s programme on Tuesdays to Thursdays complete with Punch and Judy shows, face painting and plays
Call me biassed, but my ‘local’ Christmas market, Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, is also one of the best. Held below the looming twin towers of Cologne’s 515-foot-tall, 600-year-old cathedral (Germany’s most visited tourist attraction) it oozes history and atmosphere. The market is soundtracked from the central stage by a roster of live music.
At its heart, a massive Christmas tree dominates the 150 stalls. From its trunk, a huge net of twinkling lights stretches from it in all directions, bathing all of Roncalliplatz in a Christmas glow. Stalls overflow with artisan gifts, hand-crafted from wood, glass and ceramics.
You’ll find little to no throwaway plastic here – Cologne’s market was the first in Germany to receive an ISO certificate for sustainability. That’s not to say things aren’t indulgent. The aroma of glühwein and melting cheese lingers in the air (the Swiss raclette stand is always a highlight).
Local tip: This is just one of many amazing Christmas markets around Cologne. While you’re there visit the magical Markt der Engel, the local favourite at Stadtgarten and ice skating at Heumarkt.
The best Christmas markets in the rest of Europe
Beyond Germany, the best mainland European Christmas markets have a unique festive charm. Most are ancient and draw on weird and wonderful local traditions to create unique experiences. Each is an insight into a different interpretation of Christmas, all are worth visiting.
Wiener Christkindlesmarkt, Vienna, Austria
- Where: Rathausplatz, 1st District
- When: 16th November to 26th December 2024
- Don’t miss: Cold? Try a Jagertee – black tea, rum and spices. It’ll warm you up in no time.
The Wiener Christkindlsmarkt is one of the largest and longest-running Christmas markets in Europe. One of 20 advent markets in Vienna, its roots reach back to the first winter market from the 14th century. That history oozes from every stall, as well as from the gorgeous buildings that surround the Rathausplatz.
Its 150+ stalls are a showcase of local goods and produce. Shop for winter clothing, jewellery, toys and Christmas decorations. Try local delicacies like roast goose washed down with punch (with or without the rum). For a sweet kick, ground almond vanillekipferl biscuits always hit the spot.
In front of the impressive Christmas tree sits a lifesize nativity scene soundtracked by traditional Austrian music. The market’s most famous tree isn’t the traditional fir, however. Rather, a Sycamore tree decorated with 200 glowing hearts.
Local tip: The children’s ice rink is free and magical. The vintage Ferris wheel gives lovely views over the market and a huge advent calendar dishes out daily prizes.
Christmas Town Valkenburg, the Netherlands
- Where: Cauberg Hill, Valkenburg
- When: 15th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 (caves open 16th November to 29th December)
- Don’t miss: The Landal Christmas Parade – a carnival of festivity that marches through town every Wednesday and Saturday
Running for an epic 51 days, no one can claim the town of Valkenburg doesn’t take its Christmas market seriously. And when you have something as special as the marl caves to show off, why wouldn’t you?
Enter the Valkenburg Market at the foot of Cauberg Hill and you’ll find a typical Christmas scene. Twinkling stalls, vendors selling handmade ornaments and gifts. All very lovely, but it’s underground where the real magic happens.
A labyrinth of tunnels in the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot quarries play host to Europe’s largest underground Christmas market. (Though I do wonder how many rivals it has for that title!) Illuminated festive statues and fir trees light the way revealing drawings from the original miners on the tunnel walls.
Stalls line the pathways selling all manner of everything. The deeper you go, the wider and more amazing the caves get. The Gemeentegrot in particular has huge caverns. Fly into Maastricht and it’s just a 20 minute drive to Christmas Town.
Liseberg Christmas Market, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Where: Liseberg Gardens
- When: 18th November 2024 to 7th January 2025
- Don’t miss: Kolbulle – a charcoal bun cooked over open fire with salted pork and lingonberry jam. So, so good
If you’re heading north, perhaps on a family trip to Lapland, a stopoff in Gothenburg is a treat. Make it extra special for the kids with a visit to Liseberg Gardens. There the Liseberg theme park is recast as a children’s Christmas fantasy land called Tomtebyn.
There’s a lot to get involved in. The Elves’ Adventure invites children to navigate their way around Santa’s Village with a map and compass. Prizes await. In the Elves’ Cottage, they can write their Christmas wish lists while snacking on treats and listening to stories. Then, in Santa’s Workshop they can feed their lists into the magical wish machine.
All the while, adults can browse the myriad market stalls, take on the ice rink and refuel on traditional Swedish treats. You won’t even need to take your skates off at the Ice Bar and Lisebergs Wärdshus serves up regional, seasonal and organic local dishes. Not just a vacation for the kids after all.
Strasbourg Christmas Market, Strasbourg, France
- Where: Cathedral Square & Place Broglie
- When: 27th November to 27th December 2024
- Don’t miss: The walk to the stars – stroll from Corbeau Bridge to Saint-Guillaume Bridge under a magic carpet of stars with incomparable views of Rohan Palace
The streets, alleys and squares of Strasbourg glow with Christmas cheer in December. More than 300 chalets flood the city, with the main markets at Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale.
Connecting them are thousands of lights draped across trees, churches and a forest’s worth of fir trees. Start at the Corbeau Bridge and walk up to the Porte des Lumières to see the best of the lights. Follow the decorations to reach the Grand Christmas Tree where a troupe of musical angels lead you to the Cathedral Square.
The scale of the market helps thin the crowds and gives you plenty of room for browsing. As is the Christmas market norm, local artisan goods are the mainstay. In Strasbourg that means exquisite blown-glass baubles and candles and handmade decorations. Alsatian food is also at the forefront – don’t miss the bredle butter biscuits and manele brioche figures.
Old Town Square Market, Prague, Czech Republic
- Where: Old Town Square
- When: 30th November 2024 to 6th January 2025
- Don’t miss: Visiting the neighbouring market at Wenceslas Square
Prague has two Christmas markets spread over Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Just a ten minute walk separates them so it’s easy to cover both in one extremely festive night.
Start in the magnificent Old Town Market. On one side the gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, on the other, the extraordinary 15th-century astronomical clock. It’s a pretty sight, lit by the constant twinkle of Christmas lights, the towering Christmas tree and usually, plenty of snow.
Amid the market stalls and local wares (sword making is a thing), there’s plenty to enjoy. The cinnamon aroma you can smell wafts from vats of ‘svarak’, the local equivalent of mulled wine. Soak it up with a local bite – cheesy bread, fatty sausages or sweet ‘trdelnik’ pastries.
Head to the main stage to enjoy a roster of carol singers and performances. When the kids get restless, visit the impressive nativity scene where sheep, goats and donkeys await.
Tips for visiting Christmas markets in Europe
Despite many markets being open for over a month, they are often hectic. Visit midweek to get a (slightly) calmer experience – especially if you have kids.
Europe’s best Christmas markets involve lots of walking, browsing stalls and watching performances. Much like the UK, it can get icy after sundown, so prepare to be colder than you expect and pack accordingly.
There are two things I never go to a Christmas market without. Cash is essential, especially in Germany where many stalls don’t take card payments. Wet wipes too, for kids and adults – mulled wine is super sticky and you’re guaranteed to spill plenty over yourself!
For a quick overview of Europe’s best markets check out the map below.
Christmas Markets in Europe FAQs
Germany has the best Christmas markets in Europe and the world. Every town and city hosts at least one advent market, and Dresden is home to the oldest Christmas Market in the world. For an extra special experience try the Ravenna Gorge Market in Germany’s Black Forest.
The Christmas markets in Berlin and Munich are amazing. Elsewhere, Paris has many unusual markets and is particularly charming at Christmas. Budapest features two wonderful markets within walking distance of each other at Vörösmarty Square and outside Saint Stephen’s Basilica. Lastly, Prague is like a fairytale – the markets at Wenceslas and Old Town squares are particularly special.
Biggest doesn’t always mean best! London’s Winter Wonderland, for example, is enormous but can’t compare to the regional markets found in the UK and Europe for atmosphere or authenticity. My favorite is the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt. In terms of the biggest, Vienna’s Christmas World has around 1,000 booths each year.
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