Christmas markets in Europe are what we're talking about today. We're already in November and it won't be long before Christmas markets are welcoming guests into the festive spirit. Here are some tips on 12 cosy Christmas markets in Europe.
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Twelve Christmas markets in Europe
Here are 12 Christmas markets in Europe, some of which we've visited during our Christmas travels, and others where we've visited the featured city at a different time of year. All of these places organise famous Christmas markets, as well as offering many other experiences and attractions.
1. Bremen, Germany
From late November to late December, the area around the Bremen Town Hall is transformed into a magical wonderland. Here, around 170 decorated stalls, romantic Christmas lights and aromas of roasted almonds, gingerbread and mulled wine meet. What's more, Bremen is a great city, with Unesco heritage, city musicians and the cosy Schnoor district.
- Date: 21 Nov - 23 Dec 2022
- Read more about Bremen: What to do in Bremen - our 17 top tips
2. Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw's big Christmas market is organised in the square in front of the Royal Palace. A Christmas market is also organised in front of the Palace of Culture. At the markets you can find Polish crafts and sample local delicacies. The city is also lit up by the annual Warsaw Christmas Light Festival. While visiting the capital of Poland, you can also take the opportunity to visit interesting museums and enjoy good food.
- Date: 26 Nov 2022 - 6 Jan 2023
- Read more about Warsaw: Things to do in Warsaw - our top 13 tips
- Read more about the Christmas market: Warsaw Christmas market
3. Tallinn, Estonia
The Tallinn Christmas Market is organised in the Town Hall Square. The tradition of placing a large Christmas tree here has been going on since 1441. Now the market also offers traditional Estonian food and local crafts, as well as carousels and other activities. In Tallinn, you can also experience a great historical environment, as well as sights and restaurants.
- Date: 25 Nov 2022 - 8 Jan 2023
- Read more about Tallinn: Weekend in Tallinn - tips for things to do
- Don't miss out: Kadriorg Palace
4. Åland, Finland
Åland invites you to the "Åland Glitters" event during three weekends before Christmas. During these weekends you can visit both Christmas markets and various farms, which open up to visitors for the Christmas spirit.
- Date: 26-27 Nov, 3-4 Dec and 10-11 Dec 2022
- Read more about the Christmas market: About Åland Glimrar on Visit Åland
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
Christmas is held at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen with thousands of sparkling lights and colourful Christmas trees. Here you will find stalls with goodies, rides, child-friendly Christmas cultures and Christmas food in Tivoli's restaurants. Copenhagen is also a cosy city to wander around, full of eateries and museums.
- Date: 19 Nov - 31 Dec 2022
- Read more about Copenhagen: 5 different things to do in Copenhagen
6. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague has several Christmas markets, the largest and most popular of which is held in the Old Town Square. The market is dominated by a large Christmas tree and around it are lots of stalls selling traditional Czech products, handmade decorations and various delicacies. Prague is also a wonderful city to explore, full of beautiful houses, theatres, unusual museums and food experiences.
- Date: 26 Nov 2022 - 6 Jan 2023
- Read more about Prague: What to do in Prague - our top 30 tips
- Read more about the Christmas market: Christmas market in Prague
- Don't miss out: Restaurants and Food Tour
7. Budapest, Hungary
There are several Christmas markets in Budapest, the most famous being the one on Vörösmarty Tér in the heart of the city. Here you will find lots of crafts, Christmas decorations and delicacies. There are also plenty of edible items to try, such as sausages, langos and 'chimney cake'. While you're in Budapest, you can check out all the beautiful houses, eat good Czech food and maybe take a dip in one of the historic bathhouses.
- Date: 18 Nov 2022 - 1 Jan 2023
- Read more about Budapest: What to do in Budapest - our 23 top tips
- Read more about the Christmas market: Christmas market in Budapest
- Don't miss out: All the wonderful Hungarian baths
8. Brussels, Belgium
The 'Winter Wonders' event is held on the Grote Markt (Grand Place) and in the centre of Brussels. Winter Wonders includes a Christmas market, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, an ice skating rink and a sound and light show. Brussels is also an exciting city with grand buildings, cartoon characters, bars, waffles and chocolate.
- Date: 25 Nov 2022 - 1 Jan 2023
- Find out more about Brussels: 18 things to do in Brussels as a tourist
- Don't miss out: Belgian waffles
9. Poznan, Poland
The Poznan Christmas market is held in Freedom Square and features a nativity scene. On 10-12 December, there is also an international ice sculpture competition, whose entries are left until they melt. Poznan is also a city with a beautiful square and an interesting history.
- Date: 18 Nov - 27 Dec 2022
- Read more about Poznan: Things to see and do in Poznan
- Don't miss out: Baking St Martin croissants in a museum
10th Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, offers a wonderful Christmas atmosphere during Advent. You'll find several Christmas markets in the city, which is beautifully decorated and filled with Christmas lights. The markets offer decorations, crafts, toys and delicacies, and if you wish, you can try freshly made 'fritule' - a type of doughnut that is extremely popular. Zagreb also offers a wide range of historical sights.
- Date: 26 Nov 2022 - 6 Jan 2023
- Read more about Zagreb: Zagreb - sights and things to do
- Read more about the Christmas market: Christmas market in Zagreb
- Don't miss out: Good restaurants in Zagreb
11. Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg is known for its fish market, but also organises cosy Christmas markets. The largest Christmas market in the city is held in front of the town hall. In addition, there are many other things to experience in Germany's second largest city. You can check out the Reeperbahn, listen to concerts at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall or visit the 'Miniatur Wunderland'.
- Date: 22 Nov - 23 Dec 2022
- Read more about Hamburg: What to do in Hamburg - our 23 best tips
- Don't miss out: Hamburg's best restaurants
12th Riga, Latvia
Riga hosts several cosy Christmas markets. For example, you'll find a Christmas market in the Old Town, with stalls full of crafts, gifts and treats, such as gingerbread, Latvian honey or the spirit 'Black Balsam'. In the city, you can also see beautiful Art Nouveau houses, swim in spas and eat in exciting restaurants that use local ingredients in new and creative ways.
- Date: 27 Nov 2022 - 1 Jan 2023
- Read more about Riga: Sights and experiences in Riga
- Read more about the Christmas market: Christmas market in Riga
- Don't miss out: Riga's best restaurants
More tips on Christmas markets in Europe?
Do you have any other tips for nice and cosy Christmas markets in Europe? Let us know!
You might also like:
Christmas markets in Europe in 2023 - 12 tips
Christmas markets in Sweden - 12 Christmas markets
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4000mil says:
I've been to Christmas markets in Tallinn and Berlin (except Stockholm of course) and this year it will be Copenhagen. And probably Berlin again.
Colmar, where we were last summer, is apparently something special too.
03 November 2022 - 8:33
Helena says:
Nice! Colmar seems to be an incredibly charming town, so I can imagine that the Christmas market there is cosy!
03 November 2022 - 10:10
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We've probably only been to Christmas markets in northern Germany where Lübeck was a favourite. Lars also has Goslar and Celle as favourites. It is now five years since the last Christmas market trip, so this year it is time again. This time we're going to Stralsund for a couple of days in early December, where we haven't been since we were there with the Beach Basket Challenge.
03 November 2022 - 8:36
Helena says:
Germany is good at arranging cosy Christmas markets! Goslar and Celler are fantastic charming towns, so I can imagine that a Christmas market there is cosy!!! So nice with a trip to Stralsund!!!
03 November 2022 - 10:11
Only British says:
Copenhagen has more than the one at Tivoli. I have one outside my office on Kongens Nytorv but there are more than that in the streets and squares.
In England I recommend Lincoln in the shadow of the castle and cathedral and York with Christmas music in the great Minster and in the street corners.
I love the one in Lübeck with its marzipan beer at Niedegger and the whole city is so cosy. Would love to see the world famous one in nice Nuremberg too.
Not forgetting Huseby in Småland.
03 November 2022 - 22:00
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips on the Christmas markets in Copenhagen, and England!!! Christmas market in Lübeck seems cosy and the one in Nuremberg we have not visited (we were there one year when they were unpacking the stalls, like one or two days before the market started ...): Then an article about Christmas markets in Sweden will come soon! 🙂
04 November 2022 - 8:27
JoY says:
It really is a cosy time now with Christmas markets. There are certainly many nice markets to visit here in Sweden, we like to go down to Gothenburg.
In 2015 when we went home through France Germany, there were a total of 13 Christmas markets. Maybe a bit much hahaha but many nice little cosy places. Please look under the tab Christmas markets, on our blog.
Here is a link to Germany's Christmas markets. https://www.deutsche-weihnachtsmaerkte.de/weihnachtsmarkt/
Hugs Yvonné
03 November 2022 - 10:02
Helena says:
Wow, 13 Christmas markets in a row, that's not bad!!! Impressive! 🙂 Thanks for the tips both about your blog and the link!!!
03 November 2022 - 10:13
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
Christmas markets, and it's not too long before they start.
A bit difficult to feel any Christmas spirit yet down here in the heat of Spain, although Christmas signage has started here already.
I have done many Christmas markets as a tour guide over the years. I have always enjoyed Christmas markets.
Thanks for the tips!
03 November 2022 - 14:36
Helena says:
Understand that it will be a little different feeling in Spain! It can of course be a Christmas atmosphere in a warmer country as well, but I, as a Swede, also associate Christmas with winter! 😉
04 November 2022 - 7:59
Berit says:
Been to some Christmas markets in Vienna a few years ago. Visited both the market at Rathausplatz and those at Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace. Well worth a visit all three, there are probably Christmas markets in more places in Vienna I think.
03 November 2022 - 17:12
Helena says:
Vienna sounds cosy, especially during the Christmas market! We have never been there, but it is a city that is on our wish list!
04 November 2022 - 8:20
Minette says:
One Christmas market I would like to visit is Valkenburg in the Netherlands. The Christmas market takes place underground in the city's caves.
03 November 2022 - 19:13
Helena says:
Oh so exciting! I have not heard of this, it sounds very interesting! Thanks for the tips!!!
04 November 2022 - 8:20
BP says:
Just checked Joy's link about German Christmas markets. I had no idea that there were so many in all parts of Germany. When I lived there, the Christmas market at Marienplatz in Munich and the one in Lübeck were the most famous. The one in Munich is even the oldest in Germany.
03 November 2022 - 19:27
Helena says:
Yes, I also looked at her link! Yes, there seems to be lots of cosy German Christmas markets! 🙂
04 November 2022 - 8:23
Veiken says:
I've been to quite a few Christmas markets in Europe and Sweden (certainly in Europe) and feel a bit like : Been there done that!
We are currently preparing for Loy Krathong here in Thailand!
04 November 2022 - 2:20
Helena says:
You can definitely feel that way about some things! Wish you a super nice Loy Krathong! (Had to google, but understand that it is a Thai festival :))
04 November 2022 - 8:24
Evy Knoph says:
Was a bit floored by Birmingham's big beautiful Christmas market when I was there in November 17. I had no idea they had a Christmas market :-).
It apparently started already on 3 November this year.
https://www.thebfcm.co.uk/birminghams-frankfurt-christmas-market/
08 November 2022 - 23:08