For a holiday experience that feels straight out of a movie, you can’t beat strolling through a European Christmas market. Twinkling lights, towering trees, and brightly colored ornaments set the scene for ambling along little lanes where artisans sell their goods from peaked-roof stalls.
With Christmas markets scattered all around Europe, there’s bound to be a cobblestone street nearby lined with vendors selling mulled wine and handmade keepsakes no matter where you’re traveling this holiday season. These seasonal wonderlands are the best Christmas markets in Europe to explore this year, with most open from mid-November through late December (and in a few cases, into early January). So bundle up, grab a warm drink, and get ready to embrace the festive season.
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1. Budapest, Hungary
Advent Feast at the Basilica
With more than 100 vendors lining its festive lanes each year, the Advent Feast at the Basilica Christmas market (November 15, 2024, through January 1, 2025) is an amazing destination for holiday trinkets and treasures to bring home with you. Along with the merry atmosphere and centerpiece Christmas tree, there’s a light show that’s projected on the facade of the Basilica each day.
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2. Basel, Switzerland
Basel Christmas Market
Basel, Switzerland, ranks among Europe’s most beautiful towns to visit during the holidays. In 2024, its Christmas market runs from November 28 through December 23, dressing up Old Town with elaborate decorations and twinkling lights. Browse the vendor stalls, then check out the towering Christmas tree, which has ornaments from well-known decorator Johann Wanner. Complete your perfect European Christmas market trip with a glass of mulled wine sipped along the edge of the Rhine River, the perfect spot to take in the warm glow of the city.
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3. Metz, France
Christmas Markets in Metz
France’s Metz shines with holiday spirit during its annual Christmas market season, held this year from late November through December 30. At several market sites around the city, you can stroll the lanes of peaked-roof “chalet” vendor stalls and feast your eyes on everything from cozy clothing to hand-made ornaments.
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Savor the flavors from food sellers offering warm drinks, chestnuts, and sweet treats. And then enjoy the markets’ next-level offerings like a Ferris wheel ride in the Place d’Armes, a skate on the ice rink in the Place de la République, or a stroll after dark along the fairy-tale-inspired Sentier des Lanternes (lantern-lit path).
4. Craiova, Romania
Craiova Christmas Market
Woven into spots around the Romanian city of Craiova, the Craiova Christmas Market (November 15, 2024, through January 5, 2025) has everything from concerts and food stands to an ice rink and creative workshops. To get from one part of the market to the other, simply follow the enchanting canopy of Christmas lights overhead.
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Between each section of the market you’ll find elaborately decorated Christmas trees inspired by the surroundings. This European Christmas market seems to reinvent itself in new ways every year, but one thing that doesn’t change is its delightful cottages with their hand-painted and carved fairytale characters.
5. Trier, Germany
Trier Christmas Market
For more than 40 years, the Trier Christmas Market has been welcoming revelers to its oh-so-scenic setting in the German city’s medieval main square. In 2024, it will be held from November 22 through December 22. Here you can sip in the company of royalty—the market’s Mulled Wine Queen hangs out between the Cathedral and the Main Market, celebrating the region’s signature hot mulled wine.
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Shop for souvenirs and holiday decorations at the large market’s wooden chalet booths. Live musical performances and Christmas carol sing-alongs fill the air with holiday joy, and on select days Santa strolls the market handing out gifts to children.
6. Brussels, Belgium
Winter Wonders Christmas Market
Brussels has more than its share of Christmas markets, but in my opinion the very best one is the wildly popular Winter Wonders, a market and winter fest that attracts millions of visitors every year. Two hundred chalet-style wooden stalls hold gift-ready treasures. For hand-made items made by craftspeople, keep an eye out for the little paw sign that reads “Quality Label.”
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Since this is Brussels, sweet waffles and savory frites are required snacking. Stop to admire the glittering Christmas tree, the life-sized nativity scene, and the sound and light show on the facades of St. Catherine’s Church and the Viage. There’s also an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel. This year’s dates are November 29, 2024, through January 5, 2025.
7. Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester Christmas Markets
Manchester’s famous Christmas Markets celebrate the season in a big way, with more than 200 stalls spread across nine locations. Now in its 26th year, the holiday festivities kick off on November 8 and run through December 22, 2024. Millions of visitors head to the city center each year to shop stalls selling everything from tweed hats to spiced rum.
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The scent of gingerbread, sparkly lights, and winter tipples set the scene for some true holiday magic, and a skating rink, Christmas parade, and light trail add to the fun. And keep an eye out for Santa sightings as you’re strolling the city.
8. Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig Christmas Market
From November 26 through December 23, 2024, you can join a centuries-long tradition with a visit to the Leipzig Christmas Market, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. The Leipzig Christmas Market dates back to 1458, and each year it fills the historic city center with more than 250 vendor stalls. Kids will enjoy seeing Santa Claus at his office hours and letting him know they’ve been good this year.
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For a fun take-home treasure from this European Christmas market (the second-oldest in Germany), pick up the market’s signature souvenir: mulled wine mugs and children’s cups, which change each year for maximum collectability.
9. Paris, France
Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market
The City of Light truly comes alive during the holiday season at its Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market near the Louvre, held this year from November 16, 2024, to January 1, 2025. The joy of this festival is that it’s part market and part Christmas-themed carnival, so there’s something for everyone. A Ferris wheel and other rides delight the kids, while adults can enjoy the Champagne bar and roasted chestnuts.
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After you’ve shopped for gifts ranging from Christmas decorations to wooden toys, take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées, a five-minute walk away, to see the beautiful window displays and sparkly lights along the famous avenue.
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Winter Paradise Christmas Market
It only runs from December 19, 2024, through January 5, 2025, but once the Amsterdam Winter Paradise Christmas Market starts, it goes all-out as a major holiday shopping and entertainment event. Throughout the market, you’ll find a festive mix of live performances, beer tables, and other wintry fun.
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When you’re done with your shopping, head to the indoor and outdoor skating rinks, sledding slopes, Ferris wheel, or carousel. As night falls, get the entire family together to roast marshmallows over an open fire.
Frequently asked questions about European Christmas markets
When do Christmas markets start in Europe?
Each European Christmas market has its own timeline, but many start in early or mid-November. Most Christmas markets run through December, and a few remain open into January. If you’re interested in visiting one of these holiday markets, aim to spend a few hours in the late afternoon into the evening. That way, you’ll get the height of the action and be able to appreciate the glow of the lights as day turns to night.
What are the best things to buy at Christmas markets?
There are so many things to buy at European Christmas markets, but some of my favorites include ornaments (many of them handmade), local crafts, beautiful holiday decorations, and gifts like handmade stuffed animals and knitted gloves.
And then there’s the food: Christmas markets are chock-full of delicious things to eat and drink! Arrive hungry and taste your way through holiday Euro-classics like roasted chestnuts, along with place-specific delights like Belgian waffles and stollen in Germany. Sip on warm drinks like mulled wine, cider, and hot chocolate as you stroll. Most markets also have a wide range of international foods, and there’s always more to try.
What if I want to visit more than one Christmas market?
You should definitely do that. It’s not unusual at all to meet travelers who are making a vacation out of visiting multiple Christmas markets in one country or even more than one country. There are even companies that offer river cruises and European Christmas market tours to help you visit some of the favorites around Europe in a single trip.
