15 Best Christmas markets in Europe 2025

If your idea of a wonderful Christmas time involves sipping mulled wine, admiring imaginative decorations in Christmas markets, and indulging in festive foods while church bells toll and carolers carol, Europe’s busiest public squares are the place to be in December.

To help you plan your winter break, we’re following the aromas of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon-spiced drinks to unwrap the 15 best Christmas markets in Europe.

Mozart’s birthplace is a city for all seasons, and the Salzburg Christmas market adds a frisson of festive joy. We love it because It’s one of the oldest in Europe, cherished for its evening choirs that add a festive tingle to proceedings. 

Salzburg Christkindlmarkt can trace its roots back to the 15th century, much like the stately buildings of Residenzplatz where the main market pops up.

Over 100 Chalets selling gourmet goodies and artisanal gifts fill the space around the square’s fountain. Choirs occasionally fill the air with carols and festive music. Combined with the gorgeous setting, it’s among the cutest of all European Christmas markets.

Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Poland’s Christmas markets are increasingly making a yuletide splash on the city break circuit. Krakow hosts one of the most sparkling, backdropped by iconic buildings in Europe’s largest medieval marketplace (read about more of Poland’s best Christmas Markets).

This is the place to fill up on lip-smacking Polish foodie delights — pierogi, kiełbasa (sausage), mulled wine, and smoked grilled Oscypek cheese for starters. Then shop ’til you drop (possibly from overindulging) for regional artisanal creations, including handpainted decorations, fruit vodka concoctions, and other unique stocking fillers.

A picture postcard setting, especially when blanketed in snow, makes it one of Europe’s most beautiful festive gatherings. A view apparently shared by others, as it was recently named the top European Christmas market.

Dates: November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026

The “City of a Hundred Spires” is a magical setting for a Christmas Market. You get three for the price of one in the Czech capital, with glowing chalets in Old Town, on Wenceslas Square, and in the shadow of the arresting Prague Castle. Smaller markets are also dotted around the city, and they get our attention for the Hum Good King Wenceslas (the Christmas carol and square celebrate the same bohemian prince), overindulge on sugary trdelník (chimney cake), and swap the city’s fabled beer for honey mead (medovina). 

Local crafts to look out for include handblown glass baubles for the tree and porcelain. You can even buy live carp; the turkeys voted against Christmas in Central Europe.

There are more spectacular Christmas markets in Europe. But Prague offers so much more. Whether under the gaze of the picturesque Old Town Hall with its 600+ year old astronomical clock or on bustling Wenceslas Square, its festive events are like extra tinsel on the tree if you’re planning a visit.

Dates: November 29, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Across the Hungarian border is Europe’s oldest Christmas market, in a country where Christmas markets have a long history. 

The aroma of roasted almonds, currywurst, and candy floss wafts over this enormous event on Altmarkt Square. It has been going since 1434, making it Europe’s oldest.

Aside from 240 stalls selling handicrafts and local, national, and international foodie treats, the Dresden Christmas market has a Ferris wheel, an enormous step pyramid, and a giant candle arch. No festive idea is left in Santa’s workshop, helping to create an event that captivates over 2.5 million annual visitors ready to discover the joy of die Weihnachtszeit in Germany.

Dates: November 26, 2025 – December 24, 2025

Christkindelsmärik, the Alsatian version of the customary German name for Christmas markets (meaning ‘market of the baby Jesus’), attracts 2 million visitors every year. It is the biggest in Europe and oldest in France, billing itself the capital of Noel. 

Blending French and German traditions characteristic of the Alsace region, the Strasbourg Christmas market has been going since 1570. It still unfolds on medieval squares in the shadow of the imposing Gothic Cathedral.

Famed for the immense Christmas tree on Place Kléber, you can expect up to 300 stalls, one of the biggest anywhere. Sample vin chaud made with local wines, gallic gastronomic delights like gooey raclette, sugary bredle (Alsatian biscuits), or German favorites from bratwurst to pretzels.

Frequent community events and choirs help fire the Christmas spirit. A spirit that spills onto the beautiful streets lined with half-timbered houses that enrich the festive vibe. It does get busy, with coaches arriving from across Europe. But with good reason, as this is one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets that could not be photogenic.

Dates: November 26, 2025 – December 24, 2025

The Grand Place in Brussels’ old town is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site that gets a holly jolly makeover when the lights go on for the Brussels Christmas market. 

And what lights! Brilliant projections dance to music every 30-60 minutes on the walls of the imposing town hall built in the 1400s, which sets it apart from other European Christmas markets. 

Chalets dishing out Nutella-drenched waffles, fine chocolates, and head-spinning Belgian beers add a local flavor to complement the usual European specialties and artisanal crafts. A Ferris wheel, ice rink, and curling rink add to the family-friendly ambiance.  

The Brussels Christmas market has grown too big for the historic square and now stretches onto adjoining streets. If you ever wanted to visit the EU capital, there might be no better time than when Santa Claus is comin’ to the old town. 

Dates: November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Basel merges Swiss, German, and French cultures in one city, so you would expect a decent Yuletide show. The Christmas markets do not disappoint. 

One highlight is a particularly delightful Christmas pyramid on Barfüsserplatz. Christmas pyramids are a European tradition; this one balances on a mulled wine bar and features mechanically rotating nativity scenes.  

The cathedral and twinkling decorations of Münsterplatz have a Christmas card aesthetic. Just a few minutes away is a foodie haven on Barfüsserplatz. Where better to sample local faves like raclette and fondue (in a baguette for convenience). And forget the giant Toblerone this year, as you can get your hands on the good stuff directly from local chocolatiers.

It’s far from Europe’s biggest Christmas but is probably the prettiest in Switzerland. And if you have a white Christmas on your wishlist, the Alps are a short train ride away.

Dates: November 27, 2025 – December 23, 2025

Slow travelers seeking offbeat festive adventures should head to Chester in northwest England. The former Roman town is a gem to visit anytime; you can walk along intact Roman walls and explore wonderfully preserved Tudor buildings. It’s a picture-perfect backdrop for one of the best Christmas markets in the UK.

Although small, Chester’s Christmas market makes the most of its Tudor backdrop with twinkling lights strung between houses along Northgate Street for some of Europe’s most photogenic decorations. 

Sample local gourmet goodies like craft beer, fruity preserves, moreish fudge, and a delectable array of British cheeses. Or load up on eccentric British crafts like Viking drinking horns (Nordic invaders also settled in Chester) or refined gifts like scented candles.

Chester is a hidden gem (read about more underrated Christmas markets) way off the well-worn jingle bell trail. But it’s a city brimming with history and character, with an extra frisson of magic at Christmas.  

Dates: November 19, 2025 – December 22, 2025

The Tallinn Christmas market is another hidden gem in another city that delights slow travelers and weekend city breakers.

Renowned for putting a Christmas tree on display since 1441. According to local legend, it was the first in Europe. Accurate or not, the lovely tree and dreamy setting in the old town hall square is a festive delight. 

Discover Baltic cuisine like blood sausage (black pudding), and try to keep warm with mulled wine and rich hot chocolate. The Estonian capital is often quilted in snow at this time of the year, with Instagram moments aplenty when the glittering Christmas lights flicker into life.

Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 28, 2025

Competing with Strasbourg for the affection of Alsatians and for the most Instagrammable festive event is the Colmar Christmas market. Here, you can admire nativity scenes with live animals that bring it all to 3D life. 

This wondrous city is many people’s idea of the prettiest city in France, and you get 6 different Christmas markets in Colmar, each with a theme like Alsatian traditions, art, and gastronomy. Folded into medieval streets and charming squares, it’s an intoxicating patchwork. 

Picture half-timbered houses draped in lights, twinkling boats along the canals of La Petite Venise, and radiant chalets celebrating Alsace culture and food. Strasbourg might be bigger, but Colmar has a fairytale energy that goes into overdrive at Christmas.

Dates: November 25, 2025- December 29, 2025

Across the border is another fantastic German Christmas market in Cologne. With an estimated 4 million annual visitors, this is probably the busiest European Christmas market.

The star turn amongst 7 themed markets is around 150 chalets overlooked by the imposing Gothic Dom cathedral and some of the loveliest decorations in Europe, with dozens of trees surrounding the stalls and fairy lights strung between the red-topped chalets. 

Steamy chalets dole out all the festive treats you’d expect. The city’s beer (Kölsch) is a treat, too, with barrels wheeled fresh from brewery to tap before your eyes.

Germans know how to do Christmas markets in style. Cologne wheels out the mini train, Ferris wheel, and nativity scenes to recreate a winter wonderland effect.

Dates: November 14, 2025– December 28, 2025

The Swedish capital hosts various Christmas markets, from farmer markets to traditional gatherings. The cutest and oldest is on Stortorget, a pretty pastel-hued square in the old town. Unlike many Christmas markets in Europe, snow is often glistening in Stockholm. 

Snow or not, sub-zero temperatures are expected. Thaw out that with festive cheer and oodles of Swedish delights like meatballs, Christmas ham, and the ubiquitous mulled wine (AKA glögg – add that to the growing list of alternative names for this festive favorite). Santa is on hand for kids to ensure their chimney isn’t forgotten. 

There are more spectacular European Christmas markets. But if you’re looking for something different, jul in Stockholm is a lot of fun.

Dates: November 22, 2025 – December 23, 2025

Bergen is the gateway to a heavenly landscape of fjords and mountains. Unlike the historic squares housing many of the best European Christmas markets, this one sits on the waterfront at Festplassen.

The Bergen Christmas market on Festplassen leans into the winter wonderland setting with cheering decorations, chalets dishing out winter staples like roasted chestnuts and Norwegian specialties like gingerbread biscuits, and dark, aromatic ales like Juleøl. A Ferris Wheel and glittering lights add to the photogenic perspective. 

If you want snow and actual reindeer (and your very own red nose), head to Bergen for jul.

Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 22, 2025

Poland does Christmas with panache, and the Wrocław Christmas market is one of the oldest and prettiest in the country.

The market is known throughout Poland for its animatronic marionettes (Wroclaw even has a fabled puppet theater), carousels, and multichromatic decorations that brighten the attractive market square. It’s one of the biggest in Poland and attracts visitors from neighboring countries.

There are few better places to find all the Polish culinary delights in one place: comforting kiełbasa, smoky grilled Oscypek cheese, vodkas with fruity twists, pierogi, and the list goes on. You might even knock a few names off your Christmas shopping list with quirky gifts like handpainted baubles and other artisanal crafts. And don’t forget to savor the mulled wine, if only to grab yourself a souvenir mug to take home.

Poland hosts some of Europe’s most spellbinding Christmas markets, with Wrocław and Krakow setting the standard.

Dates: November 28, 2025 – 7 January 2026

It’s time to park the sleigh and rest Rudolph and the team as we pull up to the Budapest Christmas market, the last on our list.

The Hungarian capital on the Danube is a fairytale destination, whatever the season. The advent feast at St Stephen’s Basilica includes an enchanting light show on the basilica and a gorgeous Christmas tree, a scene unlike any other festive gathering in Europe. 

Another bright spot in winter is the Christmas fair and market on Vörösmarty Square. Chalets cluster around the towering Christmas tree, dishing out local favorites like goulash (must-try), heady grog to warm hands and heads, and chimney cakes (kürtőskalács) for the sugar rush. 

After feasting and shopping for local crafts, a dip in the famous Széchenyi thermal baths is the icing on the Christmas cake.

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Every city in Europe hosts twinkling festive events, from Paris to Bucharest. On the most Christmassy shortlist could be elegant Vienna, the scenic delights of Colmar and Strasbourg, and Dresden, a market with a rich heritage.

Krakow comes with extra lashings of Christmas cheer. You get the dreamy setting and all the festive trimmings borrowed from Europe and local traditions. Last year, Krakow’s Christmas tree was voted the most beautiful in the world by the British portal TimeOut.com, beating even the famous trees in Gubbio, Italy, and at Rockefeller Center in New York.

You can’t argue with an objective measure underlining why Krakow is winning accolades as a city break extraordinaire. If you need more incentive, we’ve got plenty more reasons why you should visit Krakow.

With that thought, we wrap up this guide to Europe’s best Christmas markets with the Polish seasonal greetings, Wesołych Świąt!