Christmas Markets Europe – All You Need To Know

Christmas Markets Europe and Christmas traditions, anyone? Cultural travel is on the rise, and after tapping into Barcelona’s undiscovered museum list, best ancient Roman heritage sites, and midsummer traditions, one can go on and discover the Northern European holiday traditions, be it Christmas, Winter Solstice, or New Year’s. One of the best ways to indulge in the holiday spirit is to attend a Christmas market. We’ve made your search easier by listing out the best when it comes to Christmas markets across Europe.




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Quick Jumplinks

Winchester
Tallinn, Estonia
Berlin, Germany
Aarhus, Denmark
Stockholm, Sweden


Krakow, Poland
Dublin, Ireland
Reykjavik, Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions





Christmas Markets Europe – Top 8 Picks



Winchester







Take a break from the capital and get some black pudding at the Christmas market in Winchester. The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is one of the best in Europe and is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location, and hand-picked high-quality exhibitors. It is typically held from mid-November until a few days before Christmas Day.



Tallinn, Estonia







Take a stroll around Tallinn, the birthplace of the Christmas tree tradition, where the Brotherhood of Blackheads erected the first Christmas tree in 1441. The Tallinn Christmas Market is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Europe during the holiday season. It has been voted the Best Christmas Market in Europe, and for good reason.



The market is located in the Town Hall Square in Tallinn’s Old Town, and it’s filled with wooden stalls selling traditional Estonian Christmas crafts, food, and drinks.



Berlin, Germany







Visit Lucia Christmas market and buy some vegan gingerbreads. The Lucia Christmas Market is a popular Christmas market located in Berlin, Germany . It is named after Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light in Scandinavia. The market is known for its Scandinavian atmosphere and its focus on traditional Scandinavian food, drinks, and crafts.



Aarhus, Denmark







The Aarhus Old Town in Denmark, also known as Den Gamle By, comes alive during Christmas with a charming market that transforms the entire open-air museum into a winter wonderland.



The Christmas market at Den Gamle By is a unique experience that allows visitors to step back in time and see how Christmas was celebrated in Denmark throughout the centuries. The streets and houses are lavishly decorated with period trimmings, and costumed staff reenact Christmas traditions from different eras.



Stockholm, Sweden







Feel the magic of Christmas by crunching on chocolate-glazed apples in the Skansen Christmas Market The market is located at Skansen, an open-air museum that showcases Swedish history and culture. The market is filled with stalls selling traditional handicrafts, design items, sweets, and homemade candles. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Swedish Christmas foods and drinks.



You could also get that Christmas feeling by windowshopping around Nordiska Kompaniet on Hamngatan and Kungsträdgården.



Krakow, Poland







The Christmas Market in Krakow, Poland, which is called Jarmark świąteczny in Polish, is one of the most popular in Europe. It’s located in the heart of the city’s Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) and runs from late November to December. There are free music shows, fireworks displays, and parties that last until the early hours of the morning.



Dublin, Ireland







Listen to Irish pipes get into a swing of the ceilidh. One of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Ireland is at Dublin Castle. This free market within the historic castle features traditional alpine stalls selling decorative crafts, gifts, and delicious treats. You can also sip on mulled wine and admire the 18th-century Neapolitan Crib.



Reykjavik, Iceland







Visit the island of ice for the winter solstice festival to warm up with some whiskey, see some Icelandic sagas, and watch some whales. The Holmsheiði Christmas Market is located beyond downtown Reykjavik and is a local favorite. It’s open on Advent weekends and features a variety of stalls selling traditional Icelandic food, crafts, and Christmas decorations. There’s also usually live music and entertainment to enjoy.



Frequently Asked Questions



Christmas Markets Europe – How many are there?
There are hundreds of Christmas markets across Europe, from major cities to small towns.




Christmas Markets Europe – What is the best time to visit?
Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, and evenings offer a magical atmosphere with lights twinkling.




Christmas Markets Europe – Which is the oldest market?
Strasbourg, France claims the title with its Christkindelsmärik, dating back to 1570.




Christmas Markets Europe – What kind of foods and drinks are available?
Sample delicious regional treats like mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, sausages, and local cheeses.








Ritesh Raj

COO at CuddlyNest
Editorial Policy
Last update: 12 June 2024




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