Top 10 Christmas Markets To Visit
Travel
Audio By Carbonatix
As the holiday season approaches, Christmas markets light up cities across the globe, filling the air with the scents of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts, and fresh pine. These markets, steeped in tradition and adorned with festive lights, offer a warm haven for locals and tourists alike to enjoy holiday treats, handmade gifts, and lively entertainment. Here’s a look at some of the most famous and largest Christmas markets that bring festive cheer to cities around the world.
1. Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg, Germany
Location: Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg
Dates: Late November – December 24
Highlights: Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany’s oldest and most iconic Christmas markets, dating back to the 16th century. The market is famous for its iconic Christkind, a Christmas angel who opens the festivities. With hundreds of wooden stalls, visitors can browse handmade ornaments, Nuremberg’s famed gingerbread, and mulled wine while enjoying performances and holiday choirs.
2. Striezelmarkt, Dresden, Germany
Location: Altmarkt Square, Dresden
Dates: Late November – December 24
Highlights: Established in 1434, Dresden's Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest Christmas market. It’s named after the “Strüzel,” a traditional German Christmas bread. Visitors will find handcrafted gifts, including wooden ornaments from the nearby Ore Mountains, and can enjoy the signature holiday treat, Dresden's Christmas Stollen.
3. Vienna Christmas World, Austria
Location: Rathausplatz, Vienna
Dates: Mid-November – December 26
Highlights: Set against the stunning Vienna City Hall, this market is renowned for its romantic setting and holiday charm. Visitors can explore dozens of stalls offering treats like roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and Viennese pastries. The park surrounding the market is transformed into a wonderland with lights, a skating rink, and themed activities for families.
4. Winter Wonders, Brussels, Belgium
Location: Grand Place and various squares, Brussels
Dates: Late November – Early January
Highlights: Brussels’ Winter Wonders market stretches over several city squares, offering a true winter festival experience. Attractions include an ice rink, Ferris wheel, and a sound and light show at the Grand Place. The stalls offer delicious Belgian chocolates, hot waffles, and a selection of international treats.
5. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London, England
Location: Hyde Park, London
Dates: Mid-November – Early January
Highlights: Winter Wonderland is one of London’s largest holiday attractions, with something for everyone. This festival-like market features an extensive ice-skating rink, thrilling rides, a circus, and Santa Land. Visitors can indulge in traditional British and European Christmas foods and shop for gifts at the Bavarian market.
6. Colmar Christmas Market, France
Location: Colmar Old Town
Dates: Late November – Early January
Highlights: Known for its storybook charm, Colmar’s Christmas Market is a must-visit in Alsace. The town’s medieval architecture, canals, and half-timbered houses create a picturesque setting, and the market offers artisanal goods, mulled wine, and French holiday pastries. Each of the market’s five areas has its own theme, from traditional crafts to gourmet delights.
7. Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia
Location: Town Hall Square, Tallinn
Dates: Late November – Early January
Highlights: Tallinn’s medieval Old Town provides a stunning backdrop for its Christmas market, where visitors can enjoy a distinctly Estonian holiday experience. The highlight is the giant Christmas tree in Town Hall Square, surrounded by stalls offering handmade crafts, hot spiced drinks, and unique regional foods like sauerkraut and black pudding.
8. Christmas Market at the Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Location: Red Square, Moscow
Dates: December – Mid-January
Highlights: Moscow’s Red Square transforms into a magical Christmas market, with the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral providing a dramatic backdrop. This market combines Russian and European holiday traditions, offering local treats like blini and caviar, as well as traditional holiday games, ice sculptures, and a skating rink.
9. Christkindlmarket, Chicago, USA
Location: Daley Plaza, Chicago
Dates: Mid-November – December 24
Highlights: Inspired by Germany’s Christkindlesmarkt, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket brings authentic European Christmas spirit to the United States. The market features traditional German ornaments, cuckoo clocks, bratwurst, and mulled wine served in collectible mugs. With its cheerful atmosphere, it's become a beloved holiday tradition for Chicagoans and visitors alike.
10. Toronto Christmas Market, Canada
Location: Distillery District, Toronto
Dates: Mid-November – December 23
Highlights: Located in Toronto's historic Distillery District, this market offers a blend of European traditions with Canadian holiday charm. The cobblestone streets are lined with stalls selling seasonal goods, handcrafted gifts, and food from around the world. Entertainment includes carolers, live music, and visits from Santa, creating a festive experience for all ages.
These Christmas markets each have their unique traditions, attractions, and festive ambiance, capturing the heart and soul of the holiday season. Whether you’re savoring a hot drink, browsing for unique gifts, or simply soaking in the holiday lights, visiting one of these world-renowned Christmas markets is an unforgettable way to celebrate the magic of Christmas.
