Christmas is coming early to Europe’s cool capitals and big cities, bringing with it a flurry of illuminations, stalls, parades and firework shows to startle, surprise and delight both young and old. Whether or not you’re travelling with children, spend your winter break away from home, to savour some healthy festive spirit at the best Christmas markets across the continent.
Prague Old Town Square Christmas Market, Czechia
November 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025
At Prague’s Old Town Square market, traditional themes come together in family-friendly style, with a Bethlehem display and animal stable both guaranteed to keep the kids thrilled. Wooden huts burst with Yuletide trinkets, glassware, ceramics, embroidered lace and other pretty presents for you to bring home. You can savour barbecued klobása sausages, Czech beers and sugary pastries from under a tall tree, brought in straight from the Krkonoše mountains.
Vienna Christmas Market, Austria
November 16, 2024 – December 23, 2024
With more than seven centuries of Christmas market history behind it, Vienna has without doubt perfected the art of festive fairs. Based on Vienna Rathausplatz and backed by the stunning town hall, its particularly majestic venue is sure to charm any admirer of fine architecture. Each year, this market draws in more than three million children and children at heart from across the world, to delight at tin solider stalls and feast on pretzels and pastries aplenty. The market will be open from 10am to 10pm, but will close at 6.30pm on December 24th.
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Christmas Market, Denmark
November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Nowhere in Copenhagen is quite as gorgeous as the mid-19th century Tivoli Gardens during the end of year; hand-crafted to perfection and the result of 10,000 hours of work, the market here features 30,000 baubles, an array of stalls, and a breathtaking show of 16,000 lights in the Chinese-themed area. Make your way to one of many restaurants, watch a hundreds of young singers during the Lucia parade, and see fireworks colour the sky on New Year’s Eve.
Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik Christmas Market, France
27 November – 27 December 2024
With 300 stalls dotted across more than 12 locations in the city centre, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is not just one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe – it is what transforms the entire city into a magical space, worthy of making every festive obsessive’s bucket list. Look out for traditional bredele cakes and gingerbread biscuits, mesmerising shop window and light displays (those along Rue des Orfèvres are particularly captivating), and sweet artisan-crafted decorations to brighten your own Christmas tree with.
Bath Christmas Market, United Kingdom
28th November – 15th December 2024
A definitive shopper’s paradise, Bath’s Christmas fair brings more than 170 traditional wooden chalets to the streets of this refined city, conveniently near to its Roman thermal spring baths. Running for just over two weeks, this unmissable market is a quintessentially British haven of culture and seasonal spirit. Put crafted candles, felt accessories, glass art and lovely lanterns at the top of your shopping list – without forgetting canine biscuits for your pet pooch, of course.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, Germany
18 November – 23 December 2024
An imposing cathedral sets the scene for downtown Cologne’s Christmas market, making it quite a sight to behold. Quaint booths crowned with red roofs surround the Rhineland’s largest Christmas tree, itself adorned with a brilliant cobweb of fairy lights, and mulled wine is served to the sound of live music performances. If this central spot ever proves too overwhelming, make a trip to the city’s many smaller markets, where skating rinks and LGBTQ+ parties await.
London Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland
21 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
An end-of-year extravaganza for visitors to London, Winter Wonderland brings impressive attractions to Hyde Park – from a ferris wheel and fairground rides, to circus shows and an incredible ice kingdom. The markets here are particularly exciting, with their Bavarian-style set-up and stalls offering handmade crafts, candy floss, marshmallow-topped hot chocolate and heart-shaped message biscuits for your loved ones. Getting there early in the day will help you steer clear of the big crowds.
