On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, it seems that there is something magical in the air. And it's no wonder, because this is the most wonderful time of the year, when our lives are filled with many pleasant chores: gifts, congratulations, preparing the festive table, meeting with family and friends. And, of course, everyone would like to bring even more magic to this time. How can this be done? Simply visit the best Christmas markets. After all, when there is magic everywhere, you yourself become filled with it.
Christmas markets are held in many countries, but European ones are rightly considered the best.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, a city in France, is known as the Christmas capital. Fairs have been held here since 1570. It can be said that on the eve of the holiday, it is not a fair that is held in the city, but the city itself that turns into one big fair.
Around 300 wooden houses on local streets and squares will undoubtedly immerse you in the festive atmosphere from the very first second. Here, you can simply stroll around, taking in the sights. Or you can buy souvenirs, gifts, handmade items, wooden toys, and even jewelry.
After your walk, be sure to grab a bite to eat. You can buy local gingerbread or pretzels and try mulled wine with cinnamon. There are also events for children at the festive locations.
Madrid, Spain
If you want to be at the heart of the festive celebrations without feeling uncomfortable due to the cold, then the Christmas market in Madrid is for you. The Spanish capital takes the organization of this event very seriously. Thousands of lights and illuminations throughout the city, concerts, and traditional dishes are the perfect combination for a pre-Christmas trip.
As in many other cities, events in Madrid begin at the end of November, and Spaniards celebrate Christmas with their families, so the streets are deserted.
The market in Plaza España is worth visiting to buy handmade gifts from renowned local artisans. The Christmas market in Plaza Mayor is a market in the city's main square, which is very popular with tourists.
Nuremberg, Germany
The Christmas markets held in many German cities are often considered to be the best. That's why a couple of them are definitely included in our top markets list.
The festive atmosphere of Nuremberg has long been its hallmark. The Christmas market here is called Christkindlesmarkt (German for "Christ Child Market").
Previously, the Christmas market was geared toward children. On St. Nicholas Day, they were given sweets and toys for three days. But during the Reformation, the date was moved to Christmas.
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is a combination of the smells of cinnamon, mandarins, spices, gingerbread, and mulled wine. Various activities for children are also organized at the children's market on Hans-Sachs-Platz. Here, they paint candles, ride carousels, bake gingerbread cookies, and write greetings on postcards.
At the fair in Nuremberg, you should try Lebkuchen gingerbread, which has been baked here for over 600 years. And be sure to buy pork sausages with marjoram. The recipe for this delicacy has remained unchanged since 1497.
Prague, Czech Republic
This fair is rightly considered the most popular. It is held on Staromestskaya Square. The main Christmas tree is also located here, impressing visitors with its size and beauty.
Thousands of lights, wooden chalets selling various goods, the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon—it all resembles a scene from the movie Home Alone. Incidentally, music from the film is played periodically here, immediately transporting you to Kevin's New York.
And don't forget to try some Christmas pastries. You should definitely try trdelnik — a layered tube made from yeast dough, which can be filled with various ingredients.
By the way, if you are visiting Prague for the first time and don't have much time to explore, we recommend our simplified guide. But if you have more time, explore the city in more detail with this guide.
Warsaw, Poland
The Christmas market in Warsaw takes place in the Old Town. This festive event even features a free ice rink. Visitors and residents of the Polish capital just need to bring their own skates or rent them on site. And, of course, there is hot mulled wine, called "grzaniec" here, and a Christmas tree in the center of the square.
Krakow, Poland
The Christmas market in Krakow is located on a square where fairs have been held for years. Surrounded by live fir trees, warm white lights, and the main Christmas tree, there will be 68 stalls in 2023. They will sell cheese, meat delicacies, and baked goods not only from Poland, but also from Lithuania, Hungary, and Ukraine. You can also find antiques and various trinkets here.
And after enjoying the fair, you can take some time to explore the city. We suggest taking a look at our one-day guide.
Tallinn, Estonia
The Christmas market here takes place on Town Hall Square, where a Christmas tree has been erected since 1441. Here you can buy sheepskin products, try local cuisine, such as a blood sausage called "verivorst," and enjoy musical performances.
Santa Claus has also set up his house in this square, inviting everyone to visit him. You can drop a postcard with your wishes into his mailbox.
In your free time, you can arrange a food tour of Kadriorg with Piligrimos. And if you're visiting the city with children, here are 10 ideasfor interesting and educational activities to do with them.
Stockholm, Sweden
In Stockholm's Old Town, not far from the Royal Palace, a Christmas market has been held for over 100 years. Tiny wooden houses with red roofs surround the Christmas tree, as if dancing around it. In such an atmosphere, you just want to take a walk and see what these fairy-tale chalets have to offer.
They offer the following: handmade New Year's decorations, art objects, and venison and moose sausages. For those with a sweet tooth, there are Swedish Christmas treats such as waffles, gingerbread, and hot chocolate. You can warm up in the harsh Scandinavian winter with hot drinks. Glögg is a drink made from red wine with spices, which differs from mulled wine in that it is heated twice, so most of the alcohol evaporates. And for beer lovers, they offer it with spices.
By the way, here you will find 10 thingsthat you absolutely must do, try, or see in Sweden.
Bolzano, Italy
Many cities in Italy delight travelers with their magical Christmas markets. But the market in Bolzano is considered the most beautiful in the country and one of the most popular in Europe. The city is located in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.
The Christmas fair is the main event of the year in the city, so preparations are taken very seriously. What can you see during the fair? A Christmas choir, fairy-tale wooden kiosks decorated with lights and garlands, a large Christmas tree, many live Christmas trees in pots, and a distinctive feature — mountain peaks in the background.
In addition to mulled wine, you can also try pretzels — salty or sweet — speck, a meat product that is air-dried and lightly smoked, and apple strudel, which speaks to the region's proximity to Austria.
Now let's talk about fairs outside Europe that also made it into our top list.
Toronto, Canada
The traditional Christmas market in Toronto is one of the largest in North America. The stage with lights, Santa Claus, merchants, market stalls — all of this contributes to the city's Christmas atmosphere. The centerpiece of the market is, of course, a huge Christmas tree.
A special feature of the Christmas market in Toronto is a 100-foot-long light tunnel, which makes the atmosphere even more magical. I think that if you walk through it and make a wish, it will definitely come true.
Paris, France
During the Christmas holidays, Paris becomes even brighter and more dazzling than usual. Small houses appear throughout the city and New Year's fairs open. They offer various decorations and handicrafts. You can also try foie gras, Alsatian wine, French chocolate, roasted chestnuts, caramel apples, and Christmas gingerbread.
Christmas markets in Paris open on the Champs-Élysées, at the Eiffel Tower, in Montmartre, in the Montparnasse and La Défense districts, and near the Church of Saint-Sulpice. If you have just arrived and are not yet familiar with these locations, be sure to check out our routes for getting to know the city.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna's Christmas markets are traditionally included in the list of the most atmospheric and beautiful events in Europe. A special feature of the Austrian capital is that there is not just one festive market, but several in different areas. It will take several days to explore them all!
The main market is located on Town Hall Square. Here, visitors are greeted by an arched gate decorated with candles. Behind it are more than 150 traditional Christmas huts. In them, locals and tourists are offered Christmas tree decorations, handmade crafts, culinary delights, confectionery, and warming drinks. In addition, visitors can go ice skating on the park's paths or on two large ice rinks.
And on Maria Theresa Square, just a 10-minute walk from the main winter fair, you can find a real Christmas village. More than 70 stalls will reveal the special features of traditional Austrian crafts to visitors.
Helsinki, Finland
In Helsinki, Christmas markets can be found in several key locations around the city: Lasipalatsi, Senate Square, and Market Square. They are located close to each other, so you can visit all of them in one day. The St. Thomas Christmas Market on Senate Square deserves the most attention.
More than 120 festively decorated pavilions are gathered in one place, offering guests handicrafts, festive lights, Christmas tree decorations, and farm products. There is also a wide variety of gifts on offer, including traditional knitted socks, candles, modern clothing, and designer jewelry.
You can try traditional Finnish snacks and drinks right here in the restaurant courtyard. Entertainment for children and adults includes carousel rides, theater performances, jazz orchestra concerts, and choirs singing Christmas carols.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Winter Copenhagen is a truly magical city! Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's oldest amusement parks, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. For several decades now, Copenhagen's most popular Christmas market has been opening here in the run-up to the main winter holiday.
Fantastic illuminations, vintage and modern carousels, stalls selling traditional treats (sugared nuts and hot chocolate) — all this attracts children and adults of all ages.
Please note: admission to the park, and therefore to the fair, costs 99 Danish kroner. To avoid wasting time queuing, it is best to buy tickets in advance on the park's website.
New York, USA
Of course, New York is one of the most "Christmassy" cities. And all thanks to the movie "Home Alone," which has long been a tradition for many to rewatch on the eve of the holiday. Illuminations, decorations, good cheer — all this is about the Big Apple in the last month of the year.
In 2023, Christmas markets in New York will be held in several locations. Let's talk about the best ones.
The Union Square Fair will take place in the heart of Manhattan. There will be around 200 stalls for you to explore. Soap, candles, hats, art — you can find everything here. By the way, there is life outside Manhattan too — we tell you what to see there in this article. And we wrote about the most interesting sights in the area here.
The Christmas market in Bryant Park is unique in that instead of the usual kiosks, visitors will find boutique-style shops here. So if you're looking for exquisite goods, this is the place to come.
The fair at Central Station will be a great place to pick out gifts for yourself and your loved ones for the holidays. Here you can find handbags, toys, beauty products, jewelry, and Christmas gifts.
If you are staying in the city, we recommend going on a food tour. We have compiled a list of establishments here. You can find a one-day guide to New York here.
We create the festive atmosphere ourselves, but Christmas markets are designed to add magic to our lives. Therefore, the eve of the holiday is a good time for your trip.
