Christmas in Europe · 2026 ranking

The 20 best Christmas markets in Europe in 2026 (with dates)

Wooden stalls, mulled wine and squares full of lights: these are the best Christmas markets in Europe in 2026, the top-voted ones, with dates and tips to help you choose yours.

• 20 markets
• All of Europe
• 2026 dates
• Nov – Jan
• Perfect for a short break

• Markets20
• Number 1Craiova
• Votes803,258
• OpenMid-Nov.
• Close24 Dec – Feb
• Ideal length2–3 days

How this ranking was made

Every winter, hundreds of European cities fill their old towns with wooden stalls, ice rinks and lights. To rank the best, we’ve based it on the annual vote by European Best Destinations, in which 803,258 travellers from 179 countries took part this year, choosing from more than 1,500 entries.

The tradition goes back a long way: Advent markets were born in the Middle Ages in Germany and Austria, when towns held fairs before winter to stock up. That’s why some of the oldest are still there, like Dresden’s, held since 1434.

We’ve also added what matters to us when we travel: 2026 dates, what makes each market special and what kind of trip it suits best. That way it’s much easier to decide.

Lights, wooden stalls and Christmas pyramids: the essence of the Christmas markets in Europe.

Which Christmas market to choose for your trip

2026 ranking: the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe

First, these are the ten markets at the top of the 2026 vote. Dates are those announced by each city; if it says ‘to be confirmed’, check the official website before booking.

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  #1 · Craiova (Romania)

  14 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 · Where: Mihai Viteazul Square, opposite the Town Hall. The big winner of 2026. Craiova goes all out with a panoramic Ferris wheel, Santa’s flying sleigh and millions of lights inspired by The Nutcracker. Ideal if you’re travelling with kids.

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  #2 · Zurich (Switzerland)

  19 Nov – 23 Dec 2026. The Wienachtsdorf by the lake and the Illuminarium light show. An elegant, very romantic Alpine atmosphere.

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  #3 · Riga (Latvia)

  27 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · Where: Cathedral Square (Doma laukums). Striped stalls in Cathedral Square, a trail of lights through the parks and lots of knitted crafts to beat the Baltic cold.

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  #4 · Lisbon (Portugal)

  To be confirmed · Where: Eduardo VII Park. Wonderland Lisboa is a big Christmas park with a Ferris wheel, ice rink and market. And the mildest weather in the whole ranking.

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  #5 · Debrecen (Hungary)

  To be confirmed. Ice sculptures, a family atmosphere and freshly made sweet kürtőskalács. A little-known Hungarian gem.

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  #6 · Govone and Asti (Italy)

  14 Nov – 20 Dec 2026. Piedmont at Christmas: Govone castle turned into Santa’s house and the Asti market among vineyards.

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  #7 · Valkenburg (Netherlands)

  13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027. The most original in the ranking: stalls inside underground marl caves and a Christmas parade through the town.

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  #8 · Vienna (Austria)

  13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 · Where: Rathausplatz, opposite the City Hall. The classic par excellence: the Christkindlmarkt in front of the City Hall, Schönbrunn and Karlsplatz. A must on a first trip.

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  #9 · Montbéliard (France)

  21 Nov – 24 Dec 2026. The Lumières de Noël, one of the most beautiful markets in France, with the historic centre full of stalls and lights.

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  #10 · Paris (La Villette) (France)

  To be confirmed. More than 100 stalls and an international food village in the Parc de la Villette.

From 11 to 20: more Christmas markets worth the trip

Next, we complete the ranking with ten more markets, including some of Germany’s most traditional.

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  #11 · Edinburgh (Scotland)

  14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · Where: Princes Street Gardens. Market and rides at the foot of the castle, in Princes Street Gardens. Perfect for staying on until Hogmanay.

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  #12 · Madrid (Spain)

  To be confirmed · Where: Plaza Mayor. The Plaza Mayor tradition: nativity figures, turrón, joke items and the big illuminated tree.

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  #13 · Winchester (England)

  20 Nov – 22 Dec 2026. Wooden stalls and an ice rink next to the medieval cathedral. The most charming British market.

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  #14 · Prague (Czech Republic)

  28 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 · Where: Old Town Square. The Old Town Square with the Týn Church and the big tree: a fairy-tale postcard. Open until Epiphany.

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  #15 · Bruges (Belgium)

  20 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 · Where: Markt square. Stalls in the Markt, illuminated canals and the Winter Glow festival. One of the longest-running.

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  #16 · Dresden (Germany)

  25 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 · Where: Altmarkt square. The Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market (since 1434), with its giant wooden pyramid.

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  #17 · Nuremberg (Germany)

  27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 · Where: Hauptmarkt. The classic Christkindlesmarkt: glass ornaments, sausages and the famous Lebkuchen gingerbread.

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  #18 · Ravenna Gorge (Germany)

  Weekends in Nov and Dec. A market under an illuminated railway viaduct in the heart of the Black Forest. Timed tickets required.

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  #19 · Frankfurt (Germany)

  23 Nov – 22 Dec 2026 · Where: Römerberg square. Stalls in the Römerberg, with half-timbered houses and skyscrapers in the background.

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  #20 · Cologne (Germany)

  16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 · Where: next to the cathedral and in the old town. Several themed markets, from the cathedral market to Heinzels Wintermärchen in the old town.

Christmas market calendar 2026

Other Christmas markets in Europe we love

The ranking isn’t everything. Besides the 20 top-voted, there are classic markets that aren’t on this year’s list but that, for us, are a must on any Christmas trip around Europe:

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  Strasbourg (France)

  26 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 · Where: Place Broglie and the whole Grande Île. France’s oldest Christmas market (since 1570) and the whole city decorated. For many, the capital of Christmas.

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  Colmar (France)

  23 Nov – 29 Dec 2026 · Where: Place des Dominicains, Place Jeanne d’Arc and Petite Venise. Five markets in a fairy-tale town with canals. The Petite Venise one is designed for children.

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  Salzburg (Austria)

  19 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · Where: In front of the cathedral, below Hohensalzburg fortress. One of Austria’s oldest, with brass concerts from the church towers.

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  Budapest (Hungary)

  14 Nov – 31 Dec 2026 · Where: Vörösmarty Square and St Stephen’s Basilica. Hungary’s biggest market and an ice rink in front of the basilica. And more affordable prices than in central Europe.

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  Tallinn (Estonia)

  20 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 · Where: Raekoja plats, the Town Hall Square. Small but with a unique medieval charm. It’s said one of Europe’s first public Christmas trees stood here.

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  Kraków (Poland)

  27 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · Where: Rynek Główny, next to the Cloth Hall. One of the most beautiful squares in Europe, often snowy. Combine it with the Cloth Hall to warm up.

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  Copenhagen (Denmark)

  13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · Where: Tivoli Gardens. Rides, a frozen lake and around 60 stalls. You have to pay to enter the park, but with kids it’s well worth it.

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  Munich (Germany)

  20 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 · Where: Marienplatz, opposite the City Hall. Live music with alphorns, roasted almonds and spiced Pfeffernüsse biscuits.

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  Zagreb (Croatia)

  28 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 · Where: King Tomislav Square and around the cathedral. One of Europe’s most award-winning Advent events: ice rink, concerts and sweets like licitari honey biscuits.

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  Barcelona (Spain)

  26 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 · Where: Plaça de la Seu, in front of the cathedral. The Fira de Santa Llúcia, since 1786: nativity figures, the tió and the caganer. Our home-town market.

What to eat and drink at Christmas markets

Much of the fun is in the food. These are the classics you can’t miss, by country:

• Glühwein and vin chaud

  Spiced mulled wine from Germany, Austria and Alsace. It’s usually served in a souvenir mug you can return or keep.

• Lebkuchen and Stollen

  Nuremberg’s gingerbread and Dresden’s Christmas cake, perfect to take home as gifts.

• Kürtőskalács

  The Hungarian spiral cake, roasted over a fire and rolled in sugar and cinnamon. A must in Budapest and Debrecen.

• Grog and trdelník

  In Prague, the hot rum-and-lemon drink and the famous rolled-dough pastry.

• Läckerli and fondue

  At Swiss markets, Basel’s spiced biscuits and cheese fondue to warm up.

• Licitari and honey biscuits

  Zagreb’s decorated heart-shaped biscuits, also a popular souvenir.

How to plan your trip to the Christmas markets in Europe

The key is to plan ahead and choose your dates carefully. These are our four steps:

1. 1Check the calendarFirst of all

   Not all of them stay open until January. In Germany they usually close on 23 or 24 December, while Prague, Craiova and Bruges carry on until New Year, Epiphany or even February.

2. 2Book central accommodation2–3 months ahead

   Staying near the old town saves you cold journeys and lets you see the lights at dusk. Prices go up the closer you get to December.

3. 3Secure special ticketsIn advance

   Some markets have limited capacity: Ravenna Gorge, in the Black Forest, requires advance tickets with a time slot.

4. 4Combine cities by train2–3 days

   Many cities are well connected: Cologne and Frankfurt, Dresden and Prague… Just allow at least one evening for each market and go on a weekday, when it’s less crowded.

What to bring to the Christmas markets

• Warm, waterproof footwear: you’ll spend hours on your feet
• Layers, a hat and a scarf
• Touchscreen gloves to take photos without freezing
• A power bank: the cold drains your phone battery fast
• Some cash: a few small stalls don’t take cards
• Travel insurance and mobile data if you leave the EU (Switzerland or the UK)

Travel insurance and mobile data

If your market route goes through Switzerland or the UK, remember that the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t work the same there and EU roaming isn’t always included. We travel with Heymondo (5% off through our link) and an eSIM from Holafly (code CURIOSONES) to have data in any country without relying on our Spanish plan.

Want more ideas for your trip? You’ll find all our destinations in Europe and Spain(in Spanish).

Plan your Christmas market trip

• Tours and guided visits: book tours, tickets and free tours in the Christmas market cities with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
• Luggage storage: if you arrive before check-in or leave late, drop your bag with Bounce and make the most of the day. Code CURIOSONESBOUNCE.
• Save when you book: with iGraal you get back part of what you spend on hotels, flights and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
• Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
• Airport VIP lounges: wait for your flight in comfort, with food, drinks and Wi-Fi, in a VIP lounge with VIPLounges. Code VIAJEROSCURIOSONES saves you 5%.

More Christmas guides: if you’re looking for something closer to Spain, there are the Christmas markets of the south of France with a route from Catalonia, and if you choose Belgium, our guide to Brussels at Christmas(both in Spanish).

Frequently asked questions about Europe’s Christmas markets

Photos: Pexels. Ranking: European Best Destinations 2026. Dates: official websites of each market; confirm them before you travel.