Every year, countless towns throughout Europe transform into enchanting winter wonderlands.
These Christmas markets are famous worldwide for their festive decorations, enticing foods, and cultural celebrations.
Discover Europe’s top Christmas villages worth the holiday hype:
Christkindelsmӓrik – Strasbourg, France
There’s a reason Strasbourg is called the Capital of Christmas. Its annual Christkindelsmӓrik is legendary, drawing millions of visitors.
The Christmas market dates back to the 1500s, making it the oldest in France. With hundreds of vendors and a towering Christmas tree, there’s no better place to celebrate the holidays.
Belvedere Palace Christmas Market – Vienna, Austria
Experience a magical holiday season at the Belvedere Palace Vienna Christmas Market. Set against an opulent Baroque palace backdrop, this charming market is romantic and elegant.
Expect twinkling lights, indulgent treats, and unique items made by local artists. Walking through the quaint scene, you’ll wonder if you’ve stepped inside a fairytale.
Frankfurt Christmas Market – Frankfurt, Germany
The Frankfurt Christmas Market is among the most famous in Europe. For centuries, it’s enchanted visitors with its over 200 food and shopping stalls.
You could spend hours browsing the massive market and admiring the extravagant decorations. During your visit, don’t forget to snack on a Bethmännchen pastry and warm up with a cup of hot apple wine.
Christmas in Tivoli – Copenhagen, Denmark
Christmas in Tivoli is an essential Copenhagen holiday celebration. Every year, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park is transformed into a dazzling wonderland for the festivities.
It offers activities for all ages, like an Elf Train and a Father Christmas meet-and-greet. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to a food stall to refuel with traditional delights, such as honey cakes and pancake balls.
Tuomaan Markkinat – Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki’s annual Christmas village, Tuomaan Markkinat, is a must-see. It occupies Senate Square, a beautiful public plaza in the heart of the city. Between the live entertainment, handcrafted gifts, and mouthwatering delights, it’s an unforgettable way to commemorate Christmas.
Old Town Square Christmas Market – Prague, Czech Republic
Head to Prague’s Old Town Square for a dazzling Christmas market unlike any other. During the holiday season, the historic public square turns into a scene fit for a Christmas movie. Snack on roasted chestnuts while listening to carols and browsing the unique gifts sold by Czech artists.
Advent on Ban Jelačić Square – Zagreb, Croatia
While there are many Christmas villages throughout Zagreb, Advent on Ban Jelačić Square is hard to beat. The perfect excuse to visit Croatia for the holidays is to see the 19th-century buildings covered in sparkling lights and the square full of food and shopping stalls. The city also hosts a family-friendly Christmas Program in the square, with candlelightings, concerts, and performances.
Wrocław Christmas Market – Wrocław, Poland
Every year, Wrocław hosts a beautiful Christmas market that attracts worldwide visitors. It’s the largest and most famous in Poland, for good reason.
The event spans multiple city blocks, offering picturesque decorations, classic Polish snacks, and plenty of stalls to shop ‘til you drop. While wandering the holiday village, you must try mulled wine, potato pancakes, and oscypek, a smoked cheese served with cranberries.
Brussels Christmas Market – Brussels, Belgium
Step back in time at the Brussels Christmas Market. Hundreds of vendors and attractions, such as a Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, and skating rinks, overtake the Grand Place during the holiday season. It’s an excellent way to explore the city center of Brussels while embracing the Christmas spirit.
Trento Christmas Market Trento, Italy
Trento’s sprawling Christmas village occupies two picturesque city squares, Piazza Fiera and Piazza Mostra. Around the holidays, these plazas host rows of traditional wooden huts selling local goods and delicious Trentino specialties. Culinary highlights include sbrisolona, an almond cake, and zelten, a festive fruitcake.
Advent Bazilika – Budapest, Hungary
For four years, Europe’s Best Destinations has ranked Advent Bazillka in Budapest as Europe’s most beautiful Christmas market. This wondrous holiday event features Hungarian artists, enticing snacks, and enchanting decorations. The festivities occur in Szent István Square, a bustling plaza in front of the gorgeous St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Jul i Vinterland – Oslo, Norway
Nothing compares to Christmas in Oslo, and its annual Jul i Vinterland market is a can’t-miss for travelers eager to celebrate the holidays.
There’s a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink, and many stalls with seasonal items and foods. Experience an unforgettable Norwegian Christmas shopping for handcrafted goodies made by local artisans and irresistible snacks at Jul i Vinterland.
Vilnius Christmas Market – Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius has plenty of Christmas cheer to go around. Its holiday village is centrally located in Cathedral Square, creating a festive hub for the seasonal attractions. Highlights include a Christmas train, live concerts, and a race throughout town.
Basel Christmas Market – Basel, Switzerland
Bring your festive dreams to life at the Basel Christmas Market in the heart of Old Town. The charming holiday village boasts over 150 rustic chalets where you can browse one-of-a-kind gifts and tempting treats.
Don’t miss your chance to try Basler Lӓckerli, a type of gingerbread biscuit from Basel. Other highlights of the town market include the towering Christmas pyramid and Basler Münster, where you can admire the lights from above.
Tallinn Christmas Market – Tallinn, Estonia
Town Hall Square in Tallinn is an essential destination for Christmas lovers. The Tallinn Christmas Market is famous for displaying Europe’s first Christmas tree in 1441.
This Estonian event goes all out for the holidays, decking the halls with lights, bows, trees, and more. It’s a great place to try traditional favorites like black pudding and glögi, a warm spiced drink.
Spend your holidays in Europe’s most picturesque mountain towns
Make this a holiday season to remember with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. These are the most quaint alpine destinations throughout Europe to celebrate Christmas.
15 Charming Alpine Towns in Europe to Cozy Up in This Season
Experience a European Christmas without leaving the US
Even if you can’t leave the country for the holidays this year, you can still enjoy a European-inspired season. These festive American towns could easily pass for Europe.
14 Christmas Towns in the United States That Look Just Like Europe
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
