Lonely PlanetAug 28, 2026
The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Get planning your festive season with this guide to this year
25 things in this story
- Colmar in AlsaceNeighborhoodgingerbready, half-timbered old town hosts six markets
- Elsewhere
- Grand-PlaceMarketBrussels, Belgiumstrikingly lit square with a fabulous tree
- Schloss HellbrunnAttractionSalzburg, Austriamarket with carollers, handicraft stalls, and Christmas train
- SenaatintoriNeighborhoodHelsinki, Finlandmarket on elegant 19th-century square
- StriezelmarktMarketDresden, Germanyhas enraptured folk since 1434
- Nuremberg's marketMarketNuremberg, Germanytwo million visit
- Innsbruck's medieval old town marketsMarketInnsbruck, Austriafolk bands play and chalets sell decorations
- Hellbrunn's baroque palaceSightSalzburg, Austriapairs Christmas markets with northern lights
- Ravenna GorgeSightSchluchsee, GermanyChristmas market in the snowy Black Forest
- RathausSightVienna, Austriamarket in front of the neo-Gothic building
- SpittelbergQuarterVienna, Austriaromantic market in narrow Biedermeier lanes
- Schloss SchönbrunnSightVienna, Austriamarket on the grounds with a magnificent tree
- Golden RoofAttractionInnsbruck, Austriahuge tree glitters in front of it
- MarktplatzNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriatraditional fairground rides and puppet shows
- KiebachgasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriafairytale-themed street
- Maria-Theresien-StrasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriamarket stalls and trees packed with twinkling lights
- Hellbrunn Advent MagicMarketSalzburg, Austriaheld at Salzburg's Schloss Hellbrunn
- Place de BrouckèreNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiumice and curling rinks and a merry-go-round
- Pl Sainte-CatherineNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiummarket spreads out here for shopping
- Zagreb’sMarketZagreb, Croatiaright up there with Europe’s finest
- FuliranjeMarketZagreb, Croatiamarket for carols, concerts, crafts and DJs
- Ban Jelačić SqNeighborhoodZagreb, Croatiasnack on hot chestnuts and licitars
- Winchester’s Christmas marketMarketWinchester, United Kingdomin the cathedral’s historic grounds
- Raekoja platsNeighborhoodTallinn, Estoniaenormous tree towering above quaint wooden chalets
- AleksanterinkatuNeighborhoodHelsinki, Finlandfestivities kick off with switching on the lights