Christmas Markets: Amazing Holiday Themed Markets From All Over The World
October 3, 2023
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Dating back to the European Middle Ages, Christmas Markets are now a common occurrence in most European cities. The tradition also moved to North America and Asia, so Christmas fairs open each year in the USA, Canada, Japan, and China.
A Christmas market is a street market associated with celebrating Christmas, which usually takes place during Advent. Nowadays, markets open as early as mid-November, and some close as late as the Epiphany (January 6). Whether the Christmas fairs are large or small, they reflect the local culture with their traditional foods and drinks, handicrafts, and carols.
In this post, we will be taking you on a visual tour of the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets! Here we go!
Cologne, Germany
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 23, 2023 – Dec 23, 2023
Five Christmas Markets will open this year in Cologne. The most famous and popular is Cathedral X-mas Market, which opens on the last Monday before Advent. You can stroll through 150 wooden pavilions to find interesting handicrafts, drink mulled wine and enjoy German culinary delights. Colorful lights and music help to create a festive atmosphere.
Dresden, Germany
Open: Nov 29, 2023 – Dec 24, 2023
The Dresden Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest documented Christmas Market. Founded in 1434 as a one-day market, today it lasts all through Advent. At the center, there’s a 20m spruce, decorated with lights. The market is famous for wooden ornaments and candle pyramids – a decoration which is thought to be the predecessor of the Christmas trees -, nutcrackers, Pflaumentoffel – chimney sweeps made of prunes-, gingerbread, and mulled wine.
Manchester, England
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 10, 2023 – Dec 21, 2023
The Christmas fairs tradition in Manchester only dates back to 1999. Spread across the city center, this year there will be about 300 stalls offering international food, handicrafts, jewelry, and toys. If you are craving Hungarian goulash or German bratwurst, look no further than the markets in Manchester.
Vienna, Austria
Photo credit: Cris Puscas
Open: Nov 10, 2022 – Dec 26, 2026 (Vienna Christkindlmarkt at the Rathausplatz)
This year, 14 Christmas Markets will open in Vienna. The most popular one, Vienna Christmas World at the Rathausplatz, takes place in front of the Town Hall. There will be 150 wooden cottages with a lot on offer: mulled wine, punch – a combination of tea, wine, rum, and spices -, handicrafts, gingerbread, and food. For the first time this year, two ice rinks will delight visitors.
Bruges, Belgium
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 24, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024
If you are looking for a fairytale setting then look no further than Belgium’s capital city of Bruges. Also known as “Venice of the North”, Bruges is home to several Christmas Markets but the main one takes place in Grote Markt. There’s an ice rink for those who want to warm up.
For an amazing view, climb the bell tower. There are a lot of Christmas items on offer at the market, from handicrafts to hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Strasbourg, France
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 24, 2023 – Dec 24, 2023
Founded in 1570, "Christkindelsmärik" in Place Broglie, the most famous Christmas Market in Strasbourg is the oldest in France. As night falls, the magic sets in. The shops, as well as the magical Christmas lights and the smell of cinnamon, are certain to bring back memories of childhood.
Many streets and squares are home to stalls and vendors. Take the time to explore the area and indulge in the food and drinks on offer.
Bologna, Italy
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 16, 2023 – Dec 26, 2023
Bologna is synonymous with good food and the Christmas Market makes no exception. Christmas Markets are a beloved tradition in Italy and the one in Bologna, La Fiera di Santa Lucia, is one of the first to open. Take a walk along the stalls and enjoy the roasted chestnuts, cotton candy, Christmas decorations, and delicious traditional Italian cuisine.
In Italy, the Christmas celebrations begin on the first Sunday of Advent (four Sundays before Christmas). A nativity scene, called presepe, is set up on the first day of novena (which starts 9 days before Christmas). In some towns in Apulia (Italian: Puglia) you’d be delighted to discover live nativity scenes (presepe vivente).
Stockholm, Sweden
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Open: Nov 20, 2023 – Dec 17, 2023 (Stortorget's Christmas market in Old Town)
Fight the cold at Stockholm’s Christmas Markets with glögg (mulled wine). And while you are at it, check out the handicrafts and the candy. There are six markets open during Advent in Stockholm and if you are after a genuine local Christmas experience, head to the one in the Old Town.
It’s the most traditional and most famous in the city, offering smoked sausages, reindeer, and elk meat, as well as a wide range of sweets.
Prague, Czechia (Czech Republic)
Open: Dec 2, 2023 – Jan 6, 2024
The main Christmas markets in Prague take place at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Five other smaller markets also open during this festive time of the year. Very popular with tourists, the market in the Old Town Square becomes the center of all pre-Christmas activities.
Visitors can enjoy the excellent mulled wine, sugar-coated nuts, sausages, and bratwurst. Traditional arts and crafts are also on display.
Baltimore, USA
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Open: Nov 18, 2023 – Dec 24, 2023
Since 2013, Baltimore has been home to a German Christmas Market, called Christmas Village. It is located at West Shore Park/ Inner Harbor and runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Vendors sell traditional European food, sweets, and drinks, such as scrumptious bratwurst, waffles, gingerbread, and mulled wine, alongside Christmas ornaments and handicrafts.
Chicago, USA
Open: Nov 17, 2023 – Dec 24, 2023 (Daley Plaza market and Aurora location) and Dec 31, 2023 (Wrigleyville market)
Christkindlmarket Chicago is no longer just a German tradition. It has become a Chicago institution. Dating back to 2013, the Christmas market offers visitors a unique shopping experience. Among the items available there are classic German nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, as well as jewelry and handicrafts.
The traditional German food is represented by sausages, potato pancakes, strudel, roasted nuts, pastries as well as mulled wine. Beer lovers be happy: this is one market that does include the popular German drink!
Toronto, Canada
Image credit: Flickr.com
Open: Nov 16, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
The Christmas market in Toronto captures the tradition and charm of the European markets while adding a local flair. Beer gardens and a Ferries Wheel will keep the visitors entertained. Among the food and drinks available are Bavarian nuts, Belgian waffles, poutine, cider and mulled wine.
Kindly note that the Christmas Market is free to visit only Tuesdays to Fridays, while tickets are required for weekend visits.
Dreaming of visiting traditional Christmas Markets in Europe and learning how to cook delicious food for the holidays? Browse the many European culinary vacations and make your holiday dreams come true!