Christmas market breaks
Get ready to sleigh the festive season with a Christmas market trip. Book one of our selected Flight + Hotel deals, and you'll enjoy an exclusive discount of up to 20%* off your hotel. Meaning more money to spend on gifts, treats and Christmas magic. But get your (ice) skates on, as you only have until November 18th to grab your deal!
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Experience the best of Europe's traditional Christmas markets this November and December. Explore the world-famous holiday markets in popular European cities such as Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Lille, Bruges and many more.
A tradition that dates back hundreds of years, Europe’s famous markets are filled with character, charm and Christmas cheer. Whether you fancy trying the picture-perfect markets in Krakow, Bruges or Budapest, or the festive extravaganzas of Edinburgh, Prague and Vienna, you’ll be sure to find plenty of handmade crafts, unique one of a kind gifts, delicious treats, sprawling gingerbread metropolises, and plenty of glühwein, wherever you go.
For a Christmas shopping solution that’s more enchanting than braving the December crowds on the high street, and more exciting than waiting in all day for an online delivery, a break to one of Europe’s best Christmas markets simply can’t be beat.
More Christmas market city breaks
Best Christmas market destinations in 2026
Step into a world of twinkling lights, mulled wine, and magical stalls. Our Christmas market breaks 2026 take you to the heart of Europe’s most enchanting winter cities – from Vienna to Berlin, Prague to Cologne. Book your winter city break now and make your holiday season sparkle.
Whether you're hunting for handcrafted gifts, festive treats or simply want to soak up the holiday atmosphere, these city breaks offer the perfect escape.
Christmas markets in Prague
Let the glow of Prague’s cobbled streets and gothic spires transport you to a magical winter wonderland straight out of a storybook.
- When is it open? Late November 2026 to early January 2027, 10am to 10pm daily – including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
- Why you should go: For a blissfully romantic backdrop to a fairy-tale Christmas.
- What not to miss: The tree lighting ceremony every hour from 4:30pm in Old Town Square, plus two more impressive trees in Wenceslas Square.
Christmas markets in Budapest
Breathe in the scent of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts as you wander through Budapest’s golden-lit squares – where tradition meets creativity.
The Christmas Fair on Vörösmarty Square features over 100 attractively decorated artisan chalets, alongside the acclaimed Advent Basilica market just a short walk away. Watch Hungarian master craftsmen demonstrate traditional glassblowing and leatherwork, while food stalls serve up wild boar sausages, steaming bowls of authentic fisherman's soup, and chimney cakes (kürtőskalács).
- When is it open? Mid-November 2026 to New Year's Day 2027. Daily, with late nights on Friday and Saturday (different schedules apply on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve).
- Why you should go: A mix of live music, crafts, gourmet food and local traditions in the heart of the city.
- What not to miss: The 3D festive light-projection show mapped across the facade of St. Stephen’s Basilica every half-hour after dark.
Christmas markets in Vienna
In Vienna, Christmas feels like a symphony of twinkling lights, imperial palaces and timeless melodies – a truly elegant escape.
The Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz (City Hall Square) hosts roughly 150 stalls beneath glowing tree illuminations. Wander through City Hall Park, ride the illuminated Ferris wheel, or glide along the multi-level ice-skating trails. Nearby, the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz offers brass bands and traditional craftwork, while the Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung highlights Austrian glass art and ceramics. For magnificent imperial grandeur, visit the markets hosted in the courtyards of Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces.
- When are they open? Mid-November 2026 through Christmas. Rathausplatz: 10am–10pm daily | Schönbrunn Palace: 10am–9pm daily | Maria Theresien Platz: 11am–9pm/10pm Fridays and Saturdays.
- Why you should go: Over half a dozen stunning christmas markets with an imperial backdrop, from City Hall to palace grounds.
- What not to miss: Take a spin along the Wiener Eistraum (Viennese Ice Dream) - winding ice tracks weaving directly through the illuminated trees of City Hall Park.
Christmas markets in Edinburgh
From cosy Christmas stalls to fireworks over the castle at Hogmanay, Edinburgh wraps you in warmth, wonder and Scottish spirit.
East Princes Street Gardens hosts the signature Christmas Market alongside fairground attractions, a big wheel, and a carousel. Family-friendly highlights continue across West Princes Street Gardens and St Andrew Square with Santa's Stories, while George Street transforms with festive chalets and an open-air ice-skating ribbon.
- When is it open? Mid-November 2026 to early January 2027, 10am to 10pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- Why you should go: It’s more than just a market – Edinburgh’s festive programme envelops the whole city, including Santa Land, a European market and iconic Hogmanay celebrations.
- What not to miss: Spiced hot toddies and craft cocktails overlooking the illuminated Castle.
Christmas markets in Brussels
Wander through grand squares lit by fairy lights, sip creamy hot chocolate and fall under Brussels' festive spell.
The Winter Wonders and Christmas Market is so large it sprawls over almost a square mile of central Brussels. At the Grand Place you'll find a light show, live music and the town's main Christmas tree. There's a covered ice skating rink at the Place de la Monnaie, and merry-go-rounds and other fairground attractions at the Place Sainte Catherine. Wherever you go, you'll see quaint chalet-style stalls selling waffles and creamy hot chocolate.
Wander through grand cobblestone squares lit by cascading fairy lights, sip rich Belgian hot chocolate, and fall under Brussels' festive spell.
The Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d'Hiver) festival stretches across two kilometres through the heart of central Brussels. At the Grand-Place, admire the colossal dressed Christmas tree and an immersive 360-degree sound-and-light show reflected off the historic guildhalls. Traditional chalets line Place Sainte-Catherine, the Bourse, and Place de la Monnaie, serving hot Liege waffles, tartiflette, and artisan chocolates.
- When is it open? Late November 2026 to early January 2027. Daily 12pm to 10pm (early closures 24th and 31st December.)
- Why you should go: Winter Wonders takes over the entire city with lights, live music, ice rinks and carnival rides.
- What not to miss: Steaming pots of fresh Belgian moules, artisan chocolate truffles, and warm sugar-crusted waffles on Place Sainte-Catherine.
Christmas markets in Berlin
Modern and nostalgic, Berlin’s Christmas markets are where creativity, history and winter magic collide.
With over 80 distinctive markets, Berlin offers an option for every style. The crown jewel is the WeihnachtsZauber on the historic Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte, celebrated for its heated white-topped artisan pavilions, Michelin-calibre pop-up dining, and glassblowers. Families will love the nostalgic Berliner Weihnachtszeit around Alexanderplatz's Neptunbrunnen with its circular ice rink and vintage Ferris wheel, while the Nordic Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei provides an atmospheric open-air experience.
Find more about German Christmas markets here.
- When is it open? From the end of November till New Year. The best time for visiting the Berlin markets is just before Christmas, in the last weeks of December.
- Why you should go: With its plethora of small markets tailored to different interests, Berlin earns top marks for variety and quirkiness.
- What not to miss: The nightly acrobat, choir, and brass ensembles performing in front of the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt.
Christmas markets in Cologne
Let the sound of carols under the cathedral’s spires and the scent of spiced nuts guide you through Cologne’s festive dreamscape.
During the Advent period, hundreds of wooden pavilions spring up in front of Cologne cathedral, as well as a mammoth Christmas tree standing 75 feet high and dripping with 50,000 lights. The Old Market Christmas fair by the Town Hall has a section for children with toy sellers, roundabouts and puppet shows. Foodies should head for the Futtergasse (Feeding Alley), while if you're in need of a jacket or sweater, try the fashion stalls in the Glitzergasse.
- When is it open? Mid-November to 23 December 2026, daily from 11am, late nights Thursday-Saturday.
- Why you should go: This is a great destination choice for food buffs, as all of the snack stalls are certified to serve up only the best local produce.
- What not to miss: Look out for the Market Express, a miniature train that runs through the heart of Cologne between the main locations.
Christmas markets in Dusseldorf
With twinkling stars overhead, snowflakes on your coat and a warm drink in hand – Düsseldorf turns every step into a Christmas postcard.
The Handwerker-Markt on Marktplatz is a recreation of a traditional village with craftsmen demonstrating their skills. Adults can snack on pretzels and cheese washed down with rum punch. The Sternchen-Markt at Stadtbrückchen is a magical Santa's Grotto on an impressive scale, and home to some eye-catching jewellery stalls. The Märchen-Markt on Schadowplatz presents a traditional Hans Christian Andersen-style Christmas in painstaking detail. Meanwhile, the Kö-Bogen-Markt at Jan-Wellem-Platz has many attractions for younger visitors.
- When is it open? Late November to 30 December 2026, 11am to 8pm/9pm Friday & Saturday. Closed on Christmas Day and Totensonntag (22 Nov).
- Why you should go: Seven themed markets spread across the city – all within easy walking distance of the luxury boutiques along the Königsallee.
- What not to miss: Take a spin on the open-air Corneliusplatz ice rink followed by festive cheese and mulled wine.
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