Christmas market breaks
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.
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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 2025 to early January 2026, 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 and Winter Festival in Vorosmarty Square has over 120 attractively decorated stalls. There's a wooden playhouse where children are taught to make their own Christmas ornaments. A show kitchen in the Hutte Bistro plays host to a roster of guest chefs demonstrating different Hungarian seasonal recipes, including wild boar and venison, advent fish dishes and other tasty Yuletide fare. On top of which, there are lots of food stalls serving hearty traditional fisherman's soup and roast goose.
- When is it open? Mid-November 2025 to 1 January 2026, daily from 11am to 9pm – including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing 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: Over 160 performances across the season, plus the children’s playhouse and the show kitchen serving Hungarian festive delicacies.
Christmas markets in Vienna
In Vienna, Christmas feels like a symphony of twinkling lights, imperial palaces and timeless melodies – a truly elegant escape.
Vienna Christmas World in Rathausplatz (City Hall Square) boasts 150 booths. City Hall Park is decorated with a Yuletide theme, and there's also ice skating and a Children's World area with a roundabout, reindeer ride and Christmas story tableaux. The Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Platz is a good place to hear choirs and live bands as well as pick up a few stocking fillers. Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung is one of the oldest Yuletide fairs, dating back to the 18th century. For an imperial backdrop, there are more fairs in the grounds of the Schonbrunn and Belvedere palaces, perfect for lovers of history and architecture. Meanwhile, the pleasure market at the Opera House is a good choice for food lovers, offering cheese, smoked meats, gingerbread, wine and beer.
- When are they open? Mid-November 2025 to early January 2026. Rathausplatz: 10am–10pm | Opera House: 11am–9pm | Schönbrunn Palace: 10am–9pm | Maria Theresien Platz: 11am–9pm
- 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: If you're trying to cater to both youngsters and teens, the Winter Market on Reisenradplatz is our top pick as it has both amusement rides and live pop bands.
Christmas markets in Edinburgh
From cosy Christmas stalls to fireworks over the castle at Hogmanay, Edinburgh wraps you in warmth, wonder and Scottish spirit.
The Christmas Market at East Princes Street Gardens has a Santa Land fairground, with stalls, a big wheel, carousel and High Flyer, and remember to take some extra cash for the children's toy market. Other attractions include an Elves' Workshop, Christmas Tree Maze and Santa's Grotto. There's also a Scottish Market on George Street, a European Market on the Mound and St Andrew Square plays host to an ice rink.
- When is it open? Mid-November 2025 to early January 2026, 10am to 10pm daily.
- Why you should go: It’s more than just a market – Edinburgh’s festive programme includes Santa Land, a European market and iconic Hogmanay celebrations.
- What not to miss: The Johnnie Walker Bothy Bar on the Mound – a cosy retreat for warming winter cocktails and hot toddies.
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.
- When is it open? Late November 2025 to early January 2026.
- Why you should go: Winter Wonders takes over the entire city with lights, live music, ice sculptures and parades.
- What not to miss: Snails, oysters and sweet or savoury crêpes – Brussels is a foodie’s dream at Christmas.
Christmas markets in Berlin
Modern and nostalgic, Berlin’s Christmas markets are where creativity, history and winter magic collide.
Berlin has over 70 Christmas markets, one of the oldest of which is the Gendarmenmarkt in the Spandau district. Consisting of tented stalls decorated with fairy lights, it's a good place to shop for traditional crafts and tasty snacks. St George's Church in Berlin Westend puts on a Charles Dickens-themed Christmas celebration, and there's an environmentally friendly Eco Market on Kollwitzplatz. Meanwhile, families with young children should head to the Adventiamo Children's Christmas Market at FEZ-Berlin. Find more about German Christmas markets here.
- When is it open? From the end of November. 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: Keep yourself going over your Yuletide vacation with some local mulled wine and toasted almonds.
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? 21 November to 23 December 2025, daily from 11am to 9pm.
- 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 glowing stars above, 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? 21 November to 30 December 2025, 11am to 8pm. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Why you should go: Seven themed markets spread across the city – from fairy-tale lanes to artisan craft villages.
- What not to miss: Take a spin on the Corneliusplatz ice rink after sampling festive cheeses and mulled wine.
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