Is there any better way to embrace the festive feeling than heading to a Christmas market? When you’re roaming rows of stalls, braving the ice rink and, let’s be honest, downing a few cups of mulled wine (it’s for warmth, we promise), it’s easy to forget you’re not actually in a cosy Hallmark film.
Most of us have visited our local market – but the real events are scattered across some of Europe’s oldest, prettiest and most Christmassy cities and towns. From a traditional German market to the unofficial home of Christmas, here are the best European events to book a weekend trip for this winter.
Prague, Czech Republic
Dates: 29th November 2025 to 6th January 2026
The cobbled streets of Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square mean Prague Christmas Market looks as though it’s straight from a fairytale. Think gothic spires, baroque facades and plenty of church bells. The stalls don’t disappoint either: enjoy steaming cups of svarak (spiced wine), medovina (honey mead) and Czech street food like trdelnik (chimney cake) in front of a large stage with live music, theatre performances and choirs. The Christmas tree at the market’s centre is sourced from the country’s forests, and backdropped by the famous Astronomical Clock, it’s a real showstopper.
Flights from the UK to Prague take around two hours, so it’s not too far to travel for a weekend jaunt. For the best experience, stay in the Old Town (Stare Mesto) or New Town (Nove Mesto), both centrally located and within walking distance to the main rows of stalls.
Vienna, Austria
Dates: 14th November to 26th December 2025
Vienna goes all out at Christmas; every year, more than 20 festive markets spring up across the city. The most famous is Christkindlmarkt, largely due to its location in front of the stunning City Hall and its huge tree adorned with sparkling hearts. More than 99 booths sell everything from hand-painted baubles and beeswax candles to steaming mugs of Austrian ‘punsch’ and Lumumba (boozy hot chocolate), and there’s a huge ice-rink trail around the square for you to glide between mulled wine spots.
Flight time to Vienna is around two-and-a-half hours, and staying in Innere Stadt (First District) means you’re just steps from the main square.
Cologne, Germany
Dates: 17th November to 23rd December 2025
Cologne held its first Christmas market more than 200 years ago, and now the city hosts seven different themed events each year. The largest sits under the city’s huge Gothic cathedral, and features around 150 wooden chalets serving bratwurst, spiced almonds and steaming mugs of Gluhwein in collectible boot-shaped mugs. If you’re making a day of it, take the mini-train between the city’s different markets and stop at the Sudstadt Harbour one – there’s a huge ferris wheel with incredible views over Christmassy Cologne.
Flights from the UK to Cologne take just over an hour, making this one of the easiest festive getaways. Stay in the Altstadt (Old Town) for a short walk to both the cathedral square and riverside stalls.
Bruges, Belgium
Dates: 21nd November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Bruges looks like a Christmas card generally (it’s those terraced houses), but in winter the medieval Markt square becomes the city’s hub of festivities. Around 100 wooden stalls line the cobbles, selling lace decorations, Belgian chocolates, and steaming cones of frites. There’s also a large ice rink at nearby Koning Albert I Park, and plenty of hot jenever (Dutch gin) to keep spirits high. Smaller markets are scattered across Simon Stevinplein and Minnewater, where you’ll find more artisanal gifts and cosy food huts.
Flights from the UK to Brussels take just over an hour (there’s the Eurostar too, at around three hours), with a short train ride on to Bruges. Stay in the medieval centre for postcard views and access to the market squares.
Budapest, Hungary
Dates: 15th November 2025 to 1st January 2026
Budapest has a handful of cutesy Christmas markets, but there’s two that steal the show. On Vorosmarty Square, more than 100 stalls offer traditional craft workshops, hand-carved toys and hearty Hungarian food like stuffed cabbage (better than it sounds, we promise) and chimney cake. A few streets away, the Advent Basilica market delivers the nighttime magic with a 3D light show projected onto the historical St Stephen’s Basilica.
Flights from the UK to Budapest take around two-and-a-half hours. Stay downtown in Belvaros, which is within walking distance of both main squares.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dates: 15th November 2025 to 4th January 2026
Edinburgh’s Christmas market transforms Princes Street Gardens into a winter wonderland beneath the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. There’s more than 80 wooden chalets selling everything from Highland cashmere and Scottish shortbread to steaming cups of mulled wine and hearty haggis rolls (no hangovers here). The Big Wheel offers spectacular views over the Old Town’s medieval spires with the castle glowing above, and Edinburgh’s ice rink is one of Europe’s best. Don’t miss the artisan food court with fresh Scottish salmon blinis and warming bowls of Cullen skink.
No flights needed if you’re already in the UK: Edinburgh is around five hours from London via train. Stay in the New Town near Princes Street for the handiest market location.
Tallinn, Estonia
Dates: 22nd November 2025 to 7th January 2026
Tallinn’s Christmas market feels like stepping into a literal snowglove. Held in the Unesco-listed Town Hall Square, the medieval setting is film-worthy with a towering spruce tree (a tradition dating back to 1441, making it one of Europe’s very first) at its centre. Stalls are packed with Estonian woollens, carved wooden toys and gingerbread, and there are hearty bites galore, from black pudding with lingonberries to mugs of spicy glogi. Choirs and folk dancers perform throughout December, adding to the festive vibes.
Flights from the UK to Tallinn take around three hours. Stay in the Old Town for cobbled lanes, fairy-lit rooftops and the market right on your doorstep.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dates: 15th November to 31st December 2025
Copenhagen does Christmas the hygge way: cosy, twinkly and full of good food. The most famous market sits in an amusement park called Tivoli Gardens, where more than 60 stalls are strung with fairy lights against the backdrop of rollercoasters. A few rides stay open too, decorated with a festive twist for seasonal thrills (or screams). Expect Danish treats like aebleskiver (sugar-dusted pancake balls) and glogg (mulled wine with almonds and raisins).
Flights from the UK to Copenhagen are around two hours. Stay near Tivoli or Nyhavn for the best atmosphere – and quickest route to the glogg stalls.
Strasbourg, France
Dates: 28th November to 31st December 2025
Known as the ‘Capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmarik claims to be France’s oldest, dating back to 1570. The half-timbered houses and canals of the Alsace region look like something out of a CGI festive film, and the main square (Place Kleber) is home to a huge Christmas tree. More than 300 wooden chalets pop up across the city, selling Alsatian specialties like bredele biscuits, spiced wine and choucroute (sauerkraut with sausages). Wander between the different squares to find nativity scenes, craft gifts and choirs singing carols late into the night.
Flights from the UK to Strasbourg take around 1 hour 40 minutes, or you can travel by train (the Eurostar via Paris takes around 5 hours). Stay in the Grande Ile, Strasbourg’s historic centre, to be steps from the main markets.
Krakow, Poland
Dates: 29th November to 26th December 2025
Krakow’s Christmas market takes over Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square), one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. With St Mary’s Basilica in the background and horse-drawn carriages jingling through the streets, it’s a very festive affair. Stalls sell hand-painted glass baubles, embroidered linens and wooden ornaments, while food options are warming: think pierogi dumplings, oscypek (smoked cheese with cranberry sauce) and steaming mugs of grzaniec (Polish mulled wine). Local folk groups perform on stage, and there’s usually a Christmas nativity competition where artisans create elaborately decorated cribs to display around the city.
Flights from the UK to Krakow take about 2 hours 30 minutes. Stay in the Old Town for atmospheric cobbled streets and instant access to the market square.
Innsbruck, Austria
Dates: 15th November 2025 to 6th January 2026
If you want guaranteed snow with your Christmas market, Innsbruck is the one. Nestled in the Austrian Alps, the whole city becomes a icy haven. The main market sits beneath the famous Golden Roof in the medieval Old Town, with stalls selling Tyrolean handicrafts, gingerbread hearts and steaming mugs of glühwein. A short stroll away, the Maria-Theresien-Straße market sparkles with modern light displays, with plenty of alpine fare like kasespatzle (cheesy pasta), roast chestnuts and apple strudel.
Flights from the UK to Innsbruck take around two hours. Stay in the Old Town for a fairy-tale setting – or head up to a mountain lodge for that proper snowy Alpine feel.
