Merry Christmas Markets Around the World!
Is that wonderful feeling for festive travel stronger than ever before? If you are dreaming of being wrapped in a furry puffer jacket, with a mug of hot chocolate in one gloved hand, and gift-laden shopping bags in the other or hanging out for Christmas cocktails by the pool, here’s our guide for the best Christmas markets around the world!
Our selection includes Markets that are listed as happening in 2025, however please check directly to ensure you meet all visa requirements, find available accommodation, etc.
Our selection includes Markets that are listed as happening in 2025, however please check directly to ensure you meet all visa requirements, find available accommodation, etc.
Winter Wonder 1: Helsinki, Finland – Helsinki Christmas Market
Meet Santa Claus himself at the Helsinki Christmas Market! Ask any Finn and they’ll proudly claim that Santa Claus – the one and only – comes from Finland. Visit the Helsinki Christmas Market on Senate Square, and you’ll get to meet him in person. In fact, he makes the effort to turn up daily, so make sure to polish off that wishlist. Once you’ve placed your orders, get yourself a nice glass of glögi, (warming mulled wine), and feel the Christmas spirit rise. If this doesn’t do it, the brass bands, twinkling Christmas lights and a ride on the antique Dutch carousel certainly will.
There’s something like 120 stalls overflowing with local handicrafts, traditional ornaments and regional produce, including reindeer meat – a Finnish specialty. Market dates are late Nov – Dec 22.
Winter Wonderland 2: Plaisirs d’Hiver - Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium
With around 240 wooden chalets, Brussels’ Plaisirs d’Hiver Christmas market – which roughly translates to Winter Wonders – is lauded as one of the best in Europe. It caters for the whole family with stalls and outlets for the shoppers and attractions for kids like merry-go-rounds, Ferris Wheels and an ice rink. Handmade candles, children’s toys, leather goods and Christmas trinkets abound, but the real attraction is the traditional Belgian food: Belgian waffles and chocolate, mussels, artisanal sausages, cheeses, breads … not to forget Belgian frites! Market Dates are Nov 29 – Jan 5
Winter Wonderland 3: Toronto Christmas Market, Canada
Contrary to popular belief, not all the best markets are in Europe. At the Toronto Christmas Market you’ll be rewarded with camp-fire-lit beer gardens, wares from local craftspeople, and a plethora of activities, most importantly the arrival of St Nick on a white horse.
At a food stall, you’ll find Poutine, one of Canada’s finest guilty pleasures, mixing French fries with gravy and soft cheese curds and as this is the Distillery District, there’s free samples of wine, spirits and beer to enjoy. Market dates are Nov. 13 – Jan 4.
Winter Wonderland 4: Dresden Striezelmarkt - Dresden, Germany
The oldest in Germany, Dresden’s Christmas market has been going strong for almost 600 years! Craftsmen from the region flock to its 250 stalls, offering everything from wooden ornaments and nutcrackers to traditional candle pyramids. Striezelmarkt boasts the world’s largest Christmas arch and has a kid’s adventure world with a puppet theatre, merry-go-round and children’s railway.
The name of the market refers to Strüzel or Stroczel, a fruity cake that’s sold at the market and is now referred to as Stollen. Other sweet and savoury treats include the notorious Glühwein (mulled wine) and Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen (gingerbread filled with jam and covered in chocolate). Try the Dresden Rahmklecks (freshly baked bread stuffed with cheese) and grub up a host of German specialties like bratwurst (sausage) and pretzels (a baked snack). Guten Appetit! Market dates are Nov 26 – Dec 24.
Meet Santa Claus himself at the Helsinki Christmas Market! Ask any Finn and they’ll proudly claim that Santa Claus – the one and only – comes from Finland. Visit the Helsinki Christmas Market on Senate Square, and you’ll get to meet him in person. In fact, he makes the effort to turn up daily, so make sure to polish off that wishlist. Once you’ve placed your orders, get yourself a nice glass of glögi, (warming mulled wine), and feel the Christmas spirit rise. If this doesn’t do it, the brass bands, twinkling Christmas lights and a ride on the antique Dutch carousel certainly will.
There’s something like 120 stalls overflowing with local handicrafts, traditional ornaments and regional produce, including reindeer meat – a Finnish specialty. Market dates are late Nov – Dec 22.
Winter Wonderland 2: Plaisirs d’Hiver - Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium
With around 240 wooden chalets, Brussels’ Plaisirs d’Hiver Christmas market – which roughly translates to Winter Wonders – is lauded as one of the best in Europe. It caters for the whole family with stalls and outlets for the shoppers and attractions for kids like merry-go-rounds, Ferris Wheels and an ice rink. Handmade candles, children’s toys, leather goods and Christmas trinkets abound, but the real attraction is the traditional Belgian food: Belgian waffles and chocolate, mussels, artisanal sausages, cheeses, breads … not to forget Belgian frites! Market Dates are Nov 29 – Jan 5
Winter Wonderland 3: Toronto Christmas Market, Canada
Contrary to popular belief, not all the best markets are in Europe. At the Toronto Christmas Market you’ll be rewarded with camp-fire-lit beer gardens, wares from local craftspeople, and a plethora of activities, most importantly the arrival of St Nick on a white horse.
At a food stall, you’ll find Poutine, one of Canada’s finest guilty pleasures, mixing French fries with gravy and soft cheese curds and as this is the Distillery District, there’s free samples of wine, spirits and beer to enjoy. Market dates are Nov. 13 – Jan 4.
Winter Wonderland 4: Dresden Striezelmarkt - Dresden, Germany
The oldest in Germany, Dresden’s Christmas market has been going strong for almost 600 years! Craftsmen from the region flock to its 250 stalls, offering everything from wooden ornaments and nutcrackers to traditional candle pyramids. Striezelmarkt boasts the world’s largest Christmas arch and has a kid’s adventure world with a puppet theatre, merry-go-round and children’s railway.
The name of the market refers to Strüzel or Stroczel, a fruity cake that’s sold at the market and is now referred to as Stollen. Other sweet and savoury treats include the notorious Glühwein (mulled wine) and Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen (gingerbread filled with jam and covered in chocolate). Try the Dresden Rahmklecks (freshly baked bread stuffed with cheese) and grub up a host of German specialties like bratwurst (sausage) and pretzels (a baked snack). Guten Appetit! Market dates are Nov 26 – Dec 24.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Winter Wonderland 5: Christkindelsmärik - Strasbourg, France
One of the great classics among Europe’s Christmas markets, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik – also known as Marché de l’Enfant Jésus – is one of the oldest in Europe. Dating back to 1570, the market comprises 300 wooden chalets spread across 11 themed villages across the city centre – the main market is on Place de la Cathédral and offers a range of handcrafts, decorations and seasonal treats.
Christmas must-eats include Vin Chaud (mulled wine) and Bredele biscuits, a local specialty that comes in a range of flavours, such as hazelnut, orange, cinnamon or praline. Other culinary marvels are Choucroute (pickled cabbages) and Baeckeoffe stew. Bon appétit! Market dates are Nov 26 – Dec 24.
Winter Wonderland 6: Albert Square - Manchester, England
While the Christmas market tradition is born and bred in continental Europe, the British also have their own traditions and the Manchester market around Albert Square is an experience not to miss. With around 300 stalls divided into sections – a world market, French market, German market and a family-friendly section with an ice-rink in Cathedral Gardens – you’ll be well entertained for an entire day.
Again, you can get anything from handcrafts to delicacies from all over Europe, but the food stalls are amazing. Offering a wide international selection, you can find anything from Bavarian Strudels (pastry with fruit filling) or French crêpes to German Flammkuchen (a sort of pizza with cheese and meat) or grilled cheese sandwiches, Manchester style. Market dates are Nov 7 – Jan 4.
Winter Wonderland 7: Mercado de Navidad - Madrid, Spain
With the advent of Christmas, Madrid’s main square turns into a huge market featuring 104 stalls where locals and tourists can find all types of Nativity Scene figures, Christmas musical instruments, toys and jokes.
Dating back to 1860, the market is famous for its Belén (Bethlehem) nativity figurines; its 104 stands are lined with an odd mix of figures of the nativity story and curious prank gifts to be used at The Day of the Holy Innocents on December 28th, where Madrileños play tricks on each other – an equivalent to April Fool’s Day. Market dates are Late Nov – Jan 6.
Winter Wonderland 8: Piața Mare - Sibiu, Romania
Nestled between three beautiful mountain ranges, in the awe-inspiring Grand Square (Piața Mare) of the city’s Old Town, Sibiu’s Christmas market oozes romance. Stroll along the 70 huts and shop for pottery, furs and wooden children’s toys, and head to the skating rink or the children’s fair park for a festive interlude.
Sibiu’s a sight to behold and well worth a visit at any time, but its prime location in Transylvania’s highlands is a particular advantage at this time of the year – as chances for a white Christmas are good. Add a dash of snow to this setting, perhaps a gospel concert or a magical light show, and there’s not a dry eye.
In traditional fashion, cravings can be cured with mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. However, leave some space for the Romanian-Hungarian specialties such as Cozonac (sweet bread) and Kürtőskalács (cone-shaped spit cakes), the latter thanks to the Hungarian minority living in the region. Market dates are Late Nov – Early Jan.
Other Christmas markets around the world include:
Winter Village, Bryant Park - NYC USA
Munich Christmas Market – Germany
Tivoli Gardens. – Copenhagen
Great Dickens Christmas Fair Sand Francisco – USA
Old Town Square, Prague – Czech Republic
Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg – Germany
San Gregorio Armeno Street, Naples – Italy
One of the great classics among Europe’s Christmas markets, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik – also known as Marché de l’Enfant Jésus – is one of the oldest in Europe. Dating back to 1570, the market comprises 300 wooden chalets spread across 11 themed villages across the city centre – the main market is on Place de la Cathédral and offers a range of handcrafts, decorations and seasonal treats.
Christmas must-eats include Vin Chaud (mulled wine) and Bredele biscuits, a local specialty that comes in a range of flavours, such as hazelnut, orange, cinnamon or praline. Other culinary marvels are Choucroute (pickled cabbages) and Baeckeoffe stew. Bon appétit! Market dates are Nov 26 – Dec 24.
Winter Wonderland 6: Albert Square - Manchester, England
While the Christmas market tradition is born and bred in continental Europe, the British also have their own traditions and the Manchester market around Albert Square is an experience not to miss. With around 300 stalls divided into sections – a world market, French market, German market and a family-friendly section with an ice-rink in Cathedral Gardens – you’ll be well entertained for an entire day.
Again, you can get anything from handcrafts to delicacies from all over Europe, but the food stalls are amazing. Offering a wide international selection, you can find anything from Bavarian Strudels (pastry with fruit filling) or French crêpes to German Flammkuchen (a sort of pizza with cheese and meat) or grilled cheese sandwiches, Manchester style. Market dates are Nov 7 – Jan 4.
Winter Wonderland 7: Mercado de Navidad - Madrid, Spain
With the advent of Christmas, Madrid’s main square turns into a huge market featuring 104 stalls where locals and tourists can find all types of Nativity Scene figures, Christmas musical instruments, toys and jokes.
Dating back to 1860, the market is famous for its Belén (Bethlehem) nativity figurines; its 104 stands are lined with an odd mix of figures of the nativity story and curious prank gifts to be used at The Day of the Holy Innocents on December 28th, where Madrileños play tricks on each other – an equivalent to April Fool’s Day. Market dates are Late Nov – Jan 6.
Winter Wonderland 8: Piața Mare - Sibiu, Romania
Nestled between three beautiful mountain ranges, in the awe-inspiring Grand Square (Piața Mare) of the city’s Old Town, Sibiu’s Christmas market oozes romance. Stroll along the 70 huts and shop for pottery, furs and wooden children’s toys, and head to the skating rink or the children’s fair park for a festive interlude.
Sibiu’s a sight to behold and well worth a visit at any time, but its prime location in Transylvania’s highlands is a particular advantage at this time of the year – as chances for a white Christmas are good. Add a dash of snow to this setting, perhaps a gospel concert or a magical light show, and there’s not a dry eye.
In traditional fashion, cravings can be cured with mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. However, leave some space for the Romanian-Hungarian specialties such as Cozonac (sweet bread) and Kürtőskalács (cone-shaped spit cakes), the latter thanks to the Hungarian minority living in the region. Market dates are Late Nov – Early Jan.
Other Christmas markets around the world include:
Winter Village, Bryant Park - NYC USA
Munich Christmas Market – Germany
Tivoli Gardens. – Copenhagen
Great Dickens Christmas Fair Sand Francisco – USA
Old Town Square, Prague – Czech Republic
Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg – Germany
San Gregorio Armeno Street, Naples – Italy
