Christmas Market Breaks 2026
Ideas for a Christmas market weekend away in 2026: the big European market cities with this year's dates, river cruises that stop at several markets, and the UK markets worth a night away. Every date is from the official page.
European Christmas Market City Breaks
Most UK visitors fly or take the Eurostar for two or three nights. The hotel links are priced for the first weekend each city's main market is open. affiliate links
| City | Main Market | Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne Germany | Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral, 16 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Prague Czech Republic | Old Town Square Christmas Market, 28 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Strasbourg France | Christkindelsmärik (the historic Christmas market): Opens Friday 27 November 2026; closing date not yet announced | |
| Bruges Belgium | Christmas Market on the Markt, 20 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Krakow Poland | Kraków Christmas Market on the Main Market Square, 27 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Vienna Austria | Vienna Christmas Market at City Hall, 13 Nov to 26 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Brussels Belgium | Winter Wonders, 27 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Amsterdam Netherlands | Christmas Village Amsterdam, 3 to 27 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Berlin Germany | WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt, 23 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Budapest Hungary | Advent Basilica Christmas Market, 13 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Colmar France | Colmar Christmas Markets (old town), 23 Nov to 29 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Copenhagen Denmark | Christmas in Tivoli, 13 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Munich Germany | Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz, 20 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Nuremberg Germany | Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, 27 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Tallinn Estonia | Tallinn Christmas Market, 20 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Dublin Ireland | TwinkleTown Smithfield Square, 20 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Lille France | Lille Christmas Village, 18 Nov to 30 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Paris France | Tuileries Christmas Market: Not yet announced for 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
| Salzburg Austria | Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, 19 Nov 2026 to 1 Jan 2027 | Hotels for two nights |
| Frankfurt Germany | Frankfurt Christmas Market, 23 Nov to 22 Dec 2026 | Hotels for two nights |
Christmas Market River Cruises
A river cruise visits several market cities in one trip, with the hotel on board. These are Riviera Travel's 2026 Christmas market sailings, from Riviera's own pages.
Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets
A short cruise from Cologne up the Rhine Gorge, with time at the Christmas markets of Rüdesheim, Bonn and Cologne.
- 4 nights on the Rhine
- Markets: Rüdesheim, Bonn, Cologne
- Departs 2 Dec, 8 Dec, 9 Dec, 10 Dec, 12 Dec, 13 Dec, 16 Dec and 17 Dec 2026
- From £1,079 per person, two sharing, on the 12 and 17 December sailings; most dates are £1,429 to £1,679
See this cruise on Riviera Travel affiliate link
Checked against Riviera Travel, 22 October 2026. Times and prices can change: check the official page before you set off. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Magical Paris and Festive Seine
New for 2026: Paris's Christmas markets, with the Christmas-decorated châteaux of Bizy, Chantilly and Vaux-le-Vicomte along the Seine.
- 4 nights on the Seine
- Markets: Paris
- Departs 1 Dec, 5 Dec, 9 Dec and 13 Dec 2026
- From £1,329 per person, two sharing; the 13 December sailing is £1,429
See this cruise on Riviera Travel affiliate link
Checked against Riviera Travel, 22 October 2026. Times and prices can change: check the official page before you set off. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
The Danube's Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets
A round trip from Budapest to Vienna and Bratislava, with the Christmas markets of all three capitals.
- 5 nights on the Danube
- Markets: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
- Departs 30 Nov, 2 Dec, 5 Dec, 10 Dec, 11 Dec, 12 Dec, 15 Dec, 16 Dec and 17 Dec 2026
- From £1,049 per person, two sharing, on the 15, 16 and 17 December sailings; earlier dates are £1,399 to £2,399
See this cruise on Riviera Travel affiliate link
Checked against Riviera Travel, 22 October 2026. Times and prices can change: check the official page before you set off. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
UK Christmas Market Weekend Breaks
The UK markets people travel furthest for, most searched first. Pair one with a light trail for a full weekend. affiliate links
More: every European market city and the best UK Christmas markets.