Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2026
The European Christmas markets most searched for from the UK, with this year's dates from each city's or organiser's own page. The main markets open between Friday 13 November and Thursday 3 December.
Cologne, Germany
Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral: 16 November to 23 December 2026
Cologne holds several big Christmas markets a short walk apart: the one beside the cathedral, the Old Town market with its ice rink, the Market of Angels on Neumarkt and a harbour market by the Chocolate Museum.
Prague, Czech Republic
Old Town Square Christmas Market: 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027
Prague's two main markets fill Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square and run on into January; smaller neighbourhood markets on Peace Square and Republic Square close on Christmas Eve.
Strasbourg, France
Christkindelsmärik (the historic Christmas market): Opens Friday 27 November 2026; closing date not yet announced
Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas: its markets spread across the old town, from the historic Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie to the cathedral square, the great tree on Place Kléber and Petite France.
Bruges, Belgium
Christmas Market on the Markt: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Bruges has two Christmas markets in the medieval centre: on the Markt under the Belfry, and on Simon Stevinplein a few minutes' walk away.
Krakow, Poland
Kraków Christmas Market on the Main Market Square: 27 November 2026 to 6 January 2027
Kraków's Christmas market fills the Main Market Square in the Old Town, one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and runs into January.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna Christmas Market at City Hall: 13 November to 26 December 2026
Vienna has markets all over the city; the best known is in front of City Hall, with the palace markets at Schönbrunn and the Belvedere and the craft stalls in the lanes of Spittelberg.
Brussels, Belgium
Winter Wonders: 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Brussels' Winter Wonders spreads its stalls, rides and lights across the city centre, from the Grand-Place and the Bourse to Sainte-Catherine and the old fish market.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Christmas Village Amsterdam: 3 to 27 December 2026
Amsterdam's Christmas Village fills Museumplein between the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, and opens in December.
Berlin, Germany
WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt: 23 November to 31 December 2026
Berlin has dozens of Christmas markets; the best known are at the Gendarmenmarkt (small entry charge), Charlottenburg Palace, the Red Town Hall and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Budapest, Hungary
Advent Basilica Christmas Market: 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027
Budapest's two main markets are in Pest: in front of St Stephen's Basilica, and on Vörösmarty Square by Café Gerbeaud.
Colmar, France
Colmar Christmas Markets (old town): 23 November to 29 December 2026
Colmar's markets are spread across its old town, from Place des Dominicains to Little Venice, with a separate food market by the big wheel.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Christmas in Tivoli: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Copenhagen's Christmas season centres on Tivoli Gardens, which needs an entry ticket, and the free market on Nytorv and Gammeltorv along Strøget.
Munich, Germany
Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz: 20 November to 24 December 2026
Munich's main market runs from Marienplatz along the pedestrian zone, with a Christmas village in the Residenz courtyard, a medieval market and the Tollwood winter festival.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt: 27 November to 24 December 2026
Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt is one of Germany's most famous, with a market of its twin towns and a children's Christmas market next to it.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn Christmas Market: 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027
Tallinn's Christmas market fills Town Hall Square in the medieval Old Town and stays open until Epiphany in January.
Dublin, Ireland
TwinkleTown Smithfield Square: 20 November to 31 December 2026
Dublin's TwinkleTown markets are at Smithfield Square and St Patrick's Park, with the ticketed Everwinter festival at the RDS in Ballsbridge.
Lille, France
Lille Christmas Village: 18 November to 30 December 2026
Lille's Christmas village is on Place Rihour by the Grand'Place, an easy trip from London by Eurostar.
Paris, France
Tuileries Christmas Market: Not yet announced for 2026
Paris's best-known markets, at the Tuileries and La Villette, had not published 2026 dates when we checked; the large market at La Défense, just west of the city, has.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt: 19 November 2026 to 1 January 2027
Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt fills the squares beside the cathedral; there are more at Mirabellplatz, in the Sternbräu courtyard and at Hellbrunn Palace south of the city.
Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt Christmas Market: 23 November to 22 December 2026
Frankfurt's Christmas market spreads over six squares in the old town, from the Römerberg to Paulsplatz and the riverside Mainkai.
Several in one trip? Riviera Travel's Christmas river cruises on the Rhine, Danube and Seine stop at market cities on the way. Christmas river cruises on Riviera Travel affiliate link
Staying in the UK? The best UK Christmas markets and every UK market in date order.