Christmas Markets: The Best to Visit in Europe

It’s hard to book a vacation too early. If you’re thinking about traveling for a certain event or a specific time period, it’s probably a good idea to start getting plans made earlier in the year than you may suspect. This is especially true if you’re thinking of visiting Christmas Markets in Europe. Many tourists flock to these beautiful events to take part, so the sooner you can book something, the better! Below we’ve listed a few markets that are considered to be the best around, as well as why, and when they usually run.

TL;DR: Europe is filled with various Christmas Markets and each one has its own unique attributes. Germany, France, Vienna, and England are all popular destinations for this holiday bucket list adventure, depending on what you're looking for.

Germany

Germany is a popular destination for Christmas markets in Europe, and many people will claim they have some of the best.

Cologne, a popular tourist destination any time of year, has some large bustling Christmas markets. A popular option is the Cathedral Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom) - from tasty treats to warm alcoholic drinks and delightful gifts & trinkets, there’s plenty to check out. Of course, everything is lit up in wonderful lights too. With Cologne Cathedral as a stunning backdrop to the market, you’ll really feel the Christmas spirit in this market. In 2023 the market ran from November 23rd to December 23rd, which leaves a nice window for visiting tourists.

Germany also has a very unique Christmas Market in Siegburg. It’s a medieval-style market with such commitment to immersion they don’t even use electricity! The crafts and treats you find there are likely to be quite different to what you’ll see in Cologne. Even better, by train, this market can be reached in 30 minutes, so you could easily visit both of these markets in one vacation. In 2024 this market will be running from November 22nd to December 22nd, but will be closed on November 24th.

Austria

If you’re looking for the best Christmas market in Europe, many will point you in the direction of Vienna. The most famous in the country is Christkindlmarkt in Rathaus. The market is located near the city hall, which is a large building with impressive architecture that adds pizazz to the environment of the market.

This market is large with approximately 100 booths every year, is very family-friendly, and has nearby holiday activities as well. The 2024 dates fun from November 16th through December 26th. The park nearby has lights that make for great photo opportunities, ice skating, and a carousel.

France

While France may not be one of the first places you think of when considering a Christmas Market in Europe, there are quite a few people who swear Colmar is one of the best destinations you can choose for a magical wintery experience.

Colmar is already known for fairytale-esque architecture, so when you combine the holiday lights, festive spirit, and Christmas booths you’re sure to feel immersed in the fun and excitement. Another great bonus is that Colmar has 6 big markets that are so close to each other it’s easy to wander from one to the next without even noticing sometimes. While other cities may have more than one market, they are often further apart than in Colmar.

You can expect there to be Christmas markets in Colmar from about November 26th to December 29th. Many people recommend visiting the markets at night where the lights are able to create the best atmosphere.

England

If you’re hoping to experience the magic of a Christmas market, but you’re concerned that language barriers may cause an issue at some point, then fear not, England also has some lovely Christmas markets. Visiting London is always a fun trip, and going at the end of the year for holiday cheer is a fantastic idea.

London has a lot of different markets and each one has their own flair. The tourist website Visit London lists 11 of their favorite markets. While there are many fantastic options on the list, we do love the Covent Garden market (pictured above) since it has indoor spaces that are decorated spectacularly. Keep in mind, indoor spaces in England are useful nearly all year round with the rainy tendencies of the region. Going to Covent Garden means you don’t have to worry about getting rained on while trying to order your mulled wine.

We also have to give a shoutout to the Borough Market, which is a fun place to visit any time of year, but also throws a wonderful Christmas market known for also having some luxury gifts you can pick up for friends or family.

Christmas markets in London start running as early as November 17th and can run as late as January 1st. But if you’re hoping to see more than one market we recommend aiming for the first or second week of December to really get the best experience, since most should be running by then.

Conclusion

You could probably go to almost any country in Europe and find a lovely Christmas Market to explore and enjoy. However, Germany, Austria, France, and England are often places people will point you to as some of the best ones around. Many large cities will have more than one market so you can experience a variety of events.

It’s always best to book a trip like this as soon as possible. So if you’re reading this in July, you’re potentially running low on time. We’ll be happy to help you make some plans, you can contact us here or email brynley@meridianvacations.co to reach out with any questions you may have.