Christmas Markets
Christmas markets represent one of the ultimate festive experiences. Picturesque squares in some of Europe's most beautiful cities full of all the sights and sounds of the perfect yuletide experience. Drink warm gluhwein (mulled wine) while browsing the many traditional stalls for presents and gifts, or for something special for yourself. You may even catch some snow, the perfect accompaniment to any Christmas shopping trip.
Christmas market locations and dates
Brussels (02 December - 01 January)
Europe’s food capital is always a good destination for Christmas celebration and the market held in the Grand’ Place will not fail to impress gourmets! Surrounded by the imposing guild houses, small chalets make up the market each one representing a different European country and all vying to amaze with their delicious foods and beautiful gifts.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £151
Travel 28 Dec - 31 Dec
Prague (01 December - 01 January)
Christmas in Prague is an entertaining blend of shopping opportunities and festive attractions. Every year a huge Christmas tree is brought down from the Sumava Mountains, and set up in the Old Town Square, its blaze of lights illuminating the brightly coloured huts of the Christmas market and mini zoo. Alongside the nativity scene carolers fill the air with song as Czech schoolchildren in traditional costume dance and sing for the crowds.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £191
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Rome (08 December - 06 January)
Head to Piazza Navona, where the time honoured Christmas customs are centered, with nativity scenes, a Father Christmas and the Befana, a kind old witch who brings toys at Epiphany all part of the fun. The market is packed with toys and Italian Christmas treats, and in the happy atmosphere ‘Strenne’ or Christmas branches traditionally exchanged among Romans, are passed about as a sign of goodwill.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £207
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Berlin (26 November - 31 December)
There are several Christmas markets to be explored in Berlin, but the most popular is set around the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche. This Memorial Church was hit in a WWII Bomb attack and then partially restored as a reminder of the war. The Christmas spirit fills this poignant setting as rustic huts are set up in the Christmas village and filled with the best works of Berlin’s renowned designers and artists.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £216
Travel 28 Dec - 31 Dec
Frankfurt (22 November - 23 December)
There has been a Christmas market in Frankfurt for over 600 years. The traditional Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of Germany´s oldest and most popular Christmas markets. Take a stroll across the market and enjoy the wonderful aroma of baked apples, roasted nuts, gingerbread and mulled wine - quite a contrast to the ever-present Frankfurt Skyline in the background! The Christmas market is located throughout the city-centre at Roemerberg, Paulsplatz, Liebfrauenberg, Fahrtor, and Mainkai.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £216
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Budapest (21 November - 24 December)
It’s difficult to find a more authentic Christmas market than the celebrations in Budapest each year. All of the traditional arts and crafts displayed in the 60 stalls are hand made from natural materials, and the delicious local favourites honey cake, pastry horns and strudels are all baked in adobe ovens and served with warming mulled wine.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £220
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Stockholm (19 November - 23 December)
Although Christmas markets may be found all over the city, one of the most popular is held in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s oldest neighbourhood. The streets are all brightly illuminated and each shop does its best to out show and outshine its neighbours with decorations and seasonal window dressings.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £229
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Copenhagen (14 November - 30 December)
Where better for a family Christmas trip than the oldest amusement park in Europe? While children visit with Father Christmas, ride ponies and ice-skate on the lake transformed into skating rink, parents can explore the food and gifts stores, sipping ‘glögg’ or Danish mulled wine to keep the chill out.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £233
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Vienna (17 November - 30 December)
At nearly seven hundred years the ‘Christkindlmarkt’ at the Vienna City Hall is one of Europe’s oldest and most famous Christmas Markets. During the day the City Hall holds a Christmas workshop to entertain children as their parents wander through the market located in the beautifully decorated park, and throughout the month of December choirs from all over the world perform in the festival hall.
Flight + 3 nights, 3 star hotel from £267
Travel 21 Dec - 24 Dec
Christmas markets
in the UK
Get into the festive spirit with a shopping break to one of the UK’s finest Christmas markets.
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