As the nights get longer and the mornings get frostier, cities in Europe are once again set to get festooned with fairy lights and tipsy on mulled wine. But, the coolest events in December are those that shake things up like a snow-globe, where stalls sell niche artisanal brands, festivities are carried out in a roguish artists’ community in Denmark or there’s mischief from prank-loving Icelandic trolls. Starting to feel adventurous? Read on for the best Christmas markets in Europe for 2025 that’ll help you put the ‘oi’ in ‘joy’…
GERMANY
BERLIN
We’ll start with the traditional… Berlin is a wellspring of famous Christmas markets, with so many to explore, even Santa might struggle to cover all the glühwein, well-hung wurst, fried potatoes smothered in apple sauce and gingerbread hearts frosted with gutturally romantic epithets. On 31 October, in Potsdamer Platz, no sooner have Halloween’s spirits returned to their resting places than festive elves set up Winter World, with a 12-metre toboggan slide. On 1 November, there’s neon-drenched adrenaline kicks at Landsberger Allee’s Christmas Carnival, which has rollercoasters, fire dancers and other thrills.
Then discover the city’s more niche offerings: a merry Christmas to everyone — plus drag bingo — at LGBTQIA Winterdays (from 4 November); gifts by emerging design talents and DJ sets at Holy Shit Shopping (from 29 November) in the hip Neukölln neighbourhood; and Xmas with a grittier, industrial feel at the Colosseum film complex’s Festive Rodeo market, where more than 200 makers sell incredibly stylish stocking fillers.
Stocking fillers There are more than 60 markets and happenings across the city come the end of 2025 — from those themed by country to one dedicated to dogs and even the niche Bloody X-mas, where metalheads donate blood before enjoying live music and a raffle — so, pace yourself on the mulled drinkables.
When Dates vary, but most markets open at the end of November.
Stay You may not see reindeer from zoo-neighbouring stay SO Berlin Das Stue (although the bar does overlook the ostrich enclosure), but you’ll light up like Rudolf’s nose when you join the hotel’s gingerbread-house-building workshop on 7 December and get stuck into its seasonal menus. The warm, spiced chocolate cake with Speculoos and cherry ice-cream sounds like a cracker.
FINLAND
ROVANIEMI
If you’ve erred on the naughty side this year and still fancy a last-minute shot at the nice list, a visit to the big fella himself may be warranted. The Santa Claus Village in Finland‘s Arctic Circle is the Las Vegas of Christmas markets — you’ve got to see it to believe it in all its snowy extravagance. Kids will be thrilled about taking a peek around Santa’s post office or exploring the underground amusement park (which was once a nuclear bunker, but is far more festive these days), and there’s plenty of fun for adults who really do wish it was Christmas every day, too. Reset your karmic footing in a classic wooden sauna before counteracting those good intentions with a liberal ladle of warm gløgg. And there’s the possibility of glimpsing the awe-inspiring displays of the Northern Lights, too.
Stocking fillers Mr Claus himself, of course, plus real-life reindeers, and enough festive flamboyance to make the Grinch weep.
When When not would be a more appropriate question — Santa’s village is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Stay Cosy-up at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel for a prime slice of polar luxury.
FRANCE
PARIS
If you see a Parisian biting into saucisson at an Xmas market, it’s likely it’ll be dry-cured and infused with truffle. The city elevates the art of festive street-eating with cartons of raclette, cups of Gruyère-topped onion soup and a champagne bar, bien sur. Such decadence is also applied to its main Christmas market, the carnivalesque La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Gardens. This lavish affair is a Baz Luhrmann-worthy spectacle, with a Moulin Rouge-themed Ferris wheel, maze-like funhouses, bumper cars and large-scale installations of the glitziest decorations.
For more traditional Bavarian-style chalets, grab a cup of mulled wine at the Canopée des Halles Christmas Market; or see the illuminated pine forest that pops up outside the Hotel de Ville, as projected snowflakes fall across its eminent façade.
Stocking fillers In the Tuileries, you’ll find a global range of handicrafts and artisan wares to up your gifting game. For a top-tier tartiflette, hop on the Metro for Paris’s lesser-known La Défense market (13 November to 28 December).
When Various dates from mid-November to early January.
Stay Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel hits the descant when it comes to seasonal revelry — trussed-up trees sparkle throughout (and can be added to some rooms on request), L’Écrin restaurant lays on banquets and brunches, and head pastry chef Matthieu Carlin has crafted a special, praline-stuffed Yule log for the occasion.
BELGIUM
GHENT
In the shadow of Ghent cathedral’s Gothic buttresses, there are pine-scented laneways of little wooden huts demarcating the Belgian city’s Winterfeesten area (from Sint-Baafsplein to the end of Korenmarkt), one of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets. Stalls sell the usual trinkets, but you can find warming snacks and drinks typical to Belgium, too (tartiflette, cartons of frites, waffles, super-strength beer). Glow-y goodwill permeates the city: the canals are strung with lights and the slightly vampiric-looking Count’s Castle gets a touch of tinsel — and a pop-up bar in its atmospheric vaults — too.
Stocking fillers See the snow-dusted city from above on a Ferris wheel and glide around the ice rink. Ghent’s magical ‘light plan’ makes the city glow and DJs get merry revellers rocking around the Christmas trees that decorate cosy chalets. Festivities end with a bang — or several sparkling explosions — at the New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Corks are a’popping on 6 and 7 December at Wintercircus, where a Raw Wine Bazaar makes a few noses rosy.
When From 27 November.
Stay Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof is a Louis XIV-style townhouse with poetic leanings on the outside and a cosy modern hideaway within.
UNITED KINGDOM
MANCHESTER
Manchester‘s ‘worker bee’ emblem feels especially apt this festive season — in 2025, organisers have been busy expanding the city’s Christmas markets, which now spread across 10 sites, from the light display in St Peter’s Square to Cathedral Gardens’ ice-rink. Hundreds of dinky chalet stalls will dish out decadent eats: loaded hash-browns, German-style waffles, Korean hot-dogs, shepherd’s pie (why not?) and more. Follow the scent of mulling wine (and hot buttered gin) to Piccadilly Gardens to belt out Slade et al during karaoke; hear cherubic choirs sing traditional carols in St Anne’s Square; and bag presents for all sorts at the Corn Exchange, with vendors peddling spiced spirits, handsome headgear, Nepalese knitwear and upcycled decor.
Each location offers something different; and with pop-up bars, Teutonic beer halls and food from around the globe, you’re guaranteed to be well fed and quite merry.
Stocking fillers A glittering skate-rink, art installations and live music. Youngsters obsessed with Elsa from Frozen will be enchanted by the Snow Queen-themed parade (7 December) — a full-on fairy tale in motion, with Santa on his Elf Express and a giant, twirling Candyland Castle among the floats.
When From 7 November to 22 December 2025. Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens shine on until 4 January 2026.
Stay At King Street Townhouse, just across from the Town Hall — you can watch the Christmassy chaos below from the on-high bar terrace or spa pool. The hotel itself, which reached its 10th anniversary in 2025 — is in a celebratory mood, serving afternoon teas with pork, sage and chestnut sausage rolls and other bite-sized treats; screening joy-bringing films; and trimming the halls lavishly.
LONDON
At Christmas in London, you can jump on Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s sleigh-wagon and check out the chalets along the South Bank, feast on the trimmings in Harrods and Selfridges trussed-up windows, revel in Covent Garden’s festive cheer (decorations have a theatrical theme this year) and gaze with mulled-wine-revved glee at Trafalgar Square’s Norwegian tree. But the capital’s alternative Christmas markets show off its craft expertise, urban coolness and irreverent cheeky side.
These aren’t your average hog-roast and bauble affairs — champion of indie creators, DIY Art Market, hosts events in Peckham and Stoke Newington, selling covetable wall-candy, one-of-a-kind ceramics and vintage and pre-loved regifts we can get behind (from 13 to 21 December). The Chelsea Physic Garden’s Christmas fair (27 to 30 November) has a botanical bent; Yokimono’s Japanese Market (6 and 7 December) has stalls selling wood-block prints and vintage kimonos alongside cultural demos; and the occult antics of the Satanic Flea Market’s AntiChristmas Fayre (14 December) feel a touch more Satan than his jollier anagram.
Stocking fillers All the fun of a Christmas fair, but cooler.
When Dates vary by venue.
Stay Whether you check in at the Clerkenwell or Marylebone outpost of the Zetter Townhouse hotels, you’ll find wreaths on the door, decor as warm and fuzzy — with a touch of the Dickens — as The Muppet Christmas Carol, and its taxidermy critters are usually dressed on theme.
DENMARK
COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen’s native son, Hans ‘Christmas’ Andersen, may have penned nihilistic fireside tales about Xmas trees going to seed and an illicit romance between snowman and stove (you okay, Hans?), but the city itself looks like something from a — much cheerier — fairy tale. Tivoli Gardens amusement park is determined to spread good cheer from 14 November, when it dons its gay apparel, the tree is illuminated and a marching brass band heralds the arrival of Santa. Immerse yourself in its holographic animations, see The Snow Queen onstage in its native land (various dates throughout December), and ride on antique carousel horsies or bijou boating-lake vessels — perhaps after a few drinks in an Alpine-style gasthaus (tavern).
Or, walk on the wilder side and head to anything-goes artists’ commune Freetown Christiania for a unique Christmas romp and some offbeat gifts in the warmth of the community’s main Grey Hall. The resident artists sell their handicrafts and ladle out potent gløgg.
Stocking fillers You might have to watch your pronunciation after a few hot apple ciders, but Tivoli’s stalls serve delicious æbleskiver (pancake balls) and smørrebrøds (open-faced sandwiches) alongside the usual eats. At Freetown, expect offbeat stalls, eccentric characters and vibrant street art.
When Dates vary by venue.
Stay Count down your advent-calendar doors at Nimb Hotel, which sits right next to the action at Tivoli Gardens.
ICELAND
REYKJAVÍK
Christmas traditions in Iceland are typically curious. Instead of Santa there’s the Yule Cat, who eats children who don’t dress well for festivities; and tricksters the Yule Lads (mischievous sons of child-eating troll Gryla) leave children gifts or rotting potatoes depending on their naughty-or-nice ranking. These pranksters pop up throughout the city, as do festive markets. There are stalls at both Hjartatorg (weekends throughout December) and in Kvosin‘s Ingólfstorg Square (29 November to 23 December) in the capital; the Laugardalur Park is lit in kaleidoscopic style, with animal statues on display; Reykjavik Art Museum dives into the country’s unique Christmas lore; and both the towering Oslo Tree and giant Yule Cat sculpture get illumination events.
There’s also an ice-rink in downtown Reykjavik; and live music and storytelling in the woods of nature reserve, Heidmork.
Stocking fillers Arbaer open-air museum shows an as-it-was Christmas. Guests can try customary fermented skate, whittle some wood and make traditional leaf bread.
When Dates for 2025 vary by location.
Stay Hole up at cosy Kvosin Hotel downtown.
NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam trips the light fantastic come Christmas (not for any dodgy reasons, mind). Once you’re done with its ice-rink, Museumplein Christmas village brings the warm and fuzzies with hot chocolates and other spiced drinks downed by flaming fire pits, plus stalls manned by talented local makers. The Funky Market (21 December) showcases offbeat wares, the Dam Square has a damn fine Christmas tree, and the Winter Paradise (17 December 2025 to 3 January 2026) at the RAI convention centre has 4,400 square metres of icy fun, with indoor and outdoor skating-rinks and even cross-country skiing, as well as a Ferris wheel and a programme of Dutch musicians playing live.
The luminous, avant-garde artworks of the Light Festival (27 November 2025 to 3 January 2026) are displayed throughout December — no need to be in the dark about the route, just hop on a canal boat or follow the trail map.
Stocking fillers Grand theatre Concertgebouw will have rousing seasonal music throughout December, from traditional Vivaldi concertos to swinging jazz spectacles.
When The Christmas Village runs from 4 to 28 December 2025; Dam Square’s tree will be lit on 15 December.
Stay High-spec stay, Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at The Park, lays festive cheer on as thickly as powdered sugar on poffertjes (small Dutch pancakes). Its Japanese-French VanOost restaurant has a ’tis-the-season menu, and champagne flows abundantly.
AUSTRIA
VIENNA
With its penchant for lavishly accessorised architecture, balls, concerts and pastries, Vienna feels festive year-round, but when it flicks the switch to Christmas it reaches Merlin-esque levels of magic. You can barely swing a gingerbread heart without hitting a seasonal market — the main Christkindlmarkt, with its tree of illuminated hearts, returns to the Rathausplatz Square. Try trad Austrian sweet treats, from buchteln (jam- or Quark-filled rolls) to baumkuchen (a cake made with layers of batter that resemble tree rings), then ride the giant carousel and follow the Nativity-scene trail.
By the Baroque Karlskirche church, Karlsplatz‘s Art Advent stalls focus on crafts, while elegant trinkets can be bought in the forecourt of silver- and gold-lit Schönbrunn Palace; gentler Freyung has family activities and a farmers’ market, and there’s much more revelry beyond. Get the full fa-la-la-la-la lowdown here.
Stocking fillers Expect ‘taste not tack’ — Viennese markets err towards decorations made of natural materials — and plenty of punsch.
When Schönbrunn kicks off on 6 November 2025; Christkindlmarkt and Freyung spread good cheer from 14 November; and Karlspatz runs from 21 November to 23 December.
Stay Rosewood Vienna is a sophisticated proposition, with its jazz bar and many delicate objects.
ROMANIA
TRANSYLVANIA
For a Noël to tempt Nosferatu himself, Transylvania‘s Christmas markets bring the best of Bavaria to Dracula’s homeland. November sees the region make a seamless transition from spooky to seasonal, with snow-topped chalets popping up all over its vampiric stronghold.
Sibiu offers all the flair of a Viennese market with a fraction of the crowd; this year expect light projections and crafting workshops (glass-painting, biscuit- and candle-making) and plentiful ladles of white mulled wine, preferred to red in this region. But it’s Brasov‘s market that steals the show, with the city’s pretty Saxon buildings and the snow-peaked Carpathian Mountains as a backdrop. Stalls? In the boastfully Baroque square of Piata Sfatului, mini wooden houses sell traditional Romanian treats, from toy figurines to delicious local delicacies.
Stocking fillers A mountain-encompassed mediaeval marktplatz , meat-feast morsels and craft workshops for kids (don’t worry, stake-sharpening isn’t one of the activities). At Brasov, warming your hands on a fresh, cylindrical ‘chimney cake’ (similar to an American funnel cake) is a must.
When Sibiu market is on from 15 November 2025 to 5 January 2026; Brasov is from 30 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
Stay The rurally Romanian Copsamare Guesthouses, bang in the middle of the Transylvanian triangle.
SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh‘s East Princes Street Gardens market pulls out all the stops at the foot of the city’s formidable castle, which itself is lit up like a Christmas tree. Browse dozens of stalls or get a 360-degree view from atop the 46-metre-high LNER Ferris wheel, or the soaring, 80-metre Starflyer Tower. Warm the cockles with a ladle of boozy, spiced plum cider, or grab yourself a Glayva: a festive variation of the classic wee dram seasoned with spices, tangerine and honey.
Santa sceptics will be tested in West Princes Street Gardens on 7 December, when many runners don jelly-like bellies and red suits to raise money for charity. Meeting the Xmas Don is a more relaxed affair at St Andrew Square, where he’ll be telling stories for little ones from 22 November; and be sure to stay a little longer for the torchlight processions, street partying and fireworks of Hogmanay come New Year’s Eve.
Stocking fillers Glistening Gothic landscapes sprinkled with snow and an ice-rink in the New Town, plus plenty of whisky warmers in the Ice Kingdom-themed, minus-eight-degrees ice bar at 101 George Street.
When East Princes Street Gardens Christmas market is on from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
Stay The Roseate Edinburgh, a 10-minute walk from the city’s festivities, is in a Victorian townhouse, but has masterfully mod-Scottish decor. Come Christmas, it’s offering festive afternoon teas and special menus with fine regional produce.
SLOVENIA
Ljubljana
Ice dragons may not feel as Christmassy as Rudolf, but add a multitude of fairy lights and spice-scented market stalls to historic Ljubljana‘s winding streets and the city’s fiery emblem looks more warm and fuzzy. That’s not the only fun that comes from tradition here: take a guided tour of those lights and you’ll notice DNA propellers, solar systems and other science-themed constellations (especially on Slovenska Street), which celebrate wider aspects of life. They’re the work of artist Zmago Modic, and have become such an integral part of the city’s festive experience.
Stocking fillers Wares by up-and-coming Slovenian designers, warming sausages and apple dumplings, and potent local spirits. Santa also stops into town, followed by Krampus-like demons to keep naughty children in check.
When From late November to early January.
Stay At AS Boutique Hotel, a striking modern hotel with a legendary restaurant in its basement, ideally placed in the Old Town.
To wrap up your festive escape, book a boutique city break in Europe