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 2024 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. Start with the most popular of the easier-to-say-when-mulled-up Weihnachtsmärkte — those at the State Opera , Humboldt Forum , Alexanderplatz and Charlottenburg Palace , all twinkling enclaves where artisans peddle trinkets from mini chalets, which open on 25 November.
Then discover more niche offerings: reindeer sausage and warming glasses of Glögi at the Finnish Bazaar , festive drag bingo at the LGBTQIA Winterdays , DJ sets and gifts by emerging design talents at Holy Shit Shopping in the hip Neukölln neighborhood, and more unconventional celebrations at the Colosseum film complex’s Festive Rodeo market.
Stocking fillers Antique carousels and roller-discos, rides on a 50-meter-high Ferris wheel, lots of warming boozy drinkables…
When While 25 November 2024 is the official start to the Xmas season here, some markets open as early as 1 November, with all wrapping up by 5 January 2025.
Stay Sir Savigny , a stylish, artsy stay in Berlin’s cultural quarter.
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 glögg. And there’s always the possibility of glimpsing the awe-inspiring displays of the Northern Lights.
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.
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 in the Moose Bar). 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 too.
Stocking fillers See the snow-dusted city from above on a Ferris wheel and zip around the roller rink. Ghent’s magical ‘light plan’ makes the city glow, and festivities end with a bang — or several sparkling ones — at the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
When From 5 until 31 December 2024.
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 has wholeheartedly embraced the tradition of the Christmas market, with hundreds of festive stalls popping up at locations throughout the city. The scent of mulling wine (and hot buttered gin) and steaming bratwursts will waft from the Cathedral and Piccadilly Gardens (in their winter finery); craft stalls will line King and New Cathedral streets; clink steins of German beer at 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, hot-toddie cabins, beer halls and all manner of food stalls, you’re guaranteed to be well fed and quite merry.
Stocking fillers A glittering skate rink, art installations and live music. Plus a lavish Christmas Parade starring Jack Frost, the Snow Queen, Santa and anthropomorphic snow-globes and candy-canes on 8 December.
When From 8 November to 22 December 2024.
Stay 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.
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 and gaze with mulled-wine-revved glee at Trafalgar Square’s Xmas 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 — Peckham’s DIY Art Market (7 and 8 December) has stocking fillers with style; and its dedicated ceramics market is a load of bold crock(ery). The Chelsea Physic Garden’s Christmas fair (21 to 24 November) has a botanical bent; Yokimono’s Japanese Market (6 to 8 December) has stalls selling woodblock prints and vintage kimonos alongside cultural demos; and the occult antics of the Satanic Flea Market’s AntiChristmas Fayre (8 December) feel a touch more Satan than his jolly red 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 the taxidermy 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 ok, Hans?), but the city itself looks like something from a — much cheerier — fairytale. One of the most popular markets is held at Tivoli Gardens amusement park (from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2025), which is dressed in its seasonal finery and offers rides on antique carousel horsies, drinks in an Alpine-style gasthaus (tavern), spells on the scenic boating lake and the smell of roasted chestnuts. Or, walk on the wilder side and head to anything-goes artists commune Freetown Christiania for a unique Christmas romp in the style of an Eastern bazaar (from late November). The resident artists sell their handicrafts and ladle out potent gløgg.
Stocking fillers Hog-roast sandwiches and marzipan treats, raclette from the Cheezy Dreams stall, plus a leafy ice rink at Tivoli. Offbeat stalls, eccentric characters and street art at Freetown.
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, who 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 and Kvosin in the capital; the Laugardalur Park is lit up like a Christmas, well, valley; 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 2024 vary by location.
Stay Hole up at cozy Kvosin Hotel downtown.
NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam trips the light fantastic come Christmas (not for any dodgy reasons, mind). Museumplein Christmas village brings the warm and fuzzies with an a cappella choir, hot chocolates and stalls manned by talented local makers. The Funky Market offers offbeat wares, the Dam Square has a damn fine Christmas tree, and the Winter Paradise at the RAI convention centre has a lofty Ferris wheel, skate rink and immersive audiovisual experience, the Symphony of Lights.
The luminous, avant-garde artworks of the Light Festival 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 choral music throughout December, from a family-friendly Nutcracker performance to a swinging jazz spectacle.
When The Christmas Village runs from 12–26 December; Dam Square’s tree is lit on 8 December, with drinks and a brass band; the Funky Market is on the 15th; and Winter Paradise is on from 19 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. The Light Festival runs from 28 November 2024 to 19 January 2025.
Stay Reinvented Dutch masterpiece Pulitzer Hotel has its own saloon boat to float you on a tour of the illuminations.
AUSTRIA
Vienna
With its penchant for lavishly accessorized 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 — ice-skating enthusiasts will be especially merry at the Ice Dream complex, with no less than four rinks to glide over by the Rathausplatz (part of the main Christkindlmarkt, with its tree of illuminated hearts), plus romantic ‘dream paths’ to meander along and an elevated, DJ-soundtracked Sky Rink with views of City Hall Square.
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; Freyung has family activities and a farmers’ market, and there’s much more revelry beyond. Get the full fa-la-la-la lowdown here.
Stocking fillers Nativity trails, a rousing soundtrack and plenty of punsch.
When Ice Dream rinks open from 5 November 2024 to 6 January 2025. Schönbrunn sets up on 8 November, while most other markets kick off on the 15th.
Stay Rosewood Vienna is a sophisticated proposition with its jazz bar and many delicate objects. Or, if you’ve blown a lot on presents, Max Brown 7th District is stylish and budget-friendly.
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’s Christmas Unboxed theme will reveal a Ferris wheel, 600-square-metre ice rink and crafting workshops. But it’s Brasov ‘s market 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).
When Sibiu market is on from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2025; Brasov is from 30 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
Stay The rurally Romanian Copsamare Guesthouses , bang in the middle of the Transylvanian triangle.
SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh‘s East Princes Street Gardens Christmas 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 ferris wheel. 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. There’s more family-focused fun (Santa stories and carolling concerts) at West Princes Street Gardens and a Christmas-tree maze at St Andrew Square; and be sure to stay a little longer for the torchlight processions, street partying and fireworks of Hogmanay.
Stocking fillers Glistening Gothic landscapes sprinkled with an ice rink (at George Street), and plenty of whisky warmers.
When East Princes’ Street Gardens Christmas market is on from 15 November 2024 to 4 January 2025.
Stay The Roseate Edinburgh, a 10-minute walk from the city’s festivities, may be in a Victorian townhouse, but its decor is masterfully mod-Scottish.
SLOVENIA
Ljubljana
Ice dragons may not feel as Christmassy as Rudolf, but add a multitude of fairylights 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 from tradition here — take a closer look at those lights and you’ll notice DNA propellers, solar systems and other science-themed constellations. They’re the work of artist Zmago Modic, and have become such an integral part of the Xmas experience, you can take a guided tour of them.
Stocking fillers wares by up-and-coming Slovenian designers, warming sausages and apple dumplings, and potent local spirits. On December 5 Santa stops into town, followed by the Krampus-like demons to keep naughty children in check.
When From 1 December 2024 to 1 January 2025.
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