The World's Most Delightful Christmas Markets

With the approach of December, Christmas markets are opening one by one and are welcomed with great enthusiasm all over the world. While the streets and squares take on colorful images, the excitement of the new year is multiplied with different activities and visual shows.

Christmas markets, which were first established in Germany in the 14th century, have now become a tradition that has spread all over the world. We have listed the world's most remarkable Christmas markets for you to spend a New Year's holiday full of unforgettable memories

Medieval Weihnachtsmarkt, Stuttgart, Germany
The Christmas market in Esslingen, a small city in northwest Germany, is unique in the region. Vendors dress in medieval costumes, minstrels recite medieval poetry, jesters and acrobats perform, important medieval crafts such as blacksmithing are on display, and more than 200 stalls sell baskets, candles and clothing made using techniques from the period. The city's fascinating architecture is a wonderful backdrop to this unique experience that takes visitors back in time.
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Grande Place Chrismas Market - Brussels, Belgium
The most spectacular part of Plaisirs D'Hiver, or Winter Wonders, the festival chain that spreads all over Belgium, takes place in Brussels. Grande Place Chrismas Market, which is set up in the square where the Chocolate Museum is located, is the most remarkable Christmas market in the city with a length of 2 km. You can get intoxicated with the smell of chocolate while exploring both the historical and modern texture of Brussels. There are also video-mapping shows, street performances, concerts and family events that transform historic buildings into moving works of art. Even the delicious Belgian beers and food stalls full of treasures for everyone's taste buds are worth spending the end of the year at Winter Wonders.
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Old Town Square Christmas Market - Prague, Czech Republic
The Old Town Square Christmas Market is one of the most interesting Christmas markets in Prague under the organization Tryh Praha. The biggest reason for this is that the market is located around the Astronomical Clock Tower, the heart of the city, and the medieval houses. In addition, the square turns into a movie set with the lights of the 25-meter Christmas tree blending into the gothic texture of the city. At the dozens of wooden stalls, you can find souvenirs ranging from hand-embroidered tablecloths to traditional Czech wind instruments. As for the food stalls, don't leave without trying mulled wine, ginger biscuits, typical Czech sausages (klobása), Becherovka, a famous liqueur, and Tredelnik Dessert, a local delicacy.
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Tallinn Christmas Market -Tallin, Estonia
Winner of the 2019 Best Christmas Market in Europe award, Tallin Christmas Market is located in Raekoja Plats square in the capital Tallinn. You can get lost in the magical atmosphere with carousels, wooden stalls that look like chalets, the Winter Grotto and Santa Claus House. Next to the historic Town Hall is a Christmas tree that has been decorated every year since 1441. This tree is one of the most popular spots for visitors as it is the first Christmas tree to be exhibited in Europe. In addition to handmade local accessories and souvenirs, there are plenty of Nordic-inspired street food stalls around the area to tempt your palate. The spicy mulled wine (mulled vine) is perfect for cold winter evenings.
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Bryant Park Christmas Market - New York, USA
New York, one of the most crowded and fast-paced cities in the world, gets even livelier during the New Year. There are dozens of Christmas markets and events to appeal to everyone. The Winter Village in Braynt Park in Manhattan is one of the most popular places for visitors. The races organized on the open-air ice rink and the performances of medal-winning skaters add great excitement to the New Year spirit. The market has a special area where artists sculpt ice sculptures and sell old paintings, and there is a separate section for countless New York-themed ornaments.
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Wiener Christmas Market - Vienna, Austria
Among the other Christmas markets in Vienna, the Wiener Christmas Market stands out with its Christmas events especially for children and families. With street theaters, choirs, street performers dressed in traditional costumes and entertainment programs, it has an atmosphere that not only families with children but everyone will want to experience. There is also a 3,000 square meter ice rink in the area surrounded by the Habsburg Palaces. The smell of handmade soaps, perfumes and freshly baked pretzels from the stalls that stretch from the rink to the old and narrow streets of the city can make your head spin.
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Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market - Berlin, Germany
The Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market in the square of Berlin's largest palace, the Charlottenburg Palace, has a nostalgic and charming atmosphere. With its impressive baroque and rococo architecture, the area around the palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city all year round. On New Year's Eve, the centuries-old orange grove next to the square looks like something out of a fairy tale with special lighting. There are 250 stalls, which are carefully selected every year in advance, offering souvenirs such as Christmas ornaments, decorations for Christmas trees and wooden figures. The market also has a small amusement park and a food fair, where children have fun and families enjoy Christmas delicacies. Gluhwein, a classic German mulled wine, is a must.
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Aachener Christmas Market - Aachen, Germany
The Aachen Christmas Market around Aachen Cathedral is a destination that has always been on the list of the top 10 Christmas markets in Europe. Preparations begin months in advance for the elaborate decorations and light installations. The stage shows, which are prepared in different concepts every year, attract both locals and foreign visitors. You can watch these special performances while sipping mulled wine and tasting printen, gingerbread cookies unique to the region.
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Place Kleber Christmas Market - Strasbourg, France
In Strasbourg, the 'Capital of Christmas', Christmas markets with different concepts remain open on the first days of the new year. This rare situation is an unmissable opportunity for visitors who want to spread the joy of the New Year over the days. Place Kléber Christmas Market, the city's main market, is located in Kleben Square in Strasbourg's historic center. The 35-meter-high Christmas tree is covered with thousands of Christmas ornaments and lights every year. In the past, gifts for homeless people were left under the tree. Nowadays, the Sharing Fair is set up next to the tree and sells various local products to be donated to those in need.
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Place Gutenberg Christmas Market - Strasbourg, France
Place Gutenberg Christmas Market, which is set up in Gutenberg Square, where Strasbourg Cathedral is located, is the scene of entertaining scenes that will add a new dimension to your Christmas excitement. While the old buildings around the square are covered with all kinds of toys, the stalls shaped like cookies are decorated with glittering garlands. There is also a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, the founder of the printing press, and you may come across street poets reciting period poems. The market, where a different country is invited as a concept representative every year, is also known as the International Christmas Market.
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Winter Wonderland Christmas Market - London, England
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a great reason to visit London for New Year's Eve. There are dozens of activities for visitors of all ages in the park where England's largest ice rink is set up. You can watch the glittering London nights from above by riding the Observation Ferris Wheel; you can spend adventurous moments exploring the illusion rooms. There are also VR Rooms that offer a completely different reality experience and circus shows that you can participate in as a volunteer. A large part of the market consists of an area where you can find authentic gifts such as trinkets, embroidered ceramics and jewelry. In the other part, there are food and drink stalls with endless appetizing options.
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Red Square Christmas Market Moscow, Russia
If you want to spend your New Year's holiday outside of Europe, the New Year in Russia starts to be celebrated in the first week of January. Red Square Christmas Market, which is set up in the magnificent square where the Kremlin Palace and St. Basil's Cathedral are located, is covered with snow every year. You may encounter vendors serving liquor at the stalls that start to open early in the morning. You will also find antique souvenirs, Russian gzhel ceramics, babushkas and handcrafted art decorations called khokhloma.
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Toronto Christmas Market - Toronto, Canada
The Toronto Christmas Market, the largest Christmas market in North America, takes place in a neighborhood of old whiskey distilleries and 19th century houses. This area, called the Distillery District, consists of dozens of streets filled with restaurants, bars, art galleries and theater halls. With countless concerts and performances, you may not know which one to go to. A 50-meter Christmas tree and a 100-meter light tunnel are placed in the center of the area, which becomes even more lively with stalls opened for the New Year. You can enjoy this wonderful environment with your hot chocolate and mini donuts.
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Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market - Barcelona, Spain
Fira de Santa Llucia is Barcelona's oldest and largest Christmas market. It has been taking place every year since 1786 in front of Barcelona Cathedral and in an area of the city famous for its gothic architecture. It is known as the most popular Christmas market not only in Barcelona but also in Spain with its flamenco concerts, juggler shows, second-hand goods area, handicraft art fairs and delicious Spanish tapas. You can find different presentations of churros, a typical Spanish dessert, at every corner.
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Tivoli Christmas Market - Copenhagen, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens, one of the three oldest amusement parks in the world, hosts thousands of people every year during the New Year. The Ferris Wheel Ferris wheel for those who want to watch a magnificent view of Copenhagen, The Golden Tower and The Demon rollercoaster for adrenaline lovers, and dozens of units await visitors. Tivoli Gardens, which satisfies gastronomic tastes with restaurants offering examples from world cuisine, stands where you can experience Danish specialties such as smorrebrod and ableskiver, does not neglect culture and art activities. In addition to concerts and theaters, special workshops for children are also organized. With its ever-changing themes and a program with enjoyable content, Tivoli Gardens is one of the indispensable addresses for those who want to spend New Year's Eve to the fullest.
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Marché de Noël Colmar, Alsace, France
Even at other times of the year, the lovely French city of Colmar has a fairytale-like spirit, but at Christmas time it takes on an enchanting beauty. Festive with concerts, gastronomic events and Christmas markets, the city awaits the arrival of Christmas for 6 weeks.
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Zagreb, Croatia
The city hosts Advent in Zagreb, one of the best winter festivals in Europe, and the Christmas spirit envelops every corner throughout December. The festival offers many unforgettable experiences in an atmosphere reminiscent of fairy tales. Open-air concerts in Zagreb's main square Ban Josip Jelačić, ice rinks and markets scattered in many corners of the city, Jazz musicians performing in the Stross area, the visual feast in Zrinjevac Park, one of the city's most popular addresses, and many more options await visitors.
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Basilica Christmas Market - Budapest, Hungary
Voted Europe's best Christmas market for the second time in 2022, Basilica Christmas Market has a unique atmosphere that is worthy of its award. The market area is located in front of St. Stephen's Basilica, one of the tallest and largest churches in Hungary. Every year different light shows, open-air musicals and concerts are organized in the square with a large ice rink. Among the hundreds of handicraft and food stalls you can find the most local Hungarian products. Szaloncuko, a Hungarian candy made especially for Christmas time, is a great gift to bring back to your loved ones after the holidays. You may also want to try their famous langos, a famous bake, and Kurtoskalac, a dessert made with tiny cakes stacked on top of each other, at every meal.
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Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
What could be more delightful and enchanting than a visit to Santa's house at Christmas time? You can be part of an enchanting fairy tale with sleighs pulled by reindeer and huskies. In the village where various dance performances take place, you can also meet Santa Claus.
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