Christmas markets in Europe: the best ones and our tips

In short: from late November to late December, Europe lights up. For the most traditional atmosphere, Strasbourg and Munich; for the setting, Bruges and the Grand-Place in Brussels; for something different, the market inside Zurich station or Lyon’s Festival of Lights. Book early, go on a weekday, and wrap up warm.

Strasbourg, the “capital of Christmas”

Strasbourg’s Christmas market, the Christkindelsmärik, is one of the oldest in France. Stalls fill several squares in the centre, around the cathedral and Place Broglie, and a huge tree lights up Place Kléber. The lanes of La Petite France are decorated too. It’s also one of the busiest: avoid Saturdays.

Lyon and the Festival of Lights

Around 8 December, the Fête des Lumières transforms Lyon for a few nights: façades, squares and hills come alive with light installations. The tradition of candles in the windows dates back to the 19th century. A Christmas market also sets up in the city centre. Demand for accommodation is very high on those days.

Paris

Lights along the Champs-Élysées, the animated windows of the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann and several Christmas markets: Paris is lovely in December too, with ice rinks and Christmas concerts.

Munich and Berlin

In Munich, the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, below the New Town Hall, is one of the most famous in Germany; other markets, including a medieval one, complete the picture. Berlin has dozens of markets, from Gendarmenmarkt to Charlottenburg Palace.

Good to know: in Germany, mulled wine (Glühwein) is often served in a mug with a deposit, which you return or keep as a souvenir.

Brussels and Bruges

In Brussels, Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’hiver) livens up the centre: a market, an ice rink, a giant tree and a light show on the Grand-Place. In Bruges, stalls fill the main square below the belfry, with an ice rink: a picture-postcard setting.

Zurich, London and Amsterdam

• Zurich: one of Europe’s big indoor Christmas markets, inside the main station, plus an open-air Christmas village near the opera house.
• London: Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park combines a market, rides and shows; other markets pop up along the Thames.
• Amsterdam: not a market, but the Amsterdam Light Festival, light artworks along the canals, best seen on foot or by boat.

Our tips

1. Book early: accommodation in market cities fills up from the autumn, especially at weekends.
2. Go on a weekday, during the day or early evening, to enjoy the markets without the crowds.
3. Check the official dates: opening, closing and hours change every year.
4. Wrap up warm: hat, gloves and warm shoes, you’ll be outside for a long time.
5. Think train: Strasbourg, Brussels, Bruges, Munich and Zurich are well connected by rail.

For more December ideas, see Where to go in December? and our guide Where to go for Christmas.