The closer New Year gets, the stronger the craving for miracles and gingerbread cookies. Take a look at how Europe gets ready for Christmas: shop windows and fir branches sparkle with garlands, stalls fill with fairy-tale souvenirs, the scent of cinnamon drifts through the frosty air, and pots of fragrant mulled wine warm over the fire.
1. WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, Germany
Every year, 600,000 people immerse themselves in a Christmas fairy tale at Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt. To see the glittering peaks of the festive tents from above, climb to the top of the French Cathedral. You probably won’t stay there for long, though: the aromas of gingerbread and Baumkuchen will soon lure you back down. Warm yourself up with a cup of hot chocolate or a mug of mulled wine, which the Germans call Glühwein.
Dates: 21.11.2016 — 31.12.2016
2. Tallinna Jõuluturg, Tallinn, Estonia
Every year, Tallinn’s Christmas market becomes even more spectacular. Market stalls spread out like rays from the beautiful Christmas tree in the center of Town Hall Square, offering souvenirs and sweets. The aroma of blood sausages served with potatoes and sauerkraut is impossible to miss. And there are plenty of unusual souvenirs to take home: miniature houses, juniper coasters, painted tableware, and handmade dolls. Children are sure to remember this market, especially when they meet Estonia’s Santa Claus, known by the wonderful name Jõuluvana.
Dates: 18.11.2016 — 07.01.2017
3. Christmas markets, Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is known as the “Capital of Christmas,” so don’t limit yourself to just one market — explore them all. The most spectacular celebrations take place at Place Kléber, where a 30-meter Christmas tree is surrounded by garlands and festive lights. Try amber-colored Alsatian beer with savory biscuits, browse the artisan shops, rediscover your childhood spirit, and go on a treasure hunt.
Dates: 25.11.2016 — 31.12.2016
4. Christmas at Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom
At Christmas, the shop windows of London’s Covent Garden glow with colorful lights, while the pleasant scent of cinnamon fills the space beneath giant Christmas decorations. The festive bustle quickly sweeps you away — before you know it, you’ll have a raspberry jam doughnut in one hand and a pack of vintage postcards from Apple Market in the other. Soak up some festive cheer in one of the local pubs and have fun at the Great Christmas Pudding Race.
Dates: 15.11.2016 — 05.01.2017
5. Frankfurt Christmas Market, Frankfurt, Germany
During the Christmas season, Frankfurt’s Römerberg square smells of marzipan pastries and potato pancakes served with sweet sauce. A mug of apple wine works like an elixir of youth: five minutes later, you may find yourself spinning around on a carousel to the sound of ringing bells. Don’t miss the climb up the tower of St. Nicholas Church — the view over the illuminated festive city is a wonderful Christmas gift in itself.
Dates: 23.11.2016 — 22.12.2016
6. Vienna Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria
Every winter, a whole festive village appears in front of Vienna City Hall, complete with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, unusual souvenirs, delicious treats, and Nativity scenes. Once you’ve had your fill of roasted chestnuts and apple strudel, head inside the City Hall for a Christmas concert. And as a souvenir of Viennese punch, take home one of the charming market mugs — for €2–3, you can keep it.
Dates: 11.11.2016 — 26.12.2016
7. Nuremberg Christmas Market, Nuremberg, Germany
One of Europe’s brightest and most popular Christmas markets, the Nuremberg market attracts two million visitors every year. Sweet almonds, countless varieties of sausages, gingerbread, and mulled wine are sold at every turn. Souvenir stalls are decorated with wooden soldiers and colorful Christmas ornaments. You might only see this many wide-eyed children at Disneyland: at the Nuremberg market, they ride carousels, decorate candles, bake gingerbread, and send their friends postcards straight from a fairy tale.
Dates: 25.11.2016 — 24.12.2016
8. Plaisirs d’Hiver, Brussels, Belgium
Brussels’ historic center, with its golden facades and columns illuminated by Christmas lights, looks truly regal. During the festive “Winter Wonders,” magic seems to happen at every turn. Admire the glowing city from the Ferris wheel, then stop for a snack at the market near the Brussels Stock Exchange: Liège waffles, fried snails, and chocolate desserts with a glass of sparkling wine are waiting for you. During the day, warm up on the ice rink opposite La Monnaie opera house, and in the evening, watch the spectacular play of light on Grand-Place or enjoy Japanese fairy tales projected directly onto the facade of St. Catherine’s Church.
Dates: 25.11.2016 — 01.01.2017. The ice rink is open until January 8.
9. Kalėdos sostinėje, Vilnius, Lithuania
In the run-up to Christmas, all of Vilnius warms up with mulled wine and enjoys the spiky traditional cake šakotis at the market on Cathedral Square. During the day, a tourist train circles the historic center, following a route right around the square. The perfect plan for an evening in festive Vilnius is simple: grab your camera and hurry to admire the main Christmas tree, transformed this year into a fairy-tale town, along with Christmas scenes projected onto the columns of Vilnius Cathedral.
Dates: 26.11.2016 — 29.12.2016. The Christmas train runs until January 8.
10. Adventi Ünnep a Bazilikánál, Budapest, Hungary
If you visit all of Budapest’s Christmas markets, you’ll have enough festive spirit to last the whole year. But if you’re short on time, focus on the main event and sample Hungarian cuisine at the market beside St. Stephen’s Basilica. Here you can try special winter salami, fruit brandy known as pálinka, and strawberry wine. While the children have fun on the ice rink, dance to traditional folk music. In the evening, gather the whole family to watch the spectacular light show.
Dates: 27.11.2016 — 02.01.2017
11. Vánoční trhy na Staroměstském náměstí, Prague, Czech Republic
Christmas in Prague is celebrated with particularly good taste, so prepare yourself for an extraordinary feast at Old Town Square. At home, Czechs traditionally bake carp, while at the market they join tourists in enjoying grilled sausages, pancakes with berry sauce, and twisted trdelník pastries. No one leaves the Prague market without a photo holding a glass of mead in front of the Christmas tree. On the evening of December 5, you may even meet the Czech St. Nicholas in the bustling crowd: St. Mikuláš, wearing a cross on his hat, hands out sweets to children who have behaved well throughout the year.
Dates: 26.11.2016 — 06.01.2017
12. Stortorgets Julmarknad, Stockholm, Sweden
It’s impossible to leave the home city of Karlsson-on-the-Roof hungry, especially at Christmas. During the festive season, Stockholm’s historic Stortorget square turns into a Swedish feast, serving cinnamon buns, gingerbread cookies, smoked reindeer fillet, and spicy glögg — Scandinavia’s answer to mulled wine. To discover how people once baked bread, brewed beer, and cooked lightly salted sprats over a fire, head to the open-air Skansen museum. As a souvenir of New Year’s Sweden, you can take home amusing candle figures made with your own hands.
Dates: 19.11.2016 — 23.12.2016
13. Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, Cologne, Germany
Experience the Christmas spirit at the market beside Cologne Cathedral at least once in your life. First, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the city’s main Christmas tree, and then the street jugglers and glassblowers will capture your attention. If you’re traveling with children, be sure to visit the market at Rudolfplatz, where the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm come to life. Travelers whose motto is “I came, I saw, I bought” should head straight to the city’s oldest Angel Market, while romantics will enjoy the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market near the Chocolate Museum.
Dates: 21.11.2016 — 23.12.2016
14. Håndlavet JuliTivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark
From mid-November, the “Danish Disneyland” turns into a fairy-tale grotto where Christmas nisse elves set the rules. In addition to the exciting rides for which Tivoli Gardens is famous all year round, visitors can enjoy light shows, theatrical performances, concerts, and a fireworks festival. After a couple of spectacular spins on the ice rink, reward yourself with rød pølse sausages or homemade cookies from the market’s “gingerbread houses.” Most importantly, don’t miss the gift-wrapping masterclass hosted by Santa himself.
Dates: 19.11.2016 — 31.12.2016
15. Mercado navideño en la Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
At the end of November, Madrid’s main square transforms into the setting for a Christmas fairy tale. As if by magic, carousels and stalls appear on Plaza Mayor, filled to the brim with Spanish nougat with roasted almonds, mantecado shortbread cookies, and round Three Kings cakes that traditionally had coins baked inside. During the festive season, tours to Madrid’s hidden corners also depart from the square — a great opportunity to see the Spanish capital through the eyes of a local.
Dates: 25.11.2016 — 31.12.2016