European Christmas Markets

[Jayar]

Hi folkx,
I am hoping to make a trip to Europe in 2023 to visit some of the Christmas markets. I have a little more than a week to do this, and I was thinking of visiting three cities. Does anybody have recommendations on which ones are the best or your most favorite? TIA

 

[flyingsit]

Munich and Nuremberg! Don’t bother with Paris; we were there in December 2019 and were disappointed with the markets.

 

[skategal]

My DH says Cologne.

He was there for work a few years back and did the Christmas market there.

We’ve been watching these guys.

They did 5 Christmas markets this year.

We are thinking of doing something similar for 2023 also.

https://youtube.com/@AndrewandKait

 

[Deleted member 221]

Don’t bother with Paris; we were there in December 2019 and were disappointed with the markets.

I agree that the German / Austrian markets are generally bigger and better. Strasbourg, along the German border, seems to be regarded as the best French Christmas market.

If you want to do western French or Belgian Christmas markets, you could hit up several in a quick train trip: Amiens, Lille, Brussels, and Bruges. I went to Lille's Christmas market this year: it's small but solid (and I quite liked the city and surrounding area). Brussels's is usually good and bigger.

 

[ballettmaus]

In Berlin, I think the one at the Gendarmenmarkt is the most popular. Before Covid, you did have to pay an entrance fee though. (I think it was €2).

The one at the Ku-Damm and Schloss Charlottenburg are free but I don't know how much handmade things they still sell. If you're into holiday lights, the Ku-Damm is definitely worth a visit during Christmas time though.

Strasbourg, along the German border, seems to be regarded as the best French Christmas market.

I know a number of people who've been and really liked it.

 

[Gil-Galad]

I‘d recommend Aachen in Germany, very close to Cologne, the Christmas Market is between the gothic town hall and the ancient cathedral of Charles the Great and the atmosphere is simply lovely.

Also try one of the smaller towns, e.g. Goslar

Or Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg has the best market on the weekends before Christmas, the medieval courts of dozens of the old houses are opened especially for the market and each court has a small themed Christmas market of its own - you can’t visit the courts the rest of the year.

Both Goslar and Quedlinburg are world cultural heritage.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Out of the way from the others, and it was 20 years ago that I was last there, but the Christmas market in Barcelona was wonderful. There was an entire long row of individual booths, just for the nativity scenes and immediate surroundings. (Because there were rows of cabbage and melons just outside the manger ) One booth was dedicated to mangers. Plus, the variety of caganers was fantastic.

 

[Deleted member 1204]

I always snark that "if you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all." They're all very similar, just varying in size. On top of that, I just don't get the appeal - standing outside in the bitter cold with everyone power-smoking around you is definitely not my idea of fun. After an hour or two, at most, I am always more than ready to leave.

But, I'm not a total Scrooge so I would recommend the bigger cities in Germany - Munich, Nurnberg, Koln, Berlin. In my area, some of the smaller ones are good - Heidelberg, Trier. I really enjoy visiting Rothenburg too. In France, Strasbourg is my recommendation, with a side trip to Colmar. Luxembourg City was a surprise too.

Some cities have multiple markets throughout. Munich has the main one in front of the city hall in Marienplatz but there are other, sometimes more interesting, ones too - there is a nice one in the English Garden, one with ice skating in Karlsplatz, a medieval themed one near Odeansplatz. Berlin has a bunch of them too, with the nicest one being in the Gendarmenmarkt.

Pick locations that you want to visit for some other reason - sightseeing, museums, skiing, etc., and then stop by the Christmas market as something to do after dinner, for example. I love big cities because there is so much to do, but when I think about European Christmases, I picture Bavaria and snow-covered Alps - maybe somewhere like Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

For planning purposes, keep in mind that most markets (the markets in Germany, that is) are only open until the 23rd. Stores and restaurants will be open on the 24th but usually close early, around 1600-1700, since Christmas Eve is the big family celebration in Germany. Pretty much everything will be closed on both the 25th and 26th, except for the stores in gas stations.

 

[ribbon]

I went a long time ago in 2007 and loved it, but probably because I chose cities based on other interests, as Mikey suggested and just did it at night for an hour or two. I started in Frankfurt since that’s where I landed, but quickly moved to Cologne and Heidelberg and ended in Berlin. Cologne and Berlin were both fantastic with their markets, but everywhere was enjoyable and festive. I would go ice skating and get some hot roasted potatoes afterwards, which I always think are far more satisfying than French fries.

i liked it because it was picturesque, it was snowy and a Christmas postcard basically. Think of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, fresh pine, gingerbread, the smell is very nice.i went around 8pm so it was full of cheerful families, which is fun.

but, yes, the rest of the day was dedicated to museums, churches, castles, boat rides, etc. It’s a part of your trip, not the focus, or you’d get bored As they are all similiar.

and, yes, Germany is my recommendation. I’ve been to other European countries in winter, and while everything is decorated, it’s not magical in any way in regards to the holiday.

 

[ballettmaus]

Dresden also used to be a nice and popular Christmas market but that was years ago, shortly after the wall came down. No idea if and how it changed since.

I always snark that "if you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all." They're all very similar, just varying in size. On top of that, I just don't get the appeal - standing outside in the bitter cold with everyone power-smoking around you is definitely not my idea of fun.

My mom's colleague spent the week of Thanksgiving visiting Christmas markets because the husband wanted to. ?‍

 

[wustfan]

Esslingen (near Stuttgart) is beautiful. That‘s where I‘m going today

 

[allezfred]

I would recommend Vienna if the Christmas Market is still in front of the Rathaus.

 

[kwanfan1818]

@Jayar said 2023. Christmas Day is on a Monday in 2023, and I would suggest checking the dates before making plans. Both times I was in Europe over Chrismas, the last open weekend, and sometimes the last open date, was two weekends before Christmas, if Christmas was at the beginning of the week. That may have changed, but better to be safe than sorry.

 

[kedrin]

Second the Vienna market- Vienna has several. I also loved Prague's market in the old town square; I was staying very near there, and followed the sound of the recording of children singing Czech carols to find my way 'home'. Also, it was open I think through 12th night, but in any case, after Christmas day.

 

[ballettmaus]

Both times I was in Europe over Chrismas, the last open weekend, and sometimes the last open date, was two weekends before Christmas, if Christmas was at the beginning of the week.

That's probably because it would have been the weekend before Christmas for most European countries as they celebrate it on the 24th and most everyone would have things to take care of on the 23rd. In Germany, it's tradition to put up the tree on the 23rd, for example, and I think many people still do that. Many people may also be busy preparing dinner for the next day.

Something to keep in mind as well, both, the 25th and 26th are a holiday in Germany (and I believe at least in Austria as well). You'll be hard-pressed to find much that's open that day.

 

[Miezekatze]

All Christmas markets here in my southern German region (south west) are running until December 23rd this year and I frankly don't recall it being "typical" that they stop much earlier thatn that

I just checked Munich and Nuremberg and they even run until December 24th.

It might change from year to year though, depending on what weekdays Christmas falls on, but I really don't recall them typically stopping 1 or 2 weekends before Christmas, maybe that was the case longer ago, but I don't think that's typically to be expected nowadays.

 

[acraven]

I've never done the Christmas markets in Europe, but I've read some comments on the Rick Steves forum to the effect that a lot of the markets are full of imported (Chinese?) merchandise--much of it the same--rather than the local crafts one might prefer to see. I've read that the Budapest market is good for local goods, but this is most definitely not first-hand information. Of course, if one is going for the festive atmosphere rather than shopping, the quality of the goods on offer might not really matter.

 

[Deleted member 221]

I've never done the Christmas markets in Europe, but I've read some comments on the Rick Steves forum to the effect that a lot of the markets are full of imported (Chinese?) merchandise--much of it the same--rather than the local crafts one might prefer to see.

Anecdotally, this seems to be the case based on the markets I've attended. I'm not into crafts/merchandise, but I do love the food - mulled wine/ciders (had a delicious pear cider this year!), raclette / melty cheese, pretzels, crepes, all kinds of sausages (not for me), etc. That does seem to be local at least. You can also buy locally produced cheese, meat (not for me), or wine to take home.

 

[Hedwig]

I love Christmas markets and yes they ususally run until the 23rd at least. Some smaller ones are only on weekends or only for 1-2 days. There you always have only handcrafted items (plus food and hot spicy wine)
I have never been to the big famous markets like Nürnberg since I prefer the smaller markets anyway.

But once or twice during Christmas time is enough. Often you meet there with friends and colleagues after a working day but you would not spend the whole day there. so plan around what you want to do anyway and most towns in Germany will have a Christmas market you can visit in the evening

 

[Jenny]

A round up of Europe's "best" Christmas markets from Architectural Digest

 

[kwanfan1818]

Not in Arch Digest , but a knitting vlog I watch just did a big segment on the Esslingen Christmas Market, which is outside Stuttgart and has a medieval theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qokyzgdKRI&t=1123s

They have performers, crafts, people dressed up, and food, food, food.

 

[Spikefan]

A round up of Europe's "best" Christmas markets from Architectural Digest

Tallinn made the list.

 

[Vagabond]

Tallinn made the list.

Tianjin couldn't hold it, so....

 

[Ananas Astra]

We will go to Copenhagen for NYE and their Christmas markets are still open.
They are said to be extremely beautiful, especially the one at Tivoli.
Will report.

 

[Ananas Astra]

We spent New Year's Eve at Tivoli in Copenhagen and it was absolutely mindblowing. We went there in May already and were in awe because of the lights, but the Christmas decoration is on an entirely new level. So in case you end up in Copenhagen during Christmas time, you absolutely have to do Tivoli!