There’s never been a cheaper time to enjoy the holiday cheer radiating from the tents and stalls of Europe’s Christmas Markets. Despite chill winds, snowflakes and global inflation, the US dollar exchange rate makes visitors feel welcomed and toasty warm. Here’s our pick of the very best places in Sweden, Finland, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark to celebrate the season with kids at Europe’s top Christmas Markets.
Our review doesn’t cover all of Europe, however. This tradition is so big in Germany, that German Christmas Markets have their own review.
Where to Find Europe’s Christmas Markets
During winter, in towns large and small, picturesque European cities turn into holiday wonderlands. Historic town squares are filled with musicians on balconies and choirs on church steps. Each evening from mid-November until just before Christmas, dine and shop outdoors the way locals do. At booths decorated in evergreen bowers and twinkling lights, enjoy mulled wine while kids comb the stalls searching for the perfect gift. They may find a nutcracker, a hand-painted creche, or a cake baked with loving care.
Starting with the largest and most glorious of destination Christmas Markets to center your trip around (Gothenburg, Sweden) to weekend affairs that make a great complement to other sightseeing (Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens), here’s a look at what’s happening over the winter holidays.
Sweden Christmas Markets
Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden’s second largest city, home of Volvo and Hasselblad, is also the No. 1 city when it comes to Christmas celebrations. More than 1.5 million visitors go see Gothenburg when the city is decked out in all its glory. Shop for honey, knit socks and hats at several markets that only open select weekends. Be sure to sample a Swedish seafood dish — that is the holiday speciality.
At Liseberg, Gothenburg’s famous amusement park, they’ve figured out how to do things in a really big way. Immerse yourselves in 700 evergreens, nearly 4 miles of garlands and 5 million lights sparkling from the harbor thourgh town and into the park. Be sure to book a table for their groaning traditional buffet smorgasbord known as a julbord. This is the largest Christmas market (and the largest amusement park) in Scandinavia. The market runs till just before New Years.
Gammelstad is a traditional Christmas Market in Swedish Lapland. One December weekend, 70 stalls and cabins sell arts and crafts such as wooden toys, hand made candles and traditional straw work. Shop around for traditional foods served by the indigenous Sami people from Lapland. Don’t miss the imaginative marzipan sweets, lots of mulled wine (Skaal!) and decorated spruce trees.
The country has several of Europe’s most snowy Christmas Markets where you can catch reindeer sleigh rides, ice skating shows and ice bars outdoors. For more information, surf to the Visit Sweden tourism site.
All Year Round Christmas at Santa Claus Village, Finland
Finland has gone way beyond the European tradition of town square Christmas markets to promote itself as the home of Santa’s hideaway in the North Pole. Their office is in Santa Claus Village in Finnish Lapland. (The Claus’ secret home is hidden).
Since 1985 it has been open year-round. Nonetheless, it’s the wintry weekends leading up to Christmas that attract charter planes with loads of British and other European families. It’s a bucket list trip to fly directly into Rovaniemi for just one day, get a glimpse of Santa, and share your child’s Wish List with him.
Events are planned to offset the short daylight hours and cold, cold climate of winter. That makes Finland’s Christmas Market season especially welcome for Finns. All through December, families plan pikkujoulu or little Christmas get-togethers. At the public markets, sample the Scandinavian version of gluhwein known as glögi. Families will find special concerts and festive menus everywhere. But there’s nothing quite like Santa Claus Village.
Europe’s Christmas Markets in Finland: Helsinki
Helsinki’s Christmas Season typically begins in late November and ends a few days before Christmas. Annually since 1852, Senate Square Christmas Market has risen outside the beautiful Helsinki Cathedral. Whenever you visit, start here in the capital’s largest market, browsing more than 100 stalls. In addition to fabulous Finnish art and high style clothes, delicious edible treats include marzipan animals, gingerbread cookies, Christmas fruitcake and the flakiest prune-filled Christmas tarts imaginable.
All of Aleksanterinkatu Street is lit up. Yuletide shoppers peruse beautiful contemporary and traditional craft items including fur hats, silver ornaments and wreaths made of woven oat stalks. There are small markets in Old Porvoo and lots of shopping at the Art Factory Christmas and the Women’s Christmas Marksmallet at the Old Harbor.
Candles illuminate the museum village of traditional homes, Seurasaari. Visit the holiday displays about the Finns’ ancient traditions and special family programming. And, your family may spend hours indoors happily exploring beautifully decorated stores such as Stockmann’s, Marimekko and Iittala. For more information, see Visit Helsinki Tourism.
Europe’s Christmas Markets: Experience France By Barge
River cruising has exploded in popularity as a budget and super convenient way to see Europe’s great harbor cities. However, few realize that the best and most traditional Christmas Markets in France are best visited by barge. The France-based CroisiEurope river cruise company makes the discovery of France’s authentically magical holiday markets comfortable and easy. This year, their French Canal Boats are calling on Christmas Markets in French Alsace. One cruise starts in Strasbourg, whose well-preserved Old Town known as Petite France is an Instagram-worthy site. This is said to be France’s oldest and most popular Christmas Market of all. The other Croisieurope barge itinerary features Colmar, an Alsation town riddled with canals lined with traditional homes. Lights reflected in the bands of water make it a magical experience.
The cathedral towns of Metz and Reims (champagne territory) also host classic Christmas Markets with locally produced artisan goods and the edibles the French are famous for. Paris, a must-stop for its incredible shopping, is decorated to the hilt for the holidays.
There are several Paris neighborhood Christmas Markets, including one selling recycled goods for the eco-conscious and one with African style. Opposite the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries comes alive with stalls from mid-November to Three Kings Day. In addition to shopping, look for the surrounding an ice skating rink, Ferris wheel and decked-out evergreen tree.
Switzerland Christmas Markets
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city so its popular Christmas markets are well worth a visit. Visitors enjoy the festive shopping venues plus outdoor concerts, evening light shows, pop-up restaurants and decorated shops. From the third week in November to just before Christmas Eve, drop by several Christmas markets held around the city. Europe’s Christmas afficionados love both the traditional small ones in Old Town and the Opera House’s huge Wienachtsdorf Market known as Zurich Christmas Village. Thanks to their tourism department, we sampled the market in New York City and loved some of the more than 100 vendors who came with foods, handmade goods and holiday products. Drop into one of their cozy lounges or sit in the warming chalet so you’re ready to shop the huts at Zurich Wienachtsdorf.
Additionally, Zurich Main train station hosts a contemporary market whose tree has more than 7,000 crystal ornaments. Keep this market in mind for those evenings when the temperatures drop as your kids may be more comfortable indoors.
Any time, we love the Marlitram, a festive red tram driven by Santa that circulates around Zurich. The angels onboard narrate Christmas stories for ages 4-9; tickets required from the Jelmoli department store. Pick up a Zurich Card or the Bike version to make getting around the city easier and cheaper.
Don’t miss the Christmas Markets in the lakefront city of Lucerne, which is so beautiful at any time of year. The Lucerne Advent Season opens Nov. 24 with tree lighting ceremonies at Europaplatz and in the Old Town. Both host Europe style Christmas Markets with a Swiss flair through the month of December. If you’re new to the tradition, why not book a Pine Boughs and Bright Lights Tour. As you stay warm strolling the city’s streets, an expert guide explains the local traditions and specialties to look for at the various markets.
Belgium Christmas Markets Thrive in Brussels
Throughout Belgium, Europe’s Christmas Markets season begins at the end of November, with the celebration of St. Nicholas. Belgium is a country where chocolate and french fries are the joys of everyday life. However, at the holidays, enjoy marzipan, klaasjes (flat hard cakes) and speculoos (St. Nicholas-shaped gingerbread) at the country’s many traditional Christmas markets.
In Brussels, the city center hosts a skating rink within its large Christmas market, which has an illuminated Ferris Wheel and street activities to keep the family busy. Visitors can get lost in the 240 wooden chalets shared among the top three markets. You must visit the Bourse (Stock Exchange), Place Sainte Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons (fish market). Shop at each for unique Christmas ornaments, handicraft items and seasonal gourmet treats. Choirs, processions, bands and concerts complete the holiday ambiance.
Learn about the history, manufacture and artistry of chocolate, which makes a great holiday gift. In fact, the gift shop at Choco-Story Brussels is the place to buy Neuhaus, Godiva and Leonidas confections. And don’t forget that a Brussels Greeter will help you shop and introduce your family to the city, at no additional charge.
Discover Europe’s Best Christmas Markets in Quieter Belgium Cities
In Belgium’s major towns, Europe’s Christmas markets often run through the first week of January (Three Kings Day). That gives your family a chance to visit one of the large, bustling urban markets then retreat to a quieter city for a different experience.
In Bruges, enjoy Christmas concerts and carillon (bell-ringing) music. This magical city is packed with traditional architecture. Add on holiday decor comprising garlands and Christmas lights and the Bruges during the holidays looks like a gingerbread kingdom. Shops boast exquisite lacework and more, and the Procession of the Eastern Star parades across the city’s canals. While in Bruges, don’t miss the opportunity to sightsee in a horse-drawn sleigh.
In Antwerp, the markets boast with entertainment provided by jugglers, musicians, painters, poets and musical groups. Many Belgian products, as well as gourmet goodies and crafts from other European countries, are widely available.
There are exceptions to that exceptionally long Christmas market season. Throughout December only, visit a magical Christmas Village composed of 155 decorated cottages in Liege. In Ghent, famous for its cathedral and churches, the most photogenic of Europe’s Christmas Markets opens only three weeks in December. As Ghent is a green city, and the market is located in a Low Emission Zone, most visitors driving into the zone will have to register their vehicles. Being in a car-free zone makes perusing the 150 wooden stalls even more fun for families.
Note that even the tiniest villages (many just a day trip from Brussels) will feature Nativity scenes and holiday concerts for a limited time. For more information, review the listings on Visit Belgium.
Austria Christmas Markets
Holiday lights and Austrian Christmas Markets illuminate the Vienna from mid-November until right after Christmas. The Austrian capital has several of Europe’s favorite Christmas markets to marvel at. Romantics like the charming Spittelburg district, where one can find mulled wines, sweet treats and warm knitted goods nightly. At the classically regal Schönbrunn Palace, beyond the usual Christmas Market attractions, head inside for the palace’s own children’s activities and programs. Stay after the holiday to this imperial market convert into a New Year’s market. Belvedere Castle, one of Vienna’s most recognizable buildings, is home to a Christmas Village with Baroque accents. Maria-Theresien-Platz is full of regional crafts, unique gifts and culinary delights.
For traditional handicrafts and Christmas music, head for the Old Viennese Christmas Market on the Freyung which dates to 1792. Buy beautiful handmade gifts at the Art Advent in front of Karlskirche, where kids love to play in the petting zoo. Allow time to visit the candle-making workshop, listen to music and sample only organic foods. Vienna’s City Hall or Rathausplatz hosts Vienna Christmas World at the Christmas Market. It is arguably the city’s most famous Christmas Market with beautiful ice rinks. One can find countless ways to get lost among 150 booths sharing the intoxicating Christmas spirit.
The picture perfect Salzburg Christmas Market specializing in klotzenbrot, a bread loaded with raisins, dried fruits and nuts, also has a Christmas Museum. The main market, one of several in town, runs till December 26 in the center of Cathedral Square. All year round at the museum, visitors can see holiday decorations from the period 1840-1940, many from the famous Wienerwerkstatte which once sold as souvenirs. Did you know “Silent Night, Holy Night” was written in the city of Mozart — also the birthplace of “Sound of Music”?
Denmark Christmas Markets
In Denmark, the hyggelig or cozy Danish Christmas season opens early, typically in mid-November, and runs about five weeks till a few days before Christmas. At Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s beloved pleasure park, pixies prepare more than 60 traditional stalls. The market showcases handmade decorations, Christmas gifts and sweets through New Year’s Eve. Families will enjoy the three different light shows that play continuously and the Toboggan Run. Warm up and stay that way with mulled red wine, hot cocoa and other winter beverages. The park’s lavish decor is inspired by Danish and Scandinavian tradition, and live reindeer add to the festive scene. Several other neighborhoods in Copenhagen host small markets, and stores everywhere show off their holiday decorations.
You may not have heard of Tonder, a market town that’s reigned near the German border in Jutland for more than 750 years. They host a marvelous, very traditional Christmas market with its own Santa Post Office to send greeting cards from. At Den Gamle By, the living history site comprising 75 historic houses in Aarhus, costumed re-enactors create the spirit of Christmas’ past.
Don’t forget that holiday music plays at churches and cathedrals at no cost, all over Denmark, in December. For more information, look at Visit Denmark.
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6 Replies to “Holidays At Europe’s Favorite Christmas Markets”
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Nestled between the lush jungle greenery of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the sparkling waters of one of the world’s largest bays, The Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta has earned an international reputation as one of the best Gay tourist cities in the world.
Being a port city and a destination for many cruise lines including RSVP and Atlantis, Puerto Vallarta is tolerant and abundant with all things gay.
The center of the activity is the charming section of old town known as The Zona Romantica. Here you will find cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and lovely white washed buildings rich with Spanish architecture. Many gay owned and gay friendly businesses including restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries for every pallet and taste, fill the narrow streets of this splendid fishing village.
Coming Events
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Most tourists spend their day on the gay beach. With its white sand and raging surf Playa Los Muertos is the place to be and be seen. Find a deck chair, sit back and relax and let the friendly servers indulge you with great cocktails and yummy food while you unwind and watch whales and dolphins frolic in the blue ocean waters. If beaching is not for you, Puerto Vallarta offers many gay tours to fill your days. Bay cruises, horseback riding through the jungle, bike rides along the Rio Cuale and canopy tours are just a few of the many activities available.
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It's important to start 'em young! Of all the family vacations you can pick that can last through the decades, skiing is the very best. When the kids are little you get a break because they're having fun in ski school. When they're older and more accomplished you can ski together. When they're teens and are whizzing past you, you can still ride up the chairlift with them and have them to yourself in the condo. Then when they're in college, you get to spend quality time with them on the slopes and in the condo because you're buying your lift ticket. It's a family vacation that can continue on as a tradition until you're too old to strap on a pair of skis…
i think many accidents occur when new teen or young men (and sometimes women) who are not very experienced are out with their much-more experienced pals. They get talked into trying a part of the mountain that is too much for them and then they try to keep up. They get themselves into trouble that way and often are injured.
If you are looking into hostels and you are a family, call the hostel to get a sense of the character of the place. We went to a hostel once with our elementary age kids(not in a ski area) and it was filled with young 20 somethings and teens having lots of fun – smoking pot in the parking lot, partying, etc. Even though some hostels have family rooms, if the place is full of kids it can be uncomfortable. Some hostels do have older visitors and more families, so it pays to ask.
Don't forget to plan some time to see some of the other attractions in Monterey, like the aquarium, which has an amazing sea horse exhibition coming up and take a drive to Point Lobos to hike around and Big Sur to see some of California's most spectacular coastline. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur.
Great advice and some fun ideas for new places to try. thanks for sharing your family secrets!
All of Wyoming is a great destination with kids, but my family especially loved this place because it is really a unique bit of the Old West. Definitely worth a detour!
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Just wanted to add that we're on Central Daylight Time and now open at 9:30 am (Holiday World) and 10:30 am (Splashin' Safari). In 2009, we're introducing the World's Tallest Water Ride, Pilgrims Plunge, plus the new (free) HoliWatch program which will help separated family members find each other during their visit.