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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Aurelia – never fear. One of our authors took her teen on an "Angels & Demons" tour of Rome after the book came out.
They went all over looking for the temples that held clues to the killer's identity — see her story at http://www.familytravelforum.com/where/europe/12000-Angels-And-Demons-Rome.html
For this summer, the movie has just come out and your son will have lots of fun tracing the filming locations on a map of Rome. The movie highlights some of the city's greatest monuments and it and the book are filled with fascinating facts about the city, the Vatican and its cultural history. I bet you can get him involved in this "treasure hunt" along with the whole family.
Enjoy!
While in Sacramento, be sure to check out the Old Sacramento Scavenger Hunt. Kids get to learn a little about the Pony Express, Gold Rush History, Transcontinental Railroad, etc. by solving riddles and eye spy activities.
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We will be traveling with a 16 year old to Rome for 4 days. He is in the "everything's boring" stage and, other than the colloseum, we're not sure what he'd like. Any suggestions?
He likes science museums, particularly hands-on stuff.
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Great article!!
What writing program was this for?
Sounds like a great vacation, I can definitely relate to the fresh air anecdote!
Yes,Shanghai surely is one of the most beautiful cities in China.Bund has the name of East of Wall Street.
Here is the website about travelling in Shanghai and China,it would help you.
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This is so great to hear how encouraging the teachers are. I tried to learn to surf once in Brazil and it was just useless, trying to jump up on the board when we practised on the beach. I felt like such a beached whale.
Thanks for your note. Please fill out our Custom Trip Planning form at this link: http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/trip_plans/index.1.html
and we are happy to help you plan your reunion. For prices at Stratton this August, please get in touch with the resort directly. Good luck!
Dear 120Dayslater..thanks for your thorough answer…both helpful and rather wry! Good show and I think you have the issue in perspective!
ks
I AM LOOKING TO HOST A FAMILY REUNION THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 22, 2009. PLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION FOR ABOUT 50 PEOPLE, THAT IS ABOUT 20 ROOMS. WE NEED MEALS. THAN YOU
Hello, Thank you for your words about Spain. My name is Manuel. Let me give you my webpage http://spainlive.iespana.es/. I am specialized on trips for students of Spanish but I am also help people who want to know Spain on a different way with a private guide. Best wishes.
Hello, Thank you for your words about Spain. My name is Manuel. Let me give you my webpage http://spainlive.iespana.es/. I am specialized on trips for students of Spanish but I am also help people who want to know Spain on a different way with a private guide. Best wishes.
This is one of the best aquariums in the country and worth a full-day visit. Plan to wander around, take advantage of the kids' programs, and then have lunch there and relax for a bit. Then explore some more. Occasionally a local nonprofit group will have an evening program in the aquarium where their members and friends can buy tickets (more expensive than the regular tickets) but you really get the place to yourselves and can wander about. It is a great way to see the aquarium with teens, as they appreciate the more mysterious evening hours at the aquarium and there is still plenty to see. I imagine you could call the aquarium to find out dates when that might be happening.
I visited Sosua in the north coast in the Dominican Republic and I loved this exciting place and other thing. It's not a bad drive, and rental cars are not too expensive, and you'll find dozens of beaches on the way where you can stop and grab some salt water on silky sand and of course you could enjoy the hotel Sosua Bay Beach Resort. it's between Cabarete and Costambar . I'll be back next year. http://www.sosuabayresort.com
I was never really interested in the Mid-west until now. I might have to give st. Louis a visit!
this is a well illustrated website and would definately try you when I come for the world cup next year.
I like the description, entertainment is very important for all now in this busy world. But parents are satisfied if their kids are happy and enjoying during picnic/outing/an trip. After their exams children needs a change, to make their minds relaxed so plan for an outing which is enjoyable for your kids.
Eurocamp was a great deal for us when we took our kids to Italy a few years ago. Though there was no TV, there were pools, restaurants, etc…things you don't always have at state parks. And you didn't need an RV! I picked all ours for their proximity to large Italian cities we were visiting. We had plenty of space, a full kitchen, a private bath and still paid much less than we would any hotel in Florence, Rome or Venice. We loved it. And, most of the camps had transportation into the city for a reasonable price!
Thanks for this great list…my family is already booked for New Hampshire this year and I was looking on the web for Lake Tahoe vacations for next year when I came across this site.
When we went to Italy, we stayed at Eurocamps and they were a really great deal, especially when you hear how small and expensive hotels in Europe can be. I hope other people take your advice too!
In our experience, at many supervised kids' camps — especially if they're not crowded — a parent can bring a younger child in and stay with them for one or two activities.
If the counselors determine that the child will be comfortable without a parent present, which is what must have happened in Annie's case, they welcome the parent to leave their child at the camp and enjoy the rest of the resort. The counselors are always within cellphone contact and will ask parents to return if they think it's in the child's best interests.
In some states, there might be legal restrictions on minimum ages for daycare.
you mention your child was 3 years old and that you took her to the kids camp?? how is this possible when the article states they take kids age 5 and up??
For one day Legoland is probably not a good choice and you may be better off exploring Copenhagen. You could actually just go to Tivoli Gardens and enjoy a day in the amusement park there.
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I am having a problem getting a passport for my infant. We are currently in court – I only have temporary custody so far and his father refuses to sign the application for my son to get a passport. His father is from the middle east and had threatened to take the baby. I want to go to my sister's wedding in August in Trinidad and I don't know what to do. My lawyer is unsure if he will be able to succeed in getting a court order demanding that the father signs the document. Does anyone have any information regarding my problem. Thanks.
Don't go to your sister's wedding. Don't worry about any one else other than your child. Your ex-husband is waiting for an opportunity to prover you more concern over others than your child. The wedding is an example.I'm sure your sister will understand your situation. Your main concern is your child and getting full custody of him/her. As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
check out Sleeps5.com for a free listing of hotels primarily in Europe that will accommodate families of five or more in one room.
Tourism in Sichuan Province China is rich in resources,there is the hometwn of giant pandas.It has World Heritage Areas in China such as Jiuzhaigou valley, Huanglong, Emei Mountain and lashan Giant Buddha,Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan Irrigation system, Wolong Panda Siguniangshan ecological zones. From Chengdu to Lhasa,Tibet, Yunnan Dali, Lijiang tourism line is also very convenient.
hamburg ist a beautiful city, ya. I especially like the Aalster area with its trees.
Hi There Guys,
Just thought i would say Hi 🙂
Karen
hi evrybody
I use ipod touch ever since they launched it. And now I can't imagine my life without it.
This thread is dedicated to reviewing those apps that we like or dislike.
An eco resort for skiing sounds like a really awesome idea for a family vacation. 60+ years wow! that's awesome. I'm so glad eco travel is on the rise and it can be incorporated on any trip 🙂
Parents are splitting with kids right and left, something needs to be done. Children without passports are fairly protected but once the passport is issued there doesn't seem to be a procedure in place for revoking that passport until such time it must be renewed and even then I'm not sure it can be revoked. In some ways this policy is good and the right thing to do, but, it could also be a way for a controlling ex to make somebody's life miserable. As clogged as the courts are these days it can take months to get a hearing for a judge to order than the child can leave the country…so the moral is, if the ex is going to be a butt about it you better start planning about a year ahead of time and make sure whatever order you get has the required information contained in it or the airline/shipping line etc. may just refuse to honor it. Kids need to be protected, especially from middle eastern fathers/mothers that take the kids to non-hague countries. It's a very nasty situation and it's heartening to see this done but it can be a dual edged sword and may cause a lot of problems no one thought about.
I always check the rates with several codes from that list and book the lowest, without even looking whose it is. So do my friends. We have never been asked to show any ID, certificate, business card, flight ticket or anything else. The rental agent really couldn't care less, and I'm sure the rental company is happy to get the business even at a low margin.
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kevin
You can rent from Alamo. They don't have a maximum age for rentals in Israel.
I stumbled upon your post as I was worrying a bit about our upcoming 4 days in Provence in August. We are traveling with our two daughters, ages 15 and 20, and I found your post to be just what I needed! We will be spending one night in Cassis on the coast and 3 nights in Isle Sur La Sorgue. I have already planned a day exploring the Luberon area with the same itinerary as yours. So thanks for the post!
For the bargain hunter, the beauty of Yosemite can still be enjoyed with an inexpensive stay at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. The resort is now offering <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com">Yosemite lodging</a> starting at only $69 for a yurt that can accommodate up to five people. Yosemite cabins start at only $79 for two nights for a basic cabin that can accommodate four people. These special rates are available at http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-camping-specials.html during the fall and winter season. Some restrictions apply. Yosemite Pines (http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com) is an RV resort, campground, and lodge located near Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Pines offers <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-camping-rv-tent.html">Yosemite camping</a> near Yosemite National Park with full hook-up RV and campsites. Yosemite Pines also offers Yosemite lodging and <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-cabins-yurts.html">Yosemite cabin rentals</a> near Yosemite National Park with cabin and yurt rentals. Amenities include a clubhouse, gold mine, gold panning, petting zoo, swimming pool, hiking trail, general store, children’s playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball.
Hi Deborah –
This will no doubt be your most surprising comment to date. My father was Bob Witten, his mother was Ida Slavitt, His gradnfather Morris Slavitt. I have only today come upon a family tree and am google-ing everyone.
If your father was Norman Slavitt and of course if you have any interest in talking family I'd be so happy to hear from you.
Betsy
Can a healthy 81 year old male rent a car in Israel and if yes,what companies rent for my age?
In eurtour site the rate of hotels are too cheap and they also provides the discount on European hotels and the hotels are too good.
I'm the dad of the teenager with the pink hair. Chris & Pat said it all – brings back great memories — looking forward to the next trip to St Barths!
Thanks for the family-friendly eco-destination lineup. I also wanted to recommend an ecotour company with a lineup of fabulous family nature tours – all small-group and able to be customized to age of kids, etc. Natural Habitat Adventures' green credentials are impeccable and they offer family destinations from South America to Africa to the good ol' U.S. For more info check out http://www.nathab.com
I love Morocco too, thanks for sharing your story.
Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!
Hi guys thought i would make my first post, just want to say what a great forum this is and all the information here is over whelming
Tourism in Sichuan Province China is rich in resources,there is the hometwn of giant pandas.It has World Heritage Areas in China such as Jiuzhaigou valley, Huanglong, Emei Mountain and lashan Giant Buddha,Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan Irrigation system, Wolong Panda Siguniangshan ecological zones. From Chengdu to Lhasa,Tibet, Yunnan Dali, Lijiang tourism line is also very convenient.
I like the Bund, Nanjing Road and zhujiajiao old street and other sites nearby.
Great Wall is a very highlights during a China tour. Most people like it, trekking, hiking is very nice.