The World's Most Spectacular Christmas Markets This Year

A market decorated for the wintertime season is the best way to get people in the holiday mood.

Originating in Vienna (the city's first December market was documented in 1298), such events have since expanded throughout the globe. Anyone looking for a nice vacation destination will have no trouble finding one that hosts a spectacular yearly advent market. Actually, a few of them have been so famous that they may be considered tourist destinations on their own.

If you are looking for a list of the best Christmas markets happening this year, we have you covered.

Swiss Christmas Market in Basel

Switzerland is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas, as holiday markets take over most Swiss towns, creating an absolutely magical ambiance. Basel Christmas Market, however, dwarfs all others and is often considered to be the finest. Divided into two halves at Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz, it features more than 150 magnificently adorned booths offering Christmas spices, ornaments, and candles.

Activities like gingerbread and candle crafting, a star course, and a holiday train are available at Munsterplatz's Christmas fantasy forest, which is a great place for families to visit. Mulled wine can be enjoyed atop the thirteen-meter-tall Christmas pyramid on Barfusserplatz, or guests can ascend the stairs of St. Martin's tower for breathtaking vistas of the historic centre lit up by decorations.

The opening of the Basel Christmas Market is slated on November 23, and it is expected to continue until December 23.

French Strasbourg Christmas Market

Although it has changed a lot since its 1570 debut, Strasbourg's Christmas fair is still one of the oldest in Europe. The wildly popular market, which spans over ten sites, decorates the city with thousands of blinking Christmas lights and colourful decorations.

The event attracts more than two million visitors annually and is distinguished by hundreds of chalet booths made of wood that offer a wide variety of products, including decorations, gifts, and local Alsatian wines. While exploring the city's charming squares and winding streets, however, tourists may expect to see many other enchanting attractions, like the Great Christmas Tree on display at Place Kleber.

Starting on November 24th, the Strasbourg Christmas Market will remain open until December 24th.

Advent in Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb has been named "best Christmas market destination" by the European Best Destinations travel website for three years running. The Croatian city is home to over 25 Christmas markets, making Advent in Zagreb a really enchanting experience.

Expect live nativity scenarios, ice sculpture artwork, outdoor concerts, pop-up bars, and a Santa-and-elf Christmas tram. Enjoy some street cuisine, live music, and dancing at the "fooling about" (or "fuliranje") district of Advent in Zagreb.

The dates set for Advent in Zagreb 2023 are December 2, 2023, and January 7, 2024.

Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria

The Austrian city is home to over twenty different Christmas markets, but one of the longest running and most storied is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, also known as Rathausplatz. Featuring a famous nativity scene, a gigantic Ferris wheel, and rides on reindeer, Vienna's spectacular show captures the holiday mood wonderfully.

At the Viennese Dream Christmas Market, which takes place in front of City Hall, there is a 150-square-meter children's ice rink and the world-famous Tree of Hearts, a massive maple tree adorned with hundreds of sparkling hearts. Additionally, there are a great number of kiosks that specialize in selling delectable food and beverages.

Visitors can enjoy the Wiener Christkindlmarkt between November 10 and December 26.

The amazing Winter Wonders in Brussels, Belgium

During the holiday season, Winter Wonders—more of a festival than a market—brings Brussels to life. The yearly spectacle is one of the largest and most attended events in Belgium.

Visitor attractions include a light and sound display, ice skating, and fairground rides. In addition, guests have the opportunity to peruse around 200 chalets that serve gluhwein, Belgian beers, and waffles, while gazing in awe at the giant Christmas tree that has been constructed in Grand Place.

The dates for the Brussels Winter Wonders are November 24th through December 31st.

Holiday markets at Prague's Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square

During the holiday season, the capital of the Czech Republic becomes a veritable winter paradise. There are several markets spread out over the city, but the two most prominent are at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

Guests can effortlessly spend a day enjoying both locations since they are so close together—just a short stroll away. Wenceslas Square is perfect for purchasing locally created goods and tasty delicacies like klobasa and mulled wine, while Old Town Square offers non-stop entertainment in the shape of dance recitals, theatrical productions, and creative workshops.

Visitors can stop at the markets from December 2nd through January 6th, 2024.

I Mercati Natale, Florence's Piazza Santa Croce

With Santa Croce's Franciscan Basilica serving as a breathtaking background, this captivating market offers an unparalleled experience. The setting and the abundance of authentic Italian delicacies, like panforte, make this annual tradition—which originates in Heidelberg, Germany—feel extremely Italian in Florence. Nonetheless, classic Heidelberg Lebkuchen pastries, strudel, and gingerbread are surely not in short supply.

Visitors to the adjacent Piazza del Duomo can admire a breathtaking nativity scene and a spectacular Christmas tree that is illuminated in preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

From November 18th until December 17th, I Mercati Natale will be in full swing.

Santa Lucia Fira in Barcelona

The Fira de Santa Llucia, which began as a single-day celebration in 1786 to mark the December 13th feast day of Santa Llucia, is now a three-week extravaganza. There are four distinct areas to the lively market, which takes place outside Barcelona Cathedral.

An assortment of nativity scene ornaments and figurines are available to guests at the first location. There is an abundance of greenery and flora, including both real and man-made trees and plants. While the simbombes part is dedicated to musical instruments, the crafts section contains items that have been handcrafted as well as jewellery.

Many other joyous events take place, such as a Christmas parade, storytelling, and the caga tio, a gigantic Christmas log in the shape of a pinata that, when hit with a stick, releases sweets and presents.

Fira de Santa Llucia is scheduled to take place between the dates of November 24 and December 23.

Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark

Spectacular all year round, this Danish pleasure garden and amusement park is said to have served as the model for Disneyland. During the holiday season, nevertheless, it will be difficult to find a place as magical as Tivoli Gardens.

Imagine a winter wonderland unlike any other, complete with over a thousand exquisitely decked-out Christmas trees dotting the picturesque grounds. The entertainment line-up includes classic Pixie Band performances, fairground attractions, and more.

One of the most memorable events is the Lucia procession, which happens every year on December 13. Over a hundred girls march through the gardens while singing and holding candles to celebrate St. Lucia's Day.

Tivoli is celebrating Christmas from the 19th of November to the 31st of December. Please note that the park will not be open on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Market in Tallinn, Estonia

Among the more contemporary European Christmas markets, the yearly event in the capital of Estonia really stands out.

Inside Tallinn's Town Hall Square, you'll find a plethora of booths selling authentic Estonian food, handmade bread, and local crafts. In terms of attractions, guests may enjoy carousels, a winter wonderland, and an appearance by Santa Claus himself, riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Choruses and dancing groups also perform regularly for the enjoyment of the public. The Christmas tree, however, takes centre stage, exhibited in this location since 1441.

The 2023 Tallinn Christmas Market is scheduled to run from December 1st until January 7th, 2024.

Tuomaan Markkinat, Helsinki

You can find this charmingly Nordic Christmas market at Helsinki's Senate Square, next to the monument of Emperor Alexander II.

The historic carousel at Tuomaan Markkinat is the show-piece, but the many booths offering traditional Christmas treats, glogi, and arts and crafts are what really bring in the crowds. For the little ones, there are plenty of festive activities, such cookie crafting, and Santa Claus, who lives in his own little wooden cottage. Particularly noteworthy is the market's food court, which has an abundance of excellent dining options.

From December 1st to the 22nd, Tuomaan Markkinat will be in town.

The Christmas Market at Skansen in Stockholm

If you're looking for a typical Christmas market, go no further than Skansen. The delightful display of Swedish culture, enhanced with a touch of holiday enchantment, is located on the island of Djurgarden at the oldest outdoor museum in the world.

All the tables inside the museum's ancient homes are prepared for Christmas supper, and the buildings themselves are decorated in vibrant colours for the occasion. At Skansen's primary location, Bollnäs Square, guests may participate in a variety of holiday activities, such as making their own decorations, watching craft presentations, or dancing around the holiday tree.

The Christmas Market at Skansen is open every weekend from November 24th through December 17th.

Hungary's Vörösmarty Square and the Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest

Two of Budapest's most popular holiday markets are Advent Bazilika (located in St. Stephen's Basilica) and Vorosmarty Square.

The former is held outside the world-renowned basilica, where visitors come to see the frequent projections of 3D light displays onto its exterior. Furthermore, there are around 150 booths where sellers provide a variety of sweets, wine, and arts and crafts.

Also, every year more than 800,000 people go to the centrally located Vorosmarty Square market. The enormous advent calendar, which unveils a different window display every day from December 1st to the 23rd, is the event's major attraction, but the wonderful Hungarian delicacies sold there, such as chimney cake and langos, are also noteworthy.

The markets are scheduled to launch on November 17 and remain open until January 1, 2024.

The German Christkindlesmarkt and Gendarmenmarkt

Germans have a long tradition of shopping in outdoor winter markets, and the nation really has some of the world's most famous and well-attended holiday marketplaces. Berlin, the capital, has over 80 parks, the most famous of which being Gendarmenmark.

There is a labyrinth of wooden huts selling Bratwurst, mulled wine, ginger bread, and one-of-a-kind Christmas presents, and it is situated between the Franzosischer Dom and the Deutscher Dom. Guests may enjoy live musical and dancing acts every night of the week.

The world-famous Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, the second-largest city in Bavaria, dates back to the 16th century. The city's market square comes alive during the Christmas season with an arrangement of over 200 stalls. Nuremberg market annually attracts almost two million visitors.

The 2023 Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt will begin on December 1 and run until December 24. The Gendarmenmarkt is scheduled to start on November 27 and finish on December 31.

Polish Krakow Christmas Market

Krakow Christmas Market is one of the biggest in Europe, taking up a vast portion of Rynek Glowny, the Polish city's main plaza. The Renaissance Cloth Hall and historic St. Mary's Basilica provide a breathtaking setting for the annual festival, which dates back to the early 14th century.

While enjoying live music from folk bands and carol singers, revellers may indulge in Polish specialities like kiełbasa, browse for artisanal presents or snacks, and feast on many other local foods. On top of that, the market has a nativity competition where children from the neighbourhood and local artists compete to make the cutest little crib scenarios to showcase near the monument of Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz in the plaza.

The 2024 Krakow Christmas Market runs from November 24th until January 1st.

Winter Wonderland at London's Hyde Park

Many Londoners look forward to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland each year. With over 200 rides, including the biggest outdoor skating rink in the UK, mulled wine points, and a 70-meter-high big wheel, this Christmas classic has been drawing tremendous crowds annually since it opened in 2005.

Additionally, guests get the opportunity to participate in ice sculpture classes, see a circus performance, enjoy live music at the energetic Fire Pit bar, and sample a variety of delicacies at the Street Food Village.

Starting on November 17, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be available to the public until January 1, 2024.

More Christmas Markets from around the world

A Winter Wonderland in Singapore's Gardens by the Bay

The Christmas Wonderland in Singapore has been going strong for the last decade.

Over the course of four weeks, visitors can take part in the festivities at the world-renowned Gardens by the Bay natural park. Spread out over 27,000 square meters, the celebration is divided into three sections—Supertree Grove, Frosty's Fairground at The Meadow, and Gingerbread Grove—each offering its own unique set of activities.

A wide variety of attractions are available, including amusement rides, a Christmas train, light and sound displays, carnival games, a life-size gingerbread home illuminated by sugar canes, and live entertainment shows. Two of the most notable features are the spectacular Spalliera, which stands at 20 meters and takes architectural cues from the castle of Mesola in northern Italy, and the breathtaking Walk of Lights, which is lit up by almost 75,000 bulbs.

Gardens by the Bay's Christmas Wonderland will be accessible from December 1st till January 1st, 2024.

Visit Toronto's Distillery Winter Village

The Distillery Winter Village, formerly the Toronto Christmas Market, is a lovely and small-scale version of the classic European Christmas market. Located in the charming Distillery District, this annual event showcases a 50-foot Christmas tree, outdoor cabins selling food and goods, carol sing-alongs, and much more. The countless booths here provide a wide variety of goods, including artisanal foods, handmade gifts, and uplifting beverages.

From November 16th to the New Year, 2023, guests may enjoy the Distillery Winter Village every day (except December 25th).

New York's Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park in Manhattan is always turned into a breathtaking fantasy place for the Winter Village. A 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is available for free use with your own skates, and the world-famous open-air market has more than 150 personalized booths. In addition to an outdoor beer garden and a cocktail bar, The Lodge's rink-side bar and food hall offers a diverse selection of restaurants to choose from. During the winter months, when it often freezes over, the Josephine Shaw Lowell Fountain, which is located next to the Winter Village, is at its most stunning.

Starting on October 27, the Bank of America Winter Village will be located in Bryant Park. It is expected to be open until March 3, 2024.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Christkindlmarket Chicago, which has been holding annual Christmas markets in the "Windy City" since 1996, is modelled after the famous Christkindelmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany.

Live music and a plethora of booths offering bratwurst, hot spiced wine, and hand-crafted decorations are staples at the three venues where the wildly popular market is held each year in Chicago: Daley Plaza, Gallagher Way near Wrigley Field, and RiverEdge Park in Aurora.

While the Daley Plaza market does not charge admission, a $25 fast-entry ticket allows visitors to bypass the lines on weekends. The Chicago Christkindlmarket is open from November 17th through December 24th.

 

source: cnn.com