Winter transforms Europe almost overnight. Lights flicker on earlier each evening, the scent of cinnamon drifts through cold air, and cities slip into a quieter, more intimate rhythm that makes the season feel genuinely festive.
It’s this atmosphere that draws travellers to Europe’s Christmas markets year after year. The 2025 season promises to be particularly enchanting, with historic squares, riverfront promenades, and palace courtyards transformed into stages for artisans, bakers, chocolatiers, and street performers.
Below is a curated guide to Europe’s most magical Christmas markets this year, from Strasbourg’s medieval lanes to Helsinki’s pared-back Nordic elegance.
Germany
Germany remains the spiritual home of Christmas markets, and 2025 continues that tradition with atmospheric settings, centuries-old crafts, and a culture built around festive warmth.
Cologne – Cathedral Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 21 November–23 December 2025
Address: Roncalliplatz, 50667 Köln
Few backdrops rival Cologne Cathedral towering above rows of red-roofed stalls. This is one of Germany’s busiest markets, with hundreds of live performances staged beneath the spires each season.
The star canopy overhead creates a warm glow as you browse handmade ornaments and locally thrown ceramics.
Cologne – Hafen Weihnachtsmarkt
2025 Dates: 21 November–23 December 2025
Address: Am Schokoladenmuseum 1A, 50678 Köln
Set beside the Rhine, this market leans into its maritime theme with boats, harbour façades, and seafood treats like smoked salmon and fish skewers.
Its location next to the Chocolate Museum adds a playful edge. White tents and nautical décor give it a slightly more contemporary feel than Cologne’s other markets.
Cologne – Der Markt der Angels
2025 Dates: 22 November–23 December 2025
Address: Neumarkt, 50667 Köln
Twinkling stars, glittering angels, and white lights give this market an almost otherworldly serenity. Snow-white chalets and costumed “angels” wandering the stalls make it especially enchanting for children.
It’s also known for inventive mulled wine variations, including spiced white Glühwein.
Berlin – Winter World at Potsdamer Platz
2025 Dates: Expected early November 2025–01 January 2026
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin
Part market, part winter playground, Winter World stands out for its toboggan run, ice rink, curling lanes, and après-ski huts. It feels like a small Alpine village dropped into the heart of Berlin.
Berlin – KaDeWe Christmas Market
2025 Dates: Expected late November–24 December 2025
Address: Tauentzienstraße 21–24, 10789 Berlin
Inside Germany’s most iconic department store, you’ll find a refined, gourmet take on the traditional Christmas market.
Think artisanal chocolates, rare teas, limited-edition decorations, and luxury gift experiences.
Frankfurt – Frankfurt Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 24 November–22 December 2025
Addresses: Römerberg 60311; Mainkai 60314 Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s market sprawls across medieval squares, framed by timbered façades, vintage carousels, and the historic Römer town hall.
Choir performances fill the air, and Bethmännchen marzipan sweets are essential for first-timers.
Munich – Munich Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 24 November–24 December 2025
Address: Marienplatz, 80331 München
Set against the neo-Gothic grandeur of the Neues Rathaus, Munich’s Christkindlmarkt is all about tradition.
The Kripperlmarkt (Nativity Market) specialises in handcrafted cribs and figurines, while mulled wine arrives in ceramic mugs designed uniquely each year.
Dresden – Striezelmarkt
2025 Dates: 27 November–24 December 2025
Address: Altmarkt, 01067 Dresden
First held in 1434, this is Germany’s oldest Christmas market. The name “Striezel” refers to Dresden’s famous Stollen, and the market hosts an annual Stollen Festival celebrating the city’s iconic fruit bread.
The wooden Christmas pyramid, a towering carousel structure, is one of the largest in the world.
Austria
Vienna – Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt
2025 Dates: Expected 15 November–26 December 2025
Address: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
Vienna’s tree-lined avenues and palatial architecture create a naturally regal setting. The market at Rathausplatz features over 150 stalls, a tree adorned with hearts, and an enormous ice rink winding through the park.
The hot punch variations here are legendary.
Salzburg – Domplatz & Residenzplatz Christkindlmarkt
2025 Dates: 20 November–26 December 2025
Addresses: Domplatz & Residenzplatz, 5020 Salzburg
Set against Salzburg Cathedral, this market draws on centuries of tradition. Choirs perform almost daily, honouring the city’s musical heritage.
Expect gingerbread, incense, and Christmas decorations inspired by old Alpine designs.
Czech Republic
Prague – Old Town Square Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 30 November 2025–06 January 2026
Address: Staroměstské náměstí, 110 00 Prague 1
With the Astronomical Clock chiming overhead and Týn Church glowing beside it, Prague’s Old Town Square looks like something from a storybook.
The towering Christmas tree is chosen from a different Czech region each year through a national selection process.
Prague – Wenceslas Square Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 30 November 2025–06 January 2026
Address: Václavské náměstí, 110 00 Prague 1
More contemporary than Old Town Square, this market offers international food stalls, Czech beer, and artisanal gifts.
The long boulevard provides space for performances and larger festive displays.
Hungary
Budapest – Vörösmarty Square & Basilica Christmas Markets
2025 Dates: 08 November 2025–01 January 2026
Addresses: Vörösmarty tér, 1051 Budapest; Szent István tér, 1051 Budapest
Vörösmarty Square remains Budapest’s most traditional market, known for goulash, chimney cakes, handcrafted leather goods, and folk-inspired gifts.
The Basilica Market draws crowds for its nightly light show projected onto St Stephen’s Basilica, a theatrical blend of sacred architecture and festive spectacle.
France
Strasbourg, France – Christkindelsmärik
2025 Dates: Expected 28 November–31 December 2025
Address: Place Broglie & Cathedral Square, 67000 Strasbourg
Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and it’s hard to argue. Christkindelsmärik has been running since 1570, making it one of Europe’s oldest festive traditions. The giant fir in Place Kléber stands over 30 metres tall and anchors the entire experience.
What makes Strasbourg special is how effortlessly it blends French elegance with Germanic heritage. Half-timbered houses glow beneath garlands, the scent of bredele biscuits lingers in narrow lanes, and stallholders are chosen for their craftsmanship rather than mass appeal.
Switzerland
Basel – Barfüsserplatz & Münsterplatz Markets
2025 Dates: 27 November–23 December 2025
Addresses: Barfüsserplatz & Münsterplatz, 4051 Basel
Basel’s markets are among the most beautifully curated in Europe. Münsterplatz, set beside the red sandstone cathedral, feels intimate and refined.
Barfüsserplatz offers a broader selection of Swiss crafts and gourmet foods.
Zurich – Christkindlimarkt (Indoor Railway Station Market)
2025 Dates: 21 November–24 December 2025
Address: Zürich Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofpl., 8001 Zürich
Inside one of Europe’s busiest train stations sits a glittering indoor Christmas world.
The signature Swarovski Christmas tree, covered in thousands of crystals, draws visitors from across the globe.
Denmark
Copenhagen – Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 15 November 2025–04 January 2026
Address: Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen
Official website: https://www.tivoli.dk/
The historic amusement park transforms into a Nordic fairytale of wooden chalets, lanterns, rides, frozen lakes, and snow-dusted landscapes.
It strikes a lovely balance between nostalgia and playfulness.
Finland
Helsinki – Senate Square Christmas Market
2025 Dates: Expected 30 November–22 December 2025
Address: Senaatintori, 00170 Helsinki
Official website: https://tuomaanmarkkinat.fi/
This market champions local craftsmanship and slow-made goods.
The neoclassical architecture of Senate Square provides an elegant backdrop for stalls selling wool products, ceramics, rye delicacies, and Finnish mulled wine (glögi).
Estonia
Tallinn – Town Hall Square Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 15 November 2025–05 January 2026
Address: Raekoja plats, 10146 Tallinn
Official website: https://www.visittallinn.ee/
Tallinn’s medieval Old Town delivers atmosphere like nowhere else. Cobbled streets lead to a square where a towering spruce stands.
Estonia proudly claims to be one of the first European countries to erect a public Christmas tree, back in 1441.
Belgium
Brussels – Winter Wonders
2025 Dates: 28 November 2025–05 January 2026
Address: Grand-Place & surrounding streets, 1000 Brussels
Official website: https://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/
Ferris wheels, light shows, street theatre, and over 200 chalets turn Brussels into a festive maze. The Grand-Place light and sound spectacle remains the main draw.
Slovakia
Bratislava – Main Square Christmas Market
2025 Dates: Expected 22 November–22 December 2025
Address: Hlavné námestie, 811 01 Bratislava
Official website: https://www.visitbratislava.com/
This market showcases Slovak delicacies like lokša (potato pancakes) and mead. The Old Town setting gives it an intimate, romantic quality.
Poland
Kraków – Rynek Główny Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 29 November 2025–01 January 2026
Address: Rynek Główny, 31-042 Kraków
Official website: https://www.krakow.pl/
Framed by Gothic and Renaissance architecture, Kraków’s market centres on local folk art, wooden toys, and regional foods like oscypek cheese.
The square is one of the largest medieval plazas in Europe, giving the market a generous sense of space.
Scotland
Edinburgh – Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 15 November 2025–04 January 2026
Address: East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2HG
Official website: https://www.edinburghscityofchristmas.com/
Set against Edinburgh Castle, this market is atmospheric and theatrical. Rides, lights, and food stalls create joyful, lively energy. Mulled cider is especially popular here.
Croatia
Zagreb – Advent Zagreb
2025 Dates: 29 November 2025–01 January 2026
Locations: Ban Jelačić Square, Zrinjevac Park, European Square
Official website: https://www.adventzagreb.hr/
Zagreb has repeatedly been named Europe’s Best Christmas Market. It stands out for live concerts, ice rinks, street food, and beautifully decorated parks.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg City – Winterlights
2025 Dates: 22 November 2025–01 January 2026
Locations: Place d’Armes, Place de la Constitution, Place Guillaume II
Official website: https://www.winterlights.lu/
Luxembourg’s hills and bridges create a dramatic backdrop for a series of connected markets.
The city’s famous Gëlle Fra monument offers one of the most photographed viewpoints during Winterlights.
Sweden
Stockholm – Gamla Stan Christmas Market
2025 Dates: 22 November–23 December 2025
Address: Stortorget, Gamla Stan, 111 29 Stockholm
Official website: https://www.stortorgetsjulmarknad.se/
The historic heart of Stockholm becomes a cosy cluster of red stalls that feels intimate and beautifully preserved.
Traditional Swedish treats like pepparkakor and glögg are essential tastes of the season.
A Season of Light and Warmth
Each city offers its own take on festive magic. Some feel ancient and grand, others charming and village-like.
All share the sense that winter is a season for beauty, connection, and gentle celebration.
Exploring Europe’s best Christmas markets in 2025 means stepping into a world of glowing lights, warm drinks, and craftsmanship that reflects deep regional pride.