If you’re trying to figure out which are the Best Christmas markets in Europe, and more importantly, the best Christmas market food to try, this video is going to save you hours of research time. Here are some of our top suggestions, what makes each one special, and all the must-try food you don’t want to miss.
Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2025-2026
We are covering the main markets of each place in this video, so after watching this video we suggest checking out what other markets they have.
Dresden Christmas Market
Striezelmarkt
The Striezelmarkt is one of Dresden’s oldest Christmas markets. It dates back to the 15th century. It takes place in Altmarkt Square in the city centre. The market name comes from Striezel, which is another word for Stollen. Stollen is a German Christmas bread made with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and a marzipan center. It is brushed with butter and powdered sugar to stay fresh. Its long oval shape represents baby Jesus wrapped in cloth.
To get there, use tram lines 1, 2 or 9 to Pirnaischer Platz or Dresden Postplatz. The market sits between these two stops. Dresden has other markets like Augustusmarkt and Neumarkt.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 26 November to 24 December. It opens daily from 10am to 9pm. Other Dresden markets stay open until 4 January.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
The market is known for Stollen. The bread includes dried fruits, nuts, spices, and marzipan. You can also find typical German holiday snacks and warm drinks, like glühwein (typically hot red wine cooked with cinnamon, cloves and oranges).
Krakow Christmas Market
The Krakow Christmas Market takes place in Rynek Główny, the main square in the Old Town. You will find live Polish carols and folk dances. There are rides, visits with Santa, and an ice rink. There are craft workshops where you can make your own decorations. You will also see street performers and handmade gifts. Fireworks appear on some nights. The market also hosts traditional storytelling sessions.
To reach the Old Town, take tram lines 1, 3, 8, 10, 13 or 18 to Plac Wszystkich Świętych. Buses 208 and 252 are available from the airport.
Dates and Timetables
The market runs from 28 November to 26 December 2025. It opens Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm. It opens Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm. On Sundays it opens from 11am to 8pm.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
Expect pierogi (Polish dumplings), oscypek (sheep’s cheese) grilled with cranberry sauce, and bigos (beef stew). You can also try mulled wine and several sausage dishes. Pączki are also popular. These doughnuts come filled with cream or plum and rose petal jam.
Strasbourg
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is called the Christkindelsmärik. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most famous markets. The city is known as the Capital of Christmas. The market spreads across several squares, including Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale. Stalls sit directly in front of the cathedral. A huge Christmas tree stands in Place Kléber.
To get there, take tram lines A or D to Homme de Fer. You can also use lines B or F to Broglie.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 26 November to 24 December 2025.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You will find tarte flambée (a thin pizza crust topped with cream, onions and bacon) and baguette flambée (the same as tarte flambée but on baguette). Knacks (smoked sausages), bretzels, and choucroute (sauerkraut with sausages and potatoes) are also available. You can try raclette (melted cheese scraped off the cheese wheel) served over bread or potatoes. Sweets include bredeles (similar to gingerbread) and pain d’épices (gingerbread). Drinks include vin chaud (mulled wine), local wines, and craft beers.
Colmar Christmas Market
Colmar has around six markets in the Old Town. The area is filled with festive lights and half-timbered houses. The markets are close together, so you can walk between them easily. Quai des Délices offers gourmet food stalls with local dishes. Nearby towns like Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are worth visiting. Eguisheim is 7 km from Colmar. Kaysersberg is 12 km away. Riquewihr is 15 km away. In Riquewihr, you can walk from Musée du Dolder to Hôtel de Ville through Rue du Général de Gaulle. Many side streets also have hidden Christmas stalls. Alsace also serves white and rosé mulled wine. Some places add cherries for extra flavour.
Dates and Times
Most Colmar markets run from 25 November to 29 December. Some start on 29 November. The gourmet market and ferris wheel stay open until 4 January. Hours are 11am to 7pm from Monday to Thursday. Hours are 10am to 8pm from Friday to Sunday.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try tarte flambée, knacks, bretzels and choucroute. Raclette and gingerbread are also common. The gourmet market offers many Alsatian dishes and sweets.
Munich Christmas Market
The Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt is the most famous market in Munich. It puts a big focus on food. You will find mostly food stalls with many traditional dishes.
To get there, use the Marienplatz train stop or bus line 132.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 24 November to 24 December 2025. It opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm. On Sundays it opens from 10am to 8pm.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
Munich puts a big focus on food at its markets, so you’ll see mostly food stalls with a huge variety of traditional dishes like Bratwurst, Käsespätzle (a cheesy noodle dish), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes often served with a side of applesauce), and Frikadella (German meatballs). There are also plenty of sweets, including Maronis (chestnuts), Germknödel (a sweet steamed yeast dumpling, often filled with plum jam and topped with melted butter and poppy seeds), and apple strudel. You can enjoy German beer, glühwein, or Kirsch Punsch (a type of warm or cold punch made with kirsch, a clear cherry brandy, mixed with other ingredients like rum, wine, spices, and fruit). Many markets sell souvenir mugs with each hot drink. You pay a small deposit and can return the mug later.
London Christmas Market
The Southbank Centre Christmas Market stretches along the Queen’s Walk. It offers Alpine-style stalls, street food and winter drinks. You also get views of the river, the London Eye and Big Ben. Gift stalls sell decorations and crafts curated by SoLo Craft Fair.
To get there, use the underground to Waterloo station.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 3 November to 4 January 2026. It opens daily from 11am to 10pm. Craft traders close at 9pm. The market closes on 25 December and 31 December.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try duck wraps, cheeseburgers and hot dogs. Dumplings, Po Boy sandwiches and Yorkshire pudding wraps are also available. Sweet options include Dutch pancakes and churros. Drinks include mulled wine, hot cider and hot chocolate.
Brussels Christmas Market
Brussels hosts Plaisirs d’Hiver, also known as Winter Wonders. It is one of Belgium’s biggest markets. It stretches for 2 km with more than 200 stalls. There is a ferris wheel, carousel and an ice rink for skating and curling. It starts at the Grand Place and continues through several squares.
To get there, use the metro to Bourse station on line 3 or 4. Trams and buses are run by STIB. Their app helps with tickets, timetables and routes.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 28 November to 1 January 2026. It opens daily from 12pm to 10pm. It closes at 6pm on 24 December and 31 December.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try Belgian waffles, mulled wine and frites with many sauces. You can also find roasted chestnuts, street food and international dishes. Place de la Monnaie offers traditional Ukrainian food.
Ghent Christmas Market
The Ghent Christmas Market is called Gentse Winterfeesten. It has wooden stalls and lights along the canals. More than 150 huts stretch from Sint Baafsplein to Korenmarkt. You can enjoy mulled wine or Belgian beer. Some stalls serve hot cherry beer. The city’s medieval buildings add to the atmosphere.
To get there, take the tram to Korenmarkt near Saint Nicholas Church.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 4 December to 31 December. It opens daily from noon on weekdays until midnight. It opens from 11am on Saturdays and Sundays.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try international street food, holiday treats and Speculoos cookies. Speculoos are thin spiced shortbread cookies with cinnamon and other warm spices. A crossover between gingerbread and biscoff, and very delicious!
Bruges Christmas Market
Bruges has markets in Markt Square and Simon Stevinplein. The squares are close, only a short walk apart. Markt Square has many food stalls and restaurants around it. Nativity scenes appear throughout the area.
To get there, walk from the centre or use local buses.
Dates and Times
The markets run from 22 November 2025 to 5 January 2026. They open Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 8pm. Some stalls stay open until 10pm. They open Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm. Some stalls stay open until 11pm. On Christmas Eve they close at 5pm with some open later. On New Year’s Eve they close at 8pm with some open until 3am. Hours are limited on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try oliebollen (a Dutch beignet, similar to doughnut holes), mulled wine and Speculoos cookies. Belgian chocolate, waffles, fries and roasted chestnuts are available. Shrimp croquettes are also popular.
Vienna Christmas Market
The Rathausplatz Christmas Market is known as the Wiener Christkindlmarkt. It sits in front of City Hall with stalls, lights and ice skating paths.
To get there, take the U2 to Schottentor or the U3 to Volkstheater. You can also use tram lines 1, 2, 71 or D. The Wiener Linien app helps with transport.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 14 November to 26 December 2025. It opens daily from 10am to 10pm. On 24 December it closes at 6:30pm.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You will find gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, Glühwein and sausages. You can try Kasnocken (Austria’s version of mac and cheese, small cheesy dumplings topped with crispy fried onions), soups served in bread and mulled cider. Many stalls accept only cash.
Paris Christmas Market
La Magie de Noël is Paris’s biggest Christmas market. It takes place in the Tuileries Garden next to the Louvre. It stretches from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concorde. Half of it feels like a carnival. The other half is a traditional market. Millions of people visit each year.
To reach it, take Metro Line 1 to Tuileries or Lines 1 and 7 to Palais Royal. Both stations are close.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 15 November to 4 January 2026.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try food from many regions of France. Options include dishes from Alsace, Brittany, Savoy and Auvergne. Some stalls offer food from Caribbean regions. This includes galettes, crepes and other regional dishes.
Cologne Christmas Market
Cologne’s main Christmas market sits in front of the cathedral. A huge Christmas tree stands at the centre. The atmosphere feels very festive.
To get there, walk from Cologne Central Station. You can also use tram lines 16 or 18.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 20 November to 23 December. It opens daily from 11am to 10pm. Hours are slightly shorter from Sunday to Wednesday.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) served with applesauce, bratwurst and currywurst. Warm roasted chestnuts are popular too. Drinks include mulled wine or Kölsch. Large soft pretzels make great snacks.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Frankfurt’s main Christmas market is in Römerberg Square. It has a large Christmas tree, music and a visit from Santa. There are more than 150 stalls. They sell gingerbread, handmade jewellery and drinks. The Old Town and Paulsplatz create a beautiful backdrop. The Grand Bell Ringing takes place on 29 November and 24 December. Ten churches ring their bells at the same time. Highlights include bells from the Emperor’s Cathedral and Saint Paul’s Church.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 24 November to 22 December 2025.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try Bratwurst, beer and mulled wine. Bethmännchen is a local marzipan pastry. It pairs well with hot apple wine.
Madrid Christmas Market
El Corte Inglés (a famous department store in Spain) hosts a large Christmas market in Nuevos Ministerios. It has gifts, decorations and many food trucks. There is a walk through a miniature nativity scene. Some of the stalls are themed, including Disney and Lego. A massive light and music show is projected on the El Corte Inglés building across from the market.
To get there, take the metro to Nuevos Ministerios on lines 6, 8 or 10.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 13 November to 5 January 2026.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
There’s a big food section with options including Spanish croquettes, American cookies, Argentinian empanadas, gourmet burgers, full sized creamy baked cheesecakes to share, pasta tossed in a cheese wheel before serving, Michelin-star chicken by Pollos Muñoz, and baguettes filled with steak frites by Café Paris covered in their secret sauce. Don’t miss the traditional Vicens turrón (a traditional almond nougat confection typical in Spain during Christmas) or the churros with thick hot chocolate from San Ginés, a Spanish staple during the cold weather.
Prague Christmas Market
The Prague Christmas Market at Old Town Square is very iconic. It has a tall Christmas tree and many festive stalls. It stays open for the full holiday season.
To get there, use metro lines A or B to Můstek. You can also take line A to Staroměstská. Trams 2, 17 or 18 stop nearby.
Dates and Times
The market runs from 29 November 2025 to 6 January 2026. It opens daily from 10am to 10pm. Food stalls stay open until midnight.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try Prague Ham cooked over wood fires. Trdelník is a sweet pastry rolled in sugar and nuts. It can also be filled with ice cream. Bramboráky are crispy potato pancakes. Many stalls offer international dishes.
Basel Switzerland Christmas Market
Basel has Christmas markets in Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz. Each square has a different feel. Barfüsserplatz has charming Swiss buildings around it. Münsterplatz sits by the cathedral and has a huge Christmas tree.
To get there, take tram lines to Barfüsserplatz. From there the walk to Münsterplatz takes six minutes.
Dates and Times
The markets run from 27 November to 23 December. They open daily from 11am to 8:30pm.
What to eat at the Christmas Market
You can try raclette, fried apple fritters and roasted chestnuts. Basler Leckerli and Magenbrot are also popular. Caramelised almonds and fondue appear at many stalls. Several sausage varieties are available. Many vendors only take Swiss Francs.
Related Reads You’ll Love…
If you want to go even deeper with your planning, we’ve got a few posts that pair really well with this one. Before you do anything else, read our post on the exact steps we take when planning a Christmas market trip in Europe. You can check out the best apps you’ll actually use when visiting Europe, our guide to the top Christmas markets, a full list of things to do around Europe during the holidays, and our favourite tips for travelling Europe on a budget. Each one will help you plan smarter, save time, and make your trip feel a little easier.
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