Destinations Europe 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe Here's a look at the best Christmas markets in Europe to visit this year, from Italy and Germany to the United Kingdom. By Alison Fox Alison Fox Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 16, 2024 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Close Photo: Adri / Getty Images From late November up until New Year's Day or Epiphany (January 5, European Christmas markets are the best way to experience local holiday traditions all in one place. On top of the twinkling lights, regional delicacies, and handmade treasures that make for the best souvenirs, each holiday market represents the festive spirit of the city you're visiting, whether you travel to a main capital like Madrid or hop a train to Strasbourg. Whether you prefer to collect glühwein mugs in Germany or shop for tartan Christmas ornaments in Scotland, here are the best markets for meandering your way across Europe during the holidays. Expect to be surprised by tons of fun for kids and traditional performances for entertainment, plus plenty of local flavor. Top 5 Can’t Miss Dig into a dish of German spätzle and watch artists work behind the scenes in Berlin.Shop to the beats of a live DJ at the largest Christmas markets in Paris.Partake in a centuries-old tradition at a historic market in Strasbourg, France.Experience the magic of the season in London in one of the city's largest parks.Get lost in Edinburgh's Christmas tree maze in Scotland. Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market, Berlin querbeet / Getty Images The giant Christmas tree at the center of this historic market in Germany's capital city isn't the only thing worth marveling at. In this creative city, not only can you shop for traditional blown glass, and wood carvings, but you can also take a peek behind the scenes and watch the artists at work. If you're feeling chilly, head to the heated dining tents to fill up on German specialties like hearty spätzle and refreshing Kölsch beer. You can enjoy this market in the Bebelplatz up until New Year's Eve with the market's annual party, which features DJs, theatrical performances, and finishes with fireworks. Dates: November 11 to December 31, 2024 La Défense Marché de Noël, Paris Getty Images The largest Christmas market in Paris is located underneath the Grande Arche de la Défense with 200 chalets selling handicrafts and souvenirs. Kids can meet with Santa or join a craft session in the Elf Workshop, and there is even a live "afterwork" DJ every day from 6 p.m. until closing time. Check the schedule in advance so you'll know when to catch the magical special events from the flower dancers in their illuminated outfits to the special circus parades. Dates: November 14 to December 29, 2024 How to Spend the Perfect Christmas in Paris Chrìstkìndelsmärik, Strasbourg Tangopaso If you can't decide between a French or German aesthetic for your European Christmas market dreams, this city in Alsace-Lorraine gives you the best of both worlds. There are a few markets going on at this time in Strasbourg, but the oldest — dating back to 1570 — grandest is the Chrìstkìndelsmärik. Shop for wooden toys and blown-glass ornaments or simply enjoy the miles of fairy lights and decorations on display. When you've worked up an appetite, dig into some foie gras or the traditional Alsatian cookies known as bredele. Dates: November 27 to December 27, 2024 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London Simon_Parga / Getty Images With its stunning street decorations and bustling ice skating rinks, London is one of the best places on earth to visit at Christmas. The pinnacle of the city's festive offerings, though, is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. At this sprawling market and festival, you can sip mulled wine or marshmallow-topped cocoa as you shop for candle votives, ornaments, crafts, and gourmet food. After you've checked out the stalls, you can take in a show, ride more than a dozen different roller coasters, and even meet Santa, all without leaving the park. Dates: November 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025 The Best Places to Go for Christmas Edinburgh's Christmas, Scotland amesy / Getty Images Load up on sweets like cinnamon-sugar chimney cakes and cotton candy at this joyous celebration in the Scottish capital as you shop for hand-carved wooden candle holders and traditional tartan ornaments. Later, visit Santa for storytime, get lost in the illuminated Christmas Tree Maze, or get your adrenaline fix on Star Flyer, a 262-foot tall swinging carousel. Ice skaters will enjoy gliding around the covered rink and can check the skate schedule for special toddler-only and adult-only sessions. Dates: November 15, 2024 to January 4, 2025 Salzburg Christmas Markets, Austria Getty Images Many historic Advent markets are held in several places around the Austrian city of Salzburg and date as far back as the 15th century. Two special highlights are Advent auf der Festung Hohensalzburg, the picturesque hilltop market at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Cathedral Square, which is more traditional and features a sing-a-long choir once per week. At either market, you can savor the aromas of hot chestnuts and mulled wine as you peruse the stalls for new baubles and toys to bring home for Christmas. Dates: Hohensalzburg: November 22 to December 22, 2024; Christkindlmarkt: November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, Madrid Jose Antonio Caravaca/Getty Images Pick up handcrafted Belén statuettes (depicting Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other nativity figures) as well as intricate ornaments for your tree at this centrally located Madrid market. During past seasons, visitors were treated to performances by local choirs and traditional dancers representing different regions of Spain. While you're there, don't miss one of the biggest attractions of the season in Madrid: the giant Christmas ornament made of lights that you can walk through. Dates: November 24 to December 31, 2024 How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid Mercatini di Natale, Milan Flavio Vallenari / Getty Images Gaze up at the magnificent Duomo cathedral with a warm drink in hand as you browse the charming stalls and small huts of the Mercatini di Natale, a Christmas market held each year in Milan's Piazza del Duomo. Shop for delicious Italian treats and Yuletide souvenirs as you take in the spirit of the city at its most festive hour. While you're in town, consider getting tickets for one of the Christmas concerts at Teatro alla Scala. Dates: December 1, 2024 to January 6, 2025 Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs, Amsterdam Guven Ozdemir/Getty Images. This "winter paradise" in Amsterdam is ideal for families — and anyone else who likes having plenty to do at a holiday market other than eat and shop. Here, you can play a game of curling, go for a ride on a snow tube, or have a no-gloves-required snowball fight with faux snow in the market's Snowgarden. Later, warm up by roasting marshmallows on one of the festival's fire pits or heading to the winter cinema for a nostalgic Christmas movie. Dates: December 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025 Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland Juergen Sack / Getty Images The Basel Christmas Market takes place each year in the Swiss city's historic Old Town. Spread across Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz squares, the market's 155 wooden chalets sell everything from mulled wine, waffles, and sausages to Swiss raclette and the local delicacy Basler Läckerli, a spiced biscuit similar to gingerbread. Shop for hand-painted Christmas ornaments, handmade toys and jewelry, and anise-flavored cookies while you take in some of Basel's best views. Be sure to sample some feuerzangenbowle, a traditional German drink prepared by setting a rum-soaked sugarloaf on fire and melting it into mulled wine. Dates: November 28 to December 23, 2024 What to Do, Where to Stay, and What to Eat in Basel, Switzerland