Most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe 2026: dates and picks
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe in 2026, with official dates, which ones stay open after Christmas and tips on travel and crowds.
In this article9
- What are the 10 most beautiful countries in Europe?
- Which festivals take place in Europe in 2026?
- Which Christmas markets are the most beautiful in the world?
- Which Christmas markets are the most beautiful in Europe?
- Where are the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany?
- Best Christmas markets in Europe: which criteria count?
- Christmas markets in Europe: top 10 with 2026 dates
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
What are the 10 most beautiful countries in Europe?
For a Christmas market trip there is no official ranking of countries. A useful pointer is the "Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2026" list by the travel portal European Best Destinations: according to the portal, 803,258 travellers from 179 countries voted, and 20 markets were awarded.[1] Counting which countries those 20 markets come from gives the following picture.
| Country | Awarded markets 2026 | Examples from the list |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 5 | Dresden, Nuremberg, Ravenna Gorge, Frankfurt, Cologne |
| France | 2 | Montbéliard, Paris |
| United Kingdom | 2 | Edinburgh, Winchester |
| Romania | 1 | Craiova (rank 1) |
| Switzerland | 1 | Zurich |
| Latvia | 1 | Riga |
| Portugal | 1 | Lisbon |
| Hungary | 1 | Debrecen |
| Italy | 1 | Govone and Asti |
| Netherlands | 1 | Valkenburg |
Austria (Vienna), Spain (Madrid), Czechia (Prague) and Belgium (Bruges) each have one market in the list as well. The count is the Adtouro editors' own reading. It shows how widely the tradition has spread, but says nothing about the quality of individual countries.
One point matters for reading it: a public vote measures how well a place mobilises voters, not how it scores against fixed criteria. Craiova came first in 2026 and, according to the portal, collected more than 142,000 votes.[1]
Which festivals take place in Europe in 2026?
In winter, Advent and winter markets are the largest festivals in Europe's cities, and several run into the new year. The general festival calendar for the year is not the subject of this guide; this section covers only the 2026/27 winter season.
- Plaisirs d'Hiver in Brussels: the winter festival with its Christmas market runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.[2]
- Advent Zagreb: the city gives 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027.[3]
- Eistraum in Vienna: the ice rink at Rathausplatz is open from 13 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, daily from 10am to 10pm.[4]
- Christmas in Tivoli, Copenhagen: Visit Copenhagen's daily schedule starts on 13 November 2026 and runs into January 2027.[5]
If you would rather have sunshine than mulled wine in December, the Adtouro guide to December travel destinations lists alternatives.
Which Christmas markets are the most beautiful in the world?
The best-known Christmas markets in the world are in Europe, because the custom comes from the German-speaking countries and Alsace. There is no worldwide ranking with transparent criteria; the large votes cover Europe only.
Two markets show how old the tradition is. According to the city, Dresden's Striezelmarkt has existed since 1434; in 2026 it takes place for the 592nd time.[6] Strasbourg refers to a tradition dating back to 1570 and calls itself "Capitale de Noël", the capital of Christmas.[7]
Age alone does not make a market more beautiful. It does explain why in these cities the old town, the market and Christmas customs belong closely together, such as the Stollen fruit loaf in Dresden or the Christkind in Nuremberg.
Which Christmas markets are the most beautiful in Europe?
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe include Vienna, Strasbourg, Prague, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Zagreb and Colmar, plus Nuremberg and Dresden in Germany. The selection follows three disclosed criteria: a long market tradition or a place in the 2026 list, good access from Germany, and a 2026 date published by the organiser. Dates are as of 3 November 2026.
| Market | Dates 2026/27 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz | 13 Nov–26 Dec 2026 | daily 10am to 10pm, 24 Dec until 6:30pm[4] |
| Strasbourg | 27 Nov–24 Dec 2026 | tradition since 1570[7] |
| Prague, Old Town Square | 28 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027 | Wenceslas Square also until 6 Jan[8] |
| Brussels, Plaisirs d'Hiver | 27 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027 | winter festival with market[2] |
| Budapest, Advent Bazilika | 13 Nov 2026–1 Jan 2027 | on Szent István Square[9] |
| Copenhagen, Tivoli | from 13 Nov 2026 | inside the Tivoli amusement park[5] |
| Zagreb, Advent | 28 Nov 2026–7 Jan 2027 | longest run in this selection[3] |
| Colmar | 23 Nov–29 Dec 2026 | six markets in the old town[10] |
Vienna's best-known market is the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, but it is not the only one. According to Vienna Tourist Board, the Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace runs from 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.[11] In the travellers' list, Vienna ranks 8th in 2026 and Prague 14th.[1]
Colmar suits a trip with several stops. Besides the markets in town, the tourist office lists markets in Eguisheim, Turckheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, some of them open only at weekends.[10]
Where are the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany?
The best-known Christmas markets in Germany are Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Dresden's Striezelmarkt; both are also in the 2026 European list, Dresden at 16th and Nuremberg at 17th.[1] Cologne, Aachen and Rothenburg ob der Tauber complete the picture.
| Market | Dates 2026 | Opening hours and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg, Christkindlesmarkt | 27 Nov–24 Dec | daily 10am to 9pm, 24 Dec until 2pm[12] |
| Dresden, Striezelmarkt | 25 Nov–24 Dec | Altmarkt, tram lines 1, 2 and 4[6] |
| Cologne, market at the cathedral | 16 Nov–23 Dec | closed on 22 Nov[13] |
| Aachen | 20 Nov–23 Dec | daily 11am to 9pm, 22 Nov from 6pm only[14] |
| Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Reiterlesmarkt | 20 Nov–23 Dec | free entry, closed on 22 Nov[15] |
Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt opens on Friday, 27 November 2026, at 5:30pm with the Christkind's prologue.[16] Because of the crowds, the city advises against arriving by car and recommends the Lorenzkirche station on underground line U1.[12]
Aachen received a quality seal in 2026: according to the market, it was named one of 12 "Excellent European Christmas Markets" on 22 April 2026.[14] If you go by train, the Adtouro calculation of when each BahnCard pays off helps with the fare.
Best Christmas markets in Europe: which criteria count?
The best Christmas market in Europe is the one that fits your travel dates, your budget and your tolerance for crowds. Three questions help you choose.
- When can you travel? Most German markets close on 23 or 24 December. If you go between Christmas and New Year, you need Vienna, Budapest, Brussels, Prague or Zagreb, which stay open until 26 December or into January.
- How much do you value quiet? Large markets are busiest on Advent weekends. In Nuremberg, public transport doubles the U1 service in the city centre on those weekends.[12] A weekday visit is calmer.
- One market or a round trip? Colmar and Alsace offer several small markets close together, Vienna many markets in one city, which Vienna Tourist Board lists with their dates.[11]
Also watch for special days. On Totensonntag, 22 November 2026, Cologne and Rothenburg stay closed and Aachen opens only in the evening. On Christmas Eve, Nuremberg closes at 2pm and Vienna's Christkindlmarkt at 6:30pm.
How the editors set criteria and check sources is described in the Adtouro methodology.
Christmas markets in Europe: top 10 with 2026 dates
The following top 10 sums up the selection of this guide by opening date. It is not a ranking from 1 to 10 but an order for planning.
- Vienna, Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz: 13 November to 26 December 2026
- Budapest, Advent Bazilika: 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Copenhagen, Tivoli: from 13 November 2026
- Colmar: 23 November to 29 December 2026
- Dresden, Striezelmarkt: 25 November to 24 December 2026
- Nuremberg, Christkindlesmarkt: 27 November to 24 December 2026
- Strasbourg: 27 November to 24 December 2026
- Brussels, Plaisirs d'Hiver: 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Prague, Old Town Square: 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027
- Zagreb, Advent: 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027
Hotels in the market cities are in demand early for Advent weekends. Check the date again on the market's official page shortly before booking, as programmes and opening hours can change. Then book your accommodation and travel early.
Frequently asked questions
Which Christmas market in Europe opens first in 2026?
Among the markets selected here, Vienna, Budapest and Copenhagen open on 13 November 2026. The Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna starts as early as 6 November.
When is the Nuremberg Christmas market in 2026?
The market on the Hauptmarkt square opens on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, which in 2026 is 27 November, and ends on Christmas Eve at 2pm.
Is the ranking of the most beautiful Christmas markets a test?
No. The European Best Destinations list is based on an online vote by travellers, not on an assessment against fixed criteria.