The World’s Best Christmas Markets
If you’re travelling anywhere at this time of year, be sure to check out the Christmas markets in the area. We’ve rounded up the best in the world here, and if you’re lucky enough to win big playing at our online casino Canada, you could book yourself a ticket to wherever they may be!
Viennese Christmas Market
Yuletide markets in Austria’s capital city date back to 1298. Today there are 20 events to choose from, but the jewel in the crown is still the Viennese Christmas Market. Held in front of the Rathaus, or City Hall, it houses an ice-skating rink and a place for reindeer rides among its stalls of festive goodies.
Toronto Christmas Market
Held in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, this market is known for musical performances including brass bands, as well as glittering lights, beer gardens, fairground rides and dazzling Christmas tree that stands 50 feet high!
Piazza Santa Croce
The magnificent Piazza Santa Croce is the usual venue for Florence, Italy’s festive marketplace. Visitors will love picking up special, unique treats from the charming stalls – and they’ll make much better stocking fillers than anything you might find in a large store.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg, a city in eastern France, has been hosting its annual Christmas market since 1570. Visitors will love indulging in local Alsatian wine (the city is in the former Alsace region) as they stroll around, buy presents and stop in Place Kebler to check out the Great Christmas Tree.
Krakow
If you’re looking for the perfect, greeting card-worthy white Christmas scene, Krakow’s market is the place you want to be. The event is held in the huge main square, Rynek Glowny, where you’ll find handmade decorations, spiced nuts and boiled candies – all local specialities that are well worth checking out.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
This is called the Frankfurt Christmas Market, but it’s actually held in Birmingham, in the United Kingdom. In fact, it is known as “the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria” which is more than enough to intrigue us.
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square Market
If there was ever a city made for Christmas celebrations it was definitely Prague, in the Czech Republic. Both of these markets open on 30 November and run until 6 January, including on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli, in Copenhagen, offers year-round fairground rides and dozens of charming shops. You’ll have a wonderful time whenever you visit, but if you go during the holiday season you’re in for a really special treat. Light shows and traditional processions are just some of the spectacles in store!
Gendarmenmarkt
Crafts, music, mulled wine, German sausage and other delights await you at Berlin’s market. If you’re struggling to choose the perfect gift for someone, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here.
Winter Wonders
Winter Wonders in Brussels is less like a market, and more like a festival. Think chalets serving up Belgian delicacies like waffles, beer and glühwein. You’ll come for the light show and Ferris wheel, and stay for the gorgeous Christmas tree, ice-skating and hot chocolate.
Advent in Zagreb
Voted Best Christmas Market Destination by users of travel platform European Best Destinations, this Croatian gem most definitely does not disappoint. Pop-up bars, outdoor music stages, ice sculptures, street food stores and more all add to the magic.
Fira de Santa Llúcia
This bustling Barcelona market has been staged since 1786, in front of the city’s cathedral. Find everything from tree baubles to handmade jewellery, with nativity figurines and musical instruments in between.
Budapest Christmas Fair & Winter Festival
Folk dancing and live music make this festival, held in Hungary’s Vörösmarty Square, really special. Don’t forget to check out the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House, whose exterior is transformed into a giant advent calendar. Every day, a gorgeous new display is revealed.
Skansen’s Christmas Market
Skansen is an open-air museum in Stockholm, located on Djurgarden Island in the heart of the city. This provides the perfect setting for the traditional stalls that sell smoked turkey, candles, spices and sausages. Watch craft demonstrations, make your own decorations at special workshops and participate in dancing games around the tree – all under a snowy sky.
Bank of America Winter Village
There’s a17,000-square foot ice rink at this “village” in Bryant Park, and it’s the only free rink in the whole of New York City. Need we say more?
Tallinn Christmas Market
The real highlight of this Estonian fair is the Christmas tree itself. The winter grotto, with performances by choirs, dance troupes and poets, is also a major attraction. Oh, and handmade gifts and traditional Estonian cuisine help draw the crowds too.
