10 of the best Christmas markets in the world
We love Christmas markets. Those cozy wooden chalets, the smell of warm cinnamon rolls, all the dazzling lights, the red noses of the people around you drinking mulled wine… Admit it, you melt at the sight of this too. So, especially for all of us: a list of the 10 best Christmas markets in the world.
Of course, you can get in your car and drive to the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany. But did you know that there is even a world-famous Christmas market in Asia?
10 of the best Christmas markets in the world
1. Edinburgh Winter Festival, Scotland
Historic and cozy Edinburgh is a fairy tale to stroll through all year round. It’s no coincidence that the city was a major source of inspiration for the Harry Potter series. Just imagine what it’s like when the Scottish city gets into the Christmas spirit! Edinburgh’s Christmas market is huge: it takes up several streets. You can shop at more than 70 stalls, go ice skating and, of course, enjoy absolutely delicious food and drinks. Whisky lovers can really indulge here, as the alcoholic drink is available every few meters.
Edinburgh’s Christmas market takes place from November 18, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Princes Street, Edinburgh, visitscotland.com
2. Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco, USA
The ultimate Christmas story writer is, of course, Charles Dickens. Around Christmas, his legacy is celebrated all over the world, but probably nowhere on a larger scale than in San Francisco. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a gigantic market in the style of historic Victorian England. People dress up as Dickens characters, so feel free to rummage through your own costume box too. You’ll find plenty of old books, handmade Christmas items and festive snacks. Take your time, because this Christmas market is truly huge.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair takes place from November 23, 2024 to December 22, 2025. Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, San Francisco, dickensfair.com
3. Christkindlmarkt in Vienna, Austria
You practically trip over Christmas markets in Vienna—there are so many of them during the festive season. The biggest one? That’s the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz. It’s not only the largest Christmas market in the Austrian capital, but also one of the largest in the world. You’ll find at least 100 stalls, many of them filled with delicious treats. You really have to try Buchteln here: soft, airy rolls with a sweet filling, such as apricot jam. After that, a Ferris wheel, reindeer ride and ice rink await you.
The Christkindlmarkt takes place from November 11 to December 26, 2024. Rathausplatz, Vienna, visitingvienna.com
4. Christmas market on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru
I’ve been to Cusco myself during my trip through Peru, and I can tell you: the location alone is reason enough to fly there. The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by mountains, filled with historic buildings and home to many colorful shops and restaurants. It’s stunning. During the Christmas season, it must be truly magical. That’s when the Christmas market takes place, with dozens of stalls. There’s even more color, as the stalls are filled with handmade wood carvings of holy figures—a tradition that is already 500 years old. I want to go back!
The Christmas market on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco takes place on December 24, 2024. Plaza de Armas de Cusco, cuscoperu.com
5. Christkindelsmärik in Strasbourg, France
As early as 1570, people in Strasbourg could visit a Christmas market. Some 500 years later, they still can, although the market is now much more extensive than it was back then. Every year, 2 million Christmas lovers make their way to the French city. Crazy, right? Be sure to visit the festivities around the grand cathedral too. Christmas lights, wooden stalls, Christmas choirs in the streets, countless Christmas trees—you’ll hardly know where to look. In any case, come with a fully charged phone. You’ll want to take lots of pictures here.
The Christmas market in Strasbourg takes place from November 27 to December 27, 2024. Grand Ile of Strasbourg, christmas.alsace
6. Winter Village in New York, USA
Who doesn’t dream of it: Christmas in New York. You get the ultimate American Christmas feeling at Winter Village in Bryant Park. There’s a gi-gan-tic ice rink where you can skate among the skyscrapers. But there are also more than 150 stalls selling gifts, plus a huge bar and food hall. You can indulge in cocktails and American snacks there. Think classic s’mores. Off to The Big Apple!
Winter Village in Bryant Park runs until March 2, 2025. Bryant Park, New York City, bryantpark.org
7. Christmas market in Brussels, Belgium
A little closer to home, you’ll also find one of the best Christmas markets in the world: the one in Brussels. Yes, our southern neighbors certainly know how to celebrate Christmas too. One thing is certain when you visit this Christmas market: you’re going to eat extremely well. Warm Belgian waffles with a shitload of whipped cream, the very best chocolate, spicy alcoholic drinks… You’d better arrive with an empty stomach. And a few empty bags, because you’ll undoubtedly shop up a storm at the dozens of stalls selling unique souvenirs.
Brussels’ Christmas market takes place from November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Brussels City Center, Brussels, brussel.be
8. Christmas market on the Domplein in Cologne, Germany
A German market obviously can’t be missing from a list of the best Christmas markets in the world. Because if there’s one country where you can visit plenty of fantastic Christmas markets, it’s our friends on the eastern border. Cologne’s is one of the most spectacular in Germany. Especially the one on Domplein—that’s the largest in the city. Hold on tight: no fewer than 4 million people come to this square every year. So prepare for crowds. The shining centerpiece of the square is the 25-meter-high Christmas tree, which is decorated with around 70,000 lights. There are 150 stalls around the tree. Don’t miss regional delicacies such as Lebkuchen (Christmas cookies) and roasted almonds.
The Christmas market in Cologne takes place from November 18 to December 23, 2024. Domplein, Cologne, keulenkerstmarkt.nl
9. Gardens By the Bay in Singapore
When you think of Christmas, you probably picture snow rather than sunshine. But not everyone is dreaming of a white Christmas. Some people would rather sing Jingle Bells in a T-shirt. If that’s your dream too, Gardens By the Bay in Singapore is the place to be. The great thing about this Christmas market is that there are also plenty of attractions. There’s a huge fairground, you can ride the Christmas train and there are colorful light shows. Maybe it’s not a traditional Christmas market like the ones you see in Germany, but it’s at least as special to visit.
Gardens By The Bay takes place from December 2, 2024 to January 5, 2025. 18 Marina Gardens Drive Gardens By the Bay, Singapore, gardensbythebay.com
10. Valkenburg, Netherlands
You don’t have to cross any borders at all for a beautiful Christmas market. In Valkenburg, near Maastricht, there’s a Christmas market that makes a trip to Limburg worthwhile every year. What makes this Christmas market unique is that it’s largely located in the Valkenburg caves. Underground, in other words. That definitely gives the market an extra magical atmosphere. We love Santa’s Village best. That’s where you’ll find plenty of oliebollen, churros, mulled wine, crêpes and waffles. YUM!
Kerststad Valkenberg runs this year from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Valkenburg, kerststadvalkenburg.nl
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