If you’ve never been to a European Christmas Market, there’s no time like the present to plan a visit to an area where you can find a good one. The practice of opening street markets during the four weeks of Advent began in the middle ages in countries like Germany and Austria, but they can now be found in many locations throughout Europe. This year, check out one of the famous Christmas markets located in England, Denmark, France or Sweden for a special Christmas treat during a fantastic Christmas vacation in Europe. Find the Best European Christmas Markets to visit.
- England Christmas Market
Frankfurt Market in Birmingham, England. Located in Victoria Square, the Frankfurt Market bills itself as an authentic German Christmas market. The market opens on November 22 and remains open until December 22 from 10am to 9pm each day. There are close to 200 stalls to look at, so you might want to set a weekend aside specifically for the market. The highlights of the Frankfurt Market include the elaborate craft fair, the seasonal English ales and German beers, and the local glam rock bands playing Christmas carols.
- Denmark Christmas Market
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. If a German-style Christmas market isn’t to your tastes, travel to Copenhagen, Denmark’s Tivoli Gardens for a market with Russian and Nordic accents. Starting on November 15 and running every day except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until December 31, the Tivoli Gardens Fun Fair has rides, music, and entertainment in addition to shopping opportunities. Buy a sealskin accessory to support Greenland’s Inuit peoples, and be sure to eat some Aebleskiver, a type of donut served with hot almond- and raisin-flavored wine called glogg.
- Strasbourg Christmas Market
Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg, France has been called the “Capital of Christmas”, and its Christmas market dates back to the 1500s. The market opens on November 29 and remains open until December 31. If you want to absorb the local historical traditions while you’re browsing a Christmas market, Strasbourg is the place to do it. In the town square, look for the largest natural Christmas tree in Europe on display. While you’re there, be sure to try the recettes de bredele, a type of traditional Christmas biscuit and a local delicacy.
- Gothenburg Christmas Market
Christmas City in Gothenburg, Sweden. For a Scandinavian Christmas market, visit “Christmas City” at the Liseberg Amusement Park in Gothenburg, Sweden. This market opens on November 15 and runs until December 23. You won’t be able to miss this market, as it’s decked out with nearly five million Christmas lights. Here you can shop for everything from crafts and decorations, to traditional Swedish Christmas delicacies like herring, chocolates and cheese. Also, don’t forget to sample some meats, cheeses, fish and casseroles from the traditional Swedish Christmas buffet known as the Julbord.
You can also find several amazing Christmas markets to check out in German cities like Berlin, Hamburg and Nuremberg, and in Austria’s capital city of Vienna. Wherever you happen to be vacationing in Europe this year, it’s likely that there will be a Christmas Market near you.
