Every holiday season, Christmas markets throughout Europe bring sparkling lights, festive music and decorated wooden chalets where vendors sell hand-crafted ornaments and tasty treats in local town squares.
The holiday tradition began in medieval Germany with a more practical focus: allowing townspeople to stock up on goods for the winter. However, in the mid-1400s, the markets took on their Christmas associations and today many towns celebrate the start of Advent with the markets' opening.
Europe's Christmas Markets
These festive traditions are one of the best reasons to visit Europe in winter
Juliet Weller
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In partnership with
The Christmas Market Experience
Tastiest treats at German Christmas markets
There's food for all your senses at Germany's famous Christmas markets. Join Deutsche Welle’s Kate Müser as she discovers some of the best: maronen (roasted chestnuts), gebrannte mandeln (burnt almonds) and lebkuchenherz (gingerbread heart). Runtime: 4 min.
Budapest Christmas Markets
A tip-filled guide to exploring the many holiday markets found throughout the Hungarian capital. Whether you’re looking for sweet treats like traditional honey cookies or handcrafted gifts, everything is made locally. Runtime: 2 min.
Vienna Christmas Markets
From roasted chestnuts to twinkle lights and homemade ornaments, these six markets, found throughout the city, have something for everyone. Find your favorite in this guide. Runtime: 2 min.
Cologne Christmas Markets
This guide to the city’s famed holiday markets (all seven have different themes) features tips on what to eat and drink to stay fueled as you explore. Runtime: 3 min.
What to read this holiday season
. . . and what to watch
Finding Love at the Christmas Market
A story of human connection, friendship and the chance to follow our hearts, this heartwarming tale sees Connie travel to Germany—along with a motley group of pensioners—for a first date with a baker ("who checks all the boxes") at a beautiful Christmas market. By Jo Thomas.
Gingerbread Journeys (2015)
A fascinating documentary on the history of gingerbread, its European traditions and the monasteries, bakers and craftsmen that played a role in crafting this special treat.
Hubert Keller's Christmas in Alsace
The revered chef shares his family Christmas traditions and 20 favorite recipes from his boyhood home. By Hubert Keller.
Vienna | Anthony Bourdain
Season 7, Episode 4 of No Reservations sees Tony visiting wintery Vienna—taking in Christmas markets, going hunting suited like an aristocrat, eating sphincter—and having, surprisingly, an overall really good time.