Christmas and New Year’s in Europe❤️

Europe is a continent. You need to give us more info than that especially about your interests, budget, weather-concerns, etc. Christmas is celebrated all over Europe. :-)

Imagine someone asking for advice about where to go in North America.

Germany and Austria in particular. We know it will be cold but we’re from PA so we’re used to cold weather in the winter. Budget wise - medium range. We don’t need 5 star luxury hotels, just someplace centrally located and clean. Not counting out Air BNB’s either. Would like to see some of the Christmas markets also.

Since this is a relatively frequent topic, you may wish to use the search bar at the top of the page to read what many have asked and answered. Maybe search for Christmas Markets, Christmas, New Year? Also, read about the Munich, Salzburg, Vienna tour - reviews and comments for December. And, there are about a gazillion blogs online about Christmas Markets in various countries/cities that will provide an introduction and photos.

No, generally speaking, it is not too late to plan for this year.

I would highly recommend flying into Paris spending a night or two there (more if you haven't been) then taking the high speed rail to Colmar, France via Strasbourg. Then basing in Colmar you have the benefit of a super cheap Christmas shuttle that frequently takes you to the small villages surrounding Colmar to see all the small village Christmas markets. Also great day trips from Colmar include Strasbourg, frieburg Germany, Basel Switzerland, and a castle Haut koinsberg (check for spelling). New year's back in Paris before flying home? Sounds fun!

I'm planning to be in Czech Republic this Christmas season: Prague until the 24th and Christmas Eve/Day in Cesky Krumlov.

If you go to Germany/Austria (which I recommend, the Christmas Markets are the best in these countries) be advised that some Christmas Markets in smaller cities and villages only run for one or two weekends, and in even the big cities they shut down between 22-23 December. There is NOTHING to do in Germany from 24-26 December as from 2pm on Christmas eve almost everything is shut down for the holiday.

I'd recommend visiting Germany/Austria well before Christmas and then going to Strasbourg for the holiday itself, I spent a very enjoyable Christmas Eve in Strasbourg a couple years ago, the markets there stay open typically into the New Year unlike Germany. Or go to Paris. But if Christmas markets are your thing, it's best to finish in Germany by the 23rd at the latest.

Last year we were in Vienna before Christmas, Prague at Christmas and Budapest a few days after Christmas and Munich on New Years. We flew into Vienna, train to Prague, then train to Budapest and then train to Munich and flew out of Munich. Prague was my favorite. Our hotel was the Maximillian Hotel near the Jewish Quarter and Old Town. We really loved it and it was great on Christmas Eve. Budapest was my wife's favorite stop. We had an AirBnB there and I can't recommend it. Munich was our least favorite place but it was where we needed to fly out of. Munich was absolutely crazy at NYE. We went to the festival at the Oktoberfest Fairgrounds. Everyone had fireworks and it was a foggy night. With the fog and smoke the cab driver couldn't see 15 yards ahead of the car. The next day the streets were covered in fireworks debris. The Christmas Markets in Prague and Budapest were amazing. Vienna was very nice also but I didn't like it as much. Our hotel in Vienna was nice and I would recommend it - Hotel Mercure First. I highly recommend a Christmas Market tour.

If you should wind up in the UK - it is in Europe too - be advised that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, especially Christmas Day, there is no public transport At All (except taxis and a very few airport trains), and virtually no trains on Boxing Day. Expect everything to be closed except for avery few restaurants on Christmas Day.