Hello. So I previously posted in the Germany forum but i'm looking for more advice! I am planning a trip for December 27-January 8. My boyfriend and I are planning to do Germany for The days following Christmas and Vienna for New Years! Anyone have suggestions for the best places in Germany after Christmas to have Christmas markets as well as other must have places to explore! Maybe I will do a layover on my way to Vienna from New York in Porto, Portugal. Then spend NYE in Vienna and a few days in Germany? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Southeast US
4027 posts
Most Christmas markets close by Dec 23-24. In the larger cities, some stay open a little later, sometimes as New Year's market after Christmas.
Here is information on the Christmas markets in Vienna (including closing dates): https://www.visitingvienna.com/sights/christmasmarkets/when-open/
The Salzburg Christmas market is scheduled to be open through Jan 1 (https://christkindlmarkt.co.at/).
Here is a website with dates for German markets: https://christmasmarketsineurope.com/german-christmas-market-dates/
Posted by
Southeast US
4027 posts
You asked about Berlin Christmas markets in your other post. Here is a list with dates: https://christmasmarketsineurope.com/berlin-christmas-market-dates/
Berlin's markets are not particularly known as great markets, but most of the great markets (Stuttgart, Dresden, Nuremberg) will already be closed.
Posted by
DFW TX, USA
457 posts
Nikki, not many markets are open after Christmas (I have the same website as Dave) ... I like the idea of Porto for a few days, then Vienna for NYE, then train to Salzburg (especially if their market is open), then Munich.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19958 posts
The Budapest markets do stay open until 1 January. But the food stalls (half the fun) close Christmas eve. Spectacular markets. Worth showing up before Christmas to experience.
Voted Best
https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/budapest-christmas-market-voted-best-in-europe-for-the-second-time-9555
https://hungarytoday.hu/budapest-advent-feast-basilica-best-christmas-market-europe/
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
1928 posts
We were just in Germany and heard from our friends that Christmas Markets may not happen this year due to energy conservation. I have no idea if that was just a rumor or not. Just FYI
Posted by
8164 posts
This probably isn't the best year to go to Germany in the Winter, with the energy shortage.
Also, take lots of warm clothes, gloves, warm socks, hat, good shoes/boots, overcoat and scarf.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6915 posts
If Christmas markets are important, consider going to Estonia. It has a large orthodox population that celebrate Christmas in January, so the markets will stay open until then.
Posted by
DFW TX, USA
457 posts
We were just in Germany and heard from our friends that Christmas Markets may not happen this year due to energy conservation
Anyone have any more info on this? ... we are planning to go late Nov / early Dec so I'm hoping this is just a rumor, but if the markets aren't going to be open I still have time to cancel.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9198 posts
I have not read anything on German news that any Christmas markets are being canceled. Someone is spreading rumors.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19958 posts
1 Ms. Jo: I think you are correct, except not rumors but assumptions.
2 We need to be careful here with our words, some assume we know what we are talking about and plan accordingly
3 The markets have all gone LED and with 100 watt lamps being replaced with 4 watt lamps the electrical drain is a tiny fraction of what it once was.
4 Still, like the lights of Paris, I suspect some might close an hour earlier or cut back on the lights; more for perception than reality.
5 But to cancel the markets would mean that at a time when energy costs are high, that people would have less money to buy the energy and that is sort of counter productive.
6 No changes announced for the Budapest markets so far and they begin in 5 weeks.