Christmas Markets 2026

How exciting to contemplate, chiefswife910!

I'm not an expert, but I'll contribute what I know.

We spent nine days in Vienna in 2019 and saw 10 markets I think all over the city. Combined with the palaces, museums, horse show, opera house...we had a full agenda. You've been to Vienna so maybe that wouldn't be the best choice..

A few years ago we went to Basel, Strasbourg, and Colmar and two villages outside of Colmar. Wonderful time! I posted trip reports about this trip and the Vienna trip on Fodors Forums under my pen name of Janeyre if you want to look them up for detailed information.

This year I planned a December 2025 trip...flying into Brussels for a few days, train to Ghent for two nights, train to Antwerp for one night, train to Cologne with a stopover in Aachen, two nights in Cologne, and then flying home from Frankfurt. My 93-year old Dad developed some health issues so we decided to cancel and unbraid everything. I thought it would be a good trip...each city had Christmas markets and there were enough sites in each city we wanted to see/experience besides the markets. Maybe next year.

We spent a day in Regensburg on a Viking cruise in 2016...fell in love with that city and would like to return one day for the Thurn and Taxis Palace Christmas Market. I could see Regensburg combined with other cities such as Munich/Nuremberg/Rothenburg/Salzburg. My thinking around Christmas markets is that the city has to have enough "other" sights I want to see besides the Christmas markets. I also look for Christmas markets that are heavier on the arts/crafts vendors rather than food and commercial wares.

Have fun planning!

Not sure where you read the one in Budapest was “commercial” I would love to read it. Please post a link. From what I know and saw, everything is Hungarian sourced and produced a policy that has been in place since the first market I went to over a decade ago. The larger markets have review committees that approve everything beforehand. Food prices got a little higher last year at one of the larger markets and there was a bit of an outcry, but I noticed this year the prices are down substantially. Here is a post on the Budapest markets: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-christmas-markets-d26f8ab1-2048-4160-bfb3-bf13b096683e and a bit more information: https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/culture_society/budapest-christmas-market-all-time-best-europe-advent-basilica/

I won’t say they are the best, because to do that I would have to see all of them, but they manage to make all the lists and the one at the Basilica manages to pull in awards almost every year. I don’t know of one that has gotten as many awards, but there might be one. Here is a list of the ones that do get the most awards: https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/best-christmas-markets-of-all-the-time-in-europe-all-stars-edition/

It’s convenient that Vienna makes that list as well as Vienna and Budapest, maybe the two most beautiful capital cities in Europe are 2.5 hours apart by train. Vienna has beautiful markets. Here is a list of the Vienna markets https://www.austria.info/en-gb/highlights/christmas-markets-in-vienna/ and Emily did a good post on the Vienna markets: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/vienna-christmas-markets-2025-a-local-s-take.

You mentioned other things to do other than the markets. There is only so much time you can spend in Christmas markets so unless you are going to do a bunch of 2-night stays in smaller towns, its important that there are other things to do. Both cities have life in the winter beyond the markets, river cruises for the lights, opera, theater, bath houses, wonderful food, ice skating, museums, architecture and history tours and just the life of a city. Here is a list for Budapest https://budapestchristmas.com/ And both have activities open if you find yourself there on the 24th, 25th or 26th. And both have day trip towns (Bratislava and Szentendre for example) where you can see smaller Christmas Markets. Or stop in Gyor for a night between Vienna and Budapest for a small-town feeling market with fewer outside tourists.

I think a good plan is to integrate your personal interests with good markets. I wouldn't pick a spot just because it is recommended as a good market. I integrated an interest in WWII history and a visit with two college age kids from my town who were doing an apprenticeship in Germany with a visit to Nuremberg. A concert by favorite Austrian band led merged nicely with a visit to Stuttgart/Esslingen/Ludwigsburg. I love all things Salzburg, and a visit to the Christmas market affirmed that. This year, love of Charlemagne history (+ Bastogne day trip) prompted Aachen as a base for its and surrounding markets AND a concert by favorite band in Stuttgart made sense for an extension on to Stuttgart.

Market I have visited that I particularly liked:

• Budapest. I thought it was great when I visited around 8 years ago. Lots of Hungary things! A friend visited this year as part of a Viking Cruise and said it was her favorite market of all she visited.
• Vienna. Incredible diversity of markets including a lovely, enormous hand-craft market. And Vienna is amazing -- consider throwing in an opera and/or a performance at the Musikverein (my friend and I did both!).
  
• Salzburg. I love all things Salzburg, including its main market.
  
• Stuttgart. I love its large market with decorated rooftops on huts and a good variety of goods. Nearby Esslingen offers a medieval market -- honestly, not as cool this year as when I first saw it several years ago -- has become more commercial
• Frankfurt. I saw it for the first time this year and honestly was quite impressed. Decorated rooftops like in Stuttgart. Huge, spread out, not crazy crowded, some unique offerings

To me, Nuremberg is a little overrated. Big, but every hut looks the same. Crazy, crazy crowded on weekend evenings -- like "can't move" crowded. BUT I saw a video on the nearby Regensburg Palace market, and it looked super cool.

Oh, yeah... any chance that Prague's market is the commercial one you've heard about? I haven't been to it, but the Honest Guide mentioned in one of his videos that Prague's market is entirely created for tourists and of minimal interest to locals.

I think the info you read about Budapest is incorrect. This year we did a market trip that included Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich. In 2023 we visited Strasbourg (and surrounding villages) and Cologne on our first market trip. We found Budapest to have a great variety of unique, handmade items. Of all the markets we’ve visited, I would say Strasbourg is the most commercial, meaning the most mass produced stuff that you see in stall after stall. Very few handmade items.

We’ve now visited 40+ markets (maybe more), and Cologne’s markets are our favorites. Great variety of food, items for sale, entertainment and theming. The city is modern and bustling. Heavily bombed, so little old world charm remains. But they know how to put on markets.

Innsbruck is great for stunning natural beauty, charming old town, nice markets and fewer crowds.

Munich is great for a big city with dozens of markets. We spent 4 full days just exploring the markets there. Plus, there are tons of day trip options.

We adore Salzburg, and the markets make it all the more special. We did a day trip to Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang via bus/train/ferry. Could easily spend a few days exploring this area. We’ve now spent almost 3 weeks there over 3 trips (in 3 seasons), and would return in a heartbeat.

top markets

Based on which criteria? Atmosphere, price, entertainment offering, food offering, handcraft offering, ...?

To me you just list typical tourist destinations which also have Christmas Markets of course.

I would recommend to start in Hamburg with great own markets plus Lübeck and Bremen (each a day trip). Goslar with awarded Weihnachtswald would be a stop over to Dresden plus Ore Mountains with very handcraft-oriented markets. After this you can finalize in different ways.

Caution is needed when you read reviews of people who visited a lot of markets. Normally they are impressed by the first one which sets a level - and is always the first one setting the image of a Christmas Market.

I appreciate this topic. I'm not as focused on shopping at Christmas markets, but I love the lights everywhere and the general feel of festivity. I'm wondering if Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest could make a nice trip. Maybe 3 nights in each city? For the OP, it sounds like this basic itinerary might be a good starting point. For me, it could be the whole trip.

Riga and Tallinn are on my radar and honestly look like a Christmas fairytale, but they are a bit far from the other places mentioned.

KRS, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest, all well connected by 3 hour or less train trips and a diversity of cultures and size and scenery. I think its a brilliant idea.

Mr. E…We read that too, somewhere, when the family was brainstorming the possibility of a trip next year but I can’t find it at the moment so I Googled Budapest Christmas Markets and AI says this:
“The consensus among travelers and locals is that the primary Budapest Christmas markets, particularly at Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen's Basilica (Advent Feast at the Basilica), can feel overly commercialized and expensive. However, the focus on authentic Hungarian crafts and the festive atmosphere still provide a traditional and charming experience.” If I find the original article, I’ll post the link.

Not an article but Trip Advisor for what it’s worth. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274887-d26851329-Reviews-Budapest_Christmas_Market-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html#REVIEWS

I’m just back from 11 days visiting Christmas Markets and here is my report:

Prague - very commercial / uninspiring. However, Prague overall is wonderful with a great Old Town and the clock and the fortress…but it doesn’t have a great Christmas Market.

Berlin - big city, lots of markets, the heavily advertised ones are too crowded and generic (they charge 2EU$ at the largest one (!) :(…!). City Palace and Rotes Rathaus were my to favorites by far and close to the other well known larger ones.

Cologne - loved, many in line with the Catherdal with a few unique food and artisan offerings.

Düsseldorf - several within walking distance of the largest one and the city takes it seriously. Very nice vibes but super crowded on weekends.

Mainz and Koblenz _ small cities so small market…fine, nice, happy to have visited.

Dresden - possibly my favorite, lots of nice walks to area markets, serene town, distinct and variable food and crafts.

Enjoy!

margie, I asked "Is the Budapest Christmas Market any good?" And got a different report.

I just looked at your TA link. It is what it is, but what is interesting is that with a few exceptions those with the greatest number of reviews (hundreds or thousands) gave good reviews and those with only 1 or maybe a handful of reviews generally gave bad reviews. But still a source.

In all honesty, I am no judge. I've only been to a handful of markets in Europe so I havent got much to compare to. I know I enjoyed it and the prices didn't offend me. Yes, captive audiance prices like ball parks and airports and amusement parks, but my beer was about $5 so I didn't die ($3 in a bar where tourists dont go) and the Langos was about $10 and the two made a meal.