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"Seven countries, one winner: The best Christmas market in Europe"

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251114-the-best-christmas-market-in-europe

We admired the city's giant Christmas tree as we savoured plates of
kniddelen (Luxembourgish dumplings with bacon and cream) that were
more indulgent than any mac and cheese; and devoured
gromperekichelcher (a traditional Luxembourgish Christmas dish of
potato cakes served with applesauce). Crémant de Luxembourg (local
sparkling wine) was the perfect accompaniment to upbeat music and
happy squeals of children on a chair swing. We roasted huge
marshmallows over open fires and chatted with stall holders. As we
wandered the markets, we happily snapped shots, realising we had done
so without a single stranger in the frame. It was easy. And for the
first time all trip, we were truly relaxed.

Posted by
4195 posts

I am sitting and laughing about author's naivety and megalomania. Somewhat small sample size to declare best Christmas market in Europe, or? Why not of the whole universe? Or politically correct the best market of Schengen zone?

Just one insight about mass business: Germany alone has between 3,200 and 7,000 markets; the numbers from showman association and music licensing vary a little bit, depending on scope and size of event. (source). I do not know the numbers from the other countries.

And of course Feuerzangenbowle is the winning drink which gave the title and the space to the famous movie from 1944 which is shown every year on German TV. I do not want to know how many student circles made Christmas parties based on this drink? I remember one with around 40 people in a 28 sqm student apartment. But with consumed amount of bowle the need for distance was getting smaller. Be careful when enjoying Feuerzangenbowle, a good one has a remarkable afterburner effect.

Posted by
829 posts

My read is the author is relishing this particular market because it is not overcrowded. And if I am reading this right, any market that is charming and not elbow-to-elbow would be the best market in Europe too!

We were in Chicago this last weekend and stopped by their Christmas market. (Declared the best in the US by some.) But alas we didn't have the patience to wait in the over 1 hour line to enter it.

Ho Ho Ho! Happy thankgiving! That's a German holiday, no? Except somehow sauerbraten is involved and an elf name Hermie or am I confused again....

Happy travels!

Edit: addendum:

Here is an even better read on the BBC article. A travel writer wrote of piece on their visits to several Christmas markets. The writer in particular highlighted how much they enjoyed the Luxembourg market because it was charming, authentic and not overly crowded. Then the BBC had someone other than the author write a provocative headline in order to garner more reads. Clickbait travel headlines at their best!

Posted by
24509 posts

Luxembourg looks intriguing. I worry about the cost. I remember having the best 28€ hamburger of my life in Luxembourg a few years ago. But it looks lovely and looks to be a nice change from the standard fare. When these places get recognized, it encourages them to kick it up a notch the following year. But I am a bit suspicious of 7 countries in ten days given most of the markets didn’t even open until the 14th of November … today is the 24th. So, 7 “countries” had to have been one-night stands in 8 cities. Some cities like Vienna and Budapest have multiple markets scattered all over town … many of which are contenders for “great” and there is no way they could be judged at that pace. I sort of skimmed the article did I miss something that explains this. If they loved Luxembourg because it wasn't crowded maybe its not crowded on the Tuesday afternoon after the opening Saturday? Maybe by early December its crowded every day and night?

Here is another list. I have been to a few on the list, and I think they judged them pretty well. https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/best-christmas-markets-of-all-the-time-in-europe-all-stars-edition/ Then if you go to their search line and just put in Christmas Markets you get lists like the most authentic and the most romantic and best lights and …… So its interesting for the pictures and descriptions. One of the things I have appreciated is how varied the cities that they review are.

Here is a little poop on the Budapest markets https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-christmas-markets-d26f8ab1-2048-4160-bfb3-bf13b096683e. And the Vienna msrkets: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/vienna-christmas-markets-2025-a-local-s-take

Posted by
829 posts

17 best Christmas markets around the world
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/best-christmas-market

Strasbourg, France
Viennese Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria
Toronto Christmas Market, Toronto, Canada
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic
Piazza Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Krakow, Poland
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham, UK
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, Germany
Winter Wonders, Brussels, Belgium
Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona, Spain
Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival, Hungary
Skansen’s Christmas Market, Stockholm, Sweden
Advent in Zagreb, Croatia
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, New York
Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia
Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland

Happy Travels.

P.S. Noticed that Cleveland as completely shafted again despite having some the best polka bands in the upper midwest
P.P.S. "AI Overview

There is no single "best" Christmas market, as the ideal choice depends on personal preference, but Zagreb, Croatia, and Strasbourg, France, are frequently cited as top contenders. Zagreb is celebrated for its city-wide, experiential "Advent" festival, while Strasbourg is known for its history, being one of the oldest and a perennial favorite. Other highly-regarded options include Dresden, Germany, for its tradition and variety of markets, and the picturesque, fairytale-like markets of Colmar, France,"

Posted by
4845 posts

I don’t know what the criteria is but I have been to the Bryant Park one in NYC the past few years. It is okay, very overpriced, even by New York standards. It is very small and always crowded. There are more handmade items at the Union Square Market, but again, way overpriced. I had a small hot chocolate and it was over $8.00.
We go just to get into the Christmas spirit, not to shop.

Posted by
829 posts

Winter In Europe: Top 10 Fairy-Tale European Christmas Markets, Per New Survey

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2025/11/06/winter-in-europe-top-10-fairy-tale-european-christmas-markets-per-new-survey/

  1. Asti-Govone Christmas Market, Piemont Region, Italy

  2. Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, Black Forest, Germany

  3. Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia

  4. Kaunas Christmas Market, Lithuania

  5. Zagreb Christmas Market, Croatia

  6. Warsaw Christmas Market, Poland

  7. Wernigerode Christmas Market, Germany

  8. Salzburg Christmas Market, Austria

  9. Vilnius Christmas Market, Lithuania

  10. Bratislava Christmas Market, Slovakia