How do I pack for a Christmas market?

Hi Barbara, It would help to know what country or countries you are visiting—there are Christmas markets all over Europe.

Regardless, here is one thread that was recently posted about dressing appropriately for Christmas markets so this should give you some ideas. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-advice-for-our-christmas-market-trip

We go over to Austria & Germany for the markets every other year. We have been with weather in the 50-60s and in the teens. Weather is variable there, just as it is here. It is always cold at night there to me.

I pack super warm fleece leggings - I am happy to send you the links to the warmest I've found if you want them. Also, NOT bulky thick sweaters that take up room - but I layer base layers with thin sweaters and blouses. For a 2 week trip, I take a total of 5 pants and 7 tops and re-wear everything. Gloves/mittens and a scarf are very warm (especially a good scarf, they sell pretty ones in the markets). Bamboo/merino wool socks, waterproof sneakers or boots. Pack an empty duffle/backpack - you will bring back more than you think. The Rick Steves HideAway tote is a GREAT market bag.

A knit hat/cap/beanie will be a major contributor to keeping your body warm. Then keep your feet warm with well-fitting waterproof shoes or low boots.

There are Fjallraven jackets on sale right now and I wonder how cold it gets. I’ll have hat and gloves and scarf and boots. Just wondering the thickness/warmth of jacket required. I don’t like being cold. But probably Germany and Czechia are not as cold as Scandinavian countries?

We leave tomorrow for our second Christmas market trip (!!!). We’re heading to Vienna, Budapest, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Salzburg and Munich. 13 nights total. This is what I’m bringing:

Travel outfit: comfy joggers, t shirt, light sweater, sweatshirt, compression socks, waterproof hiking boots. In my backpack: Columbia Heavenly thigh length jacket (folded into a travel size pillow case).

4 t shirts, 2 thermal tops, 2 lightweight sweaters. 2 mid weight thermal bottoms, 1 heavyweight thermal bottom. 3 jeans. 4 pairs of wool socks, underwear, 2 hats, 2 scarves, 2 pairs of gloves that work with my phone. Waterproof hiking shoes. A wrist lanyard for my phone. A wallet with coin purse on a lanyard I can wear around my neck. An umbrella. Nano bag for market purchases. Phone power bank. Rechargeable hand warmers.

Handwash your thermals and they will dry overnight, especially if you have a heated towel rack to hang them on. Re-wear jeans and sweaters. No one sees what you’re wearing under your coat. All your pictures will be with your coat, hat & scarf.

I'm not a fan of depending on monthly-average temperatures for decisions about destinations and packing, because it's the extremes you really need to worry about. However, if you're interested in a rough comparison between two destinations (or between one destination and your home city), the climate-summary charts in the cities' Wikipedia entries may be helpful.

For actual, historical, day-by-day temperatures, go here:

Nuremberg weather -- December 2024/

I chose Nuremberg at random. You can use the Search box at the upper right to change the displayed city. Use the pull-down box at the right, just above the graph, to change the month and year displayed. I like to check the most recent 5 years.

If the temperatures are in the 30’s and 40’s and you want to wear jeans, I recommend the flannel lined ones, much easier than trying to pull jeans on over thermals. (FYI, jeans by themselves can get very cold.) That is our temperatures here in Bend during much of the winter. Sock hat, gloves, wool socks and a good fleece in addition to a down coat.

in the Alsace Lorraine and Western Germany it's been in the mid-30 for the daily high for a month. Below freezing at night. Rain and snow 2 of every 3 days. You want warm clothes and a good pair of waterproof boots or shoes. A hat, scarf, and gloves are also a good idea. It's not going to get any warmer for the next two months (or longer).

We’re leaving soon for the Christmas Markets in Austria, Germany, and France for two weeks. These are the clothes I’m bringing including what I’m wearing on the plane:

Coat: Women's Apres Arson II Winter Long Down Jacket
2 Hats & Gloves and I’ll buy a scarf at the markets

Two pairs of pants, and I’m wearing a pair of thick leggings on the plane.
Two long-sleeve heavy cotton shirts.
32 Degree thin layers: 4 long sleeve tops, 2 bottoms. (Sometimes I just wear two of these thin tops layered together.)

Waterproof winter boots, wool socks, a pair of Bombas slipper socks for hotel rooms

The 32 Degree items & underwear will be sink-washed each night.

I’m not bringing a lot because I’m planning to shop at the markets on this trip & wanted room in my carry on and personal item backpack.

Christmas markets were already happening last week when we were in London, and it was colder and windier than usual. We didn’t pack any of the many pairs of long underwear that we have at home, but got (relatively) inexpensive tops & bottoms from a Uniqlo store, so you can get more layers over in Europe, if needed.

We were in Christmas markets last December 8-25 in Budapest, Vienna, Munich and Paris. We are from Seattle so more use to cold, wet weather.
I wore a water resistant thigh length insulated coat with a hood, base layer, top layer, jeans or cords, mittens, scarf and water proof Nike running shoes (for the grip on wet sidewalks). We had all kinds of winter weather. A few times we borrowed the hotel umbrella when going out at night when it was raining as my clothing and shoes were dressier.
I was concerned about taking enough to stay warm as I travel with just a carry-on and a personal item, but I wore my bulkiest shoes and coat on the plane and that seemed to take care of the extra space needed.

Thanks to everyone for such fantastic ideas and links. It has helped me a lot! Enjoy the holidays!