Christmas in Europe is like revived decorations from foreign romcoms of the 90s, only better: fabulously decorated fairs, illumination, liters of fragrant mulled wine and full immersion in the world of magic. But to get to this celebration of life, you will need a Schengen. And if there is no coveted visa, then the Moscow fair, which is not inferior to foreign analogues, is already ready to spin you in the New Year’s curage. We have gathered large Christmas markets from five European cities — let the holiday begin!
Contents
- Vienna, Austria
- Brussels, Belgium
- Strasbourg, France
- Nuremberg, Germany
- Moscow, Russia
Vienna, Austria
Christmas market on the Town Hall square.The brightest star on the map of European Christmas markets is, without a doubt, the Town Hall fair in Vienna on Rathausplatz. It seems that absolutely everything can be found in this bazaar: toys, jewelry, delicious food, various delicacies and traditional dishes.
In addition to gifts and goodies, there is plenty of entertainment for every taste: a huge ice rink, a place for kissing Bussiplatz, a Ferris wheel, a trail with Christmas nativity scenes and the famous Herzerl tree, spectacularly decorated with more than 200 burning hearts. By the way, in Vienna they believe that it is not Santa Claus who comes to them at Christmas, but the Christ Child. Every hour, at dusk and before 21:00, he sends his big light heart from a 13-meter tower to the Herzerl tree along a rope stretched across the town hall square.
The brightest star on the map of European Christmas markets is, without a doubt, the fair at the Vienna Town Hall on Rathausplatz. Photo: Hans-Even Bakken/Shutterstock.com
The fair at the Schoenbrunn Palace. The Imperial-style Christmas market near Schoenbrunn Palace offers more than 90 stalls with handmade souvenirs and gifts, Christmas decorations and regional cuisine. Traditional mulled wine and punch are plentiful, as well as an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, attractions, curling and a “wooden circus” with craft classes for children and teenagers are at your service.
Dates and opening hours of fairs
The fair at the Town Hall is open from November 15 to December 26, 2024. daily from 10:00 to 22:00. On the eve of the holiday, on December 24, it will be possible to visit the fair from 10:00 to 18:30. The Vienna Ice Dream skating rink is open until January 6, 2025. daily from 10:00 to 22:00, and on December 24, 2024 — from 10:00 to 18:30. December 31 is a day off.
The fair at the Schoenbrunn Palace is open November 8 – December 23, 2024. daily from 10:00 to 21:00. On Christmas Eve, December 24, the opening hours are shortened: from 10:00 to 16:00. From December 25 to January 6 — daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
What to try: mulled wine and punch, roasted chestnuts and almonds, goulash in bread, pretzel, bread rolls.
Be sure to try the pretzel and buchteln buns. Photo: Kaca Skokanova/Shutterstock.com
Recipes from European Christmas fairs
It is impossible to imagine European Christmas fairs without traditional sweets. In Oh!The blog contains cozy winter recipes from Vienna, Strasbourg, Dresden and beyond, which can be repeated at home.
Brussels, Belgium
The cobbled streets and beautiful squares of the city come to life thanks to the festival “Winter Wonders in Brussels” (Brussels Winter Wonders). The city seems to be completely immersed in illumination and magic — it is simply impossible to leave here without a Christmas mood!
The huge Brussels Fair has been unfolding for the 24th year in a row in the very center of the city. There is everything for a festive mood, because there are 278 shops and a lot of entertainment at guests’ disposal. The famous symbol of winter wonders is the majestic Christmas tree on the Grand Place, where a sound and light show takes place. If you want traditional winter fun, then go ice skating or play curling. We advise you to take a ticket to the big Ferris wheel or take a ride on the fabulous carousel. You can visit Santa’s workshop, visit the ice monster, look at the Christmas nativity scene, fabulous lighting, buy original gifts for yourself and your loved ones. You should definitely try local dishes, sweets and drinks. You won’t be bored at such a festival for sure: the market is so large that it is easiest to navigate using an interactive map.
We advise you to take a ticket to the big Ferris wheel or take a ride on the fabulous carousel. Photo: Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock.com
What about mulled wine?
Local hot drinks (mulled wine or punch) are sold at each fair. Many places in Europe additionally take a deposit for a pretty mug with a festive design, which you can either take with you as a souvenir (a great gift, by the way), or return to the owner and get the money back.
Dates and opening hours: from November 29 to January 5, daily from 12:00 to 22:00. Exceptions are December 24, 31 and January 5, these days the fair closes at 18:00.
What to try: cold gin, mulled wine, Christmas beer, amazing French fries, oliebollen (deep fried sweet balls), sausages, a Christmas log, cunyu buns (cougnou, “bread of Jesus”) and farm products.
What to try: cold gin, mulled wine, Christmas beer, amazing French fries. Photo: Natalia Deriabina/Shutterstock.com
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is not called the capital of Christmas for nothing. The city glows with lights, the shop windows are full of decorations — one is more magnificent than the other, and the aroma of mulled wine is in the air. In Strasbourg, you can find absolutely everything for Christmas, including lost faith in miracles!
Krystkindelsmerik Fair. The historic Christmas market in Strasbourg is located on the Place de Broglie and around the Cathedral, but let’s put it in order. The oldest market in all of France has been bringing a real winter fairy tale to the city since 1570. However, its location and idea have changed many times: initially on the square around the Cathedral inStrasbourg had a St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) market, but in the XVI century Protestants came to the city, changed the concept to the baby Jesus market and moved the fair to the modern Krystkindelsmerik. And already in the 1990s, holiday markets spread throughout the city, so it’s not worth looking for a Christmas mood in just one place: more than 300 holiday houses are scattered across various squares of Strasbourg. The main theme of this year reflects the status of Strasbourg — the World Capital of the Book – 2024 according to UNESCO.
The historic Christmas market in Strasbourg is located on Broglie Square and around the Cathedral. Photo: Hadrian/Shutterstock.com
The fair at the cathedral. That former St. Nicholas Fair was historically located here, and now this market looks like a lot of decorated chalets located on the Chateau Square at the foot of the Cathedral and on Rue des Hallebardes and Rue Gutenberg streets. Here you will find traditional Christmas souvenirs, candles, sweets, decorations and hot drinks.
It is impossible to miss the large Christmas tree, located in the heart of the city on Place Kléber Square. The 31-meter Christmas tree boasts eco-decorations and light music, which is open daily from 16:00 to 21:00. Antique gifts can be found around, and try delicious Alsatian dishes in the Village du Partage area — local soups are prepared and served by chefs of Michelin-starred restaurants. Look for the best mulled wine, vintage gifts and musical brunches on the OFF-market (until December 24).
Here you will find traditional Christmas souvenirs, candles, sweets, decorations and hot drinks. Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com
Dates and opening hours of the fairs: November 27 – December 27, 2024 Every day from 11:30 to 21:00 (December 24 and 25 — until 18:00). On December 25 and 26, shops open at the discretion of merchants.
What to try: foie gras, pretzels, macaroni and cheese, Alsatian biscuits, all kinds of sausages, gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas beer.
Nuremberg, Germany
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Europe. For my taste, holiday markets in Germany, and especially in Bavaria, are the most cozy. The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg has been held on the main square of the city since 1628. The fair is called the “little town of wood and fabric” because there are more than 180 decorated tents with red and white striped fabric roofs. In them you can find a lot of Christmas decorations, sweets, sausages, gifts and delicious mulled wine in elegant mugs.
A charming feature of the Nuremberg market is the presence of a living symbol of the Christmas market. The Christ Child, or Christkind, is the most important representative of Christmas in the city. This is a real position for which residents choose one of the local girls every two years, as it happens. There is even a certain list of requirements for candidates: Christkind must be a beautiful curly blonde between the ages of 16 and 19, no taller than 160 cm and without fear of height. The costume of the Nuremberg Christ child resembles the famous angel Rauschgold, who traditionally decorates the tops of Christmas trees in Nuremberg. Each year, the chosen “angel” not only epically opens the fair with a festive prologue from the gallery of the 14th—century Gothic church, but also constantly appears at the bazaar itself – you can get acquainted with it and take pictures.
Dates and opening hours: November 29 — December 24, daily from 10:00 to 21:00. December 24 — from 10:00 to 14:00.
What to try: gingerbread lebkuchen, macaroons, the most the most delicious gluvine in the world (mulled wine) and, of course, bratwurst — ask for the traditional version of “three in a bun”, you will not lose.
The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg has been held on the main square of the city since 1628. Photo: Perati Komson/Shutterstock.com
How to pay at fairs
In many European markets, it is unlikely that you will be able to pay with a card, and even more so in Russia, so it is definitely worth having a supply of cash with you.
Moscow, Russia
The largest and most atmospheric fair in Russia takes place annually on the main square of the country. Stylishly decorated storefronts in the city center can certainly compete with their European counterparts. Take a walk around the Theater Square, admire the elegant Central Department Store, walk around the streets near the Patriarch’s Ponds (cafes and shops have done their best with facade decorations this season), and then go to the beautiful GUM fair, which takes place in the best traditions of Russian festivities.
Against the background of the fabulously twinkling GUM lights, you can buy gifts, take pictures in front of the main Christmas tree, ride on the carousel and “cups”, as well as on the most magical ice rink in Moscow. You should visit the GUM rink at least once in your life without any excuses to catch the festive mood. The cost of tickets depends on the day of the week and the selected time interval, the price guide for a child is from 300 rubles, for an adult — from 800 rubles.
After that, by all means look into the GUM itself. Here you can feel the nostalgic New Year’s atmosphere of Soviet times, buy handmade Christmas toys, eat iconic ice cream, keep warm in one of the cafes, look after a New Year’s outfit from famous brands and be sure to take away something delicious from the “Deli No. 1”. A return to childhood, no other way!
The largest and most atmospheric fair in Russia takes place annually on the main square of the country. Photo: dan.nikonov/Shutterstock.com
Dates and opening hours: December 5, 2024 – March 9, 2025 Monday–Thursday: 11:00-22:00, Friday: 11:00-23:00, Saturday, Sunday, holidays: 10:00-23:00.
What to try: mulled wine, traditional pancakes, tea from a Russian samovar, bagels, pancakes, chebureks, chestnuts and corn, Ossetian pies and kupaty.
May the fairs fill you with faith in miracles and give you a charge of magic for the whole next year. Happy New Year, dear friend, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Cover photo: Iuliia Pilipeichenko/Shutterstock.com
