Europe's Christmas markets open from mid November, and many of the best-known ones close just before Christmas. That gives you about five weeks. This guide lists 10 of the best Christmas markets in Europe with their official 2026 dates, shows four easy routes that link several markets in one trip, and ends with practical tips and answers to common questions.
Every date below comes from the market's own website or the city's official tourism site, checked on 5 November 2026. Dates and hours can still change, so check the official link before you book.
Plan it faster: pick a route below, then let Travo, the AI trip planner, turn your cities and dates into a day-by-day itinerary.
2026 dates at a glance
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz | 13 Nov - 26 Dec |
| Budapest | Vörösmarty tér and St Stephen's Basilica | 13 Nov - New Year |
| Cologne | Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom | 16 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Salzburg | Christkindlmarkt am Dom- und Residenzplatz | 19 Nov - 1 Jan 2027 |
| Munich | Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz | 20 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Colmar | Six markets in the old town | 23 Nov - 29 Dec |
| Dresden | Striezelmarkt | 25 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Nuremberg | Christkindlesmarkt | 27 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Strasbourg | Strasbourg Capitale de Noël | 27 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Prague | Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square | 28 Nov - 6 Jan 2027 |
All 10 are open at the same time from 28 November to 23 December 2026. That is the best window if you want to visit several of them in one trip.
The 10 best Christmas markets in Europe
1. Vienna, Austria
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz sits in front of City Hall and runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026, daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (until 18:30 on 24 December). Vienna's tourism board calls it one of the most beautiful and largest Christmas markets in Europe. Next to it, the Vienna Ice World rink lets you skate between the Burgtheater and City Hall. Vienna has more markets too: the one in front of Schönbrunn Palace stays open until 6 January 2027, and the Spittelberg market fills the narrow lanes of an old quarter until 23 December.
Spending a few days? See our 3-day Vienna itinerary.
2. Nuremberg, Germany
The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt is, in the words of its official site, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. Its roots go back to 1530. Every year the Christkind opens the market with a prologue, in 2026 on 27 November at 17:30. The market runs until 24 December (closing at 14:00 that day). Look for Lebkuchen, Nuremberg's gingerbread. Families should also visit the children's market on Hans-Sachs-Platz, with old-style carousels and a steam train.
3. Dresden, Germany
The Dresdner Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt calls itself the oldest Christmas market in Germany. It was first held in 1434, and 2026 is its 592nd edition. It runs from 25 November to 24 December, with more than 200 traders. Look for the giant Erzgebirge step pyramid and come on 5 December for the Dresden Stollen Festival.
4. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg has held its Christkindelsmärik since 1570. Today Strasbourg Capitale de Noël spreads over 8 markets in the historic centre, from the cathedral to La Petite France and the Great Christmas Tree on Place Kléber. The 2026 markets run from 27 November to 24 December, daily from 11:00 to 21:00. Note: no stall opens on 25 December.
Starting your trip in Paris? See our guide to the Christmas markets in Paris with their official 2026 dates.
5. Colmar, France
Colmar, also in Alsace, has six Christmas markets in its old town, including a children's market in Petite Venise and an indoor craft market in the Koïfhus. In 2026 they run from 23 November to 29 December, so Colmar is one of the few markets in this list still open between Christmas and New Year. Nearby villages have their own markets too, such as Eguisheim and Turckheim (27 November to 30 December).
6. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague's two main markets are on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Prague's tourism site calls the Old Town Square market one of the largest and most visited holiday events in the Czech Republic, with handmade goods and a daily program of music and folklore. According to Visit Czechia, both run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and the Old Town Square tree comes from a different Czech region each year.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has two big markets in the city centre. Vörösmarty Classic Xmas on Vörösmarty tér opens on 13 November 2026 and stays until New Year, with Hungarian crafts and food such as stuffed cabbage and goulash in bread (craft stalls close on 28 December). Advent Bazilika in front of St Stephen's Basilica runs from 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027 and is known for its light show on the basilica's front.
Staying longer? Use our 4-day Budapest itinerary.
8. Salzburg, Austria
The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt fills the Domplatz and Residenzplatz in the UNESCO-listed old town. It has run in its current form since 1974 and gets almost a million visitors a year. Choirs sing in front of the cathedral and trumpeters play from the tower. In 2026 it runs from 19 November to 1 January 2027.
9. Munich, Germany
The Münchner Christkindlmarkt spreads around Marienplatz and the nearby old town streets, including a nativity market by Alter Peter church. In 2026 it runs from 20 November to 24 December, with 138 stalls and a 22 m Christmas tree. It is closed on Sunday 22 November. On 13 December you can watch the Krampus parade.
10. Cologne, Germany
The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom sits on Roncalliplatz, right in front of Cologne Cathedral, with more than 120 stalls and over 100 free stage events. It runs from 16 November to 23 December 2026 and is closed on 22 November.
4 sample Christmas market routes
These routes group cities that sit close together, so you spend your time at the markets instead of in transit. Check train or flight times for your own dates before you book.
Route 1: Prague, Vienna and Budapest (7 to 9 days)
The classic Central Europe trip. Spend 2 to 3 nights in each city. All three are open from 28 November, and all three stay open after Christmas, so this route also works if you want to travel between 24 December and New Year.
Route 2: Nuremberg, Munich and Salzburg (5 to 6 days)
Two German classics plus Salzburg's old town. Go between 27 November and 23 December, because Nuremberg and Munich both close at 14:00 on 24 December.
Route 3: Strasbourg and Colmar (3 to 4 days)
The Alsace route. Base yourself in Strasbourg and take a day trip to Colmar and its villages, or split your nights between the two. Go between 27 November and 23 December to see both cities at full strength.
Route 4: Dresden and Prague (4 to 5 days)
Start with the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, then cross into the Czech Republic for Prague. Plan it around 5 December if you want to see the Dresden Stollen Festival.
Want to combine two routes, or start from a different city? Add your cities and dates to Travo and it builds the day-by-day plan for you. For more on linking several cities, read our multi-city trip planner guide.
Practical tips for a Christmas market trip
- Watch the last days. Nuremberg, Dresden and Munich close at 14:00 on 24 December. Strasbourg closes at 18:00 that day, and Cologne closes on 23 December.
- Check closing days. Munich and Cologne are closed on Sunday 22 November 2026.
- Go in the evening at least once. The lights are the main show, and most markets in this guide stay open until about 21:00.
- Visit on weekdays if you can. If crowds bother you, plan the big squares for weekday afternoons.
- Book stays early. Book your hotels as soon as your dates are set, especially if you want to stay near the main squares.
- Dress for the cold. You will stand outside for hours, so wear warm layers and comfortable shoes.
- Leave room for day trips. Small towns, like the villages around Colmar, often have quieter markets worth a visit.
Plan your Christmas market trip in Travo
Travo is an AI trip planner for iOS and Android. Tell it your cities, dates and interests, and it builds a day-by-day itinerary you can change as you go. You can see each day's route on a map and keep all your trip details in one place on your phone. Add the market evenings you care about most, then let Travo fill in the sights around them.
The free plan includes 2 trips and 2 AI itineraries, which is enough for one Christmas market trip. Premium costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year in the US (€3.09 or €25.99 in the eurozone) and adds unlimited trips and full offline access.
Get Travo: Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Prefer a bigger screen? Start planning in your browser.
FAQ
When do Christmas markets in Europe open in 2026?
Most open between mid and late November. In this list, Vienna and Budapest open first on 13 November 2026, and Prague opens last on 28 November. The German markets and Strasbourg close on 23 or 24 December, while Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Prague and Colmar stay open after Christmas.
What is the best time to visit Christmas markets in Europe?
Between 28 November and 23 December 2026, when all 10 markets in this guide are open. If you want calmer visits, aim for weekdays.
Which country has the best Christmas markets?
Germany has the most famous ones, like Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich and Cologne. For 12 German markets and routes by train, see our guide to Christmas markets in Germany. Austria (Vienna and Salzburg), France (Strasbourg and Colmar), the Czech Republic (Prague) and Hungary (Budapest) are just as popular. The best choice depends on which cities you can link easily.
What is the oldest Christmas market in Europe?
Dresden's Striezelmarkt calls itself the oldest Christmas market in Germany, first held in 1434. Nuremberg's market has roots going back to 1530, and Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik started in 1570.
Are European Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
Most German markets and Strasbourg are closed on 25 December. In this list, Salzburg, Budapest and Colmar publish opening hours for 25 December, and the markets in Vienna and Prague run past Christmas. Hours on holidays are often shorter, so check each official site.
How many days do you need for a Christmas market trip?
Plan 2 to 3 days per big city. A two-city trip like Strasbourg and Colmar fits into 3 to 4 days, and a three-city trip like Prague, Vienna and Budapest fits into about a week.