This time of year, there’s no better place to get into the spirit of the season than by heading to one of the many European Christmas markets. Heading into 2026, we wanted to take a more global look at holiday experience, and share who does it well overseas. Here are a few of our favorites:
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Nuremberg, Germany is one of the top destinations every November and December for the Christkindlesmarkt. Taking place on the main square in Nuremberg, the market opens November 28 and runs through December 24. Nuremberg’s Christmas Market, first mentioned in 1678, is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets and a destination designed to create memorable moments. As you shop for unique gifts, don’t miss trying the famous Nuremberg bratwurst!
Why This Is Unique: Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is a historical destination and experience, with hundreds of years of heritage and cultural relevance. This propels the event from a traditional endeavor to one of legend.
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
Salzburg is an amazing city to visit any time of year, but why not celebrate the Christmas season in the birthplace of Mozart! The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt runs from November 20 through January 1 at Domplatz and Residenzplatz, with the Fortress Hohensalzburg overlooking it. It’s a magical experience where you can go ice skating, shop, and enjoy a local specialty called the “Haunsberger,” a toasted roll with roast pork, sauerkraut, onion, and mustard.
Why This Is Unique: Salzburger’s Christkindlesmarkt brings interactive offerings like ice skating together with shoppable experiences and local tie-ins. Essentially the town’s best on full display, all at once.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Dating back to 1434, Dresden Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest Christmas market. The market will be open this year from November 26 through December 24. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is worth the visit for the baked apples alone, but you won’t want to miss the world’s largest Erzgebirge step pyramid (14.61 meters – 48 feet high) as well as the world’s largest Schwibbogen – a candlelit arch so large, you can walk under it. Beyond the Striezelmarkt, you’ll discover a collection of unique markets stretching over a mile through the city.
Why This Is Unique: After 500+ years of success, you can bank on this market connecting to the culture, and the residents. Centered right in the middle of various town landmarks, this market balances a bit of tradition with tourism.
Koln Christmas Market
The Cologne Christmas Market, or Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt, is one of Germany’s most enchanting holiday destinations. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Cologne Cathedral, the market comes alive each winter with twinkling lights, beautifully decorated wooden stalls, and the comforting aroma of roasted almonds, mulled wine, and freshly baked pastries. This year, the market will be open from November 17 through December 23. Savor warm mugs of glühwein and try fresh Reibekuchen (potato pancakes).
Why This Is Unique: When a such a vibrant community adopts the winter wonderland aesthetic, you end up with some of the most captivating and inspiring environments in the world.
Birmingham, England
Head across the pond to Birmingham, England for the only authentic German Christmas market in England. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market brings the Christmas experience of mainland Europe across the Channel, complete with meter-long bratwurst, glühwein, and pints of lager that you can drink in authentic wooden stalls while listening to music blast across the town square.
Why This Is Unique: It’s a really cool cross-cultural mixture between English & German traditions, paired with fantastic environments, dining and shopping.
London, England
Held in London’s iconic Hyde Park since 2005, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a highlight of the city’s festive season. Open from November 14 through January 1, it almost needs more than one visit to get everything from this Christmas market. From Scandinavian-style chalets, a huge ice rink, roller coasters, and acrobatic performances, there is something for everyone of every age. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has managed to blend traditional holiday magic with a modern entertainment experience, making it a bucket list destination.
Why This Is Unique: When a such a vibrant community adopts the winter wonderland aesthetic, you end up with some of the most captivating and inspiring aesthetics in the world.
Marche du Noel de Strasbourg
Operating since 1570, the Marche du Noel de Strasbourg, France, is one of the oldest and longest-running Christmas markets in the world. Referred to as the Christmas capital of the world, the market runs from Novembre 26 through December 24, with the Christmas tree lighting taking place on November 21. Celine Dion will be the honored guest for the 2025 Christmas market opening.
Why This Is Unique: With a bold claim such as “the Christmas capital of the world”, this long-standing market certainly has earned their stripes. Whether it’s the shopping, the lights, environments, or the dining, guests feel the holiday spirit here in a variety of forms.
Curious about some US markets?
If you can’t make it to Europe, there are many Christmas markets in the U.S. worth visiting, including the Columbus Christmas Fair in our hometown, Columbus Ohio. Here are some additional domestic Christmas markets that are worth your attention:
Modeled after the Nuremberg market, you’ll find everything from baked apples to bratwurst.
Christmas Village at Philadelphia
All the magic of a traditional German Christmas market in the city of brotherly love.
Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco
Victorian London comes to life.
New York City has a number of holiday markets to visit. There are three fantastic outdoor markets to consider —Union Square Holiday Market, Holiday Shops at Bryant Park and Columbus Circle Holiday Market—or you can capture some holiday spirit indoors at the Grand Central Holiday Fair in Grand Central Station.
No matter how you experience the holidays this year, we hope your days are filled with magic.
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