Christmas in Europe is a magical time. Decorated Christmas trees appear in central squares, streets are lit up with fairy lights, music plays, and the air is filled with the heady scents of mulled wine and fresh pastries. And then there are the fairs, where it’s almost impossible to leave empty-handed and with a full wallet. We’ve selected 10 Christmas fairs that are worth visiting at least once!

1. Prague, Czech Republic

The capital’s most famous fair is located on Old Town Square, next to the Town Hall. It is noisy and crowded here, the country’s main Christmas tree shines with lights, and concerts and theatrical performances are held in the evenings. The numerous food stalls offer the aromas of roasted meat, sausages, traditional sweet pastries called trdelnik, mulled wine, grog, and mead, while souvenir stalls sell marionettes, Bohemian glassware, paintings, and Christmas tree decorations. We recommend paying attention to the latter: among the faceless mass-produced goods, there are some decent handmade items that you won’t be ashamed to bring home as gifts for your loved ones… or yourself.

Keep in mind that on the evening of December 24, most of the tents are closed, and there are lines in front of the rest. Between money and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with their families, Czechs definitely choose the latter. On the other hand, the fair closes last, delighting tourists until the beginning of January.

Opening hours:

From November 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (food stalls are open longer).

2. Vienna, Austria

The largest fair is held on Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz, in front of the Town Hall. Every year, more than 150 stalls selling sweets, food, drinks, and souvenirs delight visitors, as well as a 3,000 m² ice rink (by buying tickets online, you will save 10% off the regular price and avoid queuing at the entrance).

For parents with children, there are master classes on Christmas baking, toy decorating, and much more.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, visitors to the fair will be entertained by carol singers from different countries, who can be listened to free of charge. Be sure to try the famous Viennese sausages, mulled wine (here it is called Glühwein) or punch. Hot drinks are served not only in disposable cups, but also in souvenir mugs, which you can keep as a souvenir for €4-5.

Opening hours:

There is no exact schedule for the fair yet, but it is expected to open at the end of November.

3. Nuremberg, Germany

Christkindlesmarkt, held on Hauptmarkt square next to St. Sebaldus Church and the Town Hall, is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe (first mentioned in 1628). Its symbol is the Christ Child (Christkind), a charming creature with white curls, dressed in gold. The performer of this role is chosen from among the young women of the city every two years, and she opens the fair on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent.

If you get hungry, go in search of Nuremberg sausages. They are made from minced pork with marjoram and served in sets of 6, 8, 10, or 12 with horseradish or mustard, or 3 pieces are placed in sliced rolls (this dish is called Drei im Weggla or “Three in a Roll”). The recipe and format of these miniature (7-9 centimeters, 20-25 grams) sausages have remained unchanged since 1497!

Another local specialty is Lebkuchen gingerbread, which has been baked here for over 600 years. Every year, around 70 million of these gingerbread cookies are sold in Nuremberg. If you get cold, you can warm up with mulled wine, which can also be poured into a souvenir mug (the design changes every year). According to statistics, 80% of visitors take the mugs home with them.

Hans-Sachs-Platz will host a children’s fair, where kids can enjoy carousels, a train ride, and a visit with the Christmas Angel, as well as master classes on baking gingerbread, decorating candles or glassware, making cards and Christmas gifts, and creating sand paintings. You can also send a letter to your loved ones, visit St. Nicholas, and warm up in the free play area.

Opening hours:

From November 30 to December 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

4. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest’s oldest fair is located on Vörösmarty Square. It is a paradise for gourmets, and it is unlikely that you will leave here hungry. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy Kurtoskalacs cinnamon pastries, similar to Czech trdelnik, while meat lovers will appreciate sausages or goulash in bread. For a light snack, try dodolle potato dumplings, langos, or roasted chestnuts. And don’t forget the traditional mulled wine.

In the evenings, you can enjoy a light show on the facade of the Gerbeaud café and free concerts of folk, jazz, indie, blues, and pop music.

5. Helsinki, Finland

The St. Thomas Christmas Market in the center of the capital, on Senate Square, is an integral part of Pikkujoulu, or “Little Christmas.”

It is a paradise for lovers of stylish items: 120 tents sell decorations, tableware, toys, garlands, and much more. In the central part of the fair, there is an antique carousel that delights visitors of all ages.

At the fair, you can meet Joulupukki, the Finnish “Santa Claus,” buy a sweater with reindeer for yourself or your loved ones, and warm up with spiced tea or glögg (an analogue of mulled wine, to which vodka or Madeira is sometimes added for strength). When you get hungry, stop by one of the tents to buy a sausage or jouluorttu, a puff pastry with jam.

Opening hours:

From November 24, 2025, to December 26, 2025, Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

6. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s No. 1 Christmas market is located in Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3), the third most visited amusement park in Europe. During Advent, the historic park is filled with decorated wooden houses, Santa’s reindeer (Santa himself also stops by the festivities), snow-covered trees, and illuminated by fairy lights. There are many cafes, both indoor and outdoor (they usually have heaters and offer blankets to guests).

A warming wine-based drink here is called gløgg, glogg, or glühwein. It is made with red wine, to which raisins, cinnamon, almonds, cloves, and a little schnapps or aquavit are added. If you prefer beer, look for Christmas varieties, which Tuborg and other manufacturers start brewing in November.

Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the traditional Æbleskiver pastries — something like doughnuts in powdered sugar, often served with jam. The fair also sells rye bread sandwiches with marinated herring (Smørrebrød), sandwiches with roasted duck meat, roasted chestnuts, and almonds.

Opening hours:

From November 17 to December 31, Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.

7. Tallinn, Estonia

The fair is held on Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), where the country’s main Christmas tree has been erected since 1441. Wooden houses sell handmade souvenirs, sheepskin products, local honey, mulled wine, and hot beer with spices. If you’re hungry, try verivorst blood sausage, also known as black pudding, sour cabbage, and gingerbread cookies for dessert.

The entertainment program for adults and children includes carousel rides, concerts featuring Estonian and foreign performers on weekends, and the opportunity to visit the home of the Estonian Santa Claus (known here as Jõuluvana).

Opening hours:

From November 16 to January 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

8. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm’s main Christmas market is located on Stortorget Square in the Gamla Stan district, a few steps from the Royal Palace. The red-roofed houses surrounding the decorated Christmas tree display the work of Swedish craftsmen, such as hand-painted Christmas tree decorations, angels, and straw gnomes. You can also buy ceramics, jewelry, spices, soap, clothing, cheese, and other delicacies here. Food and drink kiosks offer waffles, gingerbread, and hot chocolate, while those who don’t have a sweet tooth can order sausages or venison. Of course, there is also glögg, the Scandinavian counterpart to the much-loved mulled wine, as well as hot beer with spices.

Opening hours:

November 24 to December 23.

9. Bolzano, Italy

One of the most beautiful and visited fairs in Italy has been held in the capital of South Tyrol since 1990. The rules for participation are strict: only local products are allowed to be sold at the 80 stalls in Piazza Walther, including wooden toys, knitted clothing, Christmas tree decorations, musical instruments, and decorated candles. You can also watch craftsmen at work, ride a carousel, carriage, or mini-train, and visit a puppet theater.

You can grab a bite to eat at one of the three food stands, where you will be offered pancakes, strudel with various fillings, cake with dried fruit and candied fruit called “Zelten,” mulled wine, known here as Vin Brulè, or apple juice.

10. Strasbourg, France

Since 1570, the capital of Alsace has hosted a Christmas market, the oldest in France and one of the largest in Europe. For a little over a month, the city turns into a Christmas movie set: everything around is shining and sparkling, traditional songs can be heard in the streets, and the air smells of mulled wine, chocolate, pastries, and caramel apples. A Christmas tree, the symbol of the holiday, is installed in the central square, Place Kléber.

Around 300 wooden huts selling food, drinks, and souvenirs appear before Christmas in ten city squares (most of them on Place Broglie). Here you can buy Christmas tree decorations, tableware, toys, towels and tablecloths with traditional patterns, garlands, and many other interesting things.