There’s nothing quite like the magic of a winter market. Twinkling lights, rustic stalls, and the spicy scent of mulled wine create a fairytale atmosphere that the whole family will love. While cities and towns around the world put on these festive markets, we’ve gift-wrapped our 8 favorites for you here. From traditional medieval markets spanning centuries in Europe, to unique iterations found in the Southern Hemisphere, here’s 8 winter markets filled with authentic Christmas charm.
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Vienna, Austria
Let’s start where it all began. Vienna’s winter market is the first one on record, dating back to the Middle Ages in 1298. This heritage has solidified its reputation as one of the best winter markets in the world, though it of course originally looked quite different to what we have now. In Rathausplatz, by the magnificent city hall, the Christkindlmarkt welcomes you with cozy stalls, handcrafted gifts, and sparkling decorations. Here, authenticity is everything. So forget the cheap plastic stalls found in lesser cities, and instead expect ornate stalls of wood and straw, filled with the enticing scent of strudel, candied nuts, and fresh pastries. This is a truly authentic winter market loaded with plenty of Christmas charm.
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Quebec City, Canada
On the cobbled streets of Old Québec you’ll find (in our opinion) the most authentic Christmas Market in North America. Keeping with Québec City’s distinctive European identity, expect the typical Christmas charm of wooden stalls, handcrafted gifts, and German delicacies like bratwurst, mulled wine and gingerbread. One of our favorite things about this market is how child-friendly it is. There’s a kids’ zone filled with craft activities, board games, Christmas storytelling, and outdoor games – all for free. There’s also a bunch of stages for everyone to enjoy live performances, choirs songs, puppet shows, and more.
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Nuremberg, Germany
“You men and women who were once children too, be children again”. So orders the Christkind as she welcomes you to the Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg’s fairytale land of childlike joy. So let out your inner child in the “little city of wood and cloth”, where rustic stalls offer lovely products full of Christmas charm. Wonderful wooden nutcrackers, Rauschgold angels, and delicious treats await, like the local Nuremberg gingerbread and Nuremberg bratwurst. There’s also a little Christmas city built just for children, where young revellers can bake cookies, write their Christmas wish list, go on rides, and watch the colorful Christkindlesmarket cultural program.
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Munich, Germany
Head to Munich for Christmas charm done the Bavarian way. With roots going back to the 14th century, this is another great option if you love tradition. Spread throughout the city’s picturesque squares, such as Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt, and romantically backdropped by gorgeous neo-Gothic architecture, these markets offer a delightful blend of traditional crafts, festive decorations, and mouthwatering treats like gingerbread and roasted almonds. As you wander the market village, you’ll hear the charming sounds of live Bavarian Stubenmusik (tradtional folk songs), setting the festive mood from the town hall balcony. This is home to Germany’s largest Nativity scene market, so we recommend bringing back a little Nativity souvenir to remember your trip. There’s also a wonderful children’s workshop called Himmelswerkstatt. Here, budding young craftspeople aged 6-12 can create their own little inventions, all made in the festive spirit.
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Edinburgh, Scotland
In the heart of Scotland’s captivating capital is a beautiful and unique Christmas market. Like its neighbors on the European mainland, the backdrop is historic and stunning, with the wonderful Old Town and majestic Edinburgh Castle overlooking the market. Like those found in Germany, expect rows of beautifully adorned stalls, brimming with unique crafts and delectable treats. Unlike the other markets, however, you’ll find some uniquely Scottish twists. Mulled Irn Bru, vegan pigs in blankets, traditional Scottish goods like haggis, and Harry Potter-themed gifts adorn the stalls, alongside all the typical German treats. With the dazzling ice rink, live music, and plenty of mulled drink (be it wine or Irn Bru), you’ll find a lively atmosphere that’s to be expected when partying in the Scottish capital.
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Cusco, Peru
For something completely different to everything else on this list, head to Cusco for an extraordinary Christmas market unlike any other. Known as Santurantikuy, this expansive arts and crafts fair takes over the iconic Plaza de Armas on December 24, continuing a tradition that spans 500 years. As you explore the vibrant stalls, you’ll encounter an array of colorful carvings depicting sacred figures. Figurine collectors will find themselves enthralled by the opportunity to acquire unique and intricately crafted retablos—handmade boxes that house nativity scenes, each one showcasing the artistry and devotion of the local artisans. Embrace the spirit of Christmas charm in a different way and bring home a cherished retablo that captures the essence of this remarkable Christmas market.
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Erfurt, Germany
Step back in time as you enter the medieval city of Erfurt. Here, the market’s centerpiece is the impressive Cathedral Square, adorned with sparkling lights and a towering Christmas tree. You’ll find plenty of stalls selling traditional handicrafts like blue-dyed fabrics, local pottery, and wooden crafts from the Erzgebirge mountains. There’s also the delicious local treats like Thuringian bratwurst and Erfurt schittchen, a type of stollen which is so loved its now registered as a trademark. We love the setting of this winter market. The wooden panels of the surrounding medieval houses and snow-topped roofs are bursting with Christmas charm.
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Strasbourg, France
With a title of ‘Capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg takes the festive season pretty seriously. One of the world’s best Christmas cities, you’ll actually find a multitude of winter markets taking place all over, so you’re really spoilt for choice here. Go to the Place Broglie market for amazing food, from fresh pretzels and spaetzle to knack sausage and crepes. Head to Place de la Cathédrale for a touristy Strasbourg market experience, with the beautiful Strasbourg Cathedral towering in the background. For something more unique, head over to Place Grimmeisen for the OFF Christmas market. Here, wooden stalls are replaced by repurposed shipping containers and alternative wares are sold by lively vendors. That’s just the tip of the iceberg: there are plenty more markets to be found as the whole city is taken over by fesitve mania. This is best seen in the epic decorations adorning almost every building, showing that you don’t even need to visit a market to experience Strasbourg’s Christmas charm.
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