Europe’s alternative Christmas markets and their 2024 dates

We have Germany to thank for the creation of Christmas markets, emerging across the country in medieval times. Now, the tradition has spread throughout Europe, and it would be impossible to find a bustling metropolitan without some sort of Christmas market set up. Bringing festive joy to old town squares, cobbled streets and waterfronts, rows of glowing wooden stalls sell handmade decorations, artisan jewellery and traditional souvenirs. The food is also a major highlight, with winter treats such as raclette, currywurst, roasted chestnuts and hog roast often dished up.

Here, we look beyond the major Christmas capitals of London, Berlin and Vienna and choose some of Europe’s alternative Christmas markets to visit.

Poznań’s Christmas Market transforms the historic heart of the city into a scene straight out of a fairytale. Located within the picturesque Old Market Square and spilling over to Plac Wolności, the market dazzles with festive lights, wooden stalls, and the aroma of mulled wine and traditional Polish pierogi. Local artisans showcase handcrafted ornaments, woollen knits and pottery, while the Ferris wheel offers views of the city’s historic rooftops, sometimes dusted with snow. The highlight is the International Ice Sculpture Festival, where world-renowned artists carve intricate sculptures that glisten in twinkling lights, adding a magical touch to Poznań’s holiday spirit.

When: 16 November-31 December 2024

More information: jarmark.poznan.pl

Sibiu’s Christmas Market can be set against the medieval centre of this Transylvanian city. The historic Piața Mare (Grand Square) is filled with rows of cosy wooden stalls offering artisanal crafts, traditional sweets, and mulled wine spiced to perfection. Under a huge canopy of fairy lights, the scent of chimney cakes and gingerbread fills the air as visitors explore carved ornaments and knitted crafts. The carousel and ice skating rink might appeal to young spirits, but all ages can enjoy marvelling at the square’s traditional Christmas tree.

When: 15 November 2024-5 January 2025

More information: targuldecraciun.ro

Nestled in the heart of Hungary’s ‘City of Sunshine’, Szeged’s Christmas Fair certainly brings a warm holiday spirit to Dóm Square, under the backdrop of the twin-spired Votive Church. Wooden stalls line the square, offering handcrafted gifts, intricate ornaments, and Hungarian delicacies like chimney cakes and lángos. Twinkling lights and festive music create a cosy ambiance, while the central ice rink and merry-go-round entertain families and friends, along with fire juggling and ice sculpting shows. The spirited scene is complete with a towering Christmas tree as the market’s centrepiece. Although it’s not the biggest market out there, the intimacy adds to Szeged’s magical feel.

When: 29 November-24 December 2024

More information: szegedtourism.hu

Český Krumlov, where cobblestone streets meet Renaissance facades, makes the perfect setting for a magical Christmas market. Situated in the UNESCO-listed town’s main square is where you’ll find the wooden stalls, selling foodie treats and traditional handicrafts. The weekends also see a programme of festive events taking place: Here, you can get hands on with craft workshops making Christmas decorations and ornaments. Other parts of the cultural weekends include Czech musical performances, carol singing, and a procession of Český Krumlov angels who will parade through the town – any visitors dressed in angel costumes are welcome to join in.

When: 29 November 2024-6 January 2025

More information: ckrumlov.info

Read next: Czechia’s most magical Christmas markets

Valkenburg’s market is a one-of-a-kind experience, set within the limestone caves beneath this historic Dutch town. Known as Europe’s largest underground Christmas market, it transforms the dimly lit Velvet Cave into a festive wonderland, with tunnels illuminated by lights and lined with stalls selling local gifts, ornaments and treats. Visitors can tuck into spiced waffles and Dutch poffertjes while admiring sculptures and rock art embedded in the cave walls. Above ground, the joyous atmosphere can continue to be felt around the town.

When: 15 November 2024-5 January 2025

More information: christmastownvalkenburg.com

This enchanting Christmas market in Germany’s Black Forest is set beneath the towering arches of a 40-meter-high railway viaduct, illuminated by twinkling lights. Close to the resort village of Hinterzarten and city of Freiburg, the market stalls at Ravenna Gorge are surrounded by dense forest and snow-dusted cliffs. Around 40 wooden stalls offer local crafts, ornaments and Black Forest specialties like raclette and mulled wine, while bonfires keep visitors cosy in the crisp winter air.

When: Fri-Sun from 22 November 2024-15 December 2024

More information: hochschwarzwald.de

A lakeside Swiss city isn’t the first place you might think of for a Christmas market, but Lugano brings the festive cheer to this Mediterranean setting. Framed by snow-topped mountains, central Piazza della Riforma square is lined by wooden chalets offering Italian-Swiss delights, from artisanal chocolates and chestnuts to warm polenta and mulled wine. The sound of carol singing and musicians fill the cobblestone streets, while an open-air ice rink, light projections, and a traditional Christmas tree attracts further crowds.

When: 30 November 2024-7 January 2025

More information: luganoregion.com

Strasbourg is France’s oldest and best-known Christmas market. It’s also busy. For a quieter taste of festive Alsace, the canal-side town of Colmar is an understated joy. Its story-book credentials (gothic churches, cobblestone streets, medieval timbered houses) set a cosy scene for its half-dozen markets. Together with the carousel and ice rink, there’s enough festive cheer and späetzle (tiny dumplings) to warm hearts and bellies till New Year. Colmar’s reputation is only growing, so get there before the crowds arrive.

When: 26 November-26 December 2024

More information: christmas.alsace