European Christmas markets start between early and late November. In the 15 cities we filmed, Vienna opens the 2026 season on 6 November and most Christmas markets in Europe close on 23 or 24 December. The tables below go country by country. Dates can change; check the official page before you go (official info, 1 November 2026).
There is no single opening date: each city publishes its own calendar. Each row gives the first and last day of the city's main market, and the linked city guides have everything else. The most searched markets, including Nuremberg, Paris, Munich, London, Amsterdam and Basel, close each table, so the dates of European Christmas markets are in one place.
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne | Cathedral market, Roncalliplatz | 16 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Düsseldorf | Altstadt and Königsallee | 19 Nov to 30 Dec |
| Dresden | Striezelmarkt, Altmarkt | 25 Nov to 24 Dec |
| Freiburg | Rathausplatz and the old town | 19 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Dortmund | Hansaplatz, under the giant tree | 19 Nov to 30 Dec |
| Essen | Kennedyplatz and around | 13 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Nuremberg | Christkindlesmarkt, Hauptmarkt | 27 Nov to 24 Dec |
| Munich | Christkindlmarkt, Marienplatz | 20 Nov to 24 Dec (closed 22 Nov) |
| Frankfurt | Römerberg and around | 23 Nov to 22 Dec |
| Berlin | WeihnachtsZauber, Gendarmenmarkt | 23 Nov to 31 Dec |
| Rothenburg | Reiterlesmarkt, Marktplatz | 20 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Stuttgart | Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt | 25 Nov to 23 Dec |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | Grande Île, eight markets | 27 Nov to 24 Dec |
| Colmar | Old town squares | 23 Nov to 29 Dec |
| Riquewihr | Inside the walls | 27 Nov to 20 Dec |
| Obernai | Around the market square | 27 Nov to 31 Dec (closed 25 Dec) |
| Kaysersberg | Village centre, Fri to Sun only | 27 Nov to 20 Dec |
| Paris | La Magie de Noël, Tuileries Garden | 14 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | Rathausplatz (Stephansplatz 6 Nov to 26 Dec) | 13 Nov to 26 Dec |
| Eisenstadt | Hauptstraße (palace market 11 to 13 Dec) | 20 Nov to 24 Dec |
| Rust | Adventmeile, Fri to Sun | 20 Nov to 20 Dec |
| Salzburg | Domplatz and Residenzplatz | 19 Nov to 1 Jan 2027 |
| Innsbruck | Seven markets, Old Town first | 13 Nov to 6 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| London | Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 19 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| Edinburgh | East Princes Street Gardens | 14 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Prague | Old Town and Wenceslas squares | 28 Nov to 6 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Polarzauber, main train station | 19 Nov to 24 Dec |
| Basel | Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz | 26 Nov to 23 Dec |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | Winter Wonders | 27 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| Bruges | Two markets in the city centre | 20 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest | St. Stephen's Basilica | 13 Nov to 1 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Tivoli Gardens | 13 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Christmas Village, Museumplein | 3 to 27 Dec |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Tallinn | Town Hall Square | 20 Nov to 6 Jan 2027 |
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg City | Winterlights | 20 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 |
This calendar can change, so confirm on each market's official page, linked from its card below (official info, 1 November 2026). Vienna and Cologne also have markets that open on other days, listed in their own guides.
Right Below the Cathedral
We took a quick look at Roncalliplatz by daylight and came back in the evening as our last stop in the city, when it was packed. We were based in Düsseldorf and came over by train for the day. All six calendars and the closed days sit in our Cologne Christmas market guide .
Official page: koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com
Altstadt to Königsallee
We spent four nights here and walked the markets by day and after dark. One evening it was so cold I could hardly talk, and on the Kö artificial snow drifted down on us. Where each themed market sits and the hours are in our Düsseldorf Christmas markets guide .
Official page: visitduesseldorf.de
the Striezelmarkt on Altmarkt
We came over from Prague for the day on a FlixBus and spent all of it on Altmarkt. After dark the crowd made the stalls hard to reach, and this is where we finally found a trdelník turning over a wood fire. The other three markets and their hours are in our Dresden Christmas market guide .
Official page: striezelmarkt.dresden.de
Rathausplatz and the Old Town
We flew into Basel, walked Freiburg in a day and went back to Basel that night, before crossing into Alsace. The market ends on 23 December, so don't leave it for Christmas week. The other squares it fills are on our things to do in Freiburg guide .
Official page: weihnachtsmarkt.freiburg.de
the Giant Tree
We took the morning train from Düsseldorf and went back at night. We reached the tree in daylight with its lights off; we asked, and they aren't on all the time, so come late in the afternoon. The light show and hours are in the Christmas section of our things to do in Dortmund guide .
Official page: weihnachtsstadt-do.de
the Giant Crown of Lights
We walked from the station to Kennedyplatz and found the huge crown of lights above the square. We arrived close to closing time, finished filming as the market packed up and caught the train to Düsseldorf. The hours and the one closed day are on our things to do in Essen guide .
Official page: visitessen.de
the City That Opens the Season
We got to Rathausplatz on a Saturday evening. Vast, yes, though to us it felt modern and crowded; we rode the Ferris wheel too. The centre had no rooms left, so we slept in Landstraße: book early. All 13 calendars are on our Vienna Christmas markets guide .
Official page: christkindlmarkt.at
Stalls in a Palace
Vienna was our base and this was a day trip. The market inside the palace's frescoed halls runs for just three days and charges entry; to catch the Hauptstraße market as well, aim for 11 to 13 December. Trains and tickets are in our things to do in Eisenstadt guide .
Official page: burgenland.info
a Small Market by the Lake
After Eisenstadt we went on to this town on Lake Neusiedl, where stalls ran the length of the square. It only opens Friday to Sunday plus 7 and 8 December, so plan the day around that. Buses and hours are in our Rust, Austria guide .
Official page: freistadt-rust.at
Still Open After Christmas
Prague was our base, and we walked its markets on the first evening. A platform beside the tree let us look down over the square; we came back by daylight too, but it is a different place with the lights on. The calendar for all five markets is in our Prague Christmas markets guide .
Official page: trhypraha.cz
Eight Markets in the Old Town
We ended our Alsace trip here, under the tree on Place Kléber. We hadn't booked anything, and both the boat and dinner were full, so reserve ahead. Where the eight markets are is in our Strasbourg Christmas market guide .
Official page: noel.strasbourg.eu
Markets Across the Old Town
One day was enough, from morning until the night lights. We walked the Ferris wheel side and the stalls by Saint-Martin; go to Little Venice first, while there is daylight. The six markets, hours and shuttles are in our Colmar Christmas market guide .
Official page: noel-colmar.com
Lit Streets Inside the Walls
Lower down the village we came across a small market with cheese stalls. The stalls come down on 20 December; in Christmas week you only get the lights. Shuttles and parking are in our things to do in Riquewihr guide .
Official page: noel-colmar.com
the Small Square
We walked Obernai's little square in the morning and spent the evening in Strasbourg, and the two markets fit into one day easily. Unlike Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, it stays open until 31 December. The Advent windows and hours are in our things to do in Obernai guide .
Official page: tourisme-obernai.fr
Weekends Only
We came over from Riquewihr in 20 minutes; the lanes were selling scarves as thick as blankets. Stalls only go up on the four Advent weekends, so on a weekday the village is decorated but empty of market. The weekend calendar is in our things to do in Kaysersberg guide .
Official page: kaysersberg.com
Domplatz and Residenzplatz
On Domplatz and Residenzplatz the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt runs 19 November 2026 to 1 January 2027, with free entry. Its official site calls it one of the oldest in the world; it opens each year on the second-to-last Thursday of November. Daily hours and trains from Vienna are in our Salzburg travel guide .
Official page: christkindlmarkt.co.at
Christkindlesmarkt fills Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt with wooden booths of handmade decorations, gingerbread and Spekulatius. It runs from 27 November to 24 December, with the opening ceremony at 5.30pm on 27 November.
Official page: christkindlesmarkt.de
The Paris tourist office puts La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Garden at the top of its list, from 14 November to 3 January 2027. La Défense runs 12 November to 3 January 2027, the Champs-Élysées 22 November to 4 January 2027 and Notre-Dame 26 November to 27 December.
So when do Christmas markets start in Paris? On this list, 12 November at La Défense. It is also when Christmas markets start in France on this page; in Alsace they wait until 23 November, in Colmar.
Official page: parisjetaime.com
Around Marienplatz, the Christkindlmarkt counts as Munich's oldest, with documented roots in the 17th century. Open from 20 November to 24 December, closed on 22 November and finishing at 2pm on the last day.
Official page: christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de
For anyone asking when Christmas markets start in London, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens on 19 November 2026 and runs to 3 January 2027 with more than 150 rides, attractions and shows. Off-peak entry slots are sold online in advance.
Official page: hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
When do Christmas markets start in Edinburgh? On 14 November 2026, as Edinburgh's Christmas spreads over East and West Princes Street Gardens and George Street until 3 January 2027. The Traditional Christmas Market in the eastern gardens has around 70 stalls and is free to enter.
Official page: edinburgh.org
Stalls are spread across Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai, Hauptwache, Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz and Roßmarkt rather than one square. The season runs from 23 November to 22 December, opening on the Römerberg stage.
Official page: visitfrankfurt.travel
Polarzauber takes over the hall of Zurich's main train station from 19 November to 24 December. The hall has held a Christmas market in Advent since 1994, under this name since 2025. When do Christmas markets start in Switzerland? On 19 November, since Zurich opens first of the two Swiss markets here.
Official page: polarzauber.ch
WeihnachtsZauber sets up on Gendarmenmarkt from 23 November to 31 December. Entry costs 2 euros, free on weekdays from 11am to 2pm (except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December) and for under-12s.
Official page: weihnachtsmarkt-berlin.de
St. Stephen's Square settles when Christmas markets start in Budapest, and it does so early: the Advent Basilica market opens there on 13 November 2026 and runs to 1 January 2027.
It has nearly 150 exhibitors and has won Europe's best Christmas market four times. Our Budapest travel guide covers the other market on Vörösmarty Square and what to see around it.
Official page: adventbazilika.hu
As for when Christmas markets start in Copenhagen, we only list Tivoli, and it does so on 13 November: Christmas in Tivoli runs to 3 January 2027 inside Tivoli Gardens. The park's official page notes a place on CNN's list of the world's best Christmas markets, with lights and snow-covered stalls.
Official page: tivoli.dk
Winter Wonders: 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, around Place de la Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, Place de la Monnaie and Place Poelaert. The organisers list 238 chalets of food and gifts.
Official page: plaisirsdhiver.be
Dates and Location
Amsterdam does not rush: when Christmas markets start in Amsterdam it is already December, later than anywhere else in these tables. Christmas Village on Museumplein runs 3 to 27 December 2026, open daily 12:00 to 21:00, with more than 45 vendors. Winter Paradise at RAI Amsterdam follows from 17 December to 2 January 2027.
Official page: iamsterdam.com
Bruges runs two markets in the city centre from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Sunday to Thursday hours are 11:00 to 22:00; Friday and Saturday run to 23:30, and New Year's Eve until 03:00. They sit inside the wider Winter Glow programme, which continues to 31 January.
Official page: visitbruges.be
Dates, Hours, Location
Find it on two squares, Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, from 26 November to 23 December 2026, daily 11:00 to 20:30, with earlier closing on the 23rd. About 150 wooden chalets line up in the old town. A newer village on Theaterplatz stays open to 3 January 2027.
Official page: basel.com
The Reiterlesmarkt runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026, based on the Marktplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town posts the 2026 programme on its own site.
Official page: rothenburg.de
Dates and Hours
The market fills Town Hall Square between 20 November 2026 and 6 January 2027, daily 10:00 to 20:00, so it is one of the few still open after New Year. Mulled drinks run until 22:00, or 23:00 on Friday and Saturday, and the market stays up on New Year's Eve.
Official page: christmasmarket.ee
Stuttgart's market opens on 25 November and closes on 23 December 2026. Stalls trade from 11:00 daily, to 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and to 22:00 on Friday and Saturday; opening night starts at 17:00, with the ceremony at 18:00 in the Old Castle courtyard. Its first written record dates to 1692.
Official page: stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de
Dates and Location
Innsbruck has seven separate markets with about 200 stalls, the season running from 13 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Start in the Old Town under the Golden Roof, then Marktplatz and Maria-Theresien-Strasse.
Our where to stay in Austria guide covers Tyrol.
Official page: christkindlmarkt.cc
The markets are part of Winterlights, the city tourist office's winter programme, from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The office lists concerts and activities alongside the stalls, event by event, on its Winterlights page.
The dates on these cards can change, so confirm them first (official info, 1 November 2026).
Official page: luxembourg-city.com
When do Christmas markets in Europe start and end in each city? We split the 15 cities we walked into weeks. If you want the most cities on one trip, the widest window is 28 November to 20 December: all 15 cities are open then, with Kaysersberg and Rust on weekends only.
22 November in Germany: this Sunday is the day of remembrance for the dead (Totensonntag). Cologne's cathedral market, Düsseldorf, Essen and Freiburg are closed, so spend it somewhere else if you go in the opening week.
Most markets never reach Christmas Day, so the list for New Year is short. Among the cities we walked, Prague closes last if you want to see in the New Year at a market, and the European Christmas markets open in January start at the top of this list.
Across all the tables, the latest Christmas markets in Europe run to 6 January 2027: Prague, Tallinn and Innsbruck. Also still open in January are Paris, Copenhagen, London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Bruges and Luxembourg (to the 3rd), then Salzburg and Budapest (to the 1st). Berlin stops on 31 December.
Still choosing? Our best Christmas markets in Europe page has our own ranking. This page is for the dates, that one is for the choice.
To see the Alsace towns side by side, our Alsace Christmas markets page lines them up. For Germany's markets on one page, see our Germany Christmas markets guide. For the rest of the country, see our Germany travel guide .
The earliest Christmas markets in Europe on this page are in Vienna, where Stephansplatz opens on 6 November; Essen, Budapest, Copenhagen and Innsbruck follow on 13 November, and most of the others open between 19 and 28 November. In the first week of November, Vienna is the only choice among these cities.
No. Cities set a new calendar each season, which is why each city card links to the market's official page.
On a city's old squares and main streets, and rarely on just one. Strasbourg has eight, Colmar six and Vienna 13 separate markets.
Every country in these tables belongs to Schengen except the UK, so a single visa or visa-free stay covers all the others. Whether you need one depends on your passport.
Markets on open squares are free to walk into. The one we paid for was the palace market in Eisenstadt.
Few. In the cities we walked, Colmar is open on 25 and 26 December and Prague carries on past Christmas; Düsseldorf and Obernai close that day.
Most last four to six weeks. It ranges from three days at the Eisenstadt palace market to nearly eight weeks in Innsbruck, from 13 November to 6 January.
Open-air markets that go up on old squares and main streets during Advent, with wooden stalls selling handmade decorations, gifts and street food. Most open in November and run until Christmas, and the dates are in the tables above.
Handmade decorations, gingerbread and Spekulatius are the classics in Nuremberg. At the small Alsace markets we ran into cheese stalls in Riquewihr and scarves as thick as blankets in Kaysersberg, and in Dresden we finally found a trdelník turning over a wood fire.
The tables here cover 12: Germany, Austria, Czechia, France, the UK, Switzerland, Hungary, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia and Luxembourg. There are markets in many more countries; we only list dates we could read on an official page.
It depends on the city: Tallinn opens at 10:00, Bruges at 11:00 and Amsterdam at noon, and the cards above give the hours where the official page lists them.
All Christmas market guides
Alsace Christmas Markets 
Strasbourg Christmas Market 
Colmar Christmas Market 
Obernai Riquewihr 
Kaysersberg 
Germany Christmas Markets 
Cologne Christmas Market 
Düsseldorf Christmas Markets 
Dresden Christmas Market 
Dortmund 
Essen Freiburg Spotted something different? Let us know .
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