Christmas is approaching and the streets will soon be filled with lights and people looking to slowly immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit. There is a warm atmosphere that defies the cold of the season and brings people together outside: those looking for the perfect gift, tourists who want to discover the city’s Christmas lights and locals who simply enjoy a stroll in the festive atmosphere.
Winter and Christmas also bring along the long-awaited Christmas markets that are held across almost the entire world. They are the perfect place to enjoy with friends or family and find decorations or handmade gifts for the holidays.
Visiting a Christmas market always provides a sense of warmth that can be difficult to describe. Maybe it’s the wooden stalls, the smell of traditional sweet treats or the little lights that decorate everything. But the truth is that they’re places where it’s hard not to smile, even when you get home and put on your pyjamas and favourite slippers. At Havaianas, you can find a broad autumn-winter collection with footwear, clothing and accessories, allowing you to enjoy this Christmas in the greatest comfort.
Although these Christmas markets are held all over the world, there’s no doubt that Europe is the continent where the highest number can be found and where some of the most beautiful markets are held.
Discover the European Christmas markets not to be missed!
Christmas markets in Europe
Europe has the highest number of Christmas markets. Some cities even host several at the same time! And some are so special that they have come to be known as the best markets in Europe.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas market (Cologne, Germany)
At the foot of Cologne’s imposing Gothic cathedral is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. This northern German city is one of the great epicentres of Christmas, attracting tourists from all over the world. Wooden toys, decorations, nativity scenes, Christmas delicacies and the famous mulled wine to keep out the winter cold. An unforgettable experience for every lover of this time of year.
*The Cologne Cathedral market runs from 18 November to 23 December.
Broglie Square Christmas market (Strasbourg, France)
Strasbourg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe thanks to its perfect blend of traditional German and French architecture. Of course, its Christmas markets could not disappoint. Although there are many throughout the city, one of the most famous and also the largest is the one held in Broglie Square.
This market is known as Christkindel and was originally dedicated to St. Nicholas. Just like other markets, you can taste the best delicacies from all over Alsace, as well as find the most beautiful seasonal handicrafts, decorations and traditional toys.
*The Christmas market in Broglie Square runs from 27 November to 27 December.
Brixen Christmas market (Brixen, Italy)
Italy, like Spain, is a land of nativity scenes, and that is one of the great attractions of the Brixen Christmas market. In this town in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige (the famous Tyrol), one of the most enchanting markets is held at the foot of the city’s cathedral.
Here, you can find handmade nativity scenes, wooden decorations, ceramics, glass ornaments and toys. The atmosphere is also usually enhanced by live music and it is always possible to taste culinary specialities.
*The Brixen Christmas market runs from 29 November to 6 January.
The Angels Christmas Market (London, UK)
Let’s face it, London is a city that exudes the spirit of Christmas. Among its many Christmas markets, The Angels Christmas Market stands out as one of the prettiest. It is located inside the famous Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, offering all kinds of handicrafts, from accessories to jewellery.
It is also known for its stands selling Christmas decorations and for the amount of traditional Christmas sweet treats that can be found in its wooden stalls.
*The market runs from 21 November to 5 January.
St. Stephen’s Basilica Square market (Budapest, Hungary)
The historical centre of Budapest turns into a Christmas fantasy with a market that looks like a scene from a postcard. In the square in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, there’s not just a traditional market with wooden stalls, but also a large Christmas tree and an ice rink that will delight skating enthusiasts.
*The market runs from 22 December to 1 January.
Christkindlmarkt (Salzburg, Austria)
This Christmas market dates back to the 15th century, when it was set up around the cathedral. In addition to offering unique decorations and an unparalleled atmosphere, you can also find nativity scenes or enjoy the Adventblasen concert every Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Residence Square.
*Enjoy this market in front of Salzburg Cathedral from 22 November to 24 December.
Gouda Christmas market (Gouda, The Netherlands)
The city of Gouda in the Netherlands not only celebrates its traditional and unmissable Christmas market in the town hall square, as it does every year, it also kicks off its Christmas festivities with the Night of the Candles, a night when the centre of the square is lit up by thousands of candles.
*This market runs from 15 December to 22 December.
Belfast Christmas market (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
One of the earliest markets is the one in Belfast, in Donegall Square. This market, with its typical wooden stalls, offers Christmas decorations and gifts for everyone, also influenced by certain pagan beliefs that characterise Irish culture. Concerts, handicrafts, traditional pastries and tea await you.
*Visit from 16 November to 22 December.
Befana market (Rome, Italy)
This is the main Christmas market in the Italian capital. Surrounded by the spectacular fountains sculpted by Bernini and Borromini, this market is dedicated to the Befana, the good witch who gives gifts to Italian children. Its stalls offer nativity scene figures, toys, sweet treats and Christmas decorations.
*Experience the magic of the Befana from 1 December to 6 January.
Plaza Mayor Christmas market (Madrid, Spain)
The tradition of Christmas markets is also deeply rooted in Spain. The capital holds one of the most famous ones, which transforms the Plaza Mayor into a fairy-tale location. It is one of the largest in the country and is a must every year for both tourists and locals alike. It sells handicrafts, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, nativity scenes, typical sweet treats and joke items to celebrate the Day of the Holy Innocents, a day when people in Spain play practical jokes on each other.
*This market runs from 28 November to 31 December.
Santa Lucia Christmas market (Barcelona, Spain)
Barcelona also has a long tradition of Christmas markets. The Santa Lucia Christmas market dates back more than 230 years and is home to everything from Christmas trees to nativity scene figures and all kinds of handicrafts. If you visit, don’t forget to take home a classic Catalan Christmas tradition, the Tió de Nadal (Christmas log taken care by children so it gives them small presents).
*The market runs from 28 November to 24 December.
Christmas market in Granada (Granada, Spain)
Granada’s nativity scene tradition can be seen in all its splendour at the Christmas market in the Bib-Rambla square, near the cathedral. It offers all of the Christmas items you can imagine or gifts for your loved ones. You can also enjoy the best seasonal sweet treats.
*You can visit from 1 December to 7 January.
Christmas markets in the rest of the world
Christmas markets may have originated in Europe, but they are now held all over the world. These are some of the best known.
Central Park Christmas market (New York, USA)
On 59th and Central Park West, you can find one of New York’s most famous Christmas markets, the kind that reminds you why so many Christmas films are set in the city that never sleeps. This open-air market is a great place to find all kinds of gifts and treats for yourself, as well as an excellent selection of decorations and Christmas specialities to enjoy.
*It runs from 28 November to 31 December.
String Bean Alley Christmas market (Melbourne, Australia)
Australia may be in the middle of summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a Christmas market, right? The String Bean Alley Christmas market is part of the Melbourne Christmas Festival and is a night market, where you can find everything from handicrafts to food, a giant gingerbread man, carol singers and even artificial snow.
*This market can be enjoyed on Monday evenings in December.
Ottawa Christmas market (Ottawa, Canada)
In the style of a European Christmas market, Ottawa’s market is located in Aberdeen Square, surrounded by the city’s most important buildings. Its wooden stalls, lights and decorations make it look like a little Christmassy village that will delight the whole family. Just like at most markets, you can buy gifts, decorations and enjoy traditional performances and flavours of the season.
*Runs from 22 November to 5 January.
Have you already chosen a destination to visit this year?
