Oh, Tannenbaum!
Americans may still be recovering from Thanksgiving, but Christmas is already in full swing across the pond in Europe, where a festive array of seasonal markets have quickly become the focal point in city after city, from the Atlantic to the Adriatic.
Extravagant decorations, traditional crafts, local and seasonal foods (and drinks, of course) are just the start, with each event putting their own unique spin on what will often be one of the most important — and the most anticipated — local happenings of the year.
And according to one newly-released ranking that aims to award the best holiday celebrations on the continent, the Christmas market scene in countries like Germany — perhaps the best-known to American travelers — is just the beginning of the fun, with all sorts of obscure spots edging the famous cities off, or at least far down the list.
More than 750,000 travelers and locals voted in Best Christmas Markets in Europe survey, which was launched back in 2009. According to them, the number one spot for 2025 — which managed to snag more than 90,000 faves — is the pride of a lesser-known Baltic Sea port town just a short drive from the Russian border.
The runner-up is equally — if not more — off the beaten path, hosted by the seventh-largest city in a Black Sea-facing country that pulls off what’s reportedly the largest festival of its kind in all of Europe, bringing 280,000 square-feet of good cheer to a pretty historic town center.
Are you for a glass of mulled wine — and maybe a night of skating under the stars to a 1980’s pop soundtrack, if you’re lucky? Here are the best of the best.
Gdansk, Poland
A charming pair of nutcracker hosts, a vintage, Venetian-style carousel, theater, dance and singing performances in the streets, and loads of crafts and art and light canopies and more — that’s December as usual in the Polish port city, with an old town that’s appealing all year long, if you can’t get here before year’s end.
Craiova, Romania
Also snagging more than 90,000 votes — an apparent record — was this massive, multi-faceted feast for the senses considered to be the largest Christmas event in Europe. Like a pop-up theme park, Craiova’s celebration is divided in to four distinct experiences — a Beauty and the Beast experience bringing the classic tale to life, Santa’s Village, a stroll through a traditional Romanian experience and, for the Star Wars fans, a “futuristic” Galactic Christmas party. Fly high over it all via the panoramic Ferris wheel, the better to take in the millions of lights on display.
Geneva, Switzerland
The shores of Lake Geneva — in one of the world’s wealthiest cities — is a most auspicious location for what’s been named the best market in Switzerland, one of the most Christmas-loving countries anywhere on the planet. At what’s known as the “Noël au Quai,” expect all the traditional Swiss favorites — raclette and mulled wine, for sure — and lots of great crafts. It’s all a great jumping off point for the Geneva in winter experience — with winter swimming (and sauna), a lively cultural scene and all the luxurious pampering you can afford in an array of fine restaurants and some of the continent’s most plush hotels.
Riga, Latvia
An easy day trip from the better-known city of Helsinki, Finland, Riga’s worth the fast and affordable ferry ride at any time of year, but certainly right now for its oft-celebrated annual celebration featuring what’s been called the best light display in Europe, as well as the overall most authentic holiday party of its kind. Seeing the cleverly illuminated landmarks of the city’s blue ribbon-worthy historic center is half the fun.
Asti-Govone, Italy
One of The Boot’s best is special enough that one town can’t hold the entire affair, instead spilling out and about in this section of the Piedmont region, a Unesco World Heritage Site, taking over the three separate communities of Govone, Asti and San Damiano d’Asti. Look for a recreation of a 19th century Christmas, a living nativity and — of course — a detour to the North Pole, where everyone knows you’ll find Santa’s house.
15 more of the best Christmas markets in Europe, according to voters
Essen, Germany
Valkenburg, The Netherlands
Montbeliard, France
Vienna, Austria
Marbella, Spain
Prague, Czechia
Bath, England
Brussels, Belgium
Birmingham, England
Salzburg, Austria
Edinburgh, Scotland
London, England
Helsinki, Finland
Bruges, Belgium
Manchester, England
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