Thomas Lucas Is there anything as festive as a traditional Christmas market? As you wander down historical streets laced with the warming scent of cinnamon, where fairy lights twinkle from the branches of towering trees and magnificent landmarks stand over dainty medieval houses, you’ll find yourself falling in love with the season all over again.
Treat yourself to a pre-Christmas getaway with our pick of some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, including France, Germany and Belgium.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: 23rd November – 23rd December
Cologne is home to no fewer than seven separate Christmas markets, and they attract close to two million visitors between them every year. Browse handmade crafts and home-baked goods under the watchful eye of the stunning Gothic cathedral in the old town, before heading to Neumarkt, the city’s oldest Christmas market.
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Bruges Christmas Market – WINTER GLOW 2023: 24th November – 7th January
The medieval city of Bruges transforms into a magical wonderland fit for fairy tales when the festive season descends. The marvellous cobbled streets wrapped in lights and decorations lend a beautiful stage to the annual Christmas market, where delicacies of crisp frites and fresh shrimp can be enjoyed as you peruse the local goods.
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Strasbourg Christmas Market: 24th November – 24th December
The oldest Christmas market in Europe, the first edition of Strasbourg Christmas Market took place back in 1570. Today, it’s one of the largest in Europe, with 300 stalls across 10 different locations around the city. Continuing a tradition first mentioned in 17th century scripture, a huge Christmas tree from the nearby Vosges Mountains will be the centrepiece, illuminating the market square along with kilometres of fairy lights.
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Lille Christmas Market: 22nd November – 31st December
The Lille Christmas Market is something of a European legend. Only in the Grand Place could a 60-foot Christmas tree be eclipsed by a giant ferris wheel decorated with 10,000 light bulbs. The historical centre is filled with festive lights and the streets warm with mulled wine spices drifting from the wooden chalets along Place Rihour.
