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The 10 Best European Christmas Markets to Visit in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik
Direct answer

Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is the best Christmas market in Europe, with Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt at #2 and Dresden’s Striezelmarkt (founded 1434) at #3. The busiest is Cologne’s market at the Cathedral, with about 4 million visitors.

At a glance

#PickWhereBest for
1Strasbourg ChristkindelsmärikGrande Île, near Strasbourg Cathedral and Place Kléber, FranceThe most famous Christmas market in Europe
2Nuremberg ChristkindlesmarktHauptmarkt, Nuremberg old town, GermanyThe classic German Christmas market
3Dresden StriezelmarktDresden, GermanyOne of the oldest genuine Christmas markets in the world
4Cologne Christmas Market at the CathedralIn front of Cologne Cathedral, GermanyThe biggest crowd and a cathedral backdrop
5Vienna ChristkindlmarktRathausplatz, in front of Vienna City Hall, AustriaImperial Vienna at Christmas
6Prague Christmas MarketsOld Town Square, Prague, Czech RepublicA fairy-tale old town on a budget
7Colmar Christmas MarketsColmar, Alsace, FranceA storybook Alsace town
8Stuttgart Christmas MarketStuttgart, GermanyA big German market with fewer tourists
9Tallinn Christmas MarketTallinn, EstoniaA Baltic capital in winter
10Brussels Winter WondersGrand-Place and central Brussels, BelgiumChristmas lights on a famous square

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik
Most traditional
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Oldest
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Biggest crowd
Cologne Christmas Market at the Cathedral
Best small town
Colmar Christmas Markets

The ranking

1

Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik

Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik
Photo: Photo Claude TRUONG-NGOC / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe capital of Christmas.
Where: Grande Île, near Strasbourg Cathedral and Place Kléber, FranceVisitors: About 2 million a yearLength: A 38-day-long traditionFamous for: Its fragrance of mulled wine

Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik fills the Grande Île near the cathedral and Place Kléber for 38 days and draws about 2 million visitors a year.

Go ifThe most famous Christmas market in Europe
Skip ifYou hate crowds (book hotels up to a year ahead)
Why #1 over #2: Its reputation as one of the most famous markets in Europe edges Nuremberg.
2

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Photo: Roland Berger / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictGermany’s most famous market.
Where: Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg old town, GermanyVisitors: About 2 million a yearDates: Friday before the first Sunday of Advent to Christmas Eve

Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt draws about 2 million visitors and runs from the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent to Christmas Eve.

Go ifThe classic German Christmas market
Skip ifYou want to visit after Christmas
Why #2 over #3: Its fame edges Dresden for first-time visitors.
3

Dresden Striezelmarkt

Dresden Striezelmarkt
Photo: Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe original German market.
Where: Dresden, GermanyFounded: 1434, as a one-day marketSize: 240 stands and about 3 million visitors

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, founded in 1434, has 240 stands and about 3 million visitors.

Go ifOne of the oldest genuine Christmas markets in the world
Skip ifYou want a small market
Why #3 over #4: Its 1434 history gives it the edge over Cologne’s busier market.
4

Cologne Christmas Market at the Cathedral

Cologne Christmas Market at the Cathedral
Photo: CGP Grey / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictEurope’s most visited market.
Where: In front of Cologne Cathedral, GermanyVisitors: About 4 million (2025)Economic impact: €229.4M (2025)

Cologne’s market at the Cathedral drew about 4 million visitors in 2025, with an estimated €229.4M economic impact.

Go ifThe biggest crowd and a cathedral backdrop
Skip ifYou want a quiet stroll
Why #4 over #5: Its 4 million visitors make it bigger than Vienna’s Rathausplatz market.
5

Vienna Christkindlmarkt

Vienna Christkindlmarkt
Photo: Palickap / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe grandest city-hall market.
Where: Rathausplatz, in front of Vienna City Hall, AustriaSetting: A square in Vienna’s first district, surrounded by the Rathauspark and the Ringstrasse

Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt fills the Rathausplatz in front of City Hall, framed by the Rathauspark and the Ringstrasse.

Go ifImperial Vienna at Christmas
Skip ifYou want a budget trip
Why #5 over #6: Its imperial setting edges Prague.
6

Prague Christmas Markets

Prague Christmas Markets
Photo: Lgerzsenyi at en.wikipedia / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictCentral Europe’s prettiest square.
Where: Old Town Square, Prague, Czech RepublicSetting: Historic square between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge

Prague’s main market fills Old Town Square, between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge.

Go ifA fairy-tale old town on a budget
Skip ifYou want German-style markets
Why #6 over #7: Its capital-city setting beats Colmar for a longer trip.
7

Colmar Christmas Markets

Colmar Christmas Markets
Photo: Office de Tourisme de Colmar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fairy-tale town.
Where: Colmar, Alsace, FranceMarkets: Five Christmas markets across the town

Colmar in Alsace runs five Christmas markets across town.

Go ifA storybook Alsace town
Skip ifYou want a big city
Why #7 over #8: Its five markets in one small town beat Stuttgart for charm.
8

Stuttgart Christmas Market

Stuttgart Christmas Market
Photo: Laserlicht / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe under-the-radar German pick.
Where: Stuttgart, GermanyHistory: First mentioned in city records in 1692When: Every year during Advent

Stuttgart’s market was first mentioned in city records in 1692 and runs every year during Advent.

Go ifA big German market with fewer tourists
Skip ifYou want a famous name
Why #8 over #9: Its 1692 history beats Tallinn’s 2001 start.
9

Tallinn Christmas Market

Tallinn Christmas Market
Photo: Araldica81 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Baltic gem.
Where: Tallinn, EstoniaFounded: 2001, by Paul Oberschneider

Tallinn’s modern Christmas market was founded in 2001 by Paul Oberschneider.

Go ifA Baltic capital in winter
Skip ifYou want a short flight from the US
Why #9 over #10: Its dedicated market draws tourists from all over the world, where Brussels centers on a light show.
10

Brussels Winter Wonders

Brussels Winter Wonders
Photo: Mark Pegrum / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe light-show market.
Where: Grand-Place and central Brussels, BelgiumSetting: Brussels’ central square, lined with Baroque guildhalls and the Town Hall

Brussels’ Winter Wonders centers on the Grand-Place, lined with Baroque guildhalls and the Town Hall.

Go ifChristmas lights on a famous square
Skip ifYou want a traditional German market

How we ranked these

We ranked each market on fame, history and size, using published visitor counts where available, then on setting. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the most famous Christmas market in Europe?

Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, which draws about 2 million visitors a year near the cathedral.

What is the oldest Christmas market?

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, founded as a one-day market in 1434, is one of the first genuine Christmas markets in the world.

Which Christmas market has the most visitors?

The Cologne Christmas Market at the Cathedral, with about 4 million visitors in 2025.

When does the Nuremberg Christmas market open?

On the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, running to Christmas Eve.

Visitors per year (approx.) at a glance

Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik2,000,000 visitors
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt2,000,000 visitors
Dresden Striezelmarkt3,000,000 visitors
Cologne Christmas Market at the Cathedral4,000,000 visitors
Visitors per year (approx.), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.