Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner & it’s time to dream about one of the most magical things you could do during the festive season – European Christmas Markets!
If you didn’t know, European Christmas Markets got their start in German-speaking Europe during the Late Middle Ages, with recorded winter fairs starting in Vienna as early as 1298. This tradition is still going strong more than 700 years later and has spread throughout Central, Western & Northern Europe with the festive, open-air street markets in nearly every major city.
With that being said, here are the Top 10 Things You Need to Know about European Christmas Markets.
1. Christmas Markets are Magical – Imagine walking through rows of rustic timber booths & wooden huts that all look like they were professionally decorated by the Hallmark Channel. You’re eating a traditional German Lebkuchen (soft gingerbread) & the bells of the church start to ring as the thousands of lights come on. You circle the 50-foot Christmas Tree & take in the nativity before grabbing a warm mug of Glühwein (hot mulled wine) while searching the thousands of hanging ornaments for the perfect one to take home. This is what you can expect at a European Christmas Market.
2. Each Market Has a Personality – Over one week, we visited more than 25 Christmas markets in three different countries & I can confidently say, there are big differences between the markets in different countries. In fact, most major cities have multiple markets & you can find very different markets within one city. The feel, the sounds, the smells, the foods, the vendors, all lend to each market’s personality. Finding your favorite is part of the fun!
3. It Will Be Cold, But Not Snowy – If you’re heading to Central Europe, like Germany, Austria & Czechia, plan on it being cold, but not snowy. They don’t usually get snow until January/February, so the pictures you see of markets covered in snow are the exception, not the rule. It does get quite cold though, especially with it getting dark about 4:00 pm, so dress in multiple layers, grab a hot drink & keep walking
4. Each Market Has a Different Souvenir Mug – As you navigate the cold, remember that you’ll find warm drinks at every market that come in their own souvenir mugs. The most popular drinks are Glühwein (hot mulled wine), Kinderpunsch (hot non-alcoholic fruit drinks of varying flavors) & hot chocolate. When you buy the drink, they will also charge you for the mug. The mugs come in different shapes, styles & colors depending on the market you’re in. If you decide to keep the mug as a souvenir, you can exchange it for a clean one after you’re done drinking & take it home. If you don’t want to keep it, you can return the mug & they will give you a cash refund for returning it.
5. Try the Local Specialty Foods – Just like with the mugs changing between markets, the food will vary widely depending on where you are. For example, the markets in Prague, Czechia specialize in Trdelnik (chimney cake) & Prague Ham, both cooked over a fire. In Nuremberg, Germany, they specialize in Lebkuchen (soft gingerbread) & Nürnberger Bratwürste (Nuremberg Sausages). Each market has different food offerings & trying all the unique options is one of the best parts of visiting the Christmas Markets.
6. If You Like It, Buy It – Although there are similarities to what you can find at all the markets, not every market has everything. For example, in the more than a dozen markets we went to in Germany & Austria, only ONE had a large selection of nutcrackers, something you think you’d find everywhere. Moral of the story? If you like something, go ahead & buy it. Don’t assume you’ll be able to find it again at another market. Many stalls are owned by small business owners or artists & they only have one stall at one market. Don’t risk missing out on something you really want!
7. Many Vendors Only Take Cash – Do not assume your credit card will be accepted everywhere. Even the vendors who take cards will often charge you an additional fee to use them or will have a minimum spending amount in order to use a card. We saw multiple people walking away from stalls disappointed because they didn’t have enough cash. We recommend getting the local currency from your bank or credit union before you go to avoid large exchange rate fees while in country.
8. Expect Crowds – Christmas Markets are the major draw to Europe in late November/early December. They will be crowded with both tourists trying to soak up the experience & locals there for the social aspect. Mentally prepare yourself to share this experience with thousands of others, especially at night & on the weekends.
9. Go Both During the Day & at Night – While the crowds never really go away, they are significantly less when the markets first open in the late morning. It makes it easier to navigate through the walkways & the lines for food & drinks are much more reasonable. However, there is something truly magical about wandering through a Christmas Market at night when all the lights have been turned on. The crowds are larger, the lines are longer, but the atmosphere literally sparkles & it is definitely worth experiencing.
Feeling inspired? It is never too late to book a European Christmas Market trip. One the most popular ways to visit Christmas Markets is via River Cruise. Reach out to learn more about the current promotions for our River Cruise partners & let’s get started!
