Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025
- Valerie Charoux
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Travel & Tourism News Europe – Here is the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, according to European Best Destinations:
Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025:
1 – Craiova Christmas Market in Romania
Craiova in Romania ranks No. 1 in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 15th November 2025 to 5th January 2026.
Craiova hosts the largest Christmas event in Europe in surface area, with more than 280,000 square meters transformed into a luminous, festive world. This year, the city brings The Nutcracker to life with giant ornaments, oversized sweets, toy sculptures and millions of sparkling lights that turn the center into a dazzling open-air stage.
Craiova’s attractions add to the magic: Eastern Europe’s highest-flying Santa sleigh, a glittering ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel, and charming hand-painted chalets that give the whole experience a handcrafted, fairy-tale touch.
2 - Zurich Christmas Market in Switzerland
Zurich Christmas Market in Switzerland ranks 2nd in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 20th Nov to 23rd Dec 2025.
Zurich also has the Most Beautiful Christmas Market in Europe, and is an emblem of Swiss refinement with rows of wooden chalets, a majestic Christmas tree, and an atmosphere where Alpine tradition meets urban elegance. The Illuminarium at the Swiss National Museum turns one of the city’s most iconic courtyards into an immersive show of light and sound.
3 – Riga Christmas Market in Latvia
Riga Christmas Market in Latvia ranks 3rd in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 28th November 2025 to 4th January 2026.
In the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, Doma Square becomes the stage for one of Europe’s most atmospheric Christmas markets. Wooden chalets brim with Latvian crafts, knitwear, and delicacies, while the air fills with the aromas of mulled wine, roasted almonds, and cinnamon. Choirs and folk performers add a unique Baltic touch to the festive spirit.
The city’s parks and canals transform into a glowing wonderland: wander through Opera Square, Bastejkalns, and Kronvalda Park, where spectacular installations inspired by Latvian fairy tales are brought to life with light, music, and storytelling. It is not only a market, but a full sensory journey into the magic of Christmas.
4 – Wonderland Lisbon Christmas Market in Portugal
Wonderland Lisbon Christmas Market in Portugal ranks 4th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 28th November 2025 to 4th January 2026.
Held at the iconic Parque Eduardo VII, this free-entry Christmas village transforms Lisbon into a festive paradise bathed in mild winter sunshine. Highlights include a giant Ferris wheel with breathtaking views over Lisbon and the Tagus River, an eco-friendly ice rink, Santa’s House, and the much-loved Village of Affection. Visitors can enjoy live performances, a bustling Christmas market with crafts and sweets, and a cozy food court serving Portuguese specialties and festive treats.
With more than 1 million visitors in 2024, extended opening hours, and easy access by public transport, Wonderland Lisboa has established itself as Portugal’s flagship Christmas event — and one of the most beautiful and original in all of Europe.
5 – Debrecen Christmas Market in Hungary
Debrecen Christmas Market in Hungary ranks 5th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 28th November to 23rd December 2025.
The city’s main squares and pedestrian streets fill with grand light installations, artisan stalls, themed gastronomy (mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, kürtőskalács) and more than 100 cultural programmes featuring over 200 performers.
The brand-new Ice Blossom Carnival (13 December) transforms the city into a luminous fairytale with ice sculpting, family workshops and an illuminated parade inspired by the iconic Flower Carnival; the Traditional Advent Candle Lightings (30 Nov, 7, 14 & 21 Dec) bring together representatives of the city and its historical churches for heartfelt communal ceremonies and symbolic processions; and the joyful Awaiting St. Nicholas weekend (5–7 December) welcomes families with St. Nicholas’s festive arrival by carriage, concerts, the Advent Cottage, the Mini Train, the Baroque Carousel and the sparkling Ice Rink.
6 - Govone & Asti Christmas Market in Italy
Govone & Asti Christmas Market in Italy ranks 6th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 28th November to 23rd December 2025.
Italy’s Magical Christmas Village, Govone, is where the magic began, enchanting visitors at the Royal Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with Santa’s House, the playful Elves’ School, and 60 stalls of gourmet products and handmade crafts.
Recognised as Europe’s Most Romantic Christmas Market, the event is also celebrated as Italy’s largest and most prestigious festive celebration, attracting half a million visitors each year.
7 – Valkenburg Christmas Market in The Netherlands
Valkenburg Christmas Market in The Netherlands ranks 7th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 14th November 2025 to 5th January 2026.
Valkenburg has also been awarded the Most Beautiful Christmas Parade in Europe. What makes Valkenburg truly unique are its underground Christmas markets held inside ancient marlstone caves. Visitors stroll through atmospheric galleries filled with artisan stalls, decorations, and festive aromas, all sheltered from the winter cold. Above ground, the historic streets sparkle with lights, while festive concerts, culinary routes, and art displays create a multisensory experience.
8 – Vienna Christmas Market in Austria
Vienna Christmas Market in Austria ranks 8th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 15th November to 26th December 2025.
The most famous is the “Vienna Magic of Advent” on Rathausplatz, where the neo-Gothic City Hall provides a fairy-tale backdrop. This spectacular market dazzles with hundreds of stalls offering artisan gifts, handmade ornaments, tree decorations, and festive treats. A giant ice rink winds romantically through the park, while children can enjoy carousels, storytelling, and creative Christmas workshops.
Equally enchanting is the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, which pairs festive charm with baroque grandeur. Visitors can shop for high-quality handicrafts and traditional Austrian delicacies before the backdrop of the imperial palace.
9 – Montbeliard Christmas Market in France
Montbeliard Christmas Market in France ranks 9th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 22nd November to 24th December 2025.
Montbéliard is more than a market—it is a living fairy tale, celebrated for its dazzling illuminations and warm, festive spirit. Over 140 wooden chalets line the historic streets, filling the air with the aromas of mulled wine, gingerbread, and regional delicacies.
10 – Paris Christmas Market in France
The Paris Christmas Market in France ranks 10th in the ranking of the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025, with opening dates from 20th November to 28th December 2025.
Paris welcomes a brand-new festive jewel: Noël La Villette, set around the majestic Fontaine aux Lions in the heart of Parc de La Villette. More than 100 wooden chalets bring together artisans, local creators, and seasonal delights. Visitors can browse unique gifts, handmade jewelry, and gourmet specialties, or indulge in a world street-food village offering raclette, Swiss sweets, mulled wine, and winter comfort food. It also includes a children’s yurt, storytelling, concerts, and even fire shows and street performances animate the park day and night.
