What to Wear to Christmas Markets in Europe + Christmas Market Packing List

Nobody does Christmas markets quite like Europe does. These magical holiday markets pop up every year in the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas in countries like Germany and France and Switzerland, drawing thousands of people to soak up the festive atmosphere – and drink all the mulled wine!

I myself have made two dedicated trips to visit Christmas markets in Europe – once on a river cruise, and another time on a market-focused road trip (wanna know which I liked better? read this post) – and these have been some of my favorite trips EVER.

But, if you're planning a Christmas market trip of your own, chances are you're curious about what to wear. (I know I was before my first trip!)

Have no fear, though – I'm answering all your burning questions about what to wear at a Christmas market, and sharing my ultimate Christmas market packing list!

What to know about visiting Christmas markets

First, a few essential things to know about going to Christmas markets in Europe that might influence your packing choices:

1. Christmas markets generally take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas each November/December (technically it's the 4 weeks of Advent in most countries). And in Europe, this is late fall/early winter, meaning you can expect cool or even cold temperatures depending on where you're going, and will need to plan for both rain and snow.
2. Christmas market stalls are set up outside, usually on popular squares and other thoroughfares in towns/cities. So you'll need to dress for the elements, as you WILL be spending time outdoors.
3. You'll be on your feet a lot. First off, most European cities are pedestrian-friendly and just naturally lend themselves to walking. Secondly, most people meander through Christmas market stalls, and stand to eat/drink (usually there aren't very many places to sit, even if you wanted to).

So what does this all mean? That you need warm clothing and good shoes to visit Christmas markets in Europe! And a rain layer is never a bad idea, either, in case you run into some mild-but-still-wet weather.

Christmas market weather

“Europe” is a big place, and December weather can vary a lot depending on which country you're in. *Most* people who travel to visit Christmas markets are going to be in Central and Western European countries like Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary, with perhaps some people adding on some Nordic/Baltic countries like Finland or Estonia.

All this to say… it's probably going to feel fairly cold wherever you're going for Christmas markets. The exact temperatures can vary, though. I've been to Christmas markets in Germany when the temperature was mostly in the 50s F (around 10 C), and have also gotten stranded in Munich during a snowstorm when temps were barely in the 20s F (-6 or -7 C).

And speaking of snow, you might need to deal with it… or you might not. I'd actually guess you'll find more cities in Europe in December that *don't* have any snow vs. those that do, unless you're exclusively visiting places in Scandinavia or up in the Alps. But you never know, and weather is weird these days.

So plan for the possibility of snow, just in case.

Christmas market packing list

The good news is, I know exactly when you're going on this trip! It'll be sometime between US Thanksgiving (late November) and Christmas (most Christmas markets close on December 23/24).

The bad news is I don't know exactly what country(ies) you'll be visiting, or what the weather forecast is likely to be. It's important before your trip to double- and triple-check the weather forecast for the cities you'll be visiting so you can pack accordingly. There's nothing worse than being cold or wet while out trying to enjoy Christmas markets!

But, knowing what I know about packing for a Christmas market trip, here's what I'd recommend brining:

Christmas market clothing (for women)

This list is written with a 7-10 day Christmas market trip in mind. If you'll be going for longer, either add in a few more outfits, or plan to do laundry along the way (washing machines exist in every country!).

I'll link to some of the exact things I've worn when possible.

• 1-2 pairs of jeans
• 1 pair of corduroys (or other heavy pants)
• 1-2 pairs of lighter pants (I like these comfy Halara pants for being more casual-dressy, and these Columbia ones for doing lots of walking)
• 1-2 pairs of fleece-lined leggings (these are like yoga leggings, while these ones look sheer but aren't and are super warm)
  • And bonus if your leggings can fit under another pair of your pants, in case you run into one really cold day and need that extra layer!
• (Optional) 1-2 dresses (I took one sweater dress, and one velvet dress, and wore them over my fleece leggings)
• 3-4 short sleeved tops
• 2-3 long sleeved base layers (I really like Unbound Merino tops these days, as they look good and are odor resistant!)
• 1-2 cardigans
• 1-2 heavy sweaters or sweatshirts, depending on your style (if casual is your style, this Columbia quarter-zip fleece is SO cozy; I also packed a chunky Old Navy sweater)
• 1 set of pajamas
• 10 pairs of socks (including compression socks for the plane, and warm socks for walking around; I like these REI merino socks)
• 10 underwear (including my favorite ExOfficio bikini briefs)
• 3 bras
• A pair of slippers for hotel rooms
• Hat, knit headband/ear muffs, gloves, and scarf
  • You can shop for these at markets, too, but I would bring at least one of your own to start with.

Jackets/coats

Yes, you'll definitely need a coat for a Christmas market trip! Depending on where you're going, you'll need one or perhaps all of these:

• A down (or down alternative) jacket might be all you need if you are going somewhere with milder temps and have warmer layers for underneath
• Heavier winter coat for colder locales (I wore this one to Europe last winter)
• (Optional) Rain jacket (most winter coats are not waterproof, so you might need this in milder cities; I love my Columbia Arcadia II, and have one a size too large so I can wear it over a lighter down coat)

Shoes for Christmas markets

Remember, you're going to be on your feet a lot, and might run into rain or snow. I took 3 pairs of shoes with me, but would have been fine with just 2 (I only wore my sneakers twice).

• Short black leather boot (like a Chelsea boot; I have a pair of Hush Puppies that I like that have a good tread on the bottom)
• A short winter boot (these short boots from Columbia are cute AND incredibly warm and waterproof – I wore these almost every day of my second Christmas market trip)
• Comfy sneakers (I have a pair of waterproof Vessi shoes that I brought on this trip)

Christmas market clothing (for men)

If you're a man planning to go to Christmas markets (or, probably more likely, a wife wondering what to pack for your husband), here's what I would suggest:

• 2 pairs of jeans
• 2 pairs of other comfy pants
• 1 pair of fleece-lined pants (my husband Elliot has these from Eddie Bauer)
• 3 t-shirts
• 3-4 long-sleeved shirts you can layer (Elliot is obsessed with merino shirts lately, as they are breathable but odor-resistant, so you can pack fewer)
• 1-2 heavy sweaters
• 1 fleece or sweatshirt
• Underwear and socks
• Pajamas
• Hat and gloves
• Raincoat (here's the one my husband has)
• Winter coat (either a puffer coat, or something heavier)
• Waterproof boots – go for a nice leather boot, or insulated winter hiking boots (which, yes, will make you look like a tourist, but who cares?)
• Comfy sneakers

Toiletries

This is currently my favorite toiletry bag, as it hangs nicely in any bathroom. A few things I always pack in it include:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Soap and shampoo bars (and I'm in love with these tiny waterproof soap bags)
• Deodorant (have you tried this full-body deodorant?)
• Skin care items
• Contacts and eye drops
• Moisturizer and chapstick
• Makeup and face wipes
• Sunscreen (just in case!)
• Hair brush (I have a mini Unbrush and actually love it)

And a first aid kit with painkillers, meds for upset stomachs/heartburn, a few Band-Aids, nail clippers and tweezers, etc. is always good to have! I like this little pill case for travel. (Though note that any prescription medication should always go in your carry-on bag or purse! Never check it in your suitcase.)

You also may want to pack some Hot Hands warmer packs for those colder market nights. This variety pack has both hand and toe warmers and are a very worthwhile investment, especially if you tend to have cold fingers or feet.

My carry-on backpack

My new favorite backpack that's both functional AND stylish for the streets of Europe is this Pacsafe backpack. This backpack has anti-theft features like slash-proof straps, lockable zippers, and RFID protection, and will fit all your carry-on essentials.

I mostly just use it for the plane, but sometimes will take it out if I need to bring a lot with me for the day.

Inside this bag:

• My laptop (if I'm traveling with it)
• Kindle Paperwhite
• My camera + SD cards
• Electronics chargers, extra batteries, etc.
• Europe outlet adapter
• Charging hub
• Headphones
• A travel-sized umbrella
• A fold-up market bag perfect for shopping
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks for the plane

My travel purse

There are lots of purse options out there that are great for traveling. Currently, I like the Travelon Anti-Theft Bucket Bag if you need a larger purse, or this Pacsafe Citysafe cross-body bag as a smaller option. (Sling bags are also very “in” right now; I like this Pacsafe one.)

If you prefer using a small backpack as your handbag, I love this Pacsafe Citysafe convertible backpack, which is both stylish and secure.

In my purse (on market days):

• Wallet (an RFID-safe one is always smart) with some local cash
• A small power bank and charger cord so my phone never runs out of juice (or this power bank can plug right into your USB-C phone)
• Small zippered pouch with chapstick, Advil, etc.
• Tiny hair brush with attached mirror
• My fold-up shopping bag
• Sunglasses

Tips for packing for Christmas markets

When it comes to actually packing, I usually travel with my Osprey rolling bag in Europe. Mine is a 60-liter bag (check-in size) with sturdy wheels and removable backpack straps (though I always leave the backpack straps at home). Osprey makes amazing soft-sided bags – this particular one has been traveling around the world with me for 10+ years and is still in fantastic shape. (And I've since purchased the larger Shuttle bag, as well!)

If a hard-sided suitcase is more your speed, I'm a fan of spinner luggage from Samsonite.

I always utilize my favorite compression packing cubes (GREAT for keeping tops and bottoms organized – I use the rolling method) for packing.

If you're packing bulkier items like sweaters and are worried you might run out of room, I also like these vacuum compression bags that you can roll the air out of. I recommend using them sparingly so your luggage isn't too heavy, but they work great for things like sweaters and down jackets.

And of course, if you plan to do a bit of shopping at the markets, be sure to leave some extra space in your suitcase so you can get all of your purchases home!

I hope this guide has helped you get a better idea of what to wear to a Christmas market. Just make sure you'll be warm, and you're going to have an excellent time!

Any more questions about what to pack for the Christmas market trip? Leave them below!

Amanda Williams

Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!

www.dangerous-business.com