15 Things to Know Before Going to Christmas Markets in Europe

Each year in November and December, many cities throughout Europe celebrate the holiday season with a very old tradition: Christmas markets.

You've likely seen photos of these markets: little wooden huts draped with greenery or twinkle lights, selling everything from mugs of steaming mulled wine to handmade wooden ornaments. The festive spirit of these markets has spread around the world, but if you truly want to experience the magic of them, you need to travel to Europe.

Why Europe? Because that's where the tradition of the Christmas market began! There have been special winter markets in Europe since the Middle Ages. So with 700+ years of history to build on, it's no wonder that Europe does the Christmas market best!

Things to know before a Europe Christmas market trip

I've personally been to dozens of Christmas markets across Germany, France, and Switzerland, and remain obsessed with the tradition. BUT, if you're headed to European Christmas markets for the first time, there are some important things you need to know in order to make the most out of your trip.

1. Germany does Christmas markets best

I actually don't even think it's a hot take if I say that, when it comes to Christmas markets in Europe, no one does them better than Germany. This makes sense, though, since the Germans pretty much invented them! (The very first versions of the Christkindlmarkt (Christ child market) or Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Eve market) began in German-speaking parts of Europe.)

I've been to Christmas markets all across Germany, from markets scattered throughout big cities to markets confined to tiny town squares – and they're all incredibly charming. The markets in Germany have the perfect mix of beautiful stall designs, incredible food, cute market mugs, and a magical atmosphere that is impossible to fabricate (or imitate).

So if you're unsure of where to go for your Christmas market trip, you can't go wrong with Germany. (Check out this post for the best Christmas markets in Germany.)

2. Many countries put on Christmas markets

Europe is not just Germany, however, and I'm aware that I'm generalizing in this post by saying these tips are for “Christmas markets in Europe.” And that's because Germany is not the only country that puts on Christmas markets every year!

Other countries where you'll find lots of markets include France (especially in the Alsace region, close to Germany), Austria, and Switzerland. Poland has good Christmas markets, too! And you'll also find excellent Christmas markets in some large European cities, like the ones in Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Prague, Czechia; Brussels, Belgium; Helsinki, Finland; and Tallinn, Estonia.

3. Most markets close before Christmas

As you're planning your Christmas market trip, the most important thing to know is that these markets usually coincide with the religious period of Advent, which is the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. Meaning most Christmas markets open in late November, and close by December 23rd or 24th!

While there are a handful of markets that will stay open through Three Kings Day/Epiphany on January 6 (usually at least one in most major cities), don't expect to plan a Christmas market trip in between Christmas and New Year's, because most of them will be closed by then!

Once you've decided which cities you want to visit, check out their official Christmas market websites to see the dates/times they'll be running.

4. Bigger cities have several markets

While smaller towns and villages usually just have one Christmas market (most likely on the main town square), larger cities usually have several different markets – and sometimes they're even themed!

In Germany, for example, cities like Munich, Cologne, Berlin, and Stuttgart all have up to a dozen different markets scattered throughout the city (look out for medieval markets, children's markets, LGBTQ markets, etc.). You can easily spend a couple days in bigger cities like this, hopping around to different markets.

(And, for what it's worth, Cologne is probably my favorite big Christmas market city in Germany! It always has at least half a dozen different themed markets, and they're all beautiful.)

5. Popular markets WILL be crowded

Even though you can find literally thousands of Christmas markets across many countries in Europe, you need to keep in mind that the most popular and famous markets likely WILL be busy. Yes, there are lots of options of places to visit, but cities both big and small get inundated with Christmas market crowds.

And, the more “famous” the city/town is for its Christmas markets and decor, the more crowded it's likely to be. (For example, Strasbourg and Colmar and some of the other small towns in the Alsace in France are super famous for Christmas markets, and are therefore always going to be crowded.)

Themed markets can also draw bigger crowds – the medieval market in Esslingen, Germany, for example, is one of the busiest I've ever been to – and towns along rivers that are visited by Christmas market river cruises will also be busy.

Basically, the more touristy a neighborhood, town, or city is, the more likely it is to be crowded at Christmas! (But I mean… duh, right?)

To avoid the worst of the Christmas market crowds, my top tips are:

1. Visit on weekdays when possible, as weekends are usually busiest.
2. Go to popular markets in the morning, as they tend to get more crowded after dark.
3. Don't just visit the “famous” Christmas towns; some of my favorite markets have been smaller ones (like Obernai in France, and Trier and Ludwigsburg in Germany).

6. They're not just for tourists

Any why do Christmas markets get so darn crowded? Because, contrary to popular belief, they're NOT just for tourists!

Yes, tourists from around the world travel to Europe to go to Christmas markets, but they're just as popular with locals! You'll find locals meeting up at Christmas markets for after-work drinks or dinner with friends, and markets that have kid-focused activities are almost exclusively designed with local kiddos in mind.

Now, are the kitschier souvenirs made with tourists in mind? Yes. And are touristy towns more likely to have touristy-feeling markets? Also yes. But plenty of locals attend Christmas markets, too!

(And honestly, this might be why they feel as festive and magical as they do. It's because, in many cases, they're just as much a wintertime staple for locals as a draw for tourists.)

7. Most markets are free – but not all!

The vast majority of Christmas markets you're likely to visit in Europe are free. They're put on by local city governments and local groups, and people are free to come and go as they please. Most Christmas markets don't sell tickets or charge an entry fee.

There are, however, some exceptions! For example, markets that are held at castles are often ticketed, and most famously the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market in Germany's Black Forest requires timed tickets (and they sell out months in advance!).

So, again, double check during your trip planning stage whether any of the markets you plan to visit require any pre-booking.

8. Bring some cash

For markets throughout Central and Western Europe, having some local cash on hand is a necessity. Many food and drink stalls are cash-only (you'll definitely need cash to pay the deposit on market mugs), so having small bills and coins at the ready is a good idea. (Plus, you'll need cash to use public toilets in many cities, too.)

The exception to this rule is probably the Nordics/Scandinavia, where countries like Sweden and Finland are almost entirely cash-free at this point. But if you're mostly going to be visiting markets in places like Germany or France, definitely plan to have some Euros on you.

9. Prepare to pay mug deposits

Every Christmas market sells some version of mulled wine – in Germany it's glühwein, in France it's vin chaud, in Czechia it's svařák, etc. – in usually red and white (and sometime rosé) varieties.

You'll also find other hot drinks like apple cider, hot chocolate, and more specialty drinks on offer, like Eierpunsch (a creamy egg-based punch) and Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with a shot of rum and sugar cube that's set on fire) in Germany, or even hot spiced orange juice in the Alsace in France.

And at most Christmas markets, any hot drink you order will be served in a real glass or mug of some sort. In order to encourage people to return these mugs after finishing their drink, markets will make you pay a mug deposit in addition to the cost of your drink. (In German-speaking countries, this is called pfand.)

The deposit is usually in the €3-€5 range, and you'll get this back when you return your used mug. (Remember, you'll need cash for these!)

But you can keep the mug, too; they make excellent and affordable souvenirs! You don't need to let anyone know you're taking the mug. Just go along your merry way, and the drink stall will keep your deposit as payment for the mug.

And while most markets just have one mug per year for the whole market, some of the bigger ones have multiple! I always scope out mug options at markets I want to get a souvenir from to ensure I'm getting the best one.

Note: The cute ceramic mugs are most often found in Germany. In France, they're more likely to have market-specific plastic cups, which in my opinion are not nearly as cute or collectible.

10. Eat all the food!!

Along with trying all the hot and mulled drinks possible, I also encourage you to eat as much as you can at Christmas markets! Christmas market food in Europe is not the same as “fair food” in the US; it's so much better!

Each country and region will have its own specialties, but a few things you should definitely try if you see them include:

• Roasted or candied nuts, including almonds and chestnuts
• Fresh-cooked sausages in Germany (the types sold will vary region to region; Käsewurst and Nürnberger Bratwurst are my personal favorites)
• Käsespätzle (cheesy egg noodles) in German-speaking countries
• Flammlachs (flamed salmon) in Germany – the sandwiches are SO GOOD
• Dumplings (try Dampfnudel, or sweet dumplings)
• Schneeball pastries in Germany
• Tarte Flambée (like a pizza) in the Alsace in France
• Pain d’épices (spiced bread) in France
• Raclette cheese in France
• Potato pancakes
• Langos (fried dough; it's Hungarian, but you'll find it all over)
• Pancake/crepe dishes (my favorite is Kaiserschmarrn in Germany, but also look for Poffertjes, which are tiny Dutch pancakes)

And as for prices, to me Christmas market food is very affordable!* It's normal for the items listed above to clock in under €10 (a typical sausage sandwich will usually cost €4-€6 in my experience; a bigger dish like Käsespätzle might cost €7), and for a mug of mulled wine to cost around €5.

I filmed this video last year where I ate all my meals for the day at different Christmas markets in Munich. With multiple meals (including a pricier salmon dish), a couple snacks, plus 4 hot drinks (2 of them alcoholic), I spent a total of €58.

*Obviously “affordable” means different things to different people. But, as an American who is used to doling out $20 for a mediocre meal at a baseball game, or spending $8 on a cup of fries at a county fair, I feel like Christmas market food/drink prices are reasonable! (And, if you go to any “Christmas markets” in the US, you'll definitely spend at least $15 on mulled wine alone.)

11. Shop local when you can

As Christmas markets have gotten more popular, they've also gotten more commercial. Go to enough Christmas markets throughout Europe, and you'll start to notice certain stalls selling very similar items at almost all of them. This is because there's definitely a lot of mass-produced stuff being sold these days. Everything from ornaments to wooden nativity scenes to little ceramic houses can be – and often is – made overseas.

Smaller markets are more likely to feature local handicrafts, but you can also be discerning when you're shopping. If you see multiple stalls selling the same items, or if you flip something over and see a “Made In China” sticker, then you can feel okay about moving along.

(Or just buy it if you love it; at the end of the day, whatever you buy will probably still be tied to good Christmas memories!)

Some items that are popular to bring home from Europe Christmas markets include:

• Wooden ornaments (you can usually spot the truly handmade ones easily)
• Nutcrackers
• Wooden Christmas pyramids
• Decorative paper stars
• Räuchermänner/Smoking Men incense burners
• Sheepskin slippers
• Decorated lebkuchen (gingerbread)

You can also find many of these items (especially anything wooden) for sale at a store called Käthe Wohlfahrt, which opens up several pop-up shops at Christmas markets throughout Germany.

12. Carry a collapsible bag

When you're out and about at Christmas markets, definitely have a tote bag of some sort on you. Stalls won't usually offer you a bag when you purchase things, so it's best if you come prepared with one of your own.

A small foldable shopping bag like this one is a worthwhile purchase. I always have one of these on me when I'm traveling!

13. Have a plan for getting purchases home

And if you plan to do a LOT of Christmas shopping at the markets, have a plan for how you're going to get all your purchases home! Vendors at markets aren't going to offer trans-Atlantic shipping services, so you'll need to schlep everything you buy home yourself.

I'm not joking when I tell you that I know people who go to Europe with entire empty suitcases just so they can shop. Bring an extra empty suitcase (pack your clothes in a small carry-on suitcase, and put that one in a larger check-in bag for the trip over), or at least an extra fold-up tote bag for your purchases.

(And my tip for getting market mugs home safely? Bring some extra thick socks, and put each mug in a sock to transport it home!)

14. Dress for the weather

In case you weren't aware, Christmas markets all take place outside! Which means you'll be out in the elements, whatever they are – so you need to pack and dress for the weather.

“Europe” is an entire continent, and the weather can vary from country to country during the winter months. Some Christmas markets might be blanketed in snow, while others might never see a single flake of the white stuff.

It's important before your trip to double- and triple-check the weather forecast for the cities you'll be visiting and pack accordingly. 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). Sometimes, layers will be the answer!

And remember that if it isn't snowing in December, it very well could be foggy or raining! So my biggest tip is to be sure to pack some warm, waterproof shoes or boots for your trip (these are my favorite), and at least a water-resistant jacket or coat.

If you come from a warm climate, then winter in Central/Western Europe will probably feel cold to you. Pack fleece-lined pants and a good winter jacket if you know you're likely to be cold. (Again, you're going to be spending lots of time outdoors, including at night when it will be even colder!)

Find my full Christmas market packing list here!

15. Don't stress about language barriers

A question I always get about traveling (to Europe or anywhere else!) is how I deal with language barriers as an American who only speaks English. I do actually speak a bit of German, too, but you don't need to stress about language when you visit Christmas markets.

The vast majority of Europeans – and especially ones who work in public-facing jobs in tourist-friendly cities – speak very good English! (Their English is certainly better than my German, French, Czech, etc.!)

And even if you do run into someone in a smaller town who doesn't speak a lot of English, it honestly doesn't matter; you don't haggle prices at Christmas markets, so it's easy enough to just point at what you want.

(Though it's always nice to at least learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” in the local language whenever you travel.)

More Christmas market content you might like:

• Europe Christmas Markets by Cruise vs Land: Which is Better?
• 5 Things You Must Do at a German Christmas Market
• 23 of the Best Christmas Markets to Visit in Germany
• What to Wear to Christmas Markets in Europe + Christmas Market Packing List

And that's it! All the things you really need to know in order to get the most out of your Christmas market trip in Europe. If you've read this far, thanks, and I hope you're feeling more confident about planning a holiday market trip now!

Have you been to Christmas markets in Europe? What surprised you the most?

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