Christmas Markets

There is something about Europe at Christmas. Makes you want to slow down.
The days are shorter, the air is cold enough to make you pull your scarf a little tighter, and suddenly every city seems to be covered in twinkling lights. You walk around a corner. There it is: a Christmas market filled with wooden stalls, giant Christmas trees, steaming mugs, sweet treats and the smell of something delicious being cooked right in front of you.
And honestly? Christmas markets are one of our favourite ways to experience Europe with kids.
They are not just about shopping. For us, they are about wandering around a city without having to rush from one attraction to another.

The girls can choose something sweet, we can find a little Christmas decoration to take home,. There is usually something going on that makes them forget that their feet are cold.
And then there are those little family moments you don't plan.
A hot chocolate when everyone is freezing. A carousel ride you hadn't planned on. A Christmas ornament that somehow becomes the souvenir of the trip. Or standing underneath thousands of lights. The kids look up and say, "Wow."
That is the magic of Christmas markets.
And while Germany may be the country most people associate with traditional Christmas markets, there are some beautiful ones across Belgium, the Netherlands and France too.
So, grab a warm drink and let's go Christmas-market hopping.

Why visit a Christmas market with kids?

Let's be honest: European city trips with children can sometimes require a little creativity.
Museums? Maybe.
Churches? Definitely depends on the child.
Walking around a city for six hours looking at architecture? Absolutely not.
But tell them there is a market with waffles, hot chocolate, carousels, ice skating. Christmas lights?
Suddenly walking doesn't seem so bad.
That is what we love about Christmas markets. They give everyone something to look forward to.
The adults get the atmosphere, food and shopping.

The kids get the fun bits. And everyone gets to experience the city together.
Most Christmas markets take place from late November through December,. Opening dates vary considerably between cities and some markets continue into January.
Our biggest tip? Don't try to see everything.
Pick one or two markets, explore them slowly. Leave plenty of time for wandering. Christmas is not the time for a checklist.

Germany: Where Christmas Markets Feel Like Christmas

If there is one country. Immediately comes to mind when we think about European Christmas markets, it is Germany.
This is where you get the classic Christmas-market experience: wooden chalets, enormous Christmas trees, roasted nuts, gingerbread, bratwurst, Glühwein for the grown-ups and plenty of sweet treats for the kids.
Germany is often considered the heartland of the European Christmas-market tradition, with famous markets dating back hundreds of years.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany. A wonderful choice if you want that traditional Christmas feeling.
The old town provides the perfect backdrop, with red-and-white striped stalls filling the square and the smell of gingerbread and roasted sausages everywhere.
With kids, don't make the mistake of thinking you need to spend the entire day at the market. Combine it with exploring the old town, seeing the castle. Warming up somewhere along the way.
And, of course, there is the food.
Because somehow everything tastes better when you're eating it outside in December.

Cologne

Cologne is another fantastic family option.
The Christmas market in front of Cologne Cathedral is spectacular, especially once the lights come on. The enormous cathedral towering over the market makes the whole setting feel wonderfully festive.
Cologne is also a good choice for families. Want to combine several Christmas markets with a city break. You can walk between different areas of the city and discover that each market has its own atmosphere.

Aachen

For families travelling from the Netherlands, Aachen is an easy Christmas escape.
It is compact, atmospheric. Close to the Dutch border, making it particularly good for a day trip or short weekend. The Christmas market sits around Aachen Cathedral. The town hall, so you can combine the market with exploring the historic centre.
And sometimes the easiest Christmas trip is the best one.
No airport. No complicated itinerary. Just jump in the car or on a train, put on your Christmas playlist and go.

Belgium: Christmas Markets, Waffles & Fairytale Streets

Belgium does Christmas beautifully.
And perhaps even better for families, you can combine the markets with some serious food stops.
Chocolate? Obviously.
Waffles? Absolutely.
Fries? Why not?
Belgium's Christmas markets are also perfect for a weekend city break. Many of the prettiest cities are compact enough to explore on foot.

Bruges

If you want a Christmas market. Looks like it belongs in a Christmas movie, choose Bruges.
The medieval buildings, canals and cobbled streets already make Bruges feel magical. Add Christmas lights, wooden stalls. The smell of waffles, and it becomes almost ridiculously pretty.
This is one of those places where you don't really need a plan.
Walk.
Look around.
Stop for chocolate.
Walk some more.
And definitely come back after dark when the city is illuminated.

Brussels

Brussels goes much bigger.
The city's Winter Wonders transforms the centre into a huge festive celebration, stretching across several areas of the city. There are Christmas stalls, lights, entertainment, skating. A Ferris wheel.
For children, that combination is perfect.
And then there is the Grand Place.
Seeing Brussels' historic centre lit up at Christmas is one of those moments where you understand why people travel specifically for the festive season.

Antwerp

Antwerp is another great option if you want to combine Christmas shopping with a market.
The city centre is beautifully decorated,. You can easily combine the Christmas market with Antwerp's shops, historic streets and plenty of Belgian treats.

Ghent

Ghent is perhaps a little less obvious than Bruges or Brussels,. That is exactly why we like it.
The medieval architecture looks beautiful under the Christmas lights, and the city has a lovely festive atmosphere without feeling quite as much like a Christmas postcard that everyone else has already discovered.
Belgium is also incredibly easy to combine with a trip from the Netherlands. Several Belgian Christmas markets are easily accessible by train, making them ideal for a winter weekend.

The Netherlands: Christmas Close to Home

You don't have to cross a border to get into the Christmas spirit.
The Netherlands may not have the same centuries-old Christmas-market reputation as Germany,. There are some lovely winter experiences here — and for families, being close to home can actually be a huge advantage.
Especially when someone suddenly announces:

"My feet are cold."

After approximately twelve minutes outside.

Maastricht

Maastricht is probably one of our first choices for a Dutch Christmas-market weekend.
The Vrijthof is transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas stalls, lights, an ice rink. A Ferris wheel.
And the best part?
Maastricht itself is already such a lovely city to wander around.
You can shop, stop for hot chocolate, explore the old streets and then head back to the Christmas market once the lights come on.
Don't forget to try some typical Dutch winter treats too — stroopwafels, poffertjes and oliebollen are all excellent excuses for another food stop.

Valkenburg

Valkenburg is another fantastic Christmas destination, especially if you want something a little different.
The Christmas celebrations here are famous for taking place partly inside the caves.
Imagine walking underground surrounded by Christmas decorations. Stalls.
For kids, that is a completely different experience from the traditional outdoor market.
And honestly, anything that involves a cave is usually a winner with children.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam at Christmas is beautiful too, particularly when the city lights come on.
Combine Christmas shopping with the canals, festive decorations. Winter atmosphere, and you have a lovely city break.
It isn't necessarily the traditional German-style Christmas-market experience, but that doesn't make it less festive.
It is simply very Amsterdam.

France: Christmas With a Little Extra Magic

France takes Christmas and makes it feel slightly more romantic.
There is the food, of course.
There are beautiful historic squares, little wooden chalets, enormous Christmas trees and plenty of lights.
And then there is Paris.

Strasbourg: The Christmas Capital

If you want the full-on Christmas experience, Strasbourg deserves a place high on your list.
The city has been celebrating Christmas for centuries. Is often described as one of Europe's Christmas capitals.
The historic centre, particularly around Petite France, becomes incredibly atmospheric during December.
This is the kind of place where you might find yourself walking around with no real destination, simply because every street looks prettier than the last.

Colmar

And then there is Colmar.
Honestly, Colmar almost feels unfair.
The colourful half-timbered houses, canals. Narrow streets already look like something from a fairytale. Add Christmas lights and decorations and you have one of Europe's most magical Christmas destinations.
There are several Christmas markets spread through the old town, including a children's market in Petite Venise.
If your children love Christmas, this is one to put on the list.

🎄 Paris at Christmas

Of course, we couldn't write a Christmas-market guide without talking about Paris.
We have already written about what makes the city so special in our [Paris with Kids: Our Ultimate Family Guide], and Christmas adds a completely different layer to the experience.
When we visited Paris at Christmas, it wasn't just about finding a Christmas market.
It was the whole city.
The lights along the Champs-Élysées.
The enormous Christmas tree inside Galeries Lafayette.
Shopping while the girls wandered through the beautifully decorated department stores.
And, of course, hot chocolate with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
That is the thing about Christmas in Paris: the entire city becomes part of the Christmas experience.
We also went up the Eiffel Tower in the evening, which was spectacular. Seeing Paris sparkle below us while the city was lit up for Christmas made the experience even more special.
And if you are travelling with kids, don't underestimate the simple things.
Sometimes the highlight isn't the big attraction.
Sometimes it's standing in front of the Eiffel Tower with a warm chocolate in your hands.
Paris has several Christmas markets throughout the city, including markets around places such as the Tuileries, Notre-Dame and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
👉 Read our full guide: Paris at Christmas with Kids: Lights, Markets, Shopping & Hot Chocolate

And What About New York?

Okay, New York isn't Europe.
But if you are looking for the ultimate Christmas city, we couldn't leave it out.
Because Christmas in New York is in a completely different league.
We have written about [New York with Christmas], and if you love Christmas markets, Christmas lights and big-city festive energy, you should definitely read it too.
The atmosphere in New York is different from Europe.
European markets tend to feel cosy and traditional.
New York feels like someone turned Christmas up to maximum volume.
Bryant Park becomes a winter village with market stalls and ice skating. Union Square has its famous holiday market. Columbus Circle has another beautiful market right next to Central Park, while Grand Central offers an indoor option when you need to escape the cold.
And then there are the Christmas windows, Rockefeller Center, the enormous tree, Central Park and all those famous New York streets covered in lights.
It's not really about choosing between Europe and New York.
They are two completely different Christmas experiences.
And we wouldn't say no to either.

🎅 Which Christmas Market Should You Choose?

This is the difficult part.
Because there isn't really a best Christmas market.
It depends on what kind of Christmas trip you want.

❤️ For traditional Christmas magic

Germany

Choose Nuremberg or Cologne for classic Christmas-market atmosphere.

🧇 For food-loving families

Belgium

Bruges and Brussels give you Christmas markets, waffles, chocolate and beautiful architecture.

🚂 For an easy weekend from the Netherlands

The Netherlands or Belgium

Maastricht, Valkenburg, Brussels, Antwerp or Bruges are all great options without needing to fly.

✨ For fairytale scenery

France

Strasbourg and Colmar are hard to beat.

🗼 For a Christmas city break

Paris

You get Christmas markets plus everything else Paris has to offer.

🗽 For Christmas on another level

New York

Not Europe, but definitely worth mentioning if Christmas is the reason you're travelling.

Our Tips for Visiting Christmas Markets With Kids

A Christmas market sounds incredibly romantic until you are standing outside at 5pm with two freezing children.
So here are the things we've learned.

Don't stay outside all day

Plan warm-up stops.
A café, bakery, department store or museum can make all the difference.

Go late afternoon

We love arriving while it is still light.
You get to see the market during the day, grab some food and then watch the whole place transform once the lights come on.
That moment when darkness falls is often the most magical part.

Let the kids choose something

Set a small souvenir budget. Let them pick something themselves.
It doesn't have to be expensive.
In fact, the slightly ridiculous Christmas ornament they chose at age nine might become the thing you still hang on the tree ten years later.

Don't over-plan

Christmas markets are made for wandering.
Pick a few things you definitely want to see,. Leave room for spontaneous stops.

Dress for the weather

Layers are your best friend.
Warm shoes, gloves, hats. Scarves are not optional when you're travelling with children in December.
And remember: cold children are rarely interested in your carefully planned itinerary.

Book accommodation early

The popular Christmas destinations can get busy, especially on December weekends.
If you know where you want to go, don't wait until December to book.

🎄 Our Favourite Thing About Christmas Markets

Maybe it's the food.
Maybe it's the lights.
Maybe it's the shopping.
But if we had to choose one thing, it would be the feeling.
Christmas markets make travelling feel a little slower.
You aren't rushing to the next attraction.

You're walking through a beautifully decorated city, holding something warm, listening to Christmas music. Deciding whether you have room for one more waffle.
And when you're travelling as a family, those are often the moments you remember.
Not necessarily the biggest attraction.
Not the most expensive activity.
Just being together somewhere beautiful when everything feels a little bit magical.
So whether you choose Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France — or decide to go all the way to New York — pack the warm clothes, leave some space in the suitcase for Christmas shopping and embrace the cold.
Because Europe at Christmas is pretty special.
And honestly?
We'd happily do it every year.

Let's make travel delicious — even in winter.