Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas Markets 2024!

When you think about Christmas you'll think about Santa Claus, Advent, travel, snow and spending time around the Christmas tree with the people who are important to you. But let's not forget the Christmas Markets, originated in Germany where they are called Weihnachtsmarkt. Their history goes back to 1384 when the first one was held in Bautzen.

Over the years, they became a tradition and are organised in many cities all over Europe. In many towns in Germany, Belgium, Austria and even Italy and Spain host the best one in Europe. They held and start in December during the advent season. Most of the markets are held in the city square. On the city square wooden open air stalls will be placed with the best food, drinks and seasonal items you can buy as a Christmas gift for under the Christmas tree.

When you visit one of the markets during the holiday season 2024, you definitely need to try some of the best local food. In Nuremberg you can try Rostbratwürste or what to think about a Belgium waffle with chocolate in Brussels. As the markets are outside and it can be cold in December you can warm yourself up with a glass of Glühwein or hot mulled wine for the adults and a hot chocolate with cream for the kids.

The most famous and best Christmas Markets in Germany are organised in Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich, and Düsseldorf. In Belgium; Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. It varies per city but some of the most popular and best markets attract between two and three million people per year during the festive advent Christmas holiday season.

With so much to do in the different cities, for sure you’ll want to stay longer than a day. And what's more convenient to stay over in a hotel situated close by?

Below a list with the different cities where the best Christmas Markets in Europe are held and where you'll find an NH Hotel close by:

Nuremberg

Dresden

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, dating back to 1434. It’s open daily until 9pm from November 23rd until December 24th 2024 – and is located on the Altmarkt, right in front of our NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt. From many rooms there is an amazing view on this very romantic market, especially at night. More than 250 exhibitors offer folk like arts and crafts, toys and decoration. Amongst other delicious things liked mulled wine don’t miss the famous Dresdner Stollen, Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen or the rosted nuts. All 2 Dresden hotels you can find here.

Munich

In Munich there are many markets throughout the Advent season, from November 21st till December 24th 2024. To be mentioned should be the market at the Marienplatz directly in Munich city center, dating back to the 14th century, and with 3 million visitors one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. A bit smaller is the Christkindlmarkt at the Sendlinger Tor, where only 40 exhibitors offer a bit more traditional experience. At Wittelsbacher Platz we can recommend the medieval market, where you can travel back in time. All 6 Munich hotels you can find here.

Hamburg

In front of the impressive Hamburg town hall the historic Hamburg market is open between November 21st and December 23rd 2024 –  daily until 9pm (Fri & Sat 10pm), and offers traditional crafts like wood carvings, ceramics, silver jewelry, toys and more from around 80 exhibitors. A bit out of the ordinary is the "erotic market" Santa Pauli in the famous red light and entertainment district Sankt Pauli. Here Christmas meets the frivolous life of the Kiez, how Hamburg people call this district, steps away from the NH Collection Hamburg City. All 4 Hamburg hotels you can find here.

Berlin

Of course Berlin cannot be left behind when it comes to Christmas markets in Europe. Between November 22nd and December 31st 2024, visitors will find themselves in a true paradise in the German capital.  Berlin markets have a more modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere than the ones from other German cities. However, it does not lack of the typical food and music for this season. The famous 26 markets are scattered across the different squares in the city. From the Gendarmenmarkt to Opernpalais, Alexanderplatz, Gedachtsniskirche and Potsdamer Platz, all around the city the atmospherically lightened markets offer local delicacies, gift ideas and craftsmanship. As there’s too much to see in just 1 day it’s the perfect chance to try out for instance the newly renovated NH Berlin Alexanderplatz. You can find all our hotels in Berlin here.

Düsseldorf

The Christmas market in Düsseldorf takes place between November 17th and December 30th 2024 – daily until 8pm (Sat & Fri 9pm). It is known for offering a variety of themes in the historic old town, offering traditional crafts, Christmas decoration and obviously culinary highlights. From any of our 3 hotels in Düsseldorf you have the perfect location to explore one of the best in Europe.

Cologne

The Cologne market opens yearly on the last Monday before the Advent starts, where after you can visit the market between 21 November and 23 December 2024. It is estimated that every December is visited by more than two million people. The most popular, Am Dom, with over 150 stalls can be found on the square in front of the famous Cathedral in the heart of the city. The stalls are situated around a large Christmas tree. There are plenty of street musicians and, of course, Glühwein (mulled wine). Each one diversifies itself by ambience and offering. While you can find traditional food and beverages on all, one might have live music and the other an iceskating rink as is the case at the Alter Markt and Heumarkt. Travel easily to Cologne by High Speed Train from all around Europe and stay in one of two NH Hotels, which you can fine here.

Vienna

The Vienna Christkindlmarkt takes place between November 19th and December 26th 2024 – on the Rathausplatz in Vienna, open daily until 9:30pm (Fri & Sat 10pm). It combines tradition with impressive attractions and entertainment like ice skating, singing, music and other supporting programs. More than 150 exhibitors offer sweets, candy, aromatic gloggs as well as creative gift ideas. Convenient to reach from the NH Collection Wien Zentrum. All 5 Vienna hotels you can find here.

Prague

This is another city for which no excuses are needed to visit it. The Czech capital is well worth a visit during the Christmas period. The festive spirit can be found throughout the city from 26 November 2024 and 6 January 2025 with at least five market squares to choose from. In this city, one of the the biggest and best Christmas Market in Europe is located at the Old Town Square, right in the heart of the city. It cannot be missed, as the giant Christmas tree can be seen from miles away. Enjoy Czech specialty dishes or be entertained by the local street artists or choirs that fly in from all over Europe. The historical centre can be easily reached by tram or metro from NH Prague City, NH Collection Prague or the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV.

Brussels

Winter Wonders is the name of the market held in Brussels. The event will start on November 25th 2024 and will last till January 1st 2025 – open every day. You’ll find more than 200 open air stalls, a fairground with a Ferris wheel, a covered ice skating rink and also this year there will be an impressive Christmas tree and sound and light show on the Grand-Place. The centre of this market is, for obvious reasons, their delicious chocolate. As an original feature, the presence of stalls representing different European countries will catch your eye and also your stomach! The NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg is the perfect starting point to discover the different markets in Brussels during the holiday season. You can find all our hotels in Brussels here.

Bruges

The Bruges market is one of the most vibrant Christmas Markets in Europe. In 2024 the market will start on November 25th and will last till January 8th 2025. On the old market square the stalls will be placed crammed with Christmas goodies, where you can browse tables laden with chocolates, sweets and hand-made decorations. Again this year there will be an ice skating rink on Simon Stevinplein. Also definitely worth a visit to Bruges is the Ice Sculpture Festival. NH Brugge is located only 8 minutes walking distance from the old market square and Simon Stevinplein.

Ghent

From December 8th to 31st 2024, the  "Gentse Winterfeesten" will be held in the enchanting heart of Ghent. It's a great place for spending some time with friends and family in a Nordics atmosphere. We recommend you to go the Korenmarkt which feels like you're on a filmset and which smells as nice as it looks. Especially if you would like to visit Ghent with kids this is the place to be with a special Kids Village called Land of Ice. Also this year there will be a giant ferris wheel from where you'll enjoy a view of the city.
In the heart of the city you'll find NH Collection Gent. The perfect location for visiting the Gentse Winterfeesten. All 2 Ghent hotels you can find here.

Maastricht

Get enchanted in Magical Maastricht from 26 November to 31 December 2024. Maastricht is a warm and inviting city in the far south of the Netherlands with lots of shopping opportunities to find that special Christmas present for your loved ones. This is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe that welcomes yearly about one million visitors. There are many in multiple locations in the city, but the main square Vrijthof is the highlight where you could enjoy a ride in the ferris wheel or a romantic session on the ice skating rink. NH Maastricht is located  on the edge of the historical centre, ideally situated to explore the magic of Maastricht in winter time.

Best destinations for Christmas season

• Where to travel in November
• Where to travel in December
• Where to travel in January