The most beautiful Christmas markets 🎄
The return of the festive season also marks the return of the Christmas markets! ✨
Chalets, entertainment, sound and light shows, local craftsmen, Ferris wheel, illuminations, smells of tartiflette and mulled wine, ice rink, nativity scene, Santa's house and giant Christmas tree: from the end of November, the big cities have planned everything to get you into the Christmas mood. 🎅🏻
And we've put together a list of the most beautiful Christmas markets, by country, not to be missed this year!🤩
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Belgium
Brussels
"Plaisirs d'Hiver" will be held this year from 25 November to 1 January 2023. It is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe! With nearly 250 chalets and lots of entertainment in the centre of Brussels, you will discover the Capital all lit up to celebrate the magic of the festive season.
Liege
The Christmas Village will be held from 25 November to 30 December 2022 in the heart of the city. Toboggan run, chalets, ice rink, Ferris wheel and parties every Thursday: Liège knows how to party and will welcome you for Christmas!
Antwerp
From the central station to the historical heart of the city, you will find illuminations, chalets, shows and animations and winter bars during 4 weeks from December 9th to January 8th 2023.
The most beautiful Christmas markets in France
Strasbourg
You can't beat the Christmas market in Strasbourg! From 25 November to 24 December 2022, more than 300 chalets will be open every day to celebrate the festive season. Considered as the capital of Christmas, this is really THE market not to be missed!
Lyon
In addition to the Christmas market that will warm your hearts and stomachs (from 26 November to 24 December 2022), in Lyon there is also the Fête des lumières from 8 to 11 December. This very popular festival invites you to stroll through the streets of Lyon to discover the various sound and light creations.
Paris
Because it's Paris and we don't do things the same way as everywhere else, there is not one but several Christmas markets in the capital! Depending on the district, a different atmosphere 😉 In front of Notre-Dame, in the Tuileries, in front of the Gare de l'Est for an Alsatian market or at the REcyclerie for the Christmas eco-villages, there is something for everyone.
The most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands
Maastricht
One of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands is in Maastricht. From 1ᵉʳ to 30 December 2022, you can find all the atmosphere and magic of Christmas in the streets of Maastricht at the Vrijthof. In addition, illuminated routes take you through the city with their thousand and one lights.
Amsterdam
In addition to the Christmas market, Amsterdam also has a festival of lights: Imagine Beyond. This will take place from 1 December to 22 January 2023. The city's streets and canals will be lit up for 53 days by light creations! You can admire them on foot or by boat. You can also enjoy olibollen at one of the various markets in the capital.
Valkenburg
The unusual Christmas market: from 18 November to 8 January 2023, the village of Valkenburg becomes the Christmas village! Illuminations, music, tastings, a Christmas parade, a toboggan run and Santa's village await you to experience the magic of Christmas. In addition to the outdoor entertainment, Valkenburg also has an underground Christmas market! You can also enjoy the underground atmosphere in the town cave under the ruins of Valenburg Castle.
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy
Milan
Several small Christmas markets are organised in the different districts of the city, but the most famous of them is in the beautiful Piazza Duomo. About sixty chalets are set up there (from 1ᵉʳ December to 06 January this year), where you can find many craftsmen. The traditional Milanese Christmas tree also has its place in front of the Duomo and it is in Italy that you will find the most beautiful nativity scenes. Another traditional market in Milan is the "Oh bej, oh bej", dedicated to the patron saint of the city.
Florence
Its famous Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce is often voted one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Next to the beautiful basilica, you will find the chalets, the illuminations and all the magic of Christmas with a German touch.
Aoste
In the heart of the remains of the ancient Roman theatre lies the Aosta Christmas market, one of the most beautiful in Northern Italy. In the Aosta Valley, this typical mountain village is transformed during the festive season to welcome around 50 chalets where you can find many exceptional products. Small, but worth it!
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Spain
Barcelona
There are several Christmas markets in Barcelona in December. First of all, there is the Santa Llùcia or Navidad market, in the plaza Nova, which is the oldest (celebrated since 1786!) and the most traditional in Barcelona! It's a market with more than 300 stalls where you're sure to find the nativity scene you're looking for! But there's also the one on the Gran Via, at the Sagrada Familia or at Poble Espanyol, on the Plaza Major.
Madrid
Madrid also has a multitude of Christmas markets, but only one great one: the one in the Plaza Mayor. It is also a very old market, existing since the 19th century. It features traditional Christmas products, crafts, toys, nativity scenes, decorations, etc.
Grenade
Close to the cathedral in the centre of Granada, you will find one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country. With typical products and a wide variety of gifts to offer, the market itself is not very big compared to Madrid or Barcelona, but it is well worth it. There is a Christmas market and a Christmas fair: in the latter you will find mainly original handmade items.
Christmas markets in Spain often end on 6 January, the day of the Fiesta de los Reyes, a very important holiday for the Spanish.
The most beautiful Christmas markets in the UK
Manchester
Manchester's Christmas Markets have been running for 24 years! With over 200 stalls across the city, discover the magic of Christmas in Manchester by way of the ski lodge, winter gardens, the light trail (illuminations all over the city) and Santa!🎅🏻 Open from 10 November to 22 December.
Édimbourg
The medieval city transforms itself for the festive season, becoming a real Christmas village. Open from 25 November to 01 January, the Edinburgh Christmas Market offers a variety of activities to entertain young and old. You can find the traditional chalets, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, taste winter specialities or visit Santa in Santa Land.
Londres
As you can imagine, given the size of the capital, there is not just one Christmas market to visit in London! Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Kingston or King's Cross, all of these places have chalets, activities, decorations and illuminations that are not to be missed. But the biggest Christmas market in London is in Hyde Park, with over 100 stalls and the UK's largest ice rink. There is also a Ferris wheel and shows throughout the market, from 18 November to 2 January.
Visit the city and its Christmas markets 🎄
So, are you ready to discover the magic of Christmas in one of these cities? 🎅🏻
You can combine the discovery of the city and its Christmas markets with an urban adventure to soak up even more of the cityscape! With Coddy's urban adventures, play and (re)discover the city from a different angle!🧩
