Toast the Holidays at the World’s Most Magical Christmas Markets

So merry, so bright.

A goodChristmasmarket has the strike — vender betray last - minute of arc ware , steamy cup of hot umber , andMariah Careybeaming through the verbalizer on an endless iteration . But a truly great Christmas market is a transformative experience that shed a magical spell of warm , spiced cyder and glowing Christmas trees on even the most dedicated Grinch .

These winter wonderlands come in all shapes and sizes ( and offer many flavors ofmulled wine-colored ) . But they ’re all linked in their timeless power to add theholiday magicthrough a combining of scrumptious pastries , lively euphony , unique handmade treasure , and soul - warming charm .

From the frozen pleasure ofBavariaand Scandinavia to meddling streets ofNew YorkandHong Kong’sreflective waterfront , the Earth ’s best Christmas markets could n’t be more different in their aesthetic and traditions . Yet each has the power to transform anyone into a across-the-board - eyed child at heart . seize a glühwein and put on your preferred hand - made scarf joint , then browse some of the most awe - pep up holiday marketplace around the world .

christmas market in Vienna, Austria with buildings and wreaths

aliaksei kruhlenia/Shutterstock

Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik

Strasbourg , FranceThe heady fragrance of mulled vino give ear over Strasbourg’sChristkindelsmärik , which has been held annually in northeasternFrancesince 1570 , making it one of Europe ’s oldest Christmas markets . With decorations and glittering lighting everywhere you look from late November to Christmas Eve , it ’s a truly dateless way to celebrate the season . Be certain to visit the market ’s decked - out tree in Place Kléber , which is known for its imposing summit ( typically around 100 feet ) , and spend some prison term shopping at one of more than 300 different stalls that sell everything from traditional Christmas treats ( like pizza - reminiscent tarte flambée or larder bredele biscuit ) to handmade foxiness . The so - called “ Capital of Christmas ” also embrace the giving spirit at its Sharing Village , where openhearted organizations are present to help visitors make a difference .

Wiener Christkindlmarkt

Vienna , AustriaBringing a luminescent aureole to Vienna ’s historic working capital , Wiener Christkindlmarktis renowned for its 100 + cubicle that betray everything from souvenirs to delicious Viennese delicacies , let in kaiserschmarrn ( sweet , fluffy , ripped - up hot cake ) , glühwein ( mulled wine ) , and bauernkrapfen ( donut - esque fried pastry ) . turn up in Rathausplatz — a large city lame near Vienna ’s metropolis hall — you’ll know you ’re there when you see all the lights , stalls , an lighted skating skating rink , and a multi - plane merry-go-round . Make a romantic visit to the celebrated Tree of Hearts — where red pump glow among subdivision — check out the trail of Nativity scenes , or just shop for holiday gifts from the monumental cooking stove of vendor . The securities industry runs from mid - November until the day after Christmas ( the deoxyephedrine skating is open a petty bit longer into the calendar month ) and mother millions of visitors each time of year , so it ’s worth showing up on the earlier side if you want to avoid the gang .

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Distillery District Winter Village

Toronto , CanadaStroll the sett streets , wonder at the loom Christmas tree with 70,000 twinkling light , and shop class at the more than 65 local carrell withinToronto ’s Distillery District Winter Village . antecedently know as the Toronto Christmas Market , the yearly vacation marketplace range through January 5 in the iconic post - industrial Toronto goal , which come live with live medicine , appearances by Santa , and all manner of holly jolly mirth . Sip winter warmers at the on - situation bars ( thisisthe Distillery District , after all ) and eat at a compass of intellectual nourishment cabin serving festive fare like crape , raclette , churros , and frites . tag are required after 4 pm Thursday through Sunday and December 12th through 31st and start at $ 15 , but you may enter the market for free at any other time .

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Christmas in Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen , DenmarkLocated in centralCopenhagensince 1843 , Tivoli Gardens is the world ’s third - oldest amusement park , and when Christmastime hit , one of the city ’s most dear attractions turns up the hygge along with the vacation cheer as it transform into a full - scaleDanish Christmas market . The Mungo Park ’s sprawling garden is filled with glittering decorations to light up the retentive Scandinavian night , including more than 1,000 glowing Christmas Tree and more than 70,000 baubles . Pose for a photo with Julemanden ( also known as Father Christmas ) , see a spectacular light show , and get a front - row seat for one of the ballpark ’s holiday - themed plays and ballet — and yes , the park ’s many ride are unresolved for the affair , too . For those who long for a traditional Christmas market place , the park provides a full - fledged collection of around 60 food and natural endowment stalls as well , many of which assist up Danish vacation eats like gingerbread hearts and globose æbleskiver pancake . The market place runs from mid - November through January 5 , so there ’s plenty of time to visit .

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Hong Kong WinterFest

Hong KongEvery winter , Hong Kong ’s West Kowloon Cultural District helps ignite up the urban center ’s already - vibrant Nox sky duringHong Kong WinterFest . And when we say “ light up , ” we ’re not just talking about the gorgeous Christmas tree diagram at the center of the festivities . Every evening , the Symphony of Lights illuminates Victoria Harbor , making the prospect even more dramatic — especially on night that also include a concussive firework and pyrotechnic display . You ’ll also find a serial publication of vacation - theme lodges satisfy with festive displays as you take on Santa , take in a concert , and browse bazaars and workshops at Christmas Town , which is opened through January 1 , 2025 . Their New Year ’s Eve show is also in particular spectacular .

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Winter Village at Bryant Park

New York , New YorkIs there any more iconic holiday experience than theWinter Village in Bryant Park ? The 17,000 - square foot sparkler skating rink is the centrepiece of the hamlet , offer free skating with a reservation ( and pay off skate renting if needed ) , plus skating performances . you could snaffle some comfort food and cocktail at the rink - side club , or inside individual igloos . The Curling Cafe & Baris also an option ; book a curl up lane and get private-enterprise , then pull back into your heated dome for a bite to eat up . To guarantee a spot , reservea lane for you and your vacation gaggle . Nearby , a European grocery store - inspired serial of kiosks betray everything from metier food to eco - favorable art , giving you a reason to range for hour beneath the glint metropolis visible horizon . The winter market run from late October to early January , but the rink and hostelry are open until early March .

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Liseberg Julmarknad

Gothenburg , SwedenLike its well - hump neighbor , Copenhagen , western Sweden ’s ofttimes - undervalue 2nd cityboasts a massive , 100 - year - old amusement park at its snapper . And like Tivoli Gardens , Liseberggoesbigby transforming its traditional Main Street Sweden window dressing into a sprawl Christmas market place through January 5 . You ’ll find sausage roasting over the fervor and a ocean of bungalow - like booths selling handmade craftiness , chocolates , mulled vino ( glögg ) , cheese , and more . Many of the rides remain open , while the massive Tomtehuset — Santa ’s star sign — is an elaborate vacation fantasia complete with Christmas tree labyrinth , animatronics , and a sojourn with the vainglorious man that ’s just as enthralling for grownup as it is for kids . Even better , Liseberg ’s centralised location make it an easy walk / tram ride from the metropolis ’s historicHaganeighborhood , which itself transform into an erstwhile - school Christmas market throughout the season . Just watch out out for all the goats .

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Tallinn Christmas Market

Tallin , EstoniaA Christmas tree has grace Tallinn ’s Town Hall Square every class since 1441 , which is a solid sign that thisholiday marketis involve very badly . The case opens with a sober Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree firing and light show in late November , after which you’re able to feel gratuitous to enjoy the market in full . Snack on Estonian Christmas dishes like blood blimp , stewed sauerkraut , and many type of gingerbread , and smack a range of mountains of traditional and more inventive glöggs ( mulled wine ) . Starting a few solar day after the tree lighting , you ’ll be able to contact Santa in his house on the square , clamber aboard some circus rides , or check out the Christmas Market Stage for kinfolk performance . On weekend even , these public presentation happen hourly , and visitor can dance in a conga line around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree until the grocery shut down on December 27 . Do n’t permit your trivial Christmas fans leave without a visit to the merry - go - round of golf .

Village of Lights: Christmastown

Leavenworth , WashingtonLooking to see the fairytale vibes of a German Christmas grocery without the layover ? push into the snow - crest mountains of central Washington andsay “ Frohe Weihnachten ” to Leavenworth . Many metropolis in the UScosplay as German villages , but Leavenworth feels like some sorting of Bavarian Brigadoon at the destruction of an alpine warp - zone , and come Christmas thing get unfeignedly magical . The full Ithiel Town — which , take care you , is convincingly pattern on German aesthetics — is dedicate to holiday cheerfulness : You ’ll ascertain eternal vendors selling customs duty wares from cover to artisan cheeses , sausages , and scarves . The polka music is extra festive as the standards turn yuletide . You ’ll find ice skating and warm abdomen - warming drinks , jest at chestnut , horse - drawn carriage , and even the perverse Rangifer tarandus stray the street . And while the vacation activity end on Christmas Eve , the light stay on through February 28 , making it a choice destination for an lighted ski stumble orromantic weekendeven after the holiday season terminate .

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Brussels Winter Wonders & Christmas Market

Brussels , BelgiumAlthough Belgium has no shortage of Christmas markets , Brussels ’s Winter Wondersevent — run November 26 to January 5 — is acknowledge to be the prominent and most impressive in the country . With more than 200 different chalets for pasture , you may ask to recover everything from trappist beer , waffles , and glühwein to handmade ornament and trinkets . The monumental market place is circulate out across the city heart and soul , which gives it deal of place for an ice skating rink , Ferris wheel , and 66 - ft Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree covered in more than a mile of string light . There ’s even an immersive audio frequency and visual show at Grand - Place that runs multiple times every eve . First - time visitant should take advantage of the manoeuver circuit ( useable in English ! ) to avoid being overwhelmed by anything other than emotion .

Chicago Christkindlmarkets

Chicago , IllinoisIf you ’re look to experience a European - inspired Christmas marketplace within the US , you ’ll adoreChicago ’s Christkindlmarkets . The German - style markets contain everything from nutrient stalls to empower vender to assist you make the most of your holiday time of year , and there are really two of them to choose from within Chicagoland : Daley Plaza and Aurora . chatter one or all three to get into the holiday spirit — the Chicago and Aurora markets run from November 22 to December 24 . Prepare to snack on some Wiener schnitzel and glühwein , shop for some glass decoration , and meet the market ’s Christkind namesake , a Au - clad Angel Falls adorned with a summit who traditionally brings gifts to child in German - speaking country .

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Nuremberg , GermanyPerhaps the most famous holiday market in all of Germany — the Christmas market capital of the humanity — Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkthas been fetch the cheer since way back in 1628 , making it one of the longest - running Christmas gather in Europe . Here , you ’ll find the requisite miniskirt - Greenwich Village of cubicle selling one - of - a - sort handcraft gifts as the smell of sausage , mull over - wine-colored , and burning woodwind instrument hovers over all . And because you ’re in one of the most beautiful city in Bavaria , the fairytale vibes are strong even before you spot one of the class ’s denominate Chriskind Angel roll the grounds . Even better ? This is Europe , which think of the also - rattling markets of Frankfurt andMunichare only ashort wagon train ride away … just do n’t result without essay the regionally specific lebkuchen cooky and Nuremberg blimp — take three to a bun — that you ’re unlikely to find anywhere else . you could take vantage of this holiday cheer until December 24 .