Christmas may be a good few months away, but it is always a good idea to get in the Christmas spirit and prepare for the festive period well in advance. Apart from the Christmas tree, gifts and all the sweet treats, decorations, and rituals associated with Christmas, if there is something that everyone looks forward to as winter arrives, is the Christmas market. Just like different traditions, every region also has a different type of Christmas market. If you have visited every major Christmas market and event in the UK, it’s time to look beyond and towards Europe, as European nations have some of the best Christmas celebrations and markets in the world. Without further ado, here is a list of the top Christmas markets in Europe that you must visit in 2023.
- Valkenburg Christmas Market, Netherlands
Europe’s largest underground Christmas market, the Valkenburg Christmas market is certainly one that must be visited to appreciate its true beauty and essence. Located under the tunnels of the Gemeentegrot quarry, at the foot of Cauberg Hill and in the other-worldly caves of Valkenburg, this Christmas market has something for everyone, including the usual traditional ornaments and trinkets as well as the more specialised and sophisticated items. The festival will run from 17 November 2023 until 7 January 2024 and tickets must be bought in advance from here.
- Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, Black Forest, Germany
Many popular places in Germany have beautiful Christmas markets, like Dresden and Nuremberg. However, if you are looking for something quaint and more authentic, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market is a must-visit. The eco-friendly market is set up under a 40-metre-high railway viaduct in Baden-Württemberg, where more than 40 wooden chalets sell locally made products like lambswool knits and hand-carved wooden masks. The market will remain open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 24 November 2023 and 17 December 2023. Tickets need to be booked online here.
- Liseberg Christmas Market, Gothenburg, Sweden
The Christmas market at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg is one of the most attractive Christmas markets in the country, particularly for children. The winter wonderland not only includes shops selling new and traditional local items but also has an ice-skating rink, Santa’s Village with elf workshops, and restaurants serving traditional Swedish Christmas delicacies. You can plan your visit and book your tickets here.
- Zrinjevac Park, Zagreb
A true winter wonderland, the Christmas market at Zrinjevac Park in Zagreb has everything to make your Christmas shopping experience special. From giant lanterns, lights, live music, ice rinks, and huge Christmas trees to wooden hut stalls selling a variety of local goods and foods, this one has it all. Zagreb itself is an amazing place to be during the festive period as it hosts a six-week-long Zagreb Advent festival across the city. It is set to take place between 2 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.
- Berner Sternenmarkt, Berne, Switzerland
If you wish to enjoy a European Christmas this year, in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, then the Berner Sternenmarkt Christmas market in Berne, Switzerland is the best place to be. It offers panoramic views of Switzerland’s capital city and 80 curated stalls, which change weekly throughout December, selling anything from Swiss-made soap dispensers and scented candles from the village of Mürren to edible treats that benefit communities in Tanzania and Bali. The festival will be held between November 23rd and December 29th, 2023.
So which one will you be ticking off your bucket list in 2023?
Regardless of which you choose, ETW Travel experts can help you plan the perfect winter break to Europe, including a dedicated day or more at any of these or other Christmas markets. Contact us at 01908 886491 or email us at woburn@etwtravel.co.uk now to get the best rates and deals.
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