Seven Christmas Markets around the world to visit next

Is it too early to talk about Christmas markets in October? I don’t think so.

If you are planning a trip to a Christmas Market that involves overnight stays, or even long-distance travel if you want to visit the awesome Christmas Markets across Europe, you have no time to waste to make the necessary reservations and arrangements.

Living in Germany means you are spoiled with beautiful Christmas Markets. From the century-old Christmas Markets in Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Dresden, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Munich, to an almost unlimited number of small, cosy markets scattered throughout the countryside, and – a real treat – those often privately organized taking place in and around many of Germany’s historic castles and monasteries, there is a Christmas market here for anybody.

Over the years, I have been to many of the fairytale German Christmas Markets. However, there are many I have yet to tick off my bucket list, including some of the most famous ones outside Germany as well.

Below, I have put together my bucket list of Christmas Markets around the world I am planning to visit or revisit sooner rather than later. And I hope this list can be an inspiration for your own Christmas Market travel planning.

Salzburger Christkindelmarkt, Austria

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town, the iconic Christkindelmarkt in Salzburg is dubbed be one of the most beautiful in the world.

It is also one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the 15th century, and still held in the original place at Cathedral Square in the historic core of Salzburg. That said, the market as you will encounter it today goes back to the early 1970s.

For those who love classic music, every night from December 1st to 23rd the Salzburg Advent Ensemble will perform Mozart’s greatest hits at Hohensalzburg Fortress, just a stone’s throw away from the historic city centre.

Vienna Christmas Markets, Austria

There are few cities packed to the brim with such rich culture and historic sites like the Austrian capital. But visiting in December when the whole city is adorned with festive lights and decorations and the scents of mulled wine, roast chestnuts, cinnamon, vanilla, and gingerbread waving through the streets adds a special magic. Even more so when a bit of snow is involved.

Throughout the whole city, there are various Christmas Markets which all offer their individual feeling. The more central ones include the one in front of the imposing City Hall spotting a huge holiday tree surrounded by dozens of stalls, the one at the stunning Stephan’s Cathedral (head here for the fantastic Christmas concerts), and the one nestled between the Natural History Museum and Art History Museum at Maria-Theresien-Platz.

A smaller but nonetheless very special Christmas market not to be missed is the one at Schloss Belvedere. It is located right in front of the Upper Belvedere Palace, overlooking the stunning little park-like garden area.

Also not to be missed is the Christmas Market at Schloss Sch?nnbrunn. Located in the large outer courtyard in front of the imposing palace, the market offers a particular regal splendour. Here too are many stalls nestled around a giant Christmas tree.

Colmar Christmas Market, France

If I’d ask you to name one of the small fairytale Christmas Markets in France, I think there is a good chance the first one that will come to your mind is Strasbourg. Nothing wrong with that. Two million visitors each year can’t be mistaken. Yet it is that staggering number of visitors descending on a small destination like Strasbourg that makes me itch a bit. Thus, my pick of small-town wonderland Christmas Market would be nearby Colmar.

With its half-timbered houses and canal-lined cobble-stoned streets, Colmar is a true fairytale year-round. But decked out with Christmas decorations and sprinkling lights, this little French town becomes the ultimate Christmas wonderland. In fact, there are a total of six Christmas Markets, each being its own little mini-village and together they offer around 180 market stalls selling all sorts of craftmanship which comes mostly from Alsace, local food and off course lots of mulled wine.

Speaking of wine, during the six weeks Colmar’s Christmas Markets are open, special vineyard trips to the surrounding Alsace wine regions are organized to visit local wine cellars – which are decorated out for the festive season – meeting the winemakers and tasting their wines.

Reims Christmas Market, France

Who can resist a Christmas Market located in the veritable wine region of Champagne in France?

Only 45 minutes from Paris and ideally connected via the fast train route IGV, the 3rd largest Christmas Market in France is the perfect destination for those international travellers that come with a thirst for bubbles.

The market nestled in front of the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral in the heart of Reims boasts more than 140 market stalls selling all sorts of delicacies from the Alsace region. And off course you will find mulled wine offered here too. However, I would certainly not mind having a glass of bubbly whilst enjoying a ride at the Christmas ferry wheel overlooking the historic city of Reims shining with Christmas lights and decorations.

Rovaniemi Christmas Market & Village, Finland

Certainly, Rovaniemi must be the most magical Christmas Market in the whole world. After all, if rumours are correct, the capital of Lapland counts Santa Claus himself among its 62,000 inhabitants.

The city, located only around 10 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, boasts a year-round Santa Claus Village. However, visiting during the holiday season must be the most magical experience one can imagine. With the temperatures dropping below freezing, there is not only the Christmas Village waiting. Personally, I am looking forward to the whole package: go ice fishing, ice climbing, dogsledding, have a ride in a reindeer sled, relax in a Finish sauna, sleep under the stars in a glass igloo, and with a bit of luck admire the Northern Lights.

Quebec Christmas Market, Canada

Hands down my favourite Canadian city. Old town Quebec is the perfect fairytale destination year-round. So, it is likely no surprise that returning to experience the city during the winter season is right on top of my bucket list. It must be truly magical seeing the narrow cobbled-stoned streets and historic houses covered in snow and adorned with Christmas decorations.

New York City, United States

Who is not familiar with the huge Christmas Tree and the ice-skating ring next to it at the foot of Rockefeller Centre?

Then there are the various Christmas Markes (including the most popular at Bryant Park and Colombus Cycle Holiday Park right at the entrance to Central Park), the incredibly creative Christmas decorations adorning shopping windows and facades along the main shopping streets, Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighbourhood with its famous twinkling lights, holiday concerts, and off course all the other attractions New York offers at any other time of the year too.