As the holiday season upon us, there is no better time to experience the magic by visiting some of the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets.
With their twinkling lights, festive treats and one-of-a-kind artisanal gifts these markets are an experience in themselves, perfect for a 2025 holiday to remember. Make sure to visit these Winter Wonderland spots and experience some unforgettable memories!
Why German Christmas Market?
Christmas markets in Germany are unique centres of holiday tradition, cheer, and fun. Dating to the 16th century, these traditional markets expose visitors to an old-world vibe, with scavenger hunts for artisanal finds — usually carved from linden wood — attracting more than two million visitors each year.
The best attractions you can do include ice skating beneath twinkling lights at markets like. As a special quirk, some include exhilarating rides like Ferris wheels or antique carousels.
Snack on a giant pretzels, sizzling bratwurst (sausage) and roasted almonds while sipping delightful glühwein (mulled wine) poured into collectable mugs. At most Christmas markets you can discover artisanal gifts, live music and puppet theatres for kids who will also enjoy immersive workshops.
European top Markets
The European Christmas markets are sensory overload, and bucket-list travel for any traveller, dripping in history, culture and the holiday spirit. Rooted in centuries-old traditions these markets are more than just a place to shop, think of warm mulled wine (glühwein), gingerbread and carollers.
Bonus: Wherever you find festive drinks in the markets of Vienna, sip it from a mug in the form of cosy collectables, such as a snowman or boot! Prague has its own stunning light decorations in town, while Strasbourg is called the “Capital of Christmas”.
Each market has an individual character which should be counted among the must-dos on every traveler’s wish list for a classic European Christmas.
• Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt – Nuremberg, Germany
One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets, featuring traditional handmade artisans’ crafts, mulled wine, and delectable Nuremberg sausages in a medieval atmosphere. Opening on 29 November 2025 until 24 December 2025.
• Strasbourg Christmas Market – Strasbourg, France
This market, directly in action from mid-November to December 24th, enchants visitors with its stunning Alsatian timber-framed houses, over-the-top decorations and a focus on real crafts and regional specialities.
• Vienna Christmas Market – Vacaluigi Town, Austria
Near the gorgeous City Hall, this market has ice skating, holiday music and booths selling handmade gifts, Christmas ornaments, and Vienna snacks such as apple strudel and roasted chestnuts. Opening around 15 November 2025 until 24 December 2025.
• Prague Christmas Market –Prague, Czechia
With its sprawling Old Town Square as a canvas, this market absolutely nails the holiday vibe with unique Czech delights like trdelník (cinnamon- and nut-adorn chimneys), hot wine and beautiful ornaments. Opens from 30 November 2025 until January 6 2025 making it perfect for a late visit.
• Weihnachtsmärkte zu Köln – Cologne, Germany
Known for charming decor, high-quality crafts, and delicious holiday goodies, there are many themed markets across the city including one underneath the famous Cologne Cathedral. You can visit from 18 November 2025 until 23 December 2025.
North America
Christmas markets in North America represent a colourful celebration of festive spirit, with plenty of local flavours. Here, you will find the echoes of their European counterparts with markets like the Chicago Christkindlmarket delivering authentic Bavarian flair (think bratwurst, pretzels and handmade ornaments).
Toronto’s Distillery District gets a boost of holiday magic from cobblestone streets, twinkling lights and one-of-a-kind Canadian treats such as maple taffy. Vancouver Christmas Market even offers visitors a walk-in Christmas tree, now that is something you can brag with.
These markets provide a fairytale blend of festive cheer, local flavour and good times making them go-to destinations for anyone travelling around North America during the holidays.
• Toronto Christmas Market – Toronto, Canada
European charm and Canadian warmth converge on-site at this market nestled inside the historic Distillery District, where lights twinkle overhead amid local crafts, live entertainment, poutine and maple taffy. You can enjoy this festivity from 13 November 2025 to 5 January 2025.
• Christkindlmarket Chicago – Chicago, USA
For the Midwest version of Nuremberg’s traditional market, the this market will serve bratwurst and gluhwein amidst an array of handmade gifts available at outdoor stalls. Take place beginning 22 November through 24 December 2025 with only two locations this holiday season.
• Union Square Holiday Market – New York City, USA
The Market Line — A lively, Manhattan-based market featuring artisan stalls, gourmet bites and special yurts selling unique holiday gifts for city adventurers. Runs from 16 November – 24 December 2025.
• Vancouver Christmas Market – Vancouver, Canada
Set on the waterfront with breathtaking views, this one has fantastic German-style fare served, mulled wine and festive music within a neat little picturesque setting. Opens from 13 November until 24 December 2025.
• Christmas Village — Philadelphia, US
Located in LOVE Park, this market brings an atmosphere with a European feel with diverse international flavours and local artisans amidst the backdrop of Philadelphia landmarks. Opens from Thanksgiving, 28 November to Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 2025.
South America
These festive marketplaces boast lively charms unique to the season in South America, marrying well with exotic tropical parades. The area is not known for European-style Christmas markets but places like Medellín sparkle with Alumbrados Navideños (Christmas lights) that can compete against the best in the world.
Yeah — Montevideo is an underrated gem for its markets, where you can find handmade Uruguayan goods and eats local (almond alfajor, anyone?). Early November, Christmas fairs combined Brazilian flavours and tropical holiday vibes in São Paulo.
The festive events and markets that take place in South America during the holiday season provide an excellent combination of seasonal celebration and cultural experience, giving rise to places to visit for those seeking something a little different while travelling. 5 of the greatest Christmas markets or festive experiences in South America!
• Mercado de Navidad Montevideo — Uruguay, Montevideo
A lovely market with some homemade goods, local foods and unique Uruguayan celebratory customs. The perfect little spot to view during the month of December some lights and grab some handmade gifts, yes, please!
• Christmas Market – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Christmas Fair in Brazil is one of the Brazilian largest Christmas fairs, with plenty of colourful decorations, craft stalls and food from different regions of Brazil. The market encapsulates both a classic and a tropical festive spirit during December month.
• Parque Arauco’s Christmas Fair – Santiago, Chile
Located in the upscale Parque Arauco shopping neighbourhood, this market mixes traditional Christmas art with more contemporary holiday festivities in December, from light shows to seasonal cuisine.
• Medellin Christmas Lights and Market — Medellin, Colombia
Medellín is also known for its Alumbrados Navideños (Christmas lights), accompanied by festive markets full of local crafts and Colombian snacks, all under the glow of beautiful light displays. This usually lasts from the beginning of December until the beginning of January.
• Mercado navideño Recoleta — Buenos Aires, Argentina
Located in the artsy Recoleta neighbourhood, this market highlights Christmas crafts, gourmet snacks and live shows for a taste of European-style traditions with an Argentine twist in December.
Asia
So where else to celebrate Christmas than in Asia combining the best of seasonal traditions and a unique local twist? Christmas Markets where people gather to enjoy food stalls and carol singers on every corner.
The brand-new Saying Nod to Tokyo Christmas Market serves up German mulled wine (allrecipes.com) in precious mugs and Taipei Christmasland has bright interactive light displays, these markets highlight holiday spirit.
This makes sense as long as you know that many of Seoul’s markets offer traditional Korean street food in addition to international holiday fare, like gingerbread. For every traveller seeking some festive magic in this colourful part of the world, these markets in Asia blend local with international holiday unique traditions.
• Tokyo Christmas Market – Tokyo, Japan
This traditional-style European Market boasts a large Christmas tree and an awesome variety of German foods + Craft artisan crafts in Hibiya Park. Part Western tradition, part Japanese precision from 19 November to 25 December 2025.
• Seoul Christmas Market — Seoul, South Korea
Combine Korean Christmas festivities with international influences at their markets, which you can find at places like Dongdaemun Design Plaza or Banpo Hangang Park and serve street food, unique gifts, and beautiful lights during December.
• Taipei Christmasland – Taiwan, Taipei
Known for its spectacular light installations and interactive displays, this New Taipei City market features live performances, seasonal snacks and a fairytale holiday vibe from 15 November and running for 48 days.
• Christmas Wonderland Singapore —Singapore
Tropical takes on Christmas with European-style chalets, festive lights and carnival games at this market. Singapore’s biggest Christmas fair is located at Gardens by the Bay from 29 November 2025 to 1 January 2025.
• Christmas market in Shanghai – Shanghai, China
Shanghai German Christmas Market where you can find festive foods, glühwein and artisan crafts usually found in luxury shopping areas or international districts. Runs from 22 November to 24 December 2025, however, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Australia
Christmas markets in Australia are infused with sunshine and colour, bringing festive traditions and Australian culture together. Picture yourself strolling amongst stalls of hand-crafted goods, enjoying the smell of freshly cooked barbecued prawns and sipping a chilled glass of local wine.
You can also find unique gifts to brighten the holiday season that you will not be able to find anywhere else just in Melbourne.
Elsewhere, Sydney’s Christmas Fair mixes rides and stocking stuffers into a fun time for young and old. Showcasing a mix of traditions, culture and creativity, as well as the warm summer temperatures visitors can expect during the festive season down under this holiday hot spots are not to be missed!
• The Big Design Market – Melbourne, VIC
Taking place in December, this market is an oasis of creative holiday shopping with more than 200 independent designers with unique handmade gifts, artisan crafts and gourmet food amongst the holiday décors.
• Sydney Christmas Fair – Sydney, New South Wales
A market is more friendly to the kids, including rides as well as food and decorations for sale. This is a summer spin on Christmas celebrations set in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands which you can enjoy from the end of November until Christmas.
• Brisbane Christmas Markets — Brisbane, Queensland
Located in South Bank, these markets boast live music, seasonal performances and a selection of stalls that sell handmade gifts, local produce and yummy things like gingerbread and mulled wine from 30 November to 21 December 2025.
• Adelaide Christmas Market — Adelaide, South Australia
A lovely market featuring artisans, crafts and foods of the season. Usually takes place during December in Victoria Square, the festive centre point for shopping and entertainment over the holidays.
• Perth Christmas Night Market — Perth, WA
Summer Nights Market, renowned for its lively ambience, the market showcases unique artisanal gifts, scrumptious food trucks and live music providing a casual yet celebratory feel beneath the summer night sky during December.
Africa
Christmas markets are a fantastic holiday tradition in Africa that combines all the festive cheer and spirit with a rich cultural experience. Christmas fairs often include locally crafted beadwork and crafts, an example of many artistic traditions found.
During this time in Mauritius, the markets light up with all that tropical holiday atmosphere, and mini-island-inspired goodies and decorations. The extensive range of markets offers holiday goers the chance to celebrate Christmas and experience many African cultures and traditions, making them an unmissable part of this festive season.
• Kirstenbosch Craft and Food Market — Cape Town, South Africa
Held in the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, this market is filled with locally produced crafts, artisanal goodies and healthy South African treats, all served outdoors and surrounded by nature during December time.
• Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Christmas Market Cape Town, South Africa
A landmark Festive event at the iconic V&A Waterfront showcasing artisanal gifts, seasonal entertainment and twinkling festive decorations next to Mum Table Mountain this Christmas.
• Place de la La Rocaille Christmas Market – Port Louis, Mauritius
This market is where tropical life meets holiday cheer, handcrafted Mauritian products, traditional food, and a vibrant blend of tradition and contemporary buzz.
• Nairobi Christmas Fair – Nairobi Kenya
These fairs, hosted at picturesque spots like Karura Forest or some local mall, display Kenyan crafts, colognes and holiday activities to give the Christmas experience an African touch from 28 November to 24 December 2025.
• Accra Christmas Village – Accra, Ghana
An event comprising a local market, showcasing locally made products, traditional Ghanaian foods and cultural performances, creating an amazing mix between the holidays and Africa.
Savour the Wonders of the Season of Christmas Markets
The Christmas Markets are more than just a holiday activity, this festive tradition is an experience that gives travelers a taste of local culture and holiday cheer in the heart of where it all happens.
Catch mulled wine out of a collectable mug in Germany, gaze at spectacular lighting displays in Asia or shop for artisan woodwork at one of the African or Australian markets all bring a spark that stands alone. So, this is a festive journey that every traveller should try at least once in their life because it truly captures the magic of the holidays.
That’s a wrap for today – stay curious, keep exploring and see you again soon!
