Dresden, Germany

Dresden has the most Christmas markets in the country's east and is one of the cities that can lay claim to the title of having the oldest Christmas market. The Christmas season is extremely popular in Dresden and the surrounding areas of Saxony. The most popular Christmas events and markets are in Altstadt, but it's worth spending time outside of the city center for a few hours to explore other areas. Germany's most well-known and oldest Christmas market features stalls selling a variety of presents and both traditional and contemporary cuisine. Both youngsters and adults can enjoy some of the most well-known Christmas rides here.
 

Strasbourg, France

It's not surprising that Strasbourg refers to itself as the "Capital of Christmas" as its Christmas market, which dates back to 1570, is the oldest in all of France. The Strasbourg Christmas markets provide a variety of sights and activities, including its iconic Christmas tree, regional cuisine, festivities, and shopping options and therefore it is considered one of the best European Christmas markets 2022/2023. Although there are technically 14 different market areas, many of them blend without much of a distinction and some contain only a few chalets. The Christkindelsmärik in Place Broglie is the oldest and most well-known area of the Strasbourg Christmas market. Numerous customary ornaments, such as Christmas lights, nativity scene figurines, and vibrant ornaments, can be found at the Christkindelsmärik. Local foods and crafts are also sold by artisans. Everything from regional wine and honey to leather artisans, jewelers, and coppersmiths will be on display.

Salzburg, Austria

Since 1974, Salzburg has had a Christkindlmarkt, as it is recognized today around the world. Every year, the market is officially opened with the appropriate ceremony on the Thursday before the first Sunday in Advent, and it closes its doors for the last time on January 1. At the Christmas market on Salzburg's Cathedral Square, you can find almost anything you could possibly want, including regional folk customs and traditional decorations for the Christmas tree, gifts for children and adults, candles to help create a festive atmosphere in your own home, and a variety of delightful treats like mulled wine and hot punch. Every Christmas season, this well-known Advent market welcomes a large number of tourists in addition to enjoying great popularity among locals. The Christkindlmarkt is more than just a gathering place for over 100 market stalls. Additionally, the event's organizers have made sure that visitors are treated to a vibrant daily events schedule, which includes readings of Christmas stories to children, Krampus parades, guided Christmas tours, choral concerts, appearances by the "Christ Child," festive music played from the neighborhood's towers, and much more.

Budapest, Hungary 

The fair in Vörösmarty Tér (Vörösmarty square) is the most well-known and well-liked Christmas market in Budapest. You may buy traditional Hungarian handicrafts at this Christmas market, along with a variety of mouthwatering foods that taste so good that your stomach will beg you to sit down and eat something. You should try the traditional chimney cake with its delicious cinnamon flavor if you prefer some easy cuisine. There will be Christmas light painting displays at Cafe Gerbeaud in the evenings. You feel as though you are in the thick of the Christmas narrative thanks to the charming Christmas light display on the Cafe Gerbeaud exterior. The large Advent calendar that Cafe Gerbeaud originally displayed on its exterior has been replaced in recent years by a laser ray painting. All the amazing atmosphere makes Vörösmarty Tér one of the best European Christmas markets in 2023.

Tivoli Copenhagen, Denmark

At Copenhagen's scandi-chic Tivoli Gardens, a famous amusement park that changes into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, you can experience the charm of a Nordic Christmas. It's not surprising that this magical setting draws more than a million tourists each year with its over 500,000 dazzling lights, wooden houses in the Scandinavian style, and snow-covered trees. Two steam engines have been added to the Trainsbury Station theme, which debuted in 2017, along with an ancient station structure where you can have aebleskiver (apple dumplings) and glögg (mulled wine). In preparation for Christmas and New Year's Eve, Tivoli will welcome tourists on November 18 with events including visiting Santa Claus and his elves, riding a pony, and sampling traditional Danish pancakes.

Winchester, UK

One of the best European Christmas markets is Winchester Cathedral. The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, which runs from November 18 through December 22, is well-known for its lively atmosphere, picturesque setting, and hand-selected high-quality exhibitors. Every year, shoppers worldwide come to the market to peruse the pretty wooden chalets located within the historic grounds. The wooden chalets, which are modeled after traditional German Christmas Markets, along with the holiday lighting, the sound of Christmas carols, and the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon wafting through the air, will transport visitors into a joyous setting where they can shop for Christmas presents and enjoy the festivities.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Sweden's Christmas city is Gothenburg and for good reason. Christmas celebrations almost take place every day across the city beginning in late November and lasting until Christmas. The Gothenburg Christmas markets are a must-see attraction and are quite famous in Sweden. Beginning on November 19, Liseberg Christmas Market (Liseberg Julmarknad) will be open. This is Gothenburg's coziest and best holiday market. This is without a doubt the Gothenburg Christmas market you should visit if you only have time to attend one. As soon as November arrives, Liseberg is turned into a winter wonderland, complete with fire pits, Christmas lights, and music playing throughout the amusement park. There are set-up stalls selling waffles and hot chocolate. Markets offering handmade goods like cloudberry jam and knitted socks fill the streets. One of the Christmas rides is transformed into Santa's workshop, where you can send Father Christmas a copy of your wish list. This is true magic.