Events, Festivals and Exhibitions
Merano pairs alpine scenery with belle‑époque elegance, and its Christmas Market makes the most of both. Rows of cosy huts line the Passer river, with warming mulled wine, Südtiroler specialities,
Bressanone’s Christmas Market unfolds beneath the cathedral towers on Piazza Duomo, with wooden huts selling artisan gifts, tree decorations and regional delicacies. Expect choirs, brass bands and a leisurely, family‑friendly
Porvoo, one of Finland’s prettiest wooden towns, strings a festive ‘Christmas Path’ through the centre on weekends from 29th November to 21st December 2025. Expect cosy stalls, carousels and mulled
Tampere’s Joulutori fills Central Square with wooden cottages, crafts and daily entertainment from 29th November to 22nd December 2025. Arrive a week earlier for the pre‑market atmosphere, then return for
Kilkenny’s Yulefest brings a welcoming, small‑city vibe to Christmas with a market on The Parade against the backdrop of Kilkenny Castle. Weekend stalls showcase Irish makers, seasonal bakes and warming
Dating back to 1786, the Fira de Santa Llúcia spreads out before Barcelona Cathedral with rows of stalls selling trees, decorations and Catalan traditions like caganers and Tió de Nadal.
If you are thinking of a slightly alternative Christmas market in Europe away from Vienna, Salzburg and Dresden you would do far worse that considering the Vilnius Christmas market. Vilnius
Set against the monumental backdrop of the Palace of Parliament, the Bucharest Christmas market turns one of the city’s largest open spaces into a festive hub of winter excitement. With
Riga’s Old Town hosts one of the Baltics’ most atmospheric Christmas markets, centred on Dome Square beneath the towers of Riga Cathedral. Expect artisan gifts, woollens and wooden toys, along
Few places feel as cinematic at Christmas as Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The Winter Festival strings lights along Stradun, the polished limestone promenade, and scatters wooden kiosks and performance stages through
Calais runs two festive hubs rather than one long linear market. The Village de Noël takes over the covered hall on Place d’Armes with a seasonal ice‑rink (30‑minute sessions), a
Prague’s Old Town Square hosts the Czech capital’s flagship Christmas market, flanked by the gothic Týn Church and the baroque St Nicholas. Wooden chalets heap with hand‑painted baubles, carved toys
Wenceslas Square complements Old Town’s headline market with a lively strip of chalets selling seasonal snacks and gifts along the historic boulevard. With two metro stations on the square and
Advent Zagreb is Croatia’s flagship Christmas celebration and one of Europe’s most decorated festive events. The city centre becomes a constellation of themed zones, with cheerful market stalls, street food
Rijeka’s waterfront city centre comes alive for Advent with a chain of installations and kiosks along Korzo and up at Trsat Castle. Expect street performances, regional flavours and sparkling decorations
Nestled in the heart of eastern Hungary, the historic city of Debrecen dresses itself in festive splendour each winter for the beloved event known as Debrecen Advent. As the days
Sigtuna’s Christmas Market unfolds on four Advent Sundays—30th November, 7th, 14th and 21st December 2025—turning Sweden’s oldest town into a festive promenade along Stora gatan. Expect choirs, Lucia processions and
Celje’s ‘Fairytale City’ returns with weeks of free events, concerts and children’s shows spread across the historic centre. As European Christmas City 2025, Celje puts on an especially elaborate programme,
Tartu’s Town Hall Square becomes a snug winter village, with lights strung above glass pavilions and a daily programme that keeps the square lively throughout Advent. Expect Estonian handicrafts, warming
Advent Pula casts a warm glow over Istria’s biggest city, setting up cheerful cabins and stages around the Giardini promenade and nearby parks. It’s an extended, family‑friendly season that pairs
