Europe's Christmas Markets are among the most anticipated events on the seasonal travel calendar. From medieval market squares draped in fairy lights to baroque palace courtyards filled with the scent of mulled wine, each market has a character entirely its own. As Christmas Markets dates for the 2026 season are confirmed, we'll be updating this guide with everything you need to plan your visit. 

November 13 – December 26, 2026

The Rathausplatz market spreads across the plaza in front of Vienna's neo-Gothic City Hall, its wooden stalls glowing against the illuminated façade each evening. Locals and visitors gather here in equal measure for market staples like Glühwein and roasted chestnuts, for a turn on the surprisingly expansive ice rink and for the simple pleasure of wandering beneath the twinkling heart-shaped lanterns strung through the trees. Vienna does Christmas with a particular elegance, and this market sits at the heart of it. 

November 27 – December 24, 2026 

The Christkindlesmarkt is arguably the most famous Christmas Market in the world, and arriving at Nuremberg's medieval Hauptmarkt for the first time, it's easy to understand why. Nearly 200 stalls fill the square each year with the city's iconic Lebkuchen gingerbread, hand-painted ornaments and roasted almonds. The market's combination of medieval surroundings, iconic red-and-white striped tents and genuinely festive energy makes it a benchmark against which every other Christmas Market tends to be measured. 

November 23 – December 29, 2026 

Colmar feels tailor-made for Christmas. Walking along half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes and flower-lined canals, this Alsatian city already looks like something from a festive illustration, and in December the market stalls only deepen the effect. Spread across five distinct squares, each with its own character and focus, from the food-centric Gourmet Market to the locally stocked Indoor Market, Colmar rewards those who take the time to explore all of them. Few seasonal destinations in Europe match it for atmosphere. 

November 20 – December 23, 2026 

Set within the baroque courtyards of the Thurn and Taxis Palace, Regensburg's Christmas Market is one of Germany's most character-rich. The palace grounds provide a genuinely theatrical backdrop, with stalls selling handmade gifts, regional foods and mulled wine alongside a petting zoo, a children's train and live music. Unlike most public markets, entry requires a ticket, which is included on AmaWaterways itineraries that feature this market, making it one of the more compelling reasons to experience Regensburg this way.