The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2025
There's nothing quite like a festive market to bring out the Christmas spirit in people.
While these events can be traced back to Vienna – the Austrian city's first recorded December market was in 1298 – the tradition has spread across the world over the centuries.
From Germany and Switzerland to Singapore and New York, it's difficult to find a coveted destination that doesn't hold an impressive annual market. In fact, some have grown so popular that they've become tourist attractions in their own right.
Here is CNN Travel's rundown of some of the top Christmas markets taking place around the world this year.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria
With a reindeer train, a giant Ferris wheel and a giant Advent wreath, Vienna's magical spectacle encapsulates the festive spirit fantastically.
Although the Austrian capital holds around 20 Christmas markets, Wiener Christkindlmarkt (or Rathausplatz) is one of its oldest and most traditional events.
The event, also known as Viennese Dream Christmas Market, is held in front of City Hall and features a 110-square-metre children's ice rink. The famous Tree of Hearts, a giant maple tree decked out with hundreds of glittering hearts, is a favourite with visitors and a great photo opportunity.
Plenty of stalls offer tasty treats such as Austrian sausages and gingerbread cookies, along with homemade Christmas punch.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt runs from November 14 to December 26. The ice rink, or Ice Dream at the Christmas Market, will be open until January 6, 2026.
Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland
It's hard to find a destination that does Christmas better than Switzerland.
Most Swiss towns are taken over by festive markets at this time of year, and the atmosphere is incredible. Basel Christmas Market is the biggest and arguably the best around.
Separated into two sections, at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, it hosts around 150 decorated stalls selling everything from Christmas spices, decorations and candles.
READ MORE: Basel is a 'melting pot' of views, history, and art
Family attractions include the Christmas fairytale forest at Münsterplatz with activities such as gingerbread and candle decorating, a star-making workshop and a puppet show.
Attendees can take a walk up the stairwell of St. Martin's tower for views of the lights illuminating the old town or sip on mulled wine at the Christmas pyramid on Barfüsserplatz.
Basel Christmas Market opens on November 27 and is scheduled to run until December 23.
Strasbourg Christmas Market, France
One of Europe's oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg's began back in 1570, but has evolved considerably since then.
Spread over more than 10 locations, the hugely popular market lights up the city with thousands of twinkling lights and festive ornaments.
Drawing in over 2 million people a year, it features hundreds of wooden chalet stalls selling everything from decorations and presents to local Alsatian wine.
Place Kleber is probably its most popular spot thanks to the Great Christmas Tree. But visitors will be treated to countless magical sights while wandering through the city's narrow alleyways and pretty squares.
Strasbourg Christmas Market begins on November 26 and closes on December 24.
Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium
Brussels really comes to life at Christmas time thanks to Winter Wonders, which is more akin to a festival than a market.
One of Belgium's biggest and most popular events, the annual extravaganza extends across the open spaces of the Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Grand Place, Place Sainte Catherine and Marche aux Poissons.
A light and sound show, ice skating and fairground rides are among the activities and places to enjoy. Visitors can also browse through about 200 chalets serving glühwein (mulled wine), Belgian beers and waffles while staring in wonder at the enormous Christmas tree in Grand Place.
Brussels Winter Wonders will run from November 28 to January 5.
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas markets, Prague, Czech Republic
To say the city of Prague goes all out at Christmas is an understatement. The Czech capital is the very definition of a winter wonderland during the festive period.
READ MORE: Things to do in Prague: The ultimate first timer's guide to the Czech capital city
While there's no shortage of markets throughout the city, the main ones can be found in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Thankfully these spots are only a few minutes' walk apart, so revelers can easily visit both in a day.
Old Town Square provides entertainment in the form of live shows, dance performances and creative workshops. Wenceslas Square is great for handmade gifts and local treats such as klobasa (Czech sausage) and mulled wine.
The markets will be open from November 29 to January 6, 2026.
Fira de Santa Llucia, Barcelona
Dating from 1786, Fira de Santa Llucia has grown from a one-day event to commemorate the December 13 feast day of Santa Llucia to a three-week fair.
Held right outside Barcelona Cathedral, the bustling market is separated into four sections.
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The first is Nativity and Figurines, where visitors can pick up decorations and models to create traditional Bethlehem manger scenes. The Greenery and Plants section is packed with both natural and artificial trees and, of course, plants.
The Crafts section features handmade products and jewelry, while the Simbombes section is mainly made up of musical instruments.
There are also many festive activities such as storytelling, a Christmas parade and the Caga Tió, an enormous, piñata-style Christmas log that spills out candy and gifts when beaten with a stick.
Fira de Santa Llucia will be taking place from November 28 to December 23.
I Mercati Natale, Piazza Santa Croce, Florence
There's much to see at this enchanting market, but nothing can top the beautiful backdrop supplied by Santa Croce's Franciscan Basilica.
Although this traditional fair, also known as Weihnachtsmarkt, is based on German street markets, it's a very Italian affair in many ways thanks to the scenery and the many local treats, such as panforte, for sale.
However, there's certainly no shortage of gingerbread, strudel and traditional Heidelberg Lebkuchen cookies.
Those who take a walk to the nearby Piazza del Duomo will be treated to a magnificent nativity scene, as well as an impressive Christmas tree that's lit up ahead of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
I Mercati Natale begins on November 15 and runs to December 24.
Advent in Zagreb, Croatia
It's easy to see why Zagreb was voted the "best Christmas market destination" in travel portal European Best Destinations' online poll for three consecutive years.
Made up of around 25 Christmas markets spread across the Croatian capital, Advent in Zagreb is a magical sight.
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Think live Nativity scenes, ice sculpture carvings, outdoor gigs, pop-up bars and a Christmas tram complete with Santa and his elves.
Advent in Zagreb also has an area devoted to "fooling around" (or "fuliranje") where you'll find delighted revelers dancing in the street while eating street food and listening to live entertainment.
Advent in Zagreb 2025 is scheduled to run from November 29 to January 7.
Christmas in Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark
Visited several times by Walt Disney before he developed Disneyland, this Danish amusement park and pleasure garden is a dazzling place to visit any time of year.
But you'll struggle to find anywhere as enchanting as Tivoli Gardens during the festive period.
With more than 1,000 beautifully decorated Christmas trees adorning the beautiful grounds, and everything from fairground rides to a traditional Pixie Band for entertainment, it's a winter experience like no other.
This year's line up of activities also includes a magical light installation of luminous "fireworks."
The annual Lucia procession on December 13, where more than 100 girls process through the gardens carrying candles and singing to mark St. Lucia's Day, is a particular highlight, along with the firework displays that take place between December 25 and 26, as well as New Year's Eve.
Christmas in Tivoli is taking place from November 14 to January 4.
