Christmas Markets in Europe

Inaugurated on 20th November on Barfüsserplatz, in the heart of the old town, Basle’s Christmas market is the oldest in Switzerland and one of the biggest in Europe. For centuries, traders and craftspeople from all over the country have set up shop in about a hundred illuminated small wooden houses, 500 metres from the Rhine.

 

In addition to the Christmas market, be sure to visit Johann Wanner’s large boutique in Spalenberg street, not far from the town hall. Locally born Wanner has found worldwide fame for his handmade Christmas decorations, which are ordered every year by Queen Elizabeth II, the Vatican and the White House. A must!

 

The most unusual and authentically Alsatian Christmas market is no doubt the one in Colmar.  The old town is decorated and lit up like an engraving by Hansi, a native of the region, to whom a fine exhibition is devoted at the Unterlinden Museum. Everywhere in the streets are the four candles attached to branches of holly and fir to protect against evil spells, symbolising the four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas.

You will also find magnificent, fragrant Christmas trees from the Vosges forest – let’s not forget that it was Alsace, and more specifically the town of Sélestat, which popularised Christmas trees in France back in the 16th century. Take a stroll along the canals and try the aniseed-flavoured bredle, washed down with a glass of cinnamon- and orange-flavoured mulled wine. At nightfall, be sure to go on the guided tour, taking in the town’s oldest half-timbered houses with their snow-covered roofs.

 

For children, the town of Colmar has set up a gigantic letterbox on Place des Six Montagnes Noires, where they can post their letter to Father Christmas for free.

 

The oldest German city stands out in the run-up to Christmas for its conviviality, good atmosphere and “Kölsch” – which is both the dialect of Cologne and the beer brewed in the region… From 26th November, the historical quarters host no less than six Christmas markets, attracting over 3 million visitors every year! All of them are located in the vicinity of the Cathedral and offer mulled wine, pastries, ice rinks and shows galore, but each one is unique and has its own cachet.

 

Alter Markt

Set on the old market place, this is one of Germany’s most welcoming Christmas markets, with its half-timbered stalls evoking the old, pre-war Cologne.

 

Neumarkt

With some 60 stalls nestling at the foot of the fortified Hahnentorburg gate, this market, inspired by fairytales, is aimed at children.

 

The Chocolate Museum

Hamburg has always been famous for its fabulous Christmas markets (among the biggest in Germany, with 2.8 million visitors each year) which stretch over 3km, straddling several city centre squares.

 

On the market place, opposite the impressive city hall, are a hundred or so stalls run by confectioners (lovingly decorated by Roncalli’s circus), toy makers, craftspeople and punch makers. The historical merry-go-rounds will appeal to adults and children alike!

 

In the cold of northern Germany, what a pleasure it is to warm up by munching sugared almonds and stöllen, or lovely pancakes with honey!

 

© KMK Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a charming little country at the crossroads of France, Belgium and Germany.

 

The Christmas market of Luxembourg (the capital) is held on the Place d'Armes and Rue du Curé, right at the heart of the city. Set around a Christmas tree, 70 wooden chalets accommodate craftspeople, artists, regional producers and traders from abroad.

 

Children will discover a Nativity scene with 65 figurines dating from the late 19th century at Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral.

 

Central station: 30th November to 24th December.

The Christmas markets of Metz are the most renowned in Lorraine, starting with the one on Place de la Gare. Here, in the heart of Wilhelm II’s Imperial Quarter, a large Nativity scene is set beneath the branches of a giant fir tree and the chalets built on the square are in the shape of carriages. In the evening, the square is lit by tapering lampposts created by French designer Philippe Stark.

 

To reach the city centre and Saint-Etienne Cathedral, you will cross the big Esplanade, famous for its fountain in the shape of a water nymph and its view of the marina. Every winter, this majestic site accommodates an ice rink, Ferris wheel and a street of 20 chalets… Here you will also discover a 700m² big top where children’s shows are organised.

 

For fans of craftwork, the must-see Christmas market is the one on Place Saint-Jacques, whose 20 magnificently decorated chalets are notably dedicated to Christmas decorations.

 

Place de la Gare: 24th November to 30th December, from 10am to 8pm.

Esplanade: 24th November to 6th January. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 9pm; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and school holidays from 10am to 9pm.

Place Saint-Louis: 24th November to 30th December from 10am to 8pm (late-night opening on Saturdays, until 9pm).

So, on Saturday 1st December, the saint made his appearance in the middle of Place Stanislas. This was followed by a big firework display lasting 30 minutes.

 

On Sunday 2nd December at 4pm, a parade of floats and bands, followed by a brass band, set off from Cours Léopold and Place Carnot, covering 3.6 km. Around 7pm, after the parade, the mayor of Nancy handed the keys of the city to Saint Nicholas who, followed by the famous Père Fouettard (originally in charge of punishing rascals), handed out presents to the children and opened the firework display in front of the Palais du Gouvernement.

 

23rd November to 24th December, Sundays and Mondays from 11am to 7pm, 10am to 7pm the rest of the week.

Strasbourg’s 437th Christmas market stretches out around its cathedral. Created in 1570, this gargantuan market has never stopped growing and spreading. This year, the guest of honour is Quebec, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary. A village of Canadian craftspeople will be set up in Place Gutenberg, not far from the cathedral and a stone’s throw away from the traditional book market.

 

The Christmas lights were switched on in all the shop windows in Strasbourg on 23rd November, starting in Place de la Gare, which has been fully renovated to accommodate the new TGV Est. This square, planted with 170 trees, will be lit up by tens of thousands of firefly lights.

Town hall park (Rathauspark) hosts the famous “Christ child market” (Christkindlmarkt) created in 1278 by King Rudolph Ist of Hapsburg (1218-1291). With its 140 wooden huts and its giant fir trees decorated with paper lanterns and sweets, it is the country’s biggest and oldest Christmas market.

 

Wonderfully decorated and offering a wealth of events, this generally snow-covered market is renowned for its Glühwein (cinnamon-flavoured mulled wine), Muskatnockerln (nutmeg macaroons), Vanillekipferl (small vanilla-flavoured croissants) and Rumkugeln (rum and walnut balls).

 

You will also learn how to decorate a Christmas tree Austrian-style, the tree coming from the Tyrol, naturally! Red ribbons tied to the end of its branches, the tree must be covered with a multitude of decorative objects such as wax figurines, plain or gilded pine cones, gingerbread, garlands decorated with red berries and dried fruit, candles and also bottles of schnapps (for the grown-ups, of course!).

 

A Christmas market is held in front of Schönbrunn Palace, considered by fans as authentic with its arts and crafts and cultural programme: choirs, Nativity scenes, concerts – all against a resolutely romantic imperial backdrop.

Town Hall Park: 17th November to 24th December.

Zürich offers one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, held on the central station concourse, fully decorated for the occasion: it’s impossible to miss the 160 stalls on leaving the TGV Lyria!

 

The old town’s more traditional Christmas market covers Hirschenplatz, Niederdorfstrasse and Rosenhof – a chance to explore this timeless and charming city centre.

 

Zürich’s newest Christmas market, the one on Werdmühleplatz, is appealing for its intimacy (only 12 stalls) and its choir.

 

Central station: 23rd November to 24th December; Monday to Friday from 11am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Old town: 8th to 23rd December.

Bahnhofstrasse: 23rd November to 24th December.