20+ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET TIPS & MUST-KNOWS | Dates, Food, Planning, What to Pack & More!

[@HappytoWander]

*Hey everyone!* Very excited to be back with a new video, condensing all my top Christmas market tips for those who are headed that way this year! Let me know in the comments if you have a European Christmas market adventure planned, so I can be equal parts jealous and excited for you :) In case you need it, I have a written version of this post with some more details and tips! You can read it here: happytowander.com/european-christmas-market-tips/ *And here are some of the resources I mentioned in the video:* Christmas Markets in Europe Dates List: christmasmarketsineurope.com/christmas-markets-in-europe-dates/ Christmas Market Food & Drink to Try: happytowander.com/german-christmas-market-food-drinks-you-need-to-try-this-winter/ All my Christmas market videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLb78p25Bk5LY7x0Ca0nu-njoG2NgNaW9b

[@darrellhornick7764]

December 2024 - Brussels, Cologne, Strasbourg, Basel and Zurich. Can't wait.

[@pinklily1063]

We’re doing Vienna, Salzburg, Strasbourg and Paris!! Have a lovely trip ❤

[@daveposte5042]

Leaving on 12 Dec On the Danube Budapest, Melk, Vienna, Regensburg, Passau and Nuremberg and 3 extra days in Prague

[@HappytoWander]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Hope you enjoy it!! The Christmas market at Thurn & Taxis Castle in Regensburg is really worth checking out by the way - it has a small admission fee but it's really stunning.

[@dianecassidy3676]

Going to Dusseldorf and Cologne next week for 4 nights. Very excited!

[@HappytoWander]

Wonderful! Hope you have an amazing time

[@kat22885]

Heading to Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart (with a side trip to Esslingen). Your website and videos have been invaluable!

[@HappytoWander]

YESSSS I love that you are going to Esslingen. Best Medieval Market by far!!! Hope you have an amazing time.

[@kallietinnel3905]

Flying to Germany Wednesday!! Hitting up Wiesbaden. Bonn, and Dusselforf

[@HappytoWander]

Awesome! Hope you have an amazing time. Here is my Düsseldorf Christmas Market guide if you need it: happytowander.com/dusseldorf-christmas-markets-guide/

[@rtbarth]

Returning to Christmas markets on the Danube!

[@HappytoWander]

That's great!! I hope you have an amazing trip :)

[@missystried34]

We just got to Germany for tour tomorrow. Munich, Nuremberg, Salzburg and Vienna.

[@HappytoWander]

That's so exciting! I hope you have an amazing time :) Make sure you don't miss the Medieval Christmas Market in Munich. It's my favourite! Here's a roundup of the best markets in the city to visit if you have time to explore a bit off the beaten path: happytowander.com/munich-christmas-markets-guide/ PS: If you need a place for dinner, the Xmas decorations at Liebighof are amazing! And the prices there are also fairly affordable.

[@jamiedabbs8876]

Doing a little Rhine Christmas Market Cruise this December with my family - multiple generations - and we are so excited! We have embarkations in Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mannheim, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Amsterdam, and Brussels! Love your videos and would relist and appreciate any tips! We did a few markets along the Danube in 2019 as well and loved it!

[@andrewmcadie4961]

Hi Christina.., great video and we picked up a couple of tips. Thanks. Heading to Brussels, Cologne, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallin, Regensberg, Prague, Florence and Rome. Very excited and looking forward to it. Cheers

[@HappytoWander]

Wow - what an itinerary! I'm beyond jealous. Don't miss the Christmas market at Thurn & Taxis Castle in Regensburg - it's a ticketed event but absolutely amazing. Here is my guide to Christmas in Brussels: happytowander.com/brussels-christmas-market-guide/ And my guide to Christmas in Cologne: happytowander.com/cologne-christmas-market-guide/ Safe travels! :)

[@butenbremer1965]

My favorite Christmas market in GER is located at Ravennaschlucht in the Blackforest!!!!

[@HappytoWander]

I've always wanted to visit that one!! Great to hear it's amazing. Hopefully I'll get to see it myself someday.

[@JohleneOrton]

We're heading to Brussels, Brugge, Ghent & Amsterdam 🎄

[@HappytoWander]

Ahh amazing. I hope you have a great time! Here is my guide to Christmas in Brussels: happytowander.com/brussels-christmas-market-guide/ And if you want a quirky drink experience in Ghent, hit up Dulle Griet - they have a special glass that they're so scared of people stealing, they take one of your shoes as a deposit and hang it in a basket above the bar haha!

[@peggyries1891]

Heading to Bergamo and Verona, Italy. So excited!🎄🥂

[@HappytoWander]

Ah I love Verona! Haven't made it there for Christmas yet but I hope you have an amazing time. In case you need pointers on things to do, here's a post I recently published: happytowander.com/things-to-do-in-verona-italy/

[@peggyries1891]

@@HappytoWander thanks so much! I've been loving all your videos for the past few years. Thanks for your perkiness and information! Love it!💖🎉😘🥂

[@Bgmutza]

We leave for Copenhagen in less than 3 weeks and, at your suggestion, I checked the times and locations of the markets we want to visit. I’m glad I did because one of the markets has moved! Thank you for the tip!

[@joseetherrien7928]

I will be in Budapest, Vienna and Prague in December, tks for your tips!

[@russmeans]

We cruise the Danube from Budapest to Amsterdam November 29. Scoping out Budapest,Vienna, Regensburg for sure

[@HappytoWander]

Ah sounds like an amazing trip. Hope you have a great time!

[@bmackmt5372]

Thanks!

[@HappytoWander]

You’re very welcome!! Apologies for not seeing this sooner. I appreciate the super - thanks so much!

[@dbileigh]

You're baaaack!

[@HappytoWander]

took me long enough!!! hope you get a chance to come visit sooooon

[@shariscarysiewert6712]

Thanks for the tips, we have been to the markets a few times in Germany-- this reminded me of things/lessons learned(carry bag for shopping) etc Heading to Germany this week! great info, thanks for sharing.

[@HappytoWander]

You're very welcome. Hope you have a great trip!

[@benedwards2566]

Heading to the markets for my first time in 3 days! Starting off in Prague for 3 days then taking a river cruise with Uniworld between Nuremberg and Frankfurt to visit additional markets. So excited!

[@HappytoWander]

Oops sorry I didn’t see this comment sooner, Ben! Sounds like you’re probably on board by now? Hope you have an amazing time. River cruises are one of my favourite ways to travel Europe!!

[@benedwards2566]

@@HappytoWander just finished our extension in Prague and now off to board the ship!

[@NLMusique]

Great video on tips for the Christmas markets. We are thinking of visiting a Christmas market in the southern Europe cities. Which cities would you recommend? We thought about Budapest or Prague. We don't want to bring snow gear. Your suggestion is greatly appreciate it.

[@sla249276]

Second year to go to Germany for Christmas but doing a little more this year. Nuremberg to Cologne to Basel. Spending a week in each. Absolutely love Cologne. It is by far our favorite German city so far. Very excited. :P

[@rover-t]

heading to Zurich and northern Italy!

[@HappytoWander]

Nice! The Christmas markets in Northern Italy are SO high up on my bucket list. Here's my guide to Zurich's markets if you need some pointers: happytowander.com/zurich-christmas-market-guide/

[@Hctxrxybudrschuhgaycgx]

So helpful thank you!! Heading to Zurich Thursday.

[@HappytoWander]

Wonderful! Hope you have a great time. Here is my written guide to Zurich’s markets in case you need it: happytowander.com/zurich-christmas-market-guide/ Wishing you a wonderful trip! 🎄🎄🎄

[@lornaconstantine2198]

Great tips! You mention staying in one town, and exploring the villages around it. What are your recommendation's for good central towns to stay in?

[@Steven91637]

Trier and Cochem Germany 🇩🇪 has nice Christmas 🎄 Markets

[@lucybergagnin7747]

Loved this video! so many helpful tips. I am heading to Berlin and Cologne this Christmas. Any specific recommendations for the best markets ? 😊

[@sraalvarado5310]

Thanks for your videos.. Really enjoy them... This December will be Gothenburg, Sweden, Erlangen, Germany, and Schoonhoven, Netherlands... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@cpnast1]

Great video, heading to Germany, Vienna, Prague for a Christmas market river cruise, any other tips?

[@davidbennett6986]

Last year 2022, we went to Budapest, this year we are off to Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg. Thanks for the tips

[@RachaelMartin]

Awesome tips! I'm going to my first European Christmas markets this year in Prague, I am soo excited! 😄

[@HappytoWander]

ooh yay! Prague is such an amazing city. I hope you have a great time! Don't miss the Náměstí Míru Christmas Market - that one was my favourite for cozy vibes and fewer crowds!

[@RachaelMartin]

@@HappytoWander Thanks! I used one of your guides to help plan! Thank you! :)

[@Expart_Ziaur]

Thanks for the tips

[@HappytoWander]

You're very welcome!

[@annezimmerman4262]

Oh wow, thanks for this great resource! Subscribed! We're visiting for a few weeks in December, and I can make a plan and not wander around aimlessly... hehehe! :).

[@carolen7484]

Thanks so much. We plan to go to Vienna, Prague and Budapest xmas markets these years. Have you been? Any tips for us? Weather and which markets? Thanks.

[@CoverGirlNay]

I am most definitely one of those that is nosey and planning for the future . 😂 Thank you so much for the tips 😊

[@HappytoWander]

Love a fellow nosy planner!! Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!!

[@vickig2439]

Christmas market cruise Budapest to Munich 5 weeks to go

[@bobbyborges5420]

Leaving this week on v8king to markets on the Elbe river. Berlin to Prague. Any advice?

[@HappytoWander]

Ah that's great! I've been to Christmas markets in both Berlin and Prague. You're in for a treat! First off - Berlin's Christmas market scene is HUGE - over 60 markets through the course of the season. I wrote this post showcasing my favourites: happytowander.com/best-christmas-markets-in-berlin/ Will you be going to Dresden? If so, the markets there are incredible and definitely in my top 3 I've visited in Germany! Here's a guide to the markets there: christmasmarketsineurope.com/dresden-christmas-markets/ Lastly, Prague is a gorgeous city but the markets there (in my opinion) pale in comparison to the ones in Dresden and some of the ones in Berlin. The backdrops and scenery are fantastic but I found the shopping to be quite lacking, and the stalls just weren't as elaborately decorated. BUT here is my post about the Christmas markets there: happytowander.com/prague-christmas-market-guide/ PS: Be careful in Prague with the food pricing - many of the street food items in touristy areas are priced per 100g, not for a portion, so you can end up paying multiple times the written cost! Hope all this helps. Have a great time! I love river cruising. I actually interned one summer with a Viking competitor haha so saw their boats all the time.

[@bobbyborges5420]

@@HappytoWander awesome info. Yes we are going to Dresden as well . Keep up the great work!

[@sallieschissler4531]

We are headed on a Viking River cruise to visit the Xmas markets. We are visiting Budapest, Vienna, Krems, Passau, Bratislava, Nuremberg, Regensburg & Munich

[@liqiz1755]

Maybe you can visit one day Cologne, Dresden, Salzburg, Prag and Gdańsk. Nice Christmas Markets too.

[@Steven91637]

Innsbruck in Austria 🇦🇹 got a nice Christmas 🎄 Market

[@zeinaf.9237]

Great tips, thank you Christina! This Dec 2023 we are heading to the Netherlands and Belgium : starting in Amsterdam, heading to Rotterdam, Bruges, Ghent, Brussel and Antwerp. any related advice will be much appreciated for local markets, accommodation, transport and kids activities (7& 11 y.o) 🙌😅🤩😊

[@QueenWiggler]

Welcome back! I am going next year and having the hardest time picking an itinerary. So many options. Right now I am thinking Munich, Nuremberg, and Dresden with a daytrip from each but then I miss Cologne. Some tough choices but I only have about 10-12 days to spread it out. Thoughts?

[@HappytoWander]

What a tough choice! I do really love Cologne's markets. If you don't mind a quicker paced trip, I feel like you could possibly reduce your time in Nuremberg (it's a small city) and squeeze Cologne in... but most likely the only way this would make sense is if you fly into Cologne and out of Munich, or vice versa. I don't envy your decision, but just know your trip will be amazing no matter what, and it'll be a nice incentive to come back!

[@QueenWiggler]

@@HappytoWander Thank you. I feel like I need to...Cologne looks fabulous. I had already planned to do an open-jaw flight so now...to wait for flights to start showing so I can get down to the real planning. Can't wait to see more from you in the mean time!!

[@leticiafelixb]

@happytowander do you have the link to the article you mentioned about the foods and drinks on Christmas markets?

[@VickiJ-v7d]

What smaller towns would you recommend to visit for Christmas markets? I'm more interested in handmade items, not mass produced items. Thank you.

[@joangodwin6862]

Love your videos and tips! Flying to Amsterdam this December, want to visit German Christmas markets, any recommendations on best ways to get there, which ones to see, is it too much to try to to A, Amsterdam, Brussels, possibly Prague in a week?

[@amycarr7045]

This may be a silly question but I’m traveling overseas on United, was planning to take a 20” travel pro rolling suitcase and a backpack that is also 20” when stretched out, which hopefully it won’t be. What have you seen on your overseas flights? Are American carriers sticklers for the personal item size? Last time I flew it seemed like some pretty big personal item bags were carried on board. I don’t mind checking the bag returning. Any thoughts? ‘

[@HappytoWander]

Hi Amy, from personal experience, mainstream North American airlines aren't as strict as the European budget ones, so if you carry the backpack on your back and it doesn't appear to be super oversized, you should be fine. Of course, it will always depend on other factors like your gate agents that day, how they feel, how full the plane is, etc. but I've personally never had my personal item checked before on a North American airline. Hope that helps! I have my fingers crossed for you.

[@christinagonsalez7051]

Hello. My husband and I are planning a trip to see Christmas markets this year and are looking for suggestions as where to base ourselves. We like to have a place in one area and take day trips from there. We will probably spend a month with several days to a week per area. Any suggestions would be appreciated?

[@lindsayrambo9366]

Nuremberg or Cologne’s Market? And which city do you suggest flying into for France/German inexpensive flights to see the market? Love you videos!

[@madisondiloren4485]

We will be in Munich, Rothenburg, Prague and Salzburg. Big question, shoes do you recommend? Hiking boots? Waterproof? Thank u❤great videos 😊

[@ShaneNixonFamily]

Welcome back, it's been a while 😀

[@HappytoWander]

Haha it sure has. Good to be back though!

[@mariajuncos6472]

Hi Christina!! I'll be in Europe during Christmas time! In London, Paris, Bruge, Venice, Florence, Assis and Rome, any recommendations?

[@artsygirl2003]

saving this video ✅ 🎄❤️

[@HappytoWander]

Yay! Hope it helps you out in the future!

[@rickortiz2446]

It's a Christmas market they sell Christmas ornaments, candies, cookies sovereignors, drinks, food etc. Nothing out of the ordinary. Go these markets are beautiful

[@Steven91637]

Marburg Germany 🇩🇪 got nice Markets too

[@yaowsers77]

Lol I'm nosy and preparing for the future. I'm going for the 2026 season. I've nailed down where I'm going too 😂 I'm a Crafter and i wanna know what people are making😁

[@ladymc2021]

Love this! Your videos are great!

[@kingston4313]

Ur videos are lovely, love ur voice ❤

[@Steven91637]

Hamburg has great Markets

[@Wanderlustvids]

Fantastic tips for navigating European Christmas Markets! 😍🎄 If you're as eager to experience the magic as I am, you might enjoy my latest video featuring the 'Top 10 Christmas Markets of Europe - 2023' on my channel. Let's keep the holiday spirit alive and explore these festive markets together! 🌟🌍

[@whatsupwithwy]

Awesome video! Thanks so much

[@ghana1823]

This young lady did a Really nice job on this👍🏾. What she said is very helpful for those coming from the US. Yes Google Translate is a must when traveling in general. The nice thing about Europe though is that almost every single younger person, meaning non Elderly, all speak English and this is throughout all of Europe for the most part 🤗! I've been living here for 15 years & have been to 25 countries & have only had to use Google Translate a few times. But it's a wonderful tool to have! ❤

[@GGarvic]

Markets on the Danube!!

[@HappytoWander]

Amazing! I'm very jealous :) I assume you'll be visiting Vienna, Budapest & Bratislava then? I’ve done that trip in the summer before but never in the winter. I’ve heard their markets are all fantastic though. Have a great time!

[@GGarvic]

@@HappytoWander We also visited this area in late spring and loved it! Looking forward to 3 days in Budapest and 2 in Vienna! Also visiting Passau and Regensburg Germany.

[@luminouswarrior8667]

Mam, i wanna explore Europe maximum days at hand are 12 days... Can you help me with itinerary

[@phtochk7]

very informative video, but the background music makes its hard to hear what you are saying

[@onetwo2908]

No ho ho ❤

[@shabrinakumar1]

Germany!

[@barendinadrotsky]

Can you please lower your music, it is a bit difficult to hear you

[@sherristricker5176]

Destination: European Christmas markets in 2024!

[@garrettdouglass4549]

Your choice of music was just awful. It drowned out a lot of the video. Please don’t use it anymore.