Europe Christmas markets open until the end of year or January

Christmas Markets are usually open from the last weekend in November until 24 December, coinciding with Advent, the month before Christmas. To make the most of the opportunity to visit less crowded destinations, here are some of the Europe Christmas markets open until the end of year or January.

These dates may come as a bit of a surprise in Spain, where due to the celebration of Epiphany, many Christmas activities are extended almost into January. For this reason, you may think that if you go to Christmas destinations at the end of December you will find the atmosphere that attracts so many people every year, but the truth is that this is not the case for most of them.

Europe Christmas markets open until the end of year or January

Alsace Christmas markets

Many of the Christmas markets in Alsace and new this year Strasbourg keep their Christmas markets open until the end of the month, so if you want to escape the crowds of the long weekend, after 24 December you still have options to enjoy Christmas in Alsace.

• Strasbourg Christmas Markets: until 27 December
• Obernai Christmas markets: open until 31 December
• Sélestat Christmas markets: open until 29 December
• Colmar Christmas markets: open until 29 December
• Turckheim Christmas markets: open until 30 December
• Eguisheim Christmas markets: open until 29 December
• Mulhouse Christmas markets: open until 27 December
• Munster Christmas Markets: open until 27 December

More details about the markets can be found in our The Alsatian Christmas markets.

South of France Christmas markets 

Christmas markets in the South of France are a good option to visit some Christmas markets open until the end of the year and even until the first week of January, such as the Village de Noël in Le Barcarès. Among those that are open, don’t miss them:

• Le Barcarès Christmas Village Fair : from 16 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
• Perpignan Christmas markets: to be confirmed. Usually open until the first week of January.
• Narbonne Christmas market: to be confirmed. Usually open until the first week of January.
• Carcassonne Christmas market: from 4 December 2024 to 4 January 2025.
• Béziers Christmas market: to be confirmed. Usually open until the first week of January.
• Toulouse Christmas market: from 28 November to 29 December from 28 November to 29 December

Christmas markets in Austria 

Vienna Christmas markets are one of the longest open, as they usually open early in mid-November and some don’t close until after the New Year. There are also a few other locations that extend until the end of the year:

• Town Hall Square Christmas Market in Vienna: until 26/12
• Christmas Village at Beldevere Palace in Vienna: until 26/12
• Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna: until 6/1
• Christmas Market at Stephansplatz in Vienna: until 26/12
• Winter Market Riesenradplatz in Vienna: until 26/12
• Salzburg – Christkindelmarkt: until 1/1
• Christmas Market Maria-Theresien-Straße in Innsbruck: until 6/1
• Panorama Christmas Market in Hungerburg (rooftop): until 6/1
• Innsbruck Christmas Markets: from 15 November 20234 to 6 January 2025.

Christmas Markets in Germany

Cologne at Christmas is one of the best proposals to enjoy Christmas in Germany, the country of origin of Christmas markets. The Heinzels market and its beautiful ice rink are the only ones that keep going after 24 December. You can also find Christmas markets open until the end of year in Berlin:

• Cologne – Heinzels Wintermärchen: open until 5/1
• Baden-Baden Christmas Market in the Black Forest: until 6/1

• Triberger Christmas Markets: until 30/12
• Berlin – Winter World Potsdamer Platz (snow ramp): until 1/1
• Berlin – Lansberger Allee flea market: until 28/12
• Berlin – Breitscheidplatz flea market: until 5/1
• Berlin – Gendarmenmarkt Flea Market (Bebelplatz): until 31/12
• Berlin – Rathaus (City Hall) flea market: until 30/1
• Berlin – Charlottenburg Christmas Market: until 29/12

London Christmas Markets

London is one of the great cities that dazzles every Christmas with its Christmas markets. Its Christmas markets are not so traditional, but they also have their charm.

• Southbank Centre Winter Market: until 5/1. It is one of the biggest markets with food and typical Christmas craft chalets and lots of mulled wine, the mulled wine in the UK.
• Convent Garden Christmas: until 5/1. London at Christmas time is synonymous with lots of shopping and ChristmasFood and of course the Convent Garden is decorated for the occasion. Every year 40 big bells and a big Christmas tree are installed.
• Kingstown Christmas Market: until 1/5. The German Markets, as they refer to the most typical markets take over Kingstown Upon Thames, even with a Christmas pyramid. Lovely atmosphere and lots of arts and crafts.
• Hyde Park Wonderland: until 5/1: the big The Christmas amusement park takes over Hyde Park every year and usually organises an interesting New Year’s Eve party.

Christmas markets in the Czech Republic 

Prague is another city that traditionally extends some of its markets. Highlights include the beautiful market on Old Town Square and the small Christmas market at Prague Castle. Only one other city in the Czech Republic has markets that last beyond Christmas Day:

• Prague – Wenceslas Square flea market (Václavské náměstí): until 6/1.
• Prague – Republic Square Flea Market (náměstí Republiky): till 30/12
• Prague – Prague Castle Flea Market (Pražský hrad): until 6/1
• Český Krumlov: until 1/1

Christmas markets in South Tyrol 

The Christmas markets in South Tyrol in the north of Italy extend the Christmas markets in the villages:

• Bolzano: until 6/1
• Bressanone: until 6/1
• Brunico: until 6/1
• Merano: until 6/1
• Vipiteno: until 6/1

Christmas markets in Hungary

This year’s best Christmas destination according to European Best Destinations also extends beyond the most important Christmas dates:

Budapest: until 1 January 2025.

Christmas markets in Estonia 

In this postcard-perfect Christmas destination you will find options beyond the end of the year.

Tallinn: until 27 December

Christmas markets in Sweden

Sweden is not a country that extends its Christmas markets too long, but in 2023 you also have an option:

Göteborg – Liseberg flea market: until 30/12

Christmas markets in Switzerland 

The same goes for Switzerland, they are usually closed according to tradition with some exceptions:

Lucerne: until 31/12

Tips for visiting Christmas markets

• If you can avoid the weekends and the central dates of the December long weekend: this is when the Christmas markets are most crowded. It’s best to visit them during the week.
• To find good prices on hotels and flights, it is best to book in advance. In March and April you can already find flights scheduled for December.
• Children love Christmas markets for their fairground rides, lights and food. Many cities even open Christmas markets for the little ones, with fairground rides and many workshops adapted for children.
• A good way to combat the cold in December is to have a snack at the markets, either with a mulled wine or a typical sweet.
• For cheap eats, the Christmas markets are an excellent choice: you’ll find everything from sausages to meats and lots of sweets. In France, crêpes are also popular, and in countries such as Austria there is no shortage of cakes and pastries. Eating at Christmas markets is an excellent way to get to know the local Advent gastronomy.
• Bring back a souvenir glass- one of the ultimate souvenirs of Christmas markets in Europe!