By Ruth Cawley
With the festive season nearly upon us, Christmas markets are setting up shop all over the world. The best Christmas memories originate mostly from atmosphere and festivities than exchanging gifts or stressing about meeting all your deadlines. These listed markets offer more than great seasonal shopping opportunities. By visiting any of them over the weekend, you can immerse yourself in the bustling European cities and take in the dazzling decorations, delicious foods, and unique traditions. Each one are perfect destinations to create unforgettable festive memories!
In no particular order, here are the top picks for Christmas markets in 2024:
Edinburgh, Scotland
First and foremost, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is renowned in Europe for being one of the busiest festive events of the year. With the backdrop of cobblestoned streets and Edinburgh Castle, the location truly makes the whole experience seem magical for shoppers. The highlights of this event include a carnival atmosphere with a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink as well as stalls selling Scottish crafts and warming whiskies. Other amusement rides include a helter skelter and an 80m-high star flyer.
This year’s Edinburgh Christmas Market has been dubbed the ‘most beautiful in Europe’ by Travel and Leisure Asia online magazine. Since the market officially opened on the 15th of November, crowds have been almost manic with queues stretching around street corners and heavy footfall is certain for the remainder of the season. Queuing seems to be the worst aspect of the market overall! However, there is no entrance fee so anyone can wander the space and take in the atmosphere free of charge. The amusement rides cost between £4-13, depending on the ride and ticket type (adult, concessions). Locals can avail of a 20% discount upon providing proof of address.
While Edinburgh is certainly one of the costlier locations for Christmas, there are many weekend deals on offer with travel sites like Cassidy Travels and Love Holidays. Such deals cover accommodation and flights for the group with the option of including breakfast or other small amenities. For friend groups with at least three people, this can be very cost-efficient for students and young adults looking for a short break abroad.
Tallinn, Estonia
The fairytale setting of Tallinn Christmas Market in Estonia makes the experience incredibly memorable for visitors. Everything is set up in Tallinn’s medieval Town Hall Square with snow-covered city rooftops in the background. The Christmas tree takes centre stage of every market since 1441, making it the first ever Christmas tree to be publicly displayed in Europe. There is a winter wonderland vibe in the air due to the cold weather and the venue being one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. It truly transports visitors back in time. In 2024, the market runs from 22 November until 27 December.
Estonia is not short on merchandise! Estonian handicrafts like tall triangular candles and tree decorations are very popular with tourists. Handmade and intricately designed ceramics and jewellery are …. Stalls are selling traditional foods like sauerkraut and black pudding as well as sweet treats like gingerbread and pancakes. Since Estonian culture is closely related to that of the Nordics, glögg (spiced/mulled wine) and similar winter drinks are on offer to warm yourself from the bitingly cold air. One of the market’s main points of entertainment are its evening performances from dancers and musicians, contributing to a merry ambience. Visitors can try other experiences in the old town such as the Third Dragon Medieval Tavern, guided walking tours, gingerbread-making workshops, and costumed dinner events.
Shandon Travel offers a decent bundle for 3-5 nights in Tallinn and direct flights from Dublin into the city, all for approximately four hundred euros per person. There are other packages available for purchase online. Alternatively, it can be easier to travel from a neighbouring city or country. Be aware that there are ferries departing between Helsinki and Tallinn at low prices.
Vienna, Austria
The Viennese Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) is one of earliest to hit the streets by opening on 8 November 2024 at Rathaus City Hall (Rathausplatz). The venue is beautifully illuminated with fairy lights and hosts over one hundred stands each year. An international choir performs at the weekend with free attendance. Space is utilized at the city hall for workshops in making decorations and sweet treats. The market is projected to end on St Stephen’s Day (26 December) this year.
From Austrian-styled jammy doughnuts to roasted chestnuts to Sachertorte (chocolate cake), one can feast on countless cultural treats from this region. Mulled wine and homemade punch are common staples at this festive event, leaving appetising aromas in the air. In addition to wonderful cuisine, visitors can enjoy ice-skating trails and artisan crafts. Viennese snow globes are very popular souvenirs with shoppers as they depict beautiful Christmassy scenes. There are many smaller markets set up throughout the city around landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace. Each of them runs through Christmas but with different opening and closing dates.
Vienna is known worldwide for its charm and stellar reputation for orchestral music. Therefore, it is widely encouraged for tourists to attend music concerts and visit the city’s renowned museums and palaces for a more immersive experience of local culture. Vienna remains one of the most popular Christmas destinations and several budget deals are available online and with various travel agencies. Flights and accommodation are typically included for between 350-500 euros per individual. It is recommended that students travel in larger groups and prioritise convenient lodgings over lavish ones.
Dresden, Germany
As the host of one of the longest-running markets, Dresden is a first-class choice of destination for Christmas shopping. It has been operating since 1434 and will open for business this year on 27 November until Christmas Eve. Striezelmarkt is the given name to the main event which is returning for its 590th year and with over 240 stalls of splendid items. A Christmas pyramid lies in the centre of Striezelmarkt as a decorative landmark for the holiday season.
The market is split into ten separate specialties that stretch across the city. The Winter Lights market focuses on illuminations and pyrotechnics with a large Christmas tree as its focal point. Other sub-markets focus on traditional aspects of German culture and showcase the various industry techniques stemming from the city such as woodworking, ceramics, and mining. Holding festive workshops with these skills in mind entertains shoppers and creates wonderful Christmas memories to look back on for years to come. It is recommended to try Christstollen (cake with sweetened fruit and nuts) or purchase wooden art from the Ore Mountains as a souvenir of your trip to Dresden. Rides on the Ferris wheel offer visitors a bird’s eye view of the festive scene and many beautiful photographic opportunities.
As one of the more popular destinations, Dresden is expected to be packed with people in November and December. Crowds might be a deterrent, but the attractions appear to outweigh the inconveniences. The festivities breed a vivacious atmosphere, making it an unmissable event for shoppers and especially for students in search of new travel experiences.
Brussels, Belgium
Known as ‘Winter Wonders’, the Brussels Christmas Market is one that delights the nation of Belgium each year. Transformed into a snowy wonderland, the main square and streets are lined with pop-up stands and eateries. The market runs from 29 November 2024 until 5 January 2025, guaranteeing five weeks of festivities for those inclined to visit. It stretches across Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, and Marché aux Poissons.
Like many international markets, a Ferris wheel offers many opportunities for breathtaking photography of the city and its festivities. The ice-skating rink and light show at the Grand Place are sought-after attractions at this event. Alternatively, City Hall plays host to acrobatic performances that centre around Belgian heritage and history. Acoustic and contemporary musicians perform weekly at Tour Noire as some of the latest additions to Winter Wonders. There are also various immersive experiences and art exhibitions on display in the streets. The market in Brussels is the ideal place to browse for trinkets and treasures you couldn’t find anywhere else as well as traditional staples like Belgian waffles, chocolates, and glühwein.
Students who want to experience the Brussels Christmas Market 2024 can book reasonably priced deals with Shandon Travel (includes flights leaving from Cork and accommodation). Similar offers are being promoted by Cassidy Travels. For anyone outside of Ireland, the Eurostar runs directly to Brussels from London St Pancras in approximately two hours.
Montreux, Switzerland
Running from 21 November until Christmas Eve in 2024, Montreux is an unmissable market for tourists to Switzerland. Each year, it goes above and beyond to impress and delight its visitors during the festive season and make it a memorable experience with unique exhibitions. It is set up on the coast of Lake Geneva and hosts over 170 stands of craftsmen, vendors, and dining options. For example, the Woodcutter’s Hut is social spot known for its Lumberjack Tea, gourmet pizzas, and Flammekueches (savoury tarts).
At other chalets, one can find a Wish Forest where hang handwritten wishes are hung on Christmas trees. Chillon Castle collaborates with Montreux Christmas Market to hold artistic workshops and animation showings for shoppers. These activities offer visitors opportunities to learn about local culture and lore. Walking along the Riviera also provides beautiful photo opportunities with the illuminated markets lighting up the horizon. For a timelessly magical experience, it is highly recommended to arrive and depart from Montreux Christmas Market on the Golden Pass Belle Époque train. This is encouraged if you are staying in a nearby city instead of Montreux itself. Love Holidays and LastMinute.ie offer deals including accommodation and flights to many Swiss cities at reduced prices.
The crown jewel of Montreux’s market is the daily Santa flight experience. At hourly intervals between 5-7pm, Santa Claus’s sleigh soars over the Swiss Riviera on a zipline, giving the illusion that it is really flying. This spectacle is magical for adults and children alike and truly infuses a festive cheer to the markets.