The Christmas markets in Europe are where you can smell fresh gingerbread, shop for handmade gifts and clink a cup of spicy Glühwein. If that’s what you’re after, we’ll help you plan the perfect Christmas market tour.
Many of Expat Explore’s annual Christmas tours to Europe include opportunities to visit markets. We’ve rounded up the ones worth going to and the tours that will get you there.
Related: Read more about which Christmas tours in Europe we recommend.
How to pick a Christmas market tour
Here are a few things to consider when choosing your Christmas market tour.
Decide how many markets you want to hit
If you’re a traveller on a mission and want to visit as many Christmas markets as possible, you’ll want to look for a tour that visits the right cities with free time to explore the markets. Or, if you’re planning to visit one specific market, you can focus on the tour that takes you right where you want to be.
Visiting around Christmas Day vs New Year’s Day
Visiting a market on or before Christmas gives you the opportunity to purchase thoughtful gifts for loved ones. However, over the New Year period, many markets remain open. The atmosphere is jolly, and you can browse for local snacks, hearty meals, or souvenirs.
The length of the tour
The festive tours range from seven to 20 days. If you want to cover more than one Christmas market, a longer tour will give you more opportunities to market-hop.
However, you can still have a beautiful Christmas market-centred trip on a shorter tour, like the Great Britain Christmas tour, which will allow you to visit three markets in one week.
Which region in Europe is right for me?
Europe doesn’t do one version of a Christmas market. Where you go shapes what you get, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you book. We’ll help you find the perfect tour to hit up your favourite Christmas markets.
Western Europe
In cities like Munich, Vienna, and Paris, markets are typically large, polished, and centred around long-standing Christmas traditions. Imagine rows of decorated wooden stalls selling ornaments, handcrafted souvenirs, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and Glühwein.
These markets often include ice-skating rinks, Ferris wheels, Christmas concerts, choir performances, and large-scale light displays.
Top markets in Western Europe
- The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz in Munich
- “The Ghent” in Belgium
- Winter Festival and the La Magie de Noël in Paris
The tour we recommend
The Europe Highlights Christmas brings you to Munich, Ghent and Paris right at the height of the festive season, and is timed perfectly to catch each of these markets on the days you’re in town.
Dates to remember
This tour runs from 22 December to 31 December 2026.
Eastern Europe
In cities like Prague, Kraków, and Budapest, Christmas markets tend to feel more medieval and locally rooted, set against Gothic churches, Baroque squares, and cobbled streets. You’ll find chimney cakes, grilled meats, goulash, pierogi, and handmade crafts alongside folk music, live choirs, nativity performances, and traditional dance displays.
Top markets in Eastern Europe
- Prague’s Christmas Markets in the Old Town and Wenceslas Square
- The Advent Basilica Christmas Market in Budapest
- Ljubljana’s Christmas / New Year Market
The tour we recommend
The Eastern Highlights Christmas & New Year tour promises Christmas market success!
Dates to remember
This tour runs from 23 December 2026 to 2 January 2027.
Northern Europe
In Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn, Christmas markets are usually smaller and more design-focused. They offer simple stalls, candlelit seating areas, fire pits, and Scandinavian-style decorations.
You’ll find eats and treats like smoked salmon, reindeer dishes, cinnamon buns, ginger biscuits, and mulled berry drinks, while stalls often focus on locally made knitwear, wool products, candles, and homeware.
Top markets in Northern Europe
- The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen
- Tallinn’s Christmas Market
- The Riga Dome Square Market
- Humboldt Forum Christmas Market in Berlin
The tour we recommend
The Northern Explorer Christmas & New Year is loaded with opportunities to explore traditional festive markets.
Dates to remember
This tour runs from 17 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
The UK
Cities like Edinburgh, London and Glasgow should not be forgotten when it comes to Christmas markets. You can look forward to fairground rides, hearty Yorkshire pudding wraps stuffed with roast meats and gravy, and hot chocolate spiked with Scotch whisky. Settle into a cosy beer tent, shop for everything handmade from jewellery to leather goods, and marvel at the bright Christmas light installations.
Top Markets in the UK
- Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London
- St Enoch Winter Market in Glasgow
- Edinburgh’s Christmas Market
The tour we recommend
The Great Britain Christmas tour hits London, Glasgow and Edinburgh at peak season for a market-packed itinerary.
Dates to remember
This tour runs from 22 to 28 December 2026.
Related: Explore more of Europe’s top-rated Christmas markets.
Planning your Christmas market tour
When does the Christmas market season actually run?
Most European Christmas markets open from mid-November and run until 23 or 24 December. However, if you’re looking to travel on or after Christmas, you’ll still find markets that continue through the New Year in places like Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. It’s always a good idea to research any specific markets you want to visit, as some open dates change from year to year.
Where am I most likely to get a white Christmas?
Your best chances are in Northern and Central Europe, particularly Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Austria and southern Germany. Mountain regions and alpine towns are far more reliable for snow than major cities like Paris or London. Think of snow as a cherry on top rather than a guarantee, but up in the Alps, it’s a pretty reliable one.
What should I pack for a European Christmas tour?
Layers are essential, so you can put on or take off as you go indoors or outdoors. Pack a warm, waterproof coat, thermal base layers, gloves, scarf, beanie, and thick socks. You will also need warm, comfortable, water-resistant boots that dry quickly, and you can comfortably walk in for at least 5km.
Is Christmas Day on tour different from Christmas at home?
The honest answer: yes, and that’s the point. You’ll spend Christmas Day in a city that’s likely very different from home, with a group of people you didn’t know before but who have become friends. You’ll enjoy dinner that someone else organised. It can feel less rushed and definitely less pressured. It will be different, and it will be memorable.
Related: See this ultimate Christmas tour packing list.
In closing
Choosing a Europe tour that visits the best Christmas markets will depend on which region you’re interested in, what you want from a market and where you’re keen to spend your Christmas Day, so it’s a good idea to compare the tour dates to your preferred markets.
Ready to go? Book your festive tour today.