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There’s nothing quite like a festive market to bring out the Christmas spirit in people.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt runs from November 10 to December 26.
Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland
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Basel Christmas Market is made up of decorated stalls selling Christmas spices, decorations and candles.
Basel Christmas Market opens on November 23 and is scheduled to run until December 23.
Strasbourg Christmas Market begins on November 24 and closes on December 24.
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This annual festive event has been lighting up the Belgium capital for over 20 years.
Brussels Winter Wonders will run from November 24 to December 31.
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas markets, Prague, Czech Republic
To say the city of Prague goes all out at Christmas is something of an understatement.
The Czech capital is the very definition of a winter wonderland during the festive period.
The markets will be open from December 2 to January 6, 2024.
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Set around Barcelona Cathedral, Fira de Santa Llucia has been around since 1786.
Fira de Santa Llucia will be taking place from November 24 to December 23.
Those who take a walk to the nearby Piazza del Duomo will be treated to a magnificent nativity scene, as well as an impressive Christmas tree that’s lit up ahead of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
I Mercati Natale begins on November 18 and runs to December 17.
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The Croatian capital stages around 25 markets across the city at Christmas in an event known as Advent in Zagreb.
Made up of around 25 Christmas markets spread across the Croatian capital, Advent in Zagreb is a magical sight.
Think live nativity scenes, ice sculpture carvings, outdoor gigs, pop-up bars and a Christmas tram complete with Santa and his elves.
Advent in Zagreb also has an area devoted to “fooling around” (or “fuliranje”) where you’ll find delighted revelers dancing in the street while eating street food and listening to live entertainment.
Advent in Zagreb 2023 is scheduled to run from December 2 to January 7, 2024.
Christmas in Tivoli is taking place from November 19 to December 31. (The park will be closed on December 24).
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Estonia’s Tallinn Christmas Market has been held in the Town Hall Square since 1441.
Skansen’s Christmas Market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 24 until December 17.
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Tuomaan Markkinat — the oldest outdoor Christmas market in the Finnish capital.
Tuomaan Markkinat’s centerpiece is a vintage carousel, but the countless vendors selling traditional Christmas delicacies, glogi, Finland’s take on mulled wine, and handicrafts are also a big draw.
Tuomaan Markkinat is set to run from December 1 to December 22.
Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market, Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has two main festive markets – St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas market, or Advent Bazilika, and Vorosmarty Square Christmas market.
In addition, there are around 150 stalls with vendors selling sweet treats, wine and arts and crafts.
Meanwhile, the Vorosmarty Square market is positioned in the heart of the city and attracts over 800,000 visitors annually.
The markets will open on November 17 and close on January 1, 2024.
Christkindlesmarkt and Gendarmenmarkt, Germany
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Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin’s most enchanting annual festive markets.
During the Christmas period, around 200 stands are erected in the city’s central market square and the whole area is abuzz with activity.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt 2023 kicks off on December 1 and ends on December 24.
Gendarmenmarkt opens on November 27 and is set to close on December 31.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is scheduled to open on November 17 and will continue until January 1, 2024
Krakow Christmas Market, Poland
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Krakow Christmas market, held in Rynek Glowny near St. Mary’s Basilica, draws in big crowds every year.
Stretched across a huge section of Rynek Glowny, the Polish city’s central square, Krakow Christmas Market is among the largest in Europe.
Historic landmark St. Mary’s Basilica serves as a stunning backdrop to the yearly event, which has been around since the early 14th century, as does the Renaissance Cloth Hall.
Revelers can tuck into Polish delicacies such as kiełbasa (sausage,) shop for handcrafted gifts or treats, while taking in live music from folk bands and carol singers.
The market also hosts a nativity competition in which participants, including school children and local artists, create small nativity scenes, or cribs, which are displayed at the statue of Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, situated in the square, before a winner is chosen.
Krakow Christmas Market will be held from November 24 to January 1, 2024.
Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Now in its 10th year, Singapore’s Christmas Wonderland is continuing to grow in popularity.
Staged at the famous Gardens by the Bay nature park, the annual event, which lasts for around four weeks, covers more than 27,000 square meters and is separated into three areas – Supertree Grove, Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow, and Gingerbread Grove – all packed with attractions.
Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay opens on December 1 and closes on January 1, 2024
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The Distillery District Winter Village in Toronto will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on November 16.
The Distillery Winter Village 2023 will be open daily (other than December 25) from November 16 to the New Year.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park opened on October 27 and is scheduled to run until March 3, 2024.
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Based on Nuremberg’s Christkindlmarket, Christkindlmarket Chicago takes place in three locations around the city.
First launched in 1996, Christkindlmarket Chicago takes inspiration from the historic Christkindelmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, bringing a taste of traditional German Christmas markets to the ‘Windy City’.
Christkindlmarket Chicago runs from November 17 to December 24.