- Travel Blog
- 5 beautiful Christmas fairs in Europe 2019-2020
5 beautiful Christmas fairs in Europe 2019-2020
BEST CHRISTMAS FAIRS IN EUROPE 2019-2020
New Year's Eve in Europe is arguably one of the most beautiful events of the year. Cities begin to burn with festive lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees appear in the streets, the smell of ginger cookies and freshly made spicy mulled wine is everywhere, and people run around the shops in search of gifts for their loved ones
European fairs are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful. Many of these fairs open their doors in late November and early December and can last until as late as 15 January. Why is it worth seeing the Christmas market in person?
- To get in the New Year's mood and forget about the end-of-year rush of work.
- To buy gifts for family and friends, as such fairs are full of souvenirs and various national delicacies, which you will not find in your own country.
I decided to compile a list of the best (in my subjective opinion) Christmas fairs in Europe and share with you the festive spirit!
Note that a Schengen visa is required to enter each of the countries listed
1. Tallinn, Estonia.
It is no coincidence that Tallinn was at the top of the list. According to a poll on the website Best Destinations in Europe, Tallinn's Christmas Fair was named the best in Europe in 2018 and 2019. I was lucky enough to be in Tallinn during the festive season once and I'll tell you unequivocally, "Yes! It's worth it". It's also very easy to get to from St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the opportunity to visit the fair after the New Year makes it even more attractive
What is so good that the Tallinn fair and what do the organizers promise? In addition to the abundance of goodies and souvenirs, a new addition this year will be the small producers' house in Hiiumaa, with original products from the island - chocolate and fish, handmade blackcurrant bread, lamb knuckle, honey, and much more. This year is also the 800th birthday of Tallinn, and to mark the occasion, we have planned excursions that will last an hour and a half and talk about how Tallinn came into being and how people used to celebrate Christmas. The tours take place on Sundays
Location: Town Hall Square.
Dates: 15.11.2019 - 07.01.2020
2. Prague, Czech Republic.
Prague seems to be made for Christmas fairs! It's magical and cosy, like you've stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale. Prague has a veritable feast of the belly and no one goes hungry at Christmas. The largest fair and the biggest Christmas tree is located on the Old Town Square in the historic city centre. There you can buy souvenirs from local craftsmen, taste national delicacies (trdelník), watch dance and vocal groups performances. A small, but equally fabulous fair is just around the corner from Old Town Square - Wenceslas Square
Venue: Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square
Dates: 30.11.2019 - 06.01.2020
3. Budapest, Hungary.
Budapest's Christmas Fair is second on the list of Best Destinations in Europe. It takes place at two locations: at Vörösmarty square and near the biggest church in Budapest, the Szent István Basilica. The stalls offer a huge range of souvenirs and refreshments: Hungarian embroidery and lace, carved woodwork, candles, knitwear, roasted sausages and chestnuts, marzipan and mulled wine. Don't forget to sample the traditional pastries, kürtőskalács and lángos (garlic cakes). In addition to the souvenir shops, you can enjoy a performance by local bands, watch laser projections on the basilica façade and go ice-skating
Venue: Vörösmarty Square and near the Basilica of St. István.
Dates: 08.11.2019 - 01.01.2020 (Wörösmarty), 22.11.2019 - 01.01.2020 (St. István Basilica).
4. Berlin, Germany.
On Christmas Eve Berlin as well as many other European countries turns into a magical place. Festive lights, beautifully decorated shop windows, warm light of lanterns in the windows - all this surely creates an atmosphere of celebration and magic! New Year's Eve Berlin has lots of fairs all over the city, but the most important one is on the Gendarmenmarkt. There are lots of food stalls where you can try a variety of delicacies and winter drinks, buy Christmas gifts and souvenirs. Between the rows of shops there are dance and music tents and bands. And then there is the skating rink! Unlike in other countries, this one is one of the largest flooded ice rinks in Europe. It is loved not only by locals, but also by visitors.
Location: Gendarmenmarkt
Dates: 25.11.2019 - 31.12.2019
5. Vienna, Austria.
Every winter on Christmas Eve, an entire Christmas village sprouts up near Vienna City Hall. In addition to stalls with local food and souvenirs, you can go skating, take part in master classes, watch performances of local dancing and singing groups, take a lot of beautiful and memorable pictures, and children can ride on carousels and reindeer sleds.
Christmas in Vienna reeks of marzipan, sausages, muffins and spiced mulled wine. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of sampling the local cuisine and enjoying the Christmas delicacies.
Venue: opposite Vienna City Hall.
Dates: 15.11.2019 - 26.12.2019
Of course, this is not a complete list of fairs held in Europe. Almost every, even the smallest town opens its "Christmas doors" to tourists and locals. So when heading to Europe on Christmas Eve, be sure to research where such fairs are held and visit them! I am sure you will remember them for a long time and will not leave you indifferent.
- Author of the article:
onlineexpo expert, creator of the travel diary "Manyways_book" Olga Melnikova
