Germany48-hour guide
Aachen Christmas Market 2026, with a Day Trip to Monschau
Printen and mulled wine between Charlemagne's cathedral and the town hall, then a day in Monschau's half-timbered valley market, with verified 2026 dates and hours.
Where to go this weekend
Three trips worth taking, picked every Friday, plus a 48-hour plan for every city worth the journey.
Next weekend in Europe
30 October – 1 November
28 Oct – 1 Nov
Derry
Northern Ireland
Derry Halloween: often called Europe's biggest Halloween festival.
28 Oct – 1 Nov
Lucca
Lucca Comics & Games: Europe's biggest comics and cosplay festival takes over the walled town.
28 Oct – 1 Nov
Paris
Salon du Chocolat: the world's biggest chocolate show, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Full write-up on FridayPast weekends
What kind of weekend?
- Christmas marketsMulled wine, carols and lights in the old town44 weekends
- Winter sunBlue skies when home is grey11 weekends
- Food and drinkCities worth the trip for the table alone50 weekends
- By trainWeekends you can reach without flying20 weekends
- Romantic weekendsCandlelight, views and long dinners23 weekends
- Beaches and coastSand, sea air and harbour lunches17 weekends
- Castles and historyFortresses, ruins and Roman stones21 weekends
- Wine weekendsVineyards, cellars and the regions behind the bottle19 weekends
48 hours in…
Slovenia48-hour guide
Ljubljana Christmas Market 2026: Festive December by the River
Stalls along the Ljubljanica, some of the most imaginative Christmas lights in this part of Europe and a festive fair up at the castle, with verified 2026 dates and a two-day plan.
Austria48-hour guide
Graz Christmas Market 2026: Hauptplatz, Ice Nativity and Old Town
Sixteen Advent markets in a UNESCO old town, a nativity carved from ice in a Renaissance courtyard and a market up the Schlossberg, with verified 2026 dates and a two-day plan.
Austria48-hour guide
Innsbruck Christmas Market 2026: Golden Roof, Hungerburg and More
Seven Christmas markets between the Golden Roof and the Nordkette, from a crystal tree on the Inn to a panorama market up the Hungerburg, with verified 2026 dates and a two-day plan.
Switzerland48-hour guide
Basel Christmas Market 2026: Barfüsserplatz, Münsterplatz and the Rhine
Two squares of wooden chalets linked by old-town lanes, a cathedral tree dressed by Johann Wanner, a fairytale forest for children and Rhine views, with verified 2026 dates.
Germany48-hour guide
Frankfurt Christmas Market 2026: Römerberg, Bethmännchen and Apple Wine
More than 230 stalls from the half-timbered Römerberg to the river Main, a 26-metre tree, hot apple wine and Bethmännchen, with verified 2026 dates and a two-day plan.
Travel news
Closures, new rules and openings that change a weekend plan.
- Berlin Airport’s winter timetable: Edinburgh, Milan and Lapland routes
- France rail strike on 5 November: TGV, TER and RER at risk
- Italy strikes 20–22 November: general strike, trains and flights
- Spain train strikes: Renfe on 29 October, Ouigo into December
- EES and ETIAS: what UK travellers need this autumn
- Christmas markets 2026: confirmed opening dates
Christmas markets 2026
In the order they open.
Bristol Christmas Market
Where to next?
New reels every weekday: 48-hour routes, food worth the trip and what’s on this weekend.