The 2026 dates for Europe’s big Christmas markets are now mostly confirmed. Several open earlier than many people expect, so a November trip can mean shorter queues and better hotel choice. Here’s the calendar, from first to last opening.
What’s happening
- Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace: 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. It’s the earliest big opening on our list and one of the longest runs.
- Vienna, Rathausplatz: 13 November to 26 December.
- Budapest, Vörösmarty tér: 13 November to 31 December.
- Cologne, Cathedral market: 16 November to 23 December.
- Luxembourg, Winterlights: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Colmar: 23 November to 29 December.
- Strasbourg, Christkindelsmärik: opens Friday 27 November. The closing date had not been announced in mid-October.
- Nuremberg, Christkindlesmarkt: 27 November to 24 December.
- Brussels, Winter Wonders: 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Prague, Old Town Square: 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
What it means for your weekend
Two weekends stand out. The weekend of 14–15 November gets you both Vienna markets and Budapest in their opening days, well before the December crowds. The weekend of 28–29 November is the first chance to see Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Brussels and Prague all running together. It’s busier, but the choice is unbeatable. Colmar and Strasbourg are a short train ride apart, so you can do both in one trip.
Several markets close before Christmas Day. Cologne closes on 23 December and Nuremberg on 24 December. Vienna, Brussels and Prague run into the new year, so you can still go between Christmas and New Year.
What to do
- Book Strasbourg, Colmar and Nuremberg hotels first. They fill fastest at weekends.
- Go on a Friday, or early on a weekday, to avoid the Saturday-evening crush.
- Check each market’s official site before you travel for daily opening hours.
For full guides, see best Christmas markets in Europe and best Christmas markets in Germany. Our Vienna guide covers the rest of the city.
