Christmas in Europe 2026: Markets, Rinks and Lights, City by City

Christmas is when Europe’s cities light up, and when rooms, cars and tables go first. Below, city by city, the markets, rinks and lights, with the dates published by each organiser or tourist office. Where a date has not been announced, we say so and do not quote one.

Vienna

The Wiener Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026, daily from 10 am to 10 pm, and until 6:30 pm on 24 December. The Eistraum ice rink beside it runs longer, until 6 January 2027, closed on 31 December.

London

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park opens for six weeks, from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, every day except Christmas Day. The final day, 3 January, is its Family Fun Day. Gate times vary by date, so check the booking calendar for the day you choose.

Montreux

Montreux Noël, on the shore of Lake Geneva, runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026. It is a short transfer from Geneva and combines well with a few days on the lake.

Munich

Munich’s Christkindlmarkt at the Marienplatz and the Rindermarkt runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026, starting earlier than in past years, on the Friday before Totensonntag.

Paris

The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann lists its Christmas ice rink for the 2026–27 season from 24 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The store’s windows and Christmas tree are announced closer to the season, and we do not quote 2026 dates for them.

Nuremberg

The Christkindlesmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026, opening with the prologue on 27 November at 5:30 pm. It is open from 10 am to 9 pm, and on 24 December from 10 am to 2 pm.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg calls itself the capital of Christmas. Its market opens on Friday 27 November 2026; the city says the full dates and programme are still being finalised, so we do not quote a closing date.

Lyon

Lyon’s Festival of Lights takes place from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026, with light installations across the city in the evenings. Lyon sits on the way to the Alps, so a night here can open a trip to the mountains.

How we plan it

Tell us the city, the dates and who is travelling. We plan the hotel, a private driver and the tables. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the winter: for family and group stays we suggest one to two months’ notice, and for the Courchevel peak weeks three to six months. Our Courchevel 1850 guide covers the season, which opens on 4 December 2026. Drivers are priced on our site before you order, with the other cities on the same page: see Private Chauffeur. Through us: partner rates on the hotel, with perks that depend on the property, and the same advisor from your first message until you fly home.

Frequently asked questions

Which Christmas market should we choose? Each is different. Tell us what the family likes, markets, skating, lights or the mountains, and who is travelling, and we suggest the city and the dates.

Are the dates final? They are the dates published by each organiser. Programmes can change, so we check them again with you when you book.

When should we book? One to two months ahead for Christmas and New Year, three to six months for Courchevel’s peak weeks.

Tell us the city you have in mind, and we will come back with the hotel, the car and the days.

Photo credits

• Bybbisch94 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
• Christine Matthews / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
• Kerstin Sonnekalb (WMCH) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Ashwin Chandrasekaran / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
• José-Raphaël1980 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
• Lothar Weber / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Zéphyrios / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
• Corentin Eustacchi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Ralph Hammann - Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0