10 Must-see & best Christmas markets worldwide for Your Year-End Trip

Christmas markets have long been an indispensable “specialty” every Christmas season. This is not only a destination to shop for gifts or enjoy delicious food, but also a place where you can fully feel the festive spirit spreading in the air. Now, let’s check out 10 world best Christmas markets (10 best Christmas markets worldwide), must see Christmas markets, must visit Christmas markets in this post!

If you are planning a year-end trip, take the time to visit the most famous Christmas markets in the world. Each place has its own story – from the fairytale space in Europe to the brilliant modernity of Asia. Discover the list of 16 most worth-visiting Christmas markets on the planet and let your heart immerse in this magical holiday season!

Christmas Wonderland – Christmas Market in Singapore

As the year-end holiday season approaches, Singapore transforms into a brilliant wonderland with the city’s biggest Christmas event – Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. This annual festival with a strong European feel, where lights, music and fun come together in the iconic Singaporean setting.

More than just a Christmas market, Christmas Wonderland offers a myriad of exciting experiences: from traditional carnival games, artificial “snow showers” ​​to luminarie light installations handcrafted by Italian artisans. This event not only attracts Singaporeans but also captivates international visitors — a memorable festive experience that you should try at least once in your life.

Roppongi – A “German Flavor” Christmas Market in Japan

Tokyo’s Roppongi Christmas Market is one of Japan’s most popular winter events, inspired by Germany’s famous Stuttgart Christmas Market. Although not too large, the market still fully recreates the Western festive atmosphere with a series of stalls selling decorations, wreaths and handmade gifts with a European feel.

Cuisine is a highlight that is hard to miss: fragrant grilled German sausages, hot and crispy pretzels and a glass of glühwein – a typical warm red wine of the Christmas season. Amidst the warm yellow lights and the soft Christmas music, visitors will feel like they are walking through a European market in the heart of Tokyo.

Christmasland – Famous Christmas Market in Taiwan

Christmasland in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is considered one of the most magnificent Christmas festivals in Asia. Every year, the central area of ​​​​Banqiao district – especially around New Taipei City Hall – is transformed into a splendid world of light, attracting millions of visitors to visit and take photos.

The center of the festival is a giant pine tree over 30 meters high, surrounded by a tunnel of lights and a neighborhood decorated with different themes each year. 3D light shows, Christmas music and a colorful festive atmosphere create the feeling of being lost in a fairy tale in the heart of a modern city.

In addition to the main area, visitors can also stroll around the food stalls, game areas and outdoor performance stages – where the Christmas atmosphere spreads throughout the winter. Christmasland 2025 is expected to take place from November 14 to December 28, 2025, promising to continue to be the most brilliant and anticipated festival destination in Taiwan.

Best christmas markets worldwide: Dresden – The Oldest Christmas Market in Germany

Since 1434, the Dresden Christmas Market (Striezelmarkt) has been shining brightly every winter on Altmarkt Square, becoming the festive heart of the ancient city of Dresden. In 2025, the 591st edition will take place from 26 November to 24 December, open daily from 10am to 9pm – promising to continue to bring an atmosphere filled with Christmas lights and colors.

Step into the Striezelmarkt and you will see small wooden stalls filled with the scent of baked goods, mulled wine and Saxon specialties such as the famous Stollen. In the center is a giant wooden pyramid and a brilliant Christmas tree, surrounded by hundreds of artisan stalls selling wooden furniture, ceramics and exquisite Erzgebirge wreaths.

Christmas music fills the square, lights reflect on the ancient roofs – all creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. If you want to find a place to keep the spirit of traditional German Christmas, Dresden is the perfect meeting place.

Nuremberg Christmas Market – Enjoy Germany’s Famous Gingerbread

In the middle of the European winter, the Nuremberg Christmas Market – Christkindlesmarkt – always shines like the warm heart of Germany. From the end of November to Christmas Eve (November 28 – December 24, 2025), the ancient Hauptmarkt square is covered in a brilliant coat of hundreds of wooden stalls, warm yellow lights and passionate aromas spreading throughout the space.

What makes the market famous is the traditional flavor that has existed for centuries. Sweet Lebkuchen gingerbread, fragrant grilled Nürnberger Bratwurst sausages and a glass of Glühwein – the typical hot wine of the holiday season – make anyone stop to enjoy.

Not just a place to shop or eat, Christkindlesmarkt is also a journey to feel the Christmas spirit in a very German way: close, warm and full of memories. Amidst the light snowfall, Christmas music echoing from the square, you will understand why Nuremberg is known as “the soul of the European Christmas season.”

Strasbourg – France’s Leading Christmas Market

When winter falls on Alsace, the city of Strasbourg lights up in lights and the sweet scent of cinnamon – signaling the return of France’s oldest Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik. Held since 1570, the market brings a festive atmosphere imbued with European tradition, where more than 300 wooden stalls are lined up around the ancient streets.

In that brilliant space, you can sip a glass of mulled wine, enjoy crispy bredele cookies, or taste choucroute – the famous sour cabbage dish of Alsace. Every flavor, every smile exchanged in the market seems to make the winter cold become strangely warm.

Don’t forget to stop at Kléber Square, where the giant Christmas tree stands proudly – a symbol of the Christmas spirit of Strasbourg. The 2025 version will take place from November 26 to December 24, when the whole city turns into a sparkling and fairy-tale festive picture. With its classic and bustling beauty, Strasbourg deserves to be the “Christmas Capital of Europe.”

Madeira – A Christmas Market Not to Be Missed in Portugal

There is no snow, the air is not cold or freezing, but Christmas in Madeira is still full of its own magic. When December knocks on the door, the capital Funchal puts on a brilliant coat of millions of lights, turning the whole island into a giant festival stage in the middle of the ocean.

From December 1, 2025 to January 5, 2026, the Madeira Christmas Market stretches along Avenida Arriaga, where colorful wooden stalls sell handicrafts, souvenirs and fresh flowers typical of the island. Visitors can sip Madeira wine, taste traditional honey cakes or join in the Christmas carols from street bands.

The festive atmosphere here has an unforgettable warmth: the sea breeze carries the scent of pine, the lights reflect on the red tiled roofs, the church bells blend with the laughter of visitors. Even without snow, Madeira still makes you feel the full spirit of Christmas – bright, warm and full of life.

Zagreb – Famous Christmas Market in Croatia

When Christmas comes, the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, transforms into a true “Christmas city”. From November 29, 2025 to early January 2026, major squares such as Ban Jelačić, King Tomislav or the Upper Town are lit up with lights, music and the sweet aroma of winter cuisine.

What makes the Zagreb Christmas Market so attractive is the warm dishes that spread throughout the space. You can enjoy grilled sausages, sarma cabbage rolls, or fritules covered in sugar and chocolate – traditional flavors that make everyone stop. And if you want to warm up in the bitter cold, don’t forget to sip a glass of hot wine or the local plum wine.

Not only food, Zagreb is also filled with a festive atmosphere with a giant outdoor ice skating rink, live music, bright lights and eye-catching Christmas souvenir stalls. Every street corner resounds with music and laughter, making visitors feel like they are lost in a warm, bustling and magical winter.

Salzburg – Classic Christmas Market in Austria

Christmas in Salzburg is not noisy, nor does it need heavy snow to create a miracle. From November 20, 2025 to January 1, 2026, Domplatz and Residenzplatz are lit up in warm yellow lights, the smell of roasted almonds and Lebkuchen gingerbread mixed with the cold wind of the first season.

Amid hundreds of wooden stalls, woolen socks, handmade decorations and hot glasses of Glühwein bring a strangely familiar feeling – as if you are stepping into a classic postcard. The music plays softly – not just Mozart, but the peaceful rhythm of Salzburg: laughter, footsteps, church bells echoing in the mist. Everything blends together, creating a simple but memorable Christmas. In Salzburg, the holiday season is not just to see, but to feel – slowly, warmly and sincerely.

Govone Christmas Market – Immerse Yourself in the World of Italian Fairy Tales

The Christmas market in the small village of Govone, in the Piedmont region (Italy), is truly a fairytale space among the wine hills. This year, the event called Il Magico Paese di Natale will take place from November 15 to December 21, 2025, transforming Govone Castle and the surrounding square into a unique holiday destination.

Dozens of wooden stalls sell handicrafts, Christmas decorations and Piedmont specialties such as almond cakes, hot chocolate and warm wine. The market atmosphere is enhanced by the magical lights and the Santa’s House corner where children can send letters to Santa Claus.

Although not the largest market in Italy, Govone brings a feeling of intimacy, warmth and traditional spirit – where you can stroll, enjoy winter cuisine and feel Christmas in a very unique way.

Above are the famous Christmas markets from Asia to Europe that we want to suggest to you, if you are planning to travel for Christmas at the end of this year, remember to save this article to have an impressive and memorable Christmas travel season!

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