7 Best European Cities to See Christmas

Every December, many of Europe’s most beautiful cities put on their finest decorations: Christmas lights, colorful Christmas markets and events, festive shows and much more.

It would not be wrong to say that the weeks before Christmas are the best time to see festive decorations and markets in Europe. Here are 7 of the best European cities to see Christmas. Markets, light shows and ice rinks change from year to year, so check each city’s official tourism site for this season’s dates before you go.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Christmas, a great time to visit in Amsterdam is celebrated with bright lights, big parties and fun-filled festivities (with the occasional dusting of snow, if you are lucky). Around the Amsterdam Canals, you can see amazing light sculptures, projections, and art installations. The Amsterdam Light Festival has a different theme each year, and illumination artists have free reign to interpret it, with spectacular results. Most displays are in the Canal Ring and the Amstel River areas. Popular things to do in Amsterdam at Christmas time:

🎄Cycle around the city like a local to see the colorful Christmas decorations.

🎄Visit the Amsterdam Light Festival, full of artworks by Dutch and international artists (usually late November to mid-January).

🎄Visit the Christmas tree in front of the Royal Palace on Dam Square.

🎄Take a boat tour to view Christmas Canal lights.

🎄Go ice skating at one of the seasonal rinks in the city (locations vary by year).

🎄Shop at the city’s seasonal Christmas and winter markets, such as the ones held at Westergas and Museumplein (the line-up changes every year).

🎄See a show at the Dutch National Ballet.

London, England

Christmas in London is really magical. Places around the city, you will see unique, iconic and unusual Christmas activities. The whole city was littered with Christmas lights, Christmas decorated trees, Many Christmas markets, events and many Christmas activities. Popular things to do in London at Christmas time:

🎄See London’s best Christmas lights on Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden, the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, and the seasonal light trail at Kew Gardens.

🎄Go ice skating at one of the city’s seasonal rinks, such as Somerset House, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland or Canary Wharf (rinks change from year to year), or at the year-round Alexandra Palace Ice Rink.

🎄Shop at Christmas markets such as the Southbank Centre Winter Market, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and the Greenwich Market, or browse Borough Market and Columbia Road Flower Market for festive food and gifts.

🎄Try all the Christmas street foods.

🎄See the seasonal Hogwarts in the Snow event at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

🎄Listen to Christmas carols at St Paul’s Cathedral.

🎄Take a festive afternoon-tea bus tour.

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Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, a fairytale city of Europe that only becomes more spectacular at Christmastime with the possibility of a sprinkling of snow, making it the most magical time to visit. Festive lights and decorations hang from trees throughout the city and The magnificent architecture of the city provides visitors with a stunning backdrop for its famous Christmas markets. Prague’s Christmas markets are among the most popular in Europe. They are a great opportunity to discover Central European traditions and delicious dishes. Popular things to do in Prague at Christmas time:

🎄Visit Prague’s magical Christmas markets, with their beautifully designed wooden chalets, on the major squares – Old Town Square, Republic Square, Wenceslas Square and Peace Square (Náměstí Míru).

🎄Try popular street food at the market stands, such as trdelník, a hot sugar-coated pastry, and spit-roasted ham.

🎄Ice Skating in the historic Old Town.

🎄Watching the Nutcracker Ballet and other world-class performances.

🎄Take a Vltava river cruise to see the riverside Christmas decorations.

Vienna, Austria

Winter is a pleasant time to visit the Austrian capital. Vienna is one of the cities to see Christmas with grace and elegance and is said to have one of the longest-running Christmas markets in the world. Popular things to do in Vienna at Christmas time:

🎄Photograph Belvedere Palace and its Christmas market in the evening light.

🎄See the classic Christmas light displays in the city centre and along the Ring, and the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz.

🎄Shop at the Christmas market in front of the elaborate City Hall.

🎄Drink Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas Punch)

🎄Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour in the evening.

🎄Attend a Christmas concert or service at St. Peter’s Church, and more.

Paris, France

The Christmas season is a magical time in Paris. The Christmas lights in Paris are a major attraction for tourists and Parisians. City of Lights is lit even brighter by thousands of twinkling bulbs. Every corner of every quarter has its own special enchantment from lively outdoor ice skating rinks to the many charming Christmas markets that line the streets and squares.

Popular things to do in Paris at Christmas time:

🎄See the Christmas lights and decorations on the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in Bercy Village, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and La Défense, and the window displays of the big department stores on Boulevard Haussmann.

🎄Visit the Paris Christmas markets (‘marchés de Noël’), such as the large market at La Défense and smaller ones near Notre-Dame, in Montmartre and in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Locations change from year to year, so check the Paris tourism office’s list for the current season.

🎄Try a bûche de Noël, the traditional French Christmas log cake

🎄Visit Disneyland Paris, with colorful Christmas parades and merry encounters with Santa.

🎄Go ice skating at one of the city’s seasonal outdoor rinks, a festive way to spend the holidays in Paris.

🎄Take an evening walk or bus tour through the Christmas lights.

🎄Listen to a Christmas concert in the churches at Saint-Germain des Pres, Saint-Eustache and La Madeleine.

🎄Join in a Christmas church service.

Cologne, Germany

If you like European Christmas markets, Cologne is one of the best places to choose. Cologne has a variety of Christmas markets, as befits its status as the fourth-largest city in Germany. This legendary German city provides the perfect backdrop for a fun evening throughout the festive season. Popular things to do in Cologne at Christmas time:

🎄Shop at Cologne’s best-known Christmas markets: the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, the Old Town market on Heumarkt (Heinzels Wintermärchen), the Harbour Christmas Market, the Angel Market on Neumarkt and the Stadtgarten Christmas Market.

🎄See the giant Christmas tree at the Cathedral Christmas Market.

🎄Go ice skating at Heinzels Wintermärchen on Heumarkt.

🎄Visit the seasonal light trail and the various Christmas circus performances, concerts and events.

Tallinn, Estonia

During the darkest time of the year, Tallinn has become a real Christmas wonderland with Christmas markets, cultural events, beautiful Christmas trees are set up in the squares, and roads and gardens are decorated with Christmas lights. Add snow-covered cobblestone streets and cosy cafés, and you have the perfect Christmas city. Popular things to do in Tallinn at Christmas time:

🎄See the most beautiful Christmas tree in Tallinn, in Town Hall Square.

🎄Shop at the Christmas market in Town Hall Square.

🎄Taste the mulled wine.

🎄Go ice skating at the rink on Harju Street.

🎄Visit the Christmas events at the Estonian Open Air Museum.

🎄Explore the medieval Churches.

🎄Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Tallinn.