A peek at the Christmas Markets on the rivers of Europe

Published Monday, September 22nd 2025 - Updated Monday, September 22nd 2025
Categories
Holiday Travel Cruises - River Helpful Tips & Information

Best Times to Visit Major Christmas Markets (2026 Season)

Rhine / Main / Mosel

  • Cologne (several markets including Cathedral, Old Town, Harbor Market):

    • Best: Weekdays 11 AM–3 PM (easy shopping, less crowding).

    • Avoid: Friday & Saturday nights (locals flood in; can be wall-to-wall).

  • Koblenz:

    • Best: Weekday late mornings; quieter provincial feel.

    • Avoid: Saturday afternoons (local day-trippers from Rhine villages).

  • Rüdesheim (Drosselgasse):

    • Best: Weekdays before 4 PM — small streets get packed quickly.

  • Mainz (Stadtplatz):

    • Best: Lunchtime weekdays; also nice on Wed/Thu evenings (local choirs perform, moderate crowds).

  • Nuremberg (Christkindlesmarkt – often included via Main-Danube Canal):

    • Best: Midweek mornings (legendary but very busy overall).

    • Avoid: Weekends — visitors from all over Germany.

  • Basel (Switzerland)
    • Barfüsserplatz & Münsterplatz are Switzerland’s largest Christmas markets.
    • Best: Weekdays mid-morning to early afternoon (10 AM–2 PM).

    • Tip: Münsterplatz offers beautiful cathedral views, great for photos in daylight.

    • Avoid: Friday evenings and Saturdays — locals from France & Germany cross the border to visit.

  • Strasbourg (France) – “Capital of Christmas”

    • Multiple markets around the Cathedral & Place Kléber.

    • Best: Weekdays before 4 PM for browsing and photos.

    • Tip: Evening visits midweek (Mon–Thu) for the light displays with fewer crowds.

    • Avoid: Friday & Saturday evenings — extremely busy with local and regional visitors.

  • Colmar (France, Alsace)

    • Known for its fairytale setting with six themed markets in the Old Town.

    • Best: Weekday mornings (10 AM–1 PM) when narrow streets are quiet.

    • Tip: Early evening on Tue/Wed for illuminated canals without weekend crowds.

    • Avoid: Saturdays all day — small squares become shoulder-to-shoulder.

  • Heidelberg (Germany)
    • Market spreads through several squares below the castle.

    • Best: Weekdays around lunchtime; stalls are less crowded.

    • Tip: Go midweek evening for the castle backdrop lit up behind the market.

    • Avoid: Friday & Saturday nights, especially at the ice rink in Karlsplatz.

Danube

  • Vienna (Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn, Belvedere):

    • Best: Weekdays before 4 PM at Rathausplatz. Schönbrunn is quieter even evenings.

    • Avoid: Friday nights + weekends (locals + bus tours).

  • Budapest (Vörösmarty Square, Basilica):

    • Best: Weekdays 11 AM–2 PM (fewer crowds, good daylight).

    • Avoid: Friday evenings + Saturdays (locals meet for mulled wine after work).

  • Passau (smaller but charming):

    • Best: Mornings, any weekday.

  • Salzburg (Austria)

    • Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz is one of Europe’s oldest.

    • Best: Weekday mornings (10 AM–1 PM) for peaceful browsing.

    • Tip: Midweek evenings for choir and brass concerts in front of the Cathedral with manageable crowds.

    • Avoid: Fridays and Saturdays, especially after 5 PM, when locals flock in.

  • Prague (Czech Republic)

    • Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square markets are world-famous, with huge Christmas tree and stage shows.

    • Best: Weekdays late morning (11 AM–2 PM) before heavy tour bus arrivals.

    • Tip: Go Tue/Wed evenings for the illuminated tree and carolers without weekend crowds.

    • Avoid: Saturdays and Sundays from mid-afternoon into the evening — jammed with both locals and international visitors.

  • Vilshofen (Germany, near Passau on the Danube)

    • Small but charming Bavarian market along the Danube promenade, often used for festive cruise embarkations.

    • Best: Weekday afternoons — quieter and more intimate than big cities.

    • Tip: Opening ceremonies (often with fireworks or floating Advent wreaths) are worth attending, but go early to secure space.

    • Avoid: Saturday evenings when surrounding village residents arrive en masse.

  • Bratislava (Slovakia)

    • Main Christmas Market on Hlavné Námestie (Main Square) with traditional Slovak foods and crafts.

    • Best: Weekday mornings and early afternoons for browsing stalls.

    • Tip: Early evening midweek to enjoy lights and mulled wine without heavy crowds.

    • Avoid: Friday nights and Saturdays — busy with locals traveling in from smaller towns.

Seine

  • Paris (Tuileries, La Défense, Saint-Germain, Hôtel de Ville):

    • Best: Weekdays late mornings; La Défense also good midweek evenings with after-work buzz but manageable.

    • Avoid: Fridays after 5 PM, Saturdays all day.

Rhône / Saône

  • Lyon (Place Carnot):

    • Best: Weekdays early afternoon.

    • Avoid: Evenings during Fête des Lumières (Dec 5–8, 2026) when it’s packed.

  • Avignon & Arles (smaller Provençal markets):

    • Best: Midweek mornings, relaxed pace.

Douro

  • Porto (Aliados Avenue & Ribeira):

    • Best: Weekdays before 6 PM.

    • Avoid: Saturdays, especially Dec 21–24, when locals shop last-minute.

Friendly Advice From Your Travel Advisors

  • Weekday late mornings/early afternoons = best for shopping and photos.

  • Weekday early evenings (4–6 PM) = perfect compromise: lights are on, but locals aren’t out in force yet.

  • Friday/Saturday evenings = magical atmosphere but shoulder-to-shoulder crowds — it’s better for strolling and sipping mulled wine, not shopping. At times it is so crowded you can't maneuver well.