As we detailed in our guide to Christmas Markets in Europe, these markets are usually open from the last weekend of November until 24 December, coinciding with Advent, the month before Christmas.
These dates may come as a bit of a surprise in Spain, where due to the celebration of Epiphany, many Christmas activities are extended almost into January. For this reason, you might think that if you go to Christmas destinations at the end of December you will find the atmosphere that attracts so many people every year, but the truth is that not all of them do.
To avoid disappointment or, on the contrary, to make the most of the opportunity to visit less crowded destinations, here are some of the main Christmas markets in Europe open until January or the end of the year.
Christmas markets in Alsace open until January
Although Strasbourg closes its Christmas market on 24 December, many of the towns around Colmar, as well as the beautiful Christmas market in Obernai, keep their Christmas markets open until the end of the month.
Eguisheim and Turckheim are also open on weekdays from midday or a little later.
- Obernai: open until 30 December
- Sélestat: open until 29 December
- Colmar: open until 29 December
- Turckheim: open until 30 December
- Eguisheim: open until 30 December
- Mulhouse: open until 27 December
- Munster: open until 31 December
More details on the markets can be found in guide to the Alsace Christmas markets.
South of France Christmas markets open until January
The South of France is a great place to visit some Christmas markets open until the end of the year and even until the first week of January, such as the Village de Noël in Le Barcarès. Among those open, don’t miss the following:
- Le Barcarès Christmas Village Fair: open until 7 January.
- Perpignan: open until 7/1
- Narbonne: open until 1/1
- Carcassonne: open until 6/1
- Montpéllier: open until 30/12
- Béziers: open until 7 January
>>> Christmas markets in the South of France – where are they?
Christmas markets in Andorra open until January
- Poblet de Nadal in Andorra la Vella: open until 31/12
Located in the Plaça del Poble, the Market is the ideal place to do your Christmas shopping, get decorations, crafts and gifts, while enjoying activities for all the family. A space complemented with recreational and cultural activities aimed at all audiences, and which, as a great novelty, will have a 200 square metre skating rink.
Its Poble de Nadal Christmas market is open until the end of the year and has some outstanding events until the beginning of January.
Christmas markets in Austria open until January
Vienna’s Christmas markets are one of the longest open, as they tend to open earlier in mid-November and some do not close until after the New Year. There are also a few other locations that extend until the end of the year:
- Beldevere Palace Christmas Village: until 30/12.
- Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market: until 4/1
- Salzburg – Christkindelmarkt: until 1/1
- Christmas Market at Maria-Theresien-Straße in Innsbruck: until 6/1
- Panorama Christmas Market in Hungerburg (rooftop): from 24/11 to 6/1
Christmas markets in Germany open until January
Cologne at Christmas is one of the best ways to enjoy Christmas in Germany, the birthplace of Christmas markets. The Heinzels market and its beautiful ice rink are the only ones that keep going after 24 December. You can also find several markets open until the end of the year in Berlin:
- Cologne – Heinzels Wintermärchen: open until 7/1.
- Berlin – Winter World Potsdamer Platz (snow ramp): until 1/1
- Berlin – Lansberger Allee flea market: until 30/12
- Berlin – Flea market Breitscheidplatz: until 7/1
- Berlin – Gendarmenmarkt flea market (Bebelplatz): until 31/21
- Berlin – Rathaus (City Hall) flea market: till 7/1
- Berlin – Charlottenburg Christmas Market: until 31/12
Czech Republic Christmas Markets open until January
Prague is another city that traditionally extends some of its markets. Highlights include the beautiful market in the Old Town Square and the small Christmas market at Prague Castle. Only one other city in the Czech Republic has markets that last beyond Christmas Day:
- Prague – Wenceslas Square flea market (Václavské náměstí): until 6/1.
- Prague – Republic Square Flea Market (náměstí Republiky): till 30/12
- Prague – Prague Castle Flea Market (Pražský hrad): until 6/1
- Český Krumlov: until 1/1
Christmas markets in South Tyrol open until January
The Christmas markets in South Tyrol in the north of Italy extend the Christmas markets in the villages:
- Bolzano: until 6/1
- Bressanone: until 6/1
- Brunico: until 6/1
- Merano: until 6/1
- Vipiteno: until 6/1
Trentino-Alto Adige or Trentino-South Tyrol is a region in northern Italy with its capital Trento, popular for its Christmas markets in small villages.
It is a rather mountainous region of Italy in the Alps, with peaks of almost 4,000 metres and popular sites such as the Dolomites of Sesto Natural Park. Not so high up, you can visit several villages that also hold Christmas markets such as Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, Vipiteno or Brunico.
Since 2014, the Alto Adige Christmas markets have been committed to sustainability. The Christmas chalets are made of environmentally friendly wood, while the food stalls serve specialities made from local ingredients on reusable plates.
To reduce electricity consumption, the South Tyrolean Christmas is lit with energy-efficient LED lights and public transport is guaranteed.
Don’t miss them!
Christmas markets in Hungary open until January
- Budapest: until 31/12
If like me, you are also in love with Christmas markets, the smell of pine and glühwein; if you are fascinated by architecture and history, and above all, if you like to feel the freezing cold while bathing in an open-air spa with water at almost 40 degrees, your next travel destination is Budapest at Christmas. A classic that never fails because it has it all.
This year’s best Christmas destination also extends beyond the most important Christmas dates: open until the end of the year.
Christmas markets in Estonia open until January
- Tallinn: until 7 January
In this postcard-perfect Christmas destination you will find options beyond the end of the year.
Christmas in Tallinn is like no other. If you’re looking for the perfect place to experience a stereotypical European Christmas, we recommend you head to Estonia’s capital.
Tallinn in winter is like a scene from a fairy tale. The moment you head into the heart of the old town after a short walk from the Park Inn by Radisson Meriton hotel, you will immediately capture the magical feeling that usually runs through your veins like a child on the night before Christmas.
Whether you are intrigued by the idea of experiencing stereotypical Christmas markets in the heart of Tallinn Square or perhaps simply enjoying a glass of Estonian Glögg while admiring the historic architecture with snow falling all around you, this is the last destination you often fly to.
Christmas markets in Sweden open until January
- Göteborg – Liseberg Flea Market: until 30/12
Sweden is not a country that extends its Christmas markets too long, but you also have an option: Liseberg Flea Market. Gothenburg is Sweden’s second largest city. It is famous for having a large and important port, from which a lot of trade is conducted. It is a great unknown with a lot to offer, especially if you decide to visit at Christmas. One of the best things to do is to spend a day at the Liseberg Christmas market, a retro-style amusement park that’s a real treat.
Christmas markets in Switzerland open until January
- Lucerne: until 31/12
The same goes for Switzerland, they are usually closed according to tradition with some exceptions. Lucerne’s Christmas markets are one of the most fascinating tourist attractions to be found in this important Swiss destination, capital of the canton of the same name.
Lucerne’s Christmas market is held on Franziskanerplatz. It is a paradise for young and old alike. Plenty of decorations, cakes, sweets, punch and mulled wine are the ingredients that make it a magical setting at Christmas time. There are a total of 70 cosy stalls with a wide variety of original products.
Travellers who come to Lucerne around the time of Advent can enjoy the wide variety of handicrafts, food and decorations on offer at the stalls set up at the various markets.
And you, have you already decided which of these Christmas markets in Europe open until January you will visit this year? You can recommend your favourite place in the comments!