Adventmarkt Hellbrunn Salzburg Advent Market. Photo / Hellbrunner Adventzauber
Find all the Christmas cheer without the crushing crowds at these lesser-known European Christmas Markets, writes Arundhati Hazra.
If you’re in the mood to celebrate a proper Christmas, few destinations beat Europe, where town squares come alive in winter with carousels and twinkling lights, the sounds of carols and the smells of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Naturally, certain cities such as Nuremberg, Strasbourg or Vienna have become world-famous for their Christmas markets, yet nothing is festive about battling crushing crowds of tourists. So, if you’re dreaming of a white Christmas and a charming market, here are some truly unique spots that deliver the cheer without the queues.
Beneath the millennium-old Valkenburg Castle is a network of caves and corridors, once mined for marlstone to build the fortress, and later used as secret escape routes during medieval sieges. Nowadays, the Velvet Cave (Fluweelengrot) and Municipal Cave (Gemeentegrot) host Netherland’s only underground Christmas markets. The festive light displays in the caves add an ethereal glow to the yellow marlstone walls, which are inland with centuries-old murals and inscriptions. Snack on olliebollen (fried dough balls) and stroopwafels as you explore the market, and don’t miss picking up a few slabs of Dutch cheese to eat later. There is also a charming Santa’s Village at the town centre with a 7m tall “singing” Christmas tree, and their Christmas parade, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was awarded the best in Europe. Also check out the Route d’Amuse, a set of culinary walks around town where you can try out various Christmas treats on the way.
Dates: November 14, 2025 - January 5, 2026
The Salzburg Christmas market has had various avatars, originating as “Tandlmarkt” (flea market) in the 15th century, continuing as the Nikolaimarkt in the 17th century (named for Saint Nicholas) to its modern avatar as the Christkindlmarkt. The courtyard of the Hellbrunn Palace transforms into a fairytale land, with 700 conifers decorated with thousands of baubles and fairy lights. A highlight is the Palace’s facade, whose 24 windows transform into a gigantic Advent calendar. Another unique event is the Krampus run, a costume parade of sorts where people dress up as the hairy, horned creature from Alpine legends who punished naughty kids with sticks. The modern-day Krampusses dress up in garish masks with noisy bells and prance around giving children fist-bumps. On Sundays, head up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress to catch some “tower blowing”, a trumpeting tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.
Dates: November 20, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Located at the foot of the 130ft high Hollental Railway viaduct and flanked by forested slopes, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market is easily one of the most atmospheric locations for a Christmas market. A 30-minute drive (or shuttle bus) from the university town of Freiburg brings you to the market, or you can sign up for a guided torchlight hike that takes you through the Black Forest. Explore stalls selling traditional German handicrafts like nutcrackers and glassware, while you munch on roasted chestnuts and flammkuchen (which resembles pizza), sip on gluhwein (mulled wine), or risk a glass of Feuerzangenbowle (flaming punch). An illuminated Nativity trail takes you through the story of Christmas up to a hillock with gorgeous views of the market. The market is only open on weekends and is ticketed.
Dates: November 28, 2025 - December 21, 2026
Lighting displays have always been part of Christmas pageantry, but Ljubljana has taken it one giant level up. The entire city comes aglow in a grand Festival of Lights, involving towering light installations and elaborate displays spanning major buildings like the pink Franciscan Church and the Dragon Bridge. The themes change each year but are rooted in appreciation of the universe and human life. Sample Slovenian delicacies like kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage), poprtnik (sweet bread) and potica (rolled walnut pastry) at the food stalls that line the Ljubljanica river, and don’t miss the life-size nativity scene made of straw near the embankment.
Dates: November 29, 2025 - January 1, 2026
According to legend, Santa’s home is in Korvantunturi, a fox ear-shaped mountain in Finnish Lapland. Since his exact home is a secret, he established the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, where it is Christmas all year round. Here, you can meet Santa in his office or his red Christmas house, play with his reindeer (and get a ride too!), or send a letter from Santa’s Post Office with a special Arctic Circle stamp. Grab a meal at the Snow Restaurant, with stunning ice sculptures, or dance your cares away at the Ice Disco; if you are lucky, you can enjoy Christmas under the canopy of the Northern Lights. On December 23 each year, the town organises a send-off party for Santa Claus as he goes on his journey to deliver joy to millions of households worldwide.
Dates: Year-round
