6 Nov to 26 Dec 2026Christmas markets
Vienna Christmas Markets
Vienna, Austria
From a palace park to a cathedral square, Vienna's dozen-plus markets let you choose by rink, crafts or food.
- Best day
- A weekday, early evening
- Book
- Weekend rooms, early
20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026Christmas market
Gdańsk Christmas Market
Gdańsk's Christmas stalls fill Targ Węglowy and follow the Royal Route through the old city gates, so you can shop your way across the Main Town to the river in one afternoon.
- Best day
- A weekday, from noon to dusk
- Book
- Dinner tables, ahead
27 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027Christmas market
Kraków Christmas Market
Be on the Rynek Główny on 3 December, when Kraków's makers set out their glittering szopki at the Mickiewicz monument and carry them round the square at noon. The Christmas market fills the rest of the square until 6 January.
- Best day
- Thursday 3 December, the Szopki
- Book
- No tickets; book Wieliczka ahead
27 Nov to 24 Dec 2026Christmas market
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Nuremberg, Germany
Shop for gingerbread and hand-made decorations under red and white stall roofs in Nuremberg's main square, then stay for mulled wine after dark.
- Best day
- A Tuesday to Thursday morning
- Book
- Rooms by the summer
5 to 8 Dec 2026Festival of lights
Fête des Lumières
Light artists take over Lyon's churches, squares and riverbanks for four nights in December, and you can walk between the shows without a ticket.
- Best day
- Sunday 6 or Monday 7 December
- Book
- Hotels as soon as you can; nothing else to book
7 to 17 Dec 2026Whirling dervish ceremonies
Şeb-i Arus
Watch the whirling dervishes turn in Konya, the city where Rumi is buried, during the eleven days each December when it commemorates him.
- Best day
- 17 December, the last night
- Book
- As soon as sales open