Best Christmas Markets for an Unforgettable Family Experience (2024)

Christmas markets are the perfect way to immerse your family in the spirit of the season, with beautiful decorations, festive music, and delicious food to enjoy. Here’s our curated list of the best Christmas markets around the world that are sure to create lasting memories for the whole family. These markets offer fun for all ages, with plenty of family-friendly attractions and holiday treats. From Europe’s charming, historic marketplaces to Tokyo’s unique blend of East and West, these destinations provide a festive experience that’s hard to beat.

1. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg, often called the “Capital of Christmas,” boasts one of the oldest and most enchanting Christmas markets in Europe. With origins dating back to 1570, this city transforms into a fairy-tale wonderland every December, with illuminated streets and half-timbered houses covered in lights. The main Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, is located around Strasbourg Cathedral, where families can marvel at the stunning Gothic architecture while exploring over 300 stalls selling everything from handmade ornaments to traditional Alsatian treats.

The market's family-friendly atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. Children will love the sparkling carousels and seasonal ice-skating rinks, while parents can enjoy sampling spiced mulled wine and tarte flambée, a local delicacy. With various activities, including a children’s village with puppet shows and workshops, it’s an ideal spot for an unforgettable family holiday experience. And don’t miss the Great Christmas Tree at Place Kléber, which is often accompanied by live music and festive performances.

Families can easily spend days exploring the city’s other charming Christmas markets in areas like Place Broglie and Place Gutenberg. Each market offers unique souvenirs and crafts, and many feature local choirs and seasonal performances that add to the festive ambiance. Strasbourg is an immersive holiday destination where your family can enjoy a mix of holiday magic and cultural heritage.

Top Hotels for Families in Strasbourg

• Hôtel Les Haras
• Hôtel & Spa Le Bouclier D'or
• Hôtel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg

2. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm’s Christmas markets bring the Nordic Christmas spirit to life with beautiful Scandinavian decorations, hearty winter dishes, and cozy market stalls. The most iconic Christmas market is located in the historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), where families can wander through narrow, cobbled streets filled with over 40 traditional stalls. These markets offer an array of festive goodies, from gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor) to local handicrafts, making it easy to pick up unique Christmas gifts and decorations.

The atmosphere is magical, with live music and carolers adding to the holiday cheer. Families can warm up with hot chocolate or glögg (Swedish mulled wine) while children enjoy traditional games and ride the carousel. The setting of the market against Stockholm’s picturesque medieval buildings creates a unique backdrop, making it an ideal spot for family photos and Christmas memories.

In addition to the Old Town market, Stockholm has several other smaller Christmas markets worth visiting, including the Skansen Open-Air Museum, which offers an educational experience with reindeer sleigh rides, Sami crafts, and workshops that teach traditional Swedish holiday customs. This makes Stockholm’s markets both a festive and cultural family experience.

Top Hotels for Families in Stockholm

• Grand Hôtel Stockholm
• Hotel Frantz
• Nobis Hotel Stockholm

3. Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s Christmas markets are nothing short of spectacular, with a focus on elegance and tradition that creates a magical experience for families. The main market, Christkindlmarkt, is set against the stunning Vienna City Hall, which is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights. Here, families can explore over 150 stalls selling everything from handmade toys to artisanal chocolates, while the little ones can enjoy attractions like an ice rink and a beautiful carousel.

What makes Vienna’s Christmas markets so special is the emphasis on music, which fills the air with holiday cheer. Choirs and classical musicians perform throughout the day, offering families a taste of Vienna’s musical heritage. The City Hall also houses a workshop area where children can create holiday crafts, adding a fun hands-on element to the visit.

Other notable markets in Vienna include the Belvedere Palace Christmas Village and the market at Schönbrunn Palace, which are known for their stunning locations and festive décor. Each market offers unique crafts and culinary delights, making it easy for families to spend days exploring Vienna’s holiday markets and discovering new treats along the way.

Top Hotels for Families in Vienna

• The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna
• Hotel Sacher Wien
• Hotel Indigo Vienna

4. London, UK

London’s Christmas markets offer something for everyone, with a blend of traditional British holiday cheer and modern attractions. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is one of the largest holiday festivals in Europe, featuring not only a bustling Christmas market but also an array of carnival rides, a huge ice-skating rink, and a Santa’s grotto. Families can browse through the market’s stalls filled with holiday crafts, enjoy live performances, and indulge in classic British treats like mince pies and roasted chestnuts.

Winter Wonderland has many family-friendly attractions, including an ice sculpture display, a magical ice kingdom, and a special Christmas circus show perfect for kids. The event’s energy and excitement make it a great option for families seeking a lively holiday experience. In addition, the Southbank Centre Christmas Market along the River Thames offers a more relaxed atmosphere with beautiful river views, holiday shopping, and cozy food stalls.

London’s holiday markets capture the festive spirit with an eclectic mix of entertainment, making it a top choice for family Christmas vacations. From carol singers to holiday parades, the city’s holiday atmosphere is sure to leave your family with warm holiday memories.

Top Hotels for Families in London

• Corinthia London
• St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s Christmas markets are known for their old-world charm and enchanting holiday spirit. The main market is located in Old Town Square, where families can admire the stunning architecture of the Astronomical Clock and the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn. The market features festive stalls filled with handmade ornaments, traditional Czech treats like trdelník (a sweet pastry), and cozy winter drinks.

Children will love seeing the nativity scenes and visiting the animal stable, where they can interact with live animals. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a highlight, drawing visitors each evening with its dazzling display of lights and music. The entire square is transformed into a holiday spectacle, making it one of Europe’s most picturesque Christmas markets.

Beyond the main market, Wenceslas Square also hosts a lively Christmas market where families can explore more stalls, sample Czech holiday food, and enjoy performances by local musicians. Prague’s markets offer a blend of festive activities and cultural immersion, providing an experience your family will cherish.

Top Hotels for Families in Prague

• Four Seasons Hotel Prague
• Mandarin Oriental, Prague
• Hotel Pod Věží

6. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo’s Christmas markets bring a delightful twist to the holiday tradition, blending European influences with Japanese hospitality. The Tokyo Christmas Market in Hibiya Park is modeled after German Christmas markets, complete with wooden stalls, a towering Christmas tree, and festive decorations. Families can explore stalls selling holiday crafts, German-style sausages, and delicious hot cocoa.

In addition to Hibiya Park, the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market offers another holiday experience in the heart of Tokyo, inspired by the famous Stuttgart Christmas market. Children will enjoy seeing Santa Claus figurines and colorful Christmas lights, while adults can indulge in mulled wine and German sweets. Tokyo’s unique combination of East and West creates a holiday experience that’s truly special.

The markets in Tokyo are also known for their illuminations, with nearby attractions like Tokyo Midtown and Shibuya bringing light displays that captivate all ages. Tokyo’s Christmas markets offer a festive escape for families, allowing them to experience both Japanese and European holiday traditions in one vibrant city.

Top Hotels for Families in Tokyo

• Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
• Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
• Imperial Hotel Tokyo

7. Dresden, Germany

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to 1434, and it offers a magical experience steeped in history. Located in Altmarkt Square, the market is famous for its enormous Christmas pyramid, a traditional German decoration that towers over the stalls. Families can browse hundreds of stalls selling hand-carved wooden toys, intricate glass ornaments, and Dresden’s famous Christstollen fruitcake.

Dresden’s market is exceptionally family-friendly, with carousels, puppet shows, and a children’s railway. The market’s festive atmosphere is enhanced by seasonal music, and children will love the advent calendar events held daily. The storybook setting of Dresden during the holidays is unforgettable, making it a must-visit destination for families looking to immerse themselves in German holiday traditions.

Families can also visit the medieval market in Dresden’s stable yard and the Frauenkirche Christmas Market, both of which offer unique experiences. From traditional crafts to German holiday delicacies, Dresden’s Christmas markets provide an authentic and festive holiday experience.

Top Hotels for Families in Dresden

• Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski
• Gewandhaus Dresden
• NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt

8. Toronto, Canada

Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village is the city’s premier Christmas market and a top choice for families seeking holiday magic in North America. Located in the historic Distillery District, the market is filled with festive stalls, holiday lights, and a grand Christmas tree. Families can enjoy an array of food options, from poutine to holiday sweets, while browsing stalls featuring local artisans and holiday crafts.

Toronto’s market is family-friendly, with holiday-themed photo booths, live performances, and carolers creating a lively atmosphere. Kids will enjoy meeting Santa Claus, while adults can warm up with mulled wine or hot cider. The European-inspired ambiance of the Distillery Winter Village makes it feel like a little slice of Europe in North America.

Besides the main market, Toronto offers holiday events and illuminations throughout the city, including the Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square with its outdoor skating rink and Ferris wheel. The festive vibe in Toronto during the holiday season is perfect for a family vacation filled with Canadian warmth and holiday cheer.

Top Hotels for Families in Toronto

• Fairmont Royal York
• 1 Hotel Toronto
• Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown

These Christmas markets offer the perfect backdrop for a family vacation filled with holiday spirit, unique cultural experiences, and joyous memories. Each destination on this list promises a festive adventure that will enchant both kids and adults alike. So pack your scarves and mittens and get ready for a holiday season to remember!