Ahhhh, the fruity smell of hot mulled wine, the twinkle of glittering lights, the jingle-jangle of a naff keyring that your Mum will never use…

Alright, there’s a lot of tat at Christmas Markets. But these 3 are enough to make even the Scroogiest Scrooge get into the festive spirit.

Tallinn is peak Christmas. The market takes place in the Christmas-card-ready Town Hall Square, which has had a big old tree lighting up the place since 1441.

There's a few Christmas markets dusted about town. At Gingerbread Mania, master bakers craft sculptures out of the Christmassy biscuit (sure). There’s festive gifts, hot wine and SANTA at the classic Christmas Market, and you can even try the local delicacy of blood pudding and sour cabbage. Yummer.

Nov 21st 2025 to Dec 28th 2025.

Copenhagen has (count ‘em) eight Christmas Markets. There’s your classic Tivoli Gardens, foodie heaven in the Meatpacking District, the Hans Christian Anderson Christmas Market (niche AF), and the beautiful Nyhavn Harbour - think gingerbread houses along the river.

Not weird enough for you? There’s also the Christmas Market in Freetown Christiania, the hippie commune in the middle of Copenhagen. There’s loads of stalls in Christiania’s Grey Hall, selling handmade jewellery, paper-cut Christmas mobiles, light-up mushrooms and a mind-boggling selection of other goods.

Nov 14th 2025 to Jan 4th 2026

If you like your turkey with ALL the trimmings, in Lausanne you can combine a visit to the Christmas Market with the magical festival of lights Lausanne Lumières.

There’s no glow-in-the-dark Santas here, it’s a classy affair with installations by the most respected light artists in the world.

Plus, Lausanne’s boasting cheese, chocolate, fondue (cheese and chocolate), wine, and views over Lake Geneva.

Nov 20th 2025 to Dec 31st 2025