Christmas is the most magical time of the year for adults and children alike. The start of the festive period often comes with buying decorations, like artificial Christmas trees, and visiting festive markets. These street markets are usually adorned with twinkling lights and have many stalls with independent creators selling unique gifts, food, and drinks.
Christmas markets are found in cities and towns all over the world. Many places, like Nuremberg, attract crowds of tourists around the December period each year, excited to stroll down the festive streets.
But which is the best one to visit this year?
We compared Christmas markets in the UK, Europe, and the US to find the best of 2025.
So, what are you waiting for? The sleigh bells are ringing and the choir is singing…it’s time to start planning your 2025 Xmas market visits!
The best Christmas markets in the world in 2025
1. Christkindlesmarkt – Nuremberg, Germany – Christmas market score: 8.47/10
Christkindlesmarkt is undoubtedly one of the most well-known Christmas markets in the world. The showstopping event dates back to 1628 and brings together traditional German food like bratwurst and authentic souvenirs like Zwetschgenmännle (little figures made from dried prunes and figs that Nuremberg’s market is known for).
Entry is free, and you can meander through an incredible 180 stalls offering everything from mouthwatering snacks and glühwein (German mulled wine) to traditional trinkets and Christmas decorations. Don’t believe us? An amazing 38,000 Instagram posts and nearly 2,000 TikTok videos show the festivities in full swing, with creators delighting at Christkindlesmarkt’s magical atmosphere.
Dates: Friday, 28 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: Hauptmarkt Square
Hotel price per night: £97
2. Manchester Christmas Markets – Manchester, UK – Christmas market score: 7.64/10
The Manchester Christmas Market ranks as the UK’s best, and it’s no surprise considering it is located in the heart of one of England’s biggest cities. Despite being just 27 years old, the market is well established, with approximately 225 stalls.
The street festivities open in early November and close just a few days before Christmas Day. This gives shoppers almost two months to experience the magic and pick up presents like handmade jewellery and wooden lamps. It’s the ideal time to try food like gyros and dumplings.
It’s also one of the most viral markets in the world, with 63,700 Instagram posts and 3,227 TikTok videos transporting you right to Manchester’s busy crowds and festive lights.
Dates: Friday, 7 November 2025 – Saturday, 22 December 2025
Location: Albert Square
Hotel price per night: £95
3. Winter Village – New York City, USA – Christmas market score: 7.36/10
New York City is a quintessential backdrop for the Christmas season. It is known for the snowy scenes of Central Park, as well as shopping and ice skating at Winter Village. The Bryant Park festivities are 23 years old and typically open from late October until March, giving tourists plenty of time to revisit and try all the food and activities on offer.
It is the most searched Christmas market, with over 1.5 million Google searches last year. Popular on social media, the NYC market has 44,300 Instagram posts and 5,268 TikTok posts. Creators show the famous, decadent Parmesan wheel pasta, which you can see being made right in front of your eyes at the markets. There are even POV videos of the fairground rides, including the Ferris wheel, to get you into the Christmas spirit before you go.
One of the most popular accommodation options is the St Regis New York, which is about 17 minutes on foot from Bryant Park. Last year, the hotel had an extravagant 12-foot Christmas tree, which would definitely bring Christmas to life.
Dates: Friday, 24 October 2025 – March 2026
Location: Bryant Park
Hotel price per night: £289
The best Christmas markets in the UK in 2025
-
Manchester Christmas Markets – Manchester, UK – Christmas market score: 7.64/10
The Manchester Christmas Markets are among the most popular in the UK, with 677,000 annual Google searches. Top search results are for their 2025 opening dates, user reviews, and visit guides to find the best food, showing how excited people are for this year's festivities.
In December, staying at a hotel in the area costs around £95, with popular options including the four-star King Street Townhouse Hotel. The hotel is one of the best for the Christmas experience, with afternoon tea and Christmas Day dining with roast turkey, making the festive period even more special.
Dates: Friday, 7 November 2025 – Saturday, 22 December 2025
Location: Albert Square
Hotel price per night: £95
-
Edinburgh Christmas Market – Edinburgh, UK – Christmas market score: 6.90/10
Edinburgh is a bucket-list Christmas destination for many, known for its Castle of Light, Royal Botanic Gardens Light Trail, and festive market. Although the Edinburgh Christmas Market has only been running for 26 years, it's undeniably popular.
Last year, there were 926,600 Google searches for the market, with many wondering when it would open or looking for the best food stalls. As the ideal festive photo-op, there are 58,000 Instagram and 3,378 TikTok posts for the Edinburgh markets. Many showcase the magical fairground rides and delicious food, including sizzling pigs in blankets and freshly made mac and cheese.
Dates: Saturday, 15 November 2025 – Sunday, 4 January 2026
Location: East Princes Street Gardens
Hotel price per night: £168
-
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market – Birmingham, UK – Christmas market score: 6.71/10
Birmingham’s German-style Christmas Market fills the city with festive charm. Approximately 80 stalls line New Street and Victoria Square, making it the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. It’s also easy to find, located just outside Birmingham New Street train station.
This year, the market is open from November 1st until Christmas Eve, with live music, Christmas lights, and ice skating at Centenary Square. With a large social media presence, the market's hashtag is used in 22,600 Instagram posts and 1,478 TikTok posts. Users share clips of the market's food and drink, including warm, pillowy pretzels, traditional German sausages, and mulled wine.
Dates: Saturday, 1 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: New Street
Hotel price per night: £87
The best Christmas markets in Europe in 2025
-
Christkindlesmarkt – Nuremberg, Germany – Christmas market score: 8.47/10
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt ranks as the best market to visit in Germany during the festive months. Known for providing visitors with the complete Christmas experience, it has a Ferris wheel, mini-train, and around 180 stalls.
Try glühwein, a hot, spiced wine often served in mugs depicting traditional snowy scenes to keep you warm as you brave the German winter chill. For kids, the non-alcoholic kinderpunsch is a fruit tea-based drink that is just as warming.
Dates: Friday, 28 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: Hauptmarkt Square
Hotel price per night: £97
-
Striezelmarkt – Dresden, Germany – Christmas market score: 6.99/10
Striezelmarkt in Dresden is the second German Christmas market in our European top three. It is a firm favourite for Christmas lovers worldwide and is renowned for its long history and festive tradition. The market has run annually since 1434 and has maintained some long-running traditions. One must-see tradition is the Stollen festival. The ceremony begins with cutting the first slice of Stollen (bread), followed by a procession through Dresden’s old town.
Striezelmarkt has approximately 240 stalls, where you can try the traditional Dresden Stollen, freshly baked gingerbread men, and bratwurst sausages. The NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt hotel is located on the market's doorstep, with some rooms overlooking the twinkling streets. The hotel also has Christmas lights and is scented with cinnamon and cloves during the festive season.
Dates: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: Dresden’s Altmarkt
Hotel price per night: £155
-
Old Town Square Christmas Market – Prague, Czech Republic – Christmas market score: 6.57/10
Prague’s Old Town Square festive Market has a rich history, dating back 725 years. Festive cheer brings Prague together, with dance performances and folk groups performing daily routines from around 4 pm until 7 pm. Approximately 100 wooden huts sell handmade Christmas tree ornaments, traditional puppets, and dolls.
Visitors can also try authentic Czech cuisine at the street markets, such as fish soup, sweet pancakes, and roasted meats. The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa is popular, spreading the Christmas spirit with cookies and a mini Christmas tree in its rooms. The market is also easily accessible, located just four minutes from the train station.
Dates: Saturday, 29 November 2025 – Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Location: Old Town Square
Hotel price per night: £166
The best Christmas markets outside Europe in 2025
-
Winter Village – New York City, USA – Christmas market score: 7.36/10
New York City’s Bryant Park turns into a magical Winter Village in the colder months. Small shops sell the perfect Christmas gifts, like spiced sweets and unique home decor. Visitors can wander for hours without seeing the same thing twice.
The food is just as unique an experience as shopping at Winter Village, and mulled drinks are on offer to help you warm up. Bryant Park is also easily accessible on foot, around two minutes from the closest train station.
Dates: Friday, 24 October 2025 – March 2026
Location: Bryant Park
Hotel price per night: £289
-
Christkindlmarket – Chicago, USA – Christmas market score: 6.67/10
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket claims to be the most authentic traditional holiday market of its kind outside of Europe. The market is free for all to enter, and in 2023, it welcomed over two million people across all its locations, with the main site at Daley Plaza offering around 55 festive stalls.
The traditional market has 20,000 Instagram posts and 1,994 TikTok videos using its hashtag, meaning you can see what it’s all about before you visit. Users share food reviews online, trying anything from jalepeño-stuffed pretzels to apple strudel. Many visitors also share the gifts they purchase from the wooden huts at Christkindlmarket, including ceramic mugs and Chicago-themed ornaments.
Dates: Friday, 21 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: Daley Plaza
Hotel price per night: £119
-
Union Square Holiday Market – New York City, USA – Christmas market score: 6.67/10
Union Square Holiday Market is one of the top NYC festive markets, opening annually at Christmastime. It has been running for 32 years, five years older than Bryant Park’s Winter Village, and it has more stalls, around 185. The festivities usually open from mid-November to Christmas Eve, during which visitors can purchase unique gifts like glass lamps and crystals.
Visiting the market is more than just a shopping experience. It offers culinary delights like freshly made, warming soup and its signature s’mores hot chocolate. You can use social media to look at the market before you visit. The 13,300 Instagram and 979 TikTok posts showcase all the food and drink you can try, and tell you the best stalls to visit for the perfect Christmas gifts.
The market is free to enter. However, hotel stays in December average around £362 per night, driven up by the popularity of a magical NYC Christmas.
Dates: Thursday, 13 November 2025 – Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Location: Union Square Park
Hotel price per night: £362
Ben Wightman, product expert at Christmas Tree World, comments:
As the festive season approaches, Ben Wightman, Product Expert at Christmas Tree World, shares five stress-free ways to enjoy Christmas markets this year..
-
Wander and explore
While you might want to browse social media and plan your route, leave room for spontaneous discoveries. Decide on a few must-see attractions or stalls, but allow yourself to drift through hidden side streets and get led by the warm LED lights. Some of the best finds are off the beaten track.
-
Travel light and hands-free
Carry a small backpack or crossbody bag to keep your hands free for tasting treats, hot drinks, and making festive purchases. Comfortable shoes are a must, as you’ll be walking and exploring for hours. The lighter you travel, the more enjoyable the day.
-
Time your visit smartly
Markets can be crowded at peak hours, so consider early mornings or weekday visits for a calmer experience. Evening trips are magical too, as the cluster lights really come alive. If you go during the winter nights, make sure you wrap up warm so you can really embrace the atmosphere.
-
Try new delicacies
Branch out from the usual sausages and mulled wine. Seek out small, local delicacies or artisan bakes you won’t find elsewhere. Trying new flavors adds a sense of adventure to your festive wanderings, and makes visiting your local market a totally new experience year after year.
-
Explore new markets
Don’t be afraid to venture beyond your local market. Visiting a market in a nearby city or town is a great way to experience different traditions, discover unique foods, and see different takes on festive decorations like baubles and tree toppers.
Methodology
Christmas Tree World is one of the UK’s leading online retailers of artificial Christmas trees, lights, and decorations. We help families create magical festive displays that last for years.
Passionate about Christmas, we wanted to explore which Christmas markets worldwide are must-visit experiences in 2025 and explain how you can bring a little of that festive magic home.
We analysed some of the most famous Christmas markets from around the world, giving each a normalised score out of 10 based on the following factors:
-
Global Google searches made in the last 12 months sourced using Google Ads Keyword Planner
-
Instagram and TikTok hashtagged posts as of August 28th, 2025
-
Average nightly December hotel cost sourced using Kayak as of August 28th, 2025
-
Walking distance to the closest train station sourced using Google Maps
-
Age of the market (years running)
-
Entry fee (if applicable)
-
Approximate number of stalls
For each of these last four factors, various sources were used, such as the market's official website, local tourist boards, and travel blogs, and actual figures may vary for 2025.
