Christmas market weekend breaks in Europe: 8 cities for 2 days

A Christmas market trip is one of the easiest weekends to sell to a group of friends. Everyone knows what it involves: mulled wine, a few hours of wandering between stalls, a cold walk back to the hotel. The harder part is picking the city and the weekend before the trains and hotels fill up.

Here are eight cities that work for a two-day Christmas market weekend break. Four are reachable by train from London (Brussels, Cologne, Strasbourg and Edinburgh), and four are a short flight away. For each one we've listed the 2026 dates for the main markets, how long it takes to get there and a simple two-day plan. If you'd rather stay closer to home, see our weekend getaways from London.

Train times are for the train itself, and flight times are airport to airport. Add time for getting to St Pancras or the airport, and check live timetables for your dates before you book.

1. Brussels, for the quickest Christmas market weekend

Brussels is the easiest Christmas market break from London. The Eurostar takes about two hours from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi, so you can leave on a Friday afternoon and be at a market by dinner.

The city's winter festival, Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d'Hiver), runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The organisers list 238 chalets, spread through the centre rather than in one square: Place de la Monnaie, Place de la Bourse, Place de Brouckère, Place Sainte-Catherine, the Vismet, Rue de la Madeleine and Place Poelaert, with the big Christmas tree on the Grand-Place.

Day 1: arrive, walk from the Grand-Place to the Bourse and on to Sainte-Catherine and the Vismet, the old fish market area, for the evening. Day 2: the Monnaie and De Brouckère squares in the morning, then up Rue de la Madeleine towards Place Poelaert before the train home.

Because it runs to 3 January, Brussels is one of the few markets on this list that still works for a weekend between Christmas and New Year. The 2026 programme and opening hours are due in November. In 2025 the market was open daily from noon to 10 pm, closing at 6 pm on 24 and 31 December and 1 January, so check the Winter Wonders site before you go.

It suits a first trip, a short weekend and groups who don't want to fly.

2. Cologne, for several markets in one walk

Cologne has more markets than you'll get through in two days, and most of them are in the old town within walking distance of each other. By train from London it's about five hours, changing in Brussels for a direct train that takes just under two hours.

The main markets for 2026:

• Cathedral market on Roncalliplatz, right below the cathedral: 16 November to 23 December, closed on Sunday 22 November. It opens at 11:00 (10:00 on Saturdays) and closes at 21:00 from Sunday to Wednesday and 22:00 from Thursday to Saturday.
• Heinzels Wintermärchen in the old town: on the Alter Markt from 23 November to 23 December, and on the Heumarkt, with its ice rink, from 23 November to 10 January 2027. Both are closed on 24 and 25 December.
• Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt by the Chocolate Museum on the Rhine: 13 November to 3 January 2027.
• Markt der Engel on Neumarkt and the Nikolausdorf on Rudolfplatz: 16 November to 23 December.

Day 1: the cathedral market, then the five-minute walk to the Alter Markt and through to the Heumarkt. Day 2: the harbour market along the river in the morning, then Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz in the afternoon.

Be ready for crowds. The cathedral market gets busy from mid-morning, and the old town markets are packed on Saturday evenings. The harbour market is usually much quieter.

It suits groups who want a lot of choice without planning much.

3. Strasbourg, for a whole city at Christmas

Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and the market is spread across the city centre. The 2026 market runs from 27 November to 24 December. The stalls are open every day from 11:00 to 21:00, from 14:00 on the opening day, and close for good at 18:00 on 24 December.

The official site lists the market areas: the Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie, the stalls around the cathedral on Place de la Cathédrale and Place du Château, Place Kléber with the big tree, Petite France around Place Benjamin Zix and Place Saint-Thomas, plus smaller markets on Place du Temple Neuf, Square Louise Weiss, Place Grimmeissen and the Rohan terrace by the Place du Marché aux Poissons.

From London, take the Eurostar to Paris and a TGV from Gare de l'Est, about 5 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 40 minutes in total. Gare de l'Est is a short walk from Gare du Nord. Or change at Lille Europe, about 5 hours 25 minutes, without changing stations.

Day 1: Place Broglie and Place Kléber, then the cathedral squares as it gets dark. Day 2: Petite France in the morning, then the smaller markets on the way back to the station.

The city itself says crowds are usually lighter on Mondays and Tuesdays and heavier on Wednesdays and at weekends. If you can take a Monday off, a Sunday to Tuesday trip will be calmer than Friday to Sunday.

It suits train travellers and anyone who wants the full Christmas city experience.

4. Nuremberg, for one classic German market

Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026. It opens with a ceremony on Friday 27 November and is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, closing at 14:00 on Christmas Eve. Next to it, the Markt der Partnerstädte on Rathausplatz has stalls from Nuremberg's twin towns (until 23 December), and the children's market is on Hans-Sachs-Platz.

It's the furthest on this list by train, about eight and a half hours via Brussels and Frankfurt, so flying makes more sense. This winter easyJet starts direct flights to Nuremberg from Gatwick (from 19 November 2026) and Luton (from 23 November, for the Christmas market season), about 1 hour 45 minutes. Other airlines have flown from Stansted and Heathrow in past winters, so check this year's schedules. From the airport, the U2 underground reaches the city centre in about 13 minutes.

Day 1: the Hauptmarkt and the twin towns market. Day 2: a walk around the old town, then back to the Hauptmarkt for the evening.

The city expects very big crowds and advises against driving in. On Advent weekends the U1 runs twice as often through the centre, which tells you how busy Saturdays get. If you can, go on a Friday and leave on Sunday morning.

It suits groups who want one well-known market and an easy small city.

5. Prague, for 2 days at Christmas

If you're planning 2 days in Prague at Christmas, the two big markets are on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Both run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, daily from 10:00 to 22:00, according to the market organiser. Smaller neighbourhood markets include Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) in Vinohrady, from 20 November to 24 December, and Republic Square, from 25 November to 24 December.

Direct flights from London take about two hours. From the airport, trolleybus 59 takes about 17 minutes to Nádraží Veleslavín on metro line A, or the Airport Express bus goes to the main railway station in about 40 minutes.

Day 1: Old Town Square in the afternoon, then down to Wenceslas Square as the lights come on. Day 2: cross the Charles Bridge to Malá Strana and walk up to the castle in the morning, then spend the evening at the Peace Square market in Vinohrady, which is more of a local market.

Prague's main markets stay open until 6 January, so this is another option for the week after Christmas.

It suits groups who want markets and a full city break in the same weekend.

6. Vienna, for the most markets and the earliest start

Vienna has the longest list of markets here, and some open earlier than anywhere else on this list. The city tourism board lists, for 2026:

• Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, in front of City Hall: 13 November to 26 December, daily 10:00 to 22:00 (to 18:30 on 24 December). The Eistraum ice rink next to it runs to 6 January 2027.
• Schönbrunn Palace: 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
• Belvedere Palace: 20 November to 31 December.
• Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the two big museums: 20 November to 26 December.
• Spittelberg, in the small streets of the 7th district: 13 November to 23 December.
• Art Advent on Karlsplatz, for crafts: 13 November to 23 December.
• Stephansplatz, by the cathedral: 6 November to 26 December.

Direct flights from London take around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes, and the City Airport Train reaches Wien Mitte in 21 minutes.

Day 1: Stephansplatz, then Rathausplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz in the evening. Day 2: Schönbrunn in the morning, then Spittelberg for the evening, which is smaller and more relaxed than the big squares.

It suits groups who want to start early in November, and anyone who likes a palace with their mulled wine.

7. Copenhagen, for Tivoli at Christmas

Copenhagen's main draw is Christmas in Tivoli, the amusement park just past City Hall Square, which runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Opening hours change from day to day, especially around Christmas, so check the calendar and ticket prices on Tivoli's site before you go.

In the centre, the Christmas market on Nytorv and Gammeltorv, on the Strøget shopping street, runs from 6 November to 21 December 2026 and is free to enter. The organisers list it as open from 11:00 every day except Sunday (12:00), until 20:00 Monday to Wednesday, 21:00 on Thursday, 22:00 on Friday and Saturday and 19:00 on Sunday.

Direct flights from London take about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. From the airport, the metro reaches Nørreport and the train reaches the central station in about 15 minutes each.

Day 1: Nytorv and Gammeltorv in the afternoon, then Tivoli for the evening, when the lights are on. Day 2: a walk along Strøget and down to Nyhavn.

It suits groups who want something different from a German-style market, and anyone travelling with friends who like rides.

8. Edinburgh, for a UK option with no flight

If half the group doesn't have a passport to hand, Edinburgh is the easy answer. Edinburgh's Christmas runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The main market, with around 70 stalls, is in East Princes Street Gardens and is free to enter. The Big Wheel is in the same part of the gardens, there's a funfair in West Princes Street Gardens, and the ice rink is on George Street.

LNER trains from King's Cross take about 4 hours 20 minutes, and the fastest about 4 hours. They run almost every half hour during the day, and Waverley station is right next to the gardens.

Day 1: arrive, walk straight up from Waverley into the market and ride the Big Wheel after dark. Day 2: the Old Town and Royal Mile in the morning, then George Street for the rink.

Opening hours for 24 to 26 December weren't published when we checked, so look them up before you plan a trip over Christmas itself.

It suits groups who'd rather take the train, and anyone with friends coming from the north.

When is the best time for a Christmas market weekend break?

In 2026, every market on this list is open on the weekend of 28 and 29 November, the first Advent weekend, and on every weekend after that until Christmas. That weekend and the one after (5 and 6 December) are a good balance: everything is open, and the crowds are not yet at their peak.

The weekends closest to Christmas, 12 and 13 December and 19 and 20 December, are likely to be the busiest. Strasbourg and Nuremberg both close on 24 December, and Vienna's Rathausplatz market on 26 December.

If you want a weekend after Christmas, Brussels, Tivoli, Edinburgh and Cologne's harbour market stay open until 3 January 2027, Prague and Schönbrunn in Vienna until 6 January, and the Heumarkt in Cologne until 10 January.

Wherever you go, evenings, and Saturday evenings most of all, are usually the busiest. Visit the main squares in the morning and keep the evenings for smaller markets. Hours on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December are shorter at many markets, and some close completely, so check before you book a trip over Christmas itself.

Plan your Christmas market weekend with Weekend

You've probably saved a few of these already. A Strasbourg reel, a Vienna vlog, a Prague mulled wine stall a friend sent to the group chat. Then December comes and nobody can find them, or agree on a weekend.

That's why we built Weekend. Share an Instagram reel or a YouTube video with the app, and it finds every place the video mentions, checks each one on Google Maps and saves them on your map, with the creator's tips and the moment in the video where each place appears. When you're ready, send the plan to your friends. They vote without installing anything, and you pick a weekend that works. See how it works.

Going with a group? Here's how to plan a group trip with friends so it actually happens. Your next weekend might already be in your feed, too. Read why your next weekend might already be in your saved reels, or, if you'd rather stay in England, see our weekend getaways from London.

FAQ

Where should I go for Christmas markets in Europe?

For a first trip, Vienna, Prague, Cologne and Strasbourg have the most markets in one place. Nuremberg is the classic choice for a single German market, and Copenhagen's Tivoli is different from the rest. From London, Brussels is the quickest, about two hours by Eurostar.

Which Christmas markets city breaks in Europe can I do by train from London?

Brussels is about two hours on the Eurostar. Cologne is about five hours with a change in Brussels, and Strasbourg is about five to five and a half hours via Paris or Lille. Edinburgh is about four to four and a half hours from King's Cross. Nuremberg is possible by train but takes about eight and a half hours.

Are 2 days in Prague enough at Christmas?

Two days is enough for the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square markets plus the Charles Bridge and the castle. In 2026 both main markets run from 28 November to 6 January 2027, so you can go before or after Christmas.

When do the Christmas markets in Europe open in 2026?

Vienna's Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz markets and Copenhagen's Nytorv market open first, on 6 November. Tivoli, Vienna's Rathausplatz and Cologne's harbour market follow on 13 November, and Cologne's cathedral market on 16 November. Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Brussels open on 27 November and Prague on 28 November.

Sources

Checked on 23 October 2026.

• Winter Wonders, official site and Winter Wonders, Christmas market (27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, 238 chalets, market squares, programme from November 2026, 2025 opening hours)
• Eurostar, London to Brussels; B-Europe, London to Cologne (about 5 h 11 via Brussels; Brussels to Cologne 1 h 51, 9 trains a day)
• Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, official site (16 November to 23 December 2026, closed on 22 November, opening hours); Heinzels Wintermärchen, official site (Alter Markt to 23 December 2026, Heumarkt to 10 January 2027, closed 24 and 25 December); koeln.de, Weihnachtsmärkte Köln (2026 dates for the Neumarkt, Rudolfplatz and harbour markets); Earth Trekkers, Cologne Christmas markets (locations, walking distances, crowds)
• Noël à Strasbourg, official site (27 November to 24 December 2026, market areas) and its FAQ (opening hours); Strasbourg, coming to Strasbourg (quieter Mondays and Tuesdays); Show Me The Journey, London to Strasbourg by train
• Stadt Nürnberg, Christkindlesmarkt (27 November to 24 December 2026, hours, U-Bahn, crowds); Nuremberg Airport, easyJet to London (May 2026) (Gatwick from 19 November 2026, Luton from 23 November 2026); VAG Nürnberg (airport to centre 13 minutes); Rome2Rio, London to Nuremberg (train about 8 h 31)
• Prague Christmas markets organiser (Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, 10:00 to 22:00); Visit Czechia, Christmas markets in Prague (Peace Square and Republic Square); Prague.eu, getting to Prague (trolleybus 59, Airport Express); Rome2Rio, London to Prague
• wien.info, Weihnachtsmärkte (2026 dates and hours for the Vienna markets); City Airport Train (21 minutes); Rome2Rio, London to Vienna
• Tivoli, opening hours and seasons (13 November to 3 January); Visit Copenhagen, Christmas in Tivoli; Julemarked Nytorv & Gammeltorv, plan your visit (6 November to 21 December 2026, opening hours); Visit Copenhagen, airport to city centre; Rome2Rio, London to Copenhagen
• Edinburgh.org, Edinburgh's Christmas (14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, about 70 stalls, sites); Seat61, London to Edinburgh (fastest 4 h, typical 4 h 20, almost every half hour)