Well before the January sales sucked in shoppers, decades before Christmas shopping in New York and many centuries before the internet provided an opportunity to stock up on Yuletide gifts for loved ones, Europe's traditional Christmas Markets were drawing big, big crowds. And they still are. Europe's most spectacular cities get even more spectacular, as wooden stalls are erected, traders display their wares and people chug down mulled wine until things become even more spectacular than they already are (which is pretty spectacular).

What can you expect from a traditional Christmas Market in Europe? There's the smell of seasonal food being roasted, fried and spiced wafting through the air, the sounds of Christmas songs on repeat sending stall holders slowly insane and a taste of Christmas that's so thick it's like you've eaten one of Santa's elves. There's enough locally specific handmade gifts from porcelain, wood, iron, embroidery to make every Grandma you've ever wanted happy and enough ?genuine? Santa's to make even the most naive of children suspicious.... ?Enough generalisations!? you cry, and rightly so, because what makes Europe's Christmas Markets so popular is that each one is different in its own unique and special way. ?Then how do I know which one to go to!? you cry again. Let Joobili help you of course, and pursue our market of markets below.

Europe's Most Popular Christmas Markets: 

Brussels Christmas Market

With 240 wooden chalets around the Bourse, Place Sainte Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons, an illuminated big wheel and a 200 foot-long skating rink Brussels Christmas market is positively bursting with Christmas spirit. You too might burst after stuffing yourself with the gastronomical treats on offer, not least Belgium's famous chocolates that always taste better in the country itself, so eat them all - there's no need to take any home as gifts.

To find out about more Christmas Markets in Belgium click here.

Lille Christmas Market - Marche de Noel Lille

The largest Christmas Market in northern France is well known for the extraordinary spectacle of seeing Santa ?falling? from the 80-metre high belfry of the Chamber of Commerce to hand out sweets. It's also famous for its discounted prices and French, Russian, German, Polish and Canadian specialities.

To find out about more Christmas Markets in France click here.

Lincoln Christmas Market

Home of the UK's first German-style Christmas Market, the medieval square squeezed between the impressive Norman castle and magnificent Gothic cathedral is the perfect backdrop for a Christmas Market. The cobble stones run red with spilled mulled wine, as the 2000 year old Cathedral city exudes Christmassy atmosphere as freely as a troupe of novelty dancing reindeer.

To find out about more Christmas Markets in the UK click here.

Christmas Market Vienna - Weihnachtsmarkt Wien

Seven centuries of reputation building means that over 3 million people attend Vienna's Christmas Market annually. But it's not just the endless rows of stalls packed with handicrafts and food that brings in the crowds, but also the chance to take part in workshops in baking or arts and crafts. All this in a magical setting and with choirs filling the air with their choir-like sounds.

To find out about more Christmas Markets Austria click here.

Munich Christmas Market - Weihnachtsmarkt München

Do you have a happy marriage? Don't lie, we know it's a long miserable slog until a mid-life crisis forces you into an affair with a colleague, which will finally end your unhappiness. A quicker and more sensible option would be to buy one of the twelve special tree ornaments, only available at Munich Christmas Market, which ensure happiness in marriage.

To find out about more Christmas Markets Germany click here

Budapest Christmas Markets

The smell of home-made sugared rolls, hot frying meat and buttered lángos rises up from the wide Vörösmarty Square, mingling with the steam from hot mulled wine, sweat from recently de-gloved hands and laughter from drunk children who've convinced their parents they're drinking hot blackcurrant juice... Budapest's Christmas market is the largest in Hungary and differs from most European holiday markets in that it strictly enforces a handicraft-only policy.

To find out about more Best Christmas Markets For Handicrafts Shopping click here



Prague Christmas Markets

Prague's Old Town Square lightly urinates over all over old town squares in Europe ? it's beautiful, quirky, was missed by the war and has a silly clock. So what better place to stock up on Czech handicrafts, glass, toys, candles, decorations, hand-made jewellery and puppets or to admire the huge Christmas tree shipped from the Sumava mountains and it lit each evening?

Velvet Cave Christmas Market Valkenburg - Fluweelengrot Kerstmarkt Valkenburg

The charming Dutch town of Valkenburg is built around a ruined castle. Under the ruined castle, lies the beautifully lit Velvet Cave. In the Velvet Cave, lies one of the most wonderful Christmas Markets in Europe. Dutch pancakes, world-famous pea soup and gifts await all in the 1000 year old cave of Christmas delight. Valkenburg is just one of many Christmas markets that lie off the beaten track...

To find out more about Europe's Criminally Under-visited Christmas Markets click here.