Christmas markets 2026: confirmed dates and short-break planning

Dates at a glance

Dates checked against official organiser and tourism sources on 23 Oct 2026. All times are local and programmes can change. This is an editorial planning selection, not a price ranking.

Vienna · Rathausplatz

13 Nov–26 Dec 2026

Daily 10am–10pm; until 6:30pm on 24 December. The market closes on 26 December; skating has a separate calendar. Official details

Our planning suggestion: For a first Vienna visit, leave an afternoon for the market and a second day for a museum or a city walk.

Check Vienna daytime attractions · Tiqets

Advertising / affiliate link: We may earn a commission from a booking. Opens Vienna attractions; this is not a Christmas-market or New Year's Eve ticket. Check dates and inclusions with the provider.

Vienna · Schönbrunn Palace

6 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027

Daily 10am–9pm; until 4pm on 24 December and 7pm from 25 December to 6 January. An option before Advent or after Christmas. Official details

Our planning suggestion: Plan palace admission separately: check which tour and time slot a palace ticket includes.

Salzburg · Cathedral and Residenz squares

19 Nov 2026–1 Jan 2027

The market continues over Christmas: 9am–3pm on 24 December, 11am–6pm on 25/26 December. Salzburg Tourism lists the other holiday hours. Official details

Our planning suggestion: On Christmas dates, plan around the shorter market hours and check dinner and return transport separately.

Nuremberg · Christkindlesmarkt

27 Nov–24 Dec 2026

The opening ceremony is on 27 November at 5:30pm. Published regular hours are 10am–9pm daily; check holiday details before travelling. Official details

Our planning suggestion: Schedule a market-focused trip before 24 December; build a separate city itinerary for later dates.

Dresden · Striezelmarkt

25 Nov–24 Dec 2026

The city publishes these dates for the market on Altmarkt. Check its own site for opening hours and the daily programme. Official details

Our planning suggestion: Consider two days: one market visit and one museum or old-town day, rather than squeezing several cities into one day.

Strasbourg · Capitale de Noël

27 Nov–24 Dec 2026

The city site explicitly announces these dates for 2026. Some older sections still refer to 2025; this guide uses the 2026 announcement. Official details

Our planning suggestion: For a market trip between Christmas and New Year, choose another option in the table: the published market period ends on 24 December.

Plan a Christmas-market short break

1. Match your actual travel dates to the individual market. After 24 December the choice narrows; this selection then includes Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn and Salzburg.
2. Consider two nights as a starting point. Choose one main market and leave time for sightseeing and indoor breaks. This is our planning suggestion, not a required trip length.
3. Compare rail and flights for your dates, including baggage, station or airport transfers and the last connection to your accommodation.
4. Choose accommodation by location and cancellation terms. Compare the full cost of your actual trip; this guide does not quote unverified hotel or flight prices.
5. Recheck the official market hours shortly before departure. Check palace, museum and tour admission separately.

Compare travel and daytime activities

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New Year's Eve destinations 2026/27: Vienna, London, Edinburgh or Madeira?

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Sources and check date

Content checked on 23 Oct 2026. Event facts come from these original sources; our planning suggestions are labelled. Check bookable products and availability directly with the provider.

• Vienna Christmas Market · organiser · 23 Oct 2026
• Vienna Tourism · Christmas markets · 23 Oct 2026
• Salzburg Tourism · dates and holiday hours · 23 Oct 2026
• Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt · organiser · 23 Oct 2026
• City of Dresden · Striezelmarkt · 23 Oct 2026
• City of Strasbourg · Christmas 2026 · 23 Oct 2026
• European Union · Your Europe · roaming · 23 Oct 2026