The 50 Best Christmas Markets Around the World

There's no better way to get into the spirit of the season than by visiting a Christmas market. These festive fairs are typically home to rows of wooden chalets festooned with twinkling bulbs selling gifts, tasty hot food and the signature beverage of the Christmas market: mulled wine.

The tradition started in Germany and Austria but has since spread all around the globe. Click on the slideshow to see 50 of the world's most enchanting Christmas markets.

Being from the land of great beer and even better chocolate, it shouldn't be a surprise that Belgians know how to enjoy life and this carries over to their Christmas markets. The cultural hub of the French-speaking section of the country called Wallonia, Liege plays hosts to the nation's largest market every year. Expect to nibble on French and Walloon delicacies (think sauteed mushrooms, foie gras and the city's signature waffles), sip local liqueur called peket & champagne and watch spontaneous brass band performances.

Grand Leipzig is the largest city in Saxony, which is a region rich in Christmas traditions. Wooden toys and stollen bread are just two of the long-established favorites you'll see being sold at the stalls in addition to a warm bread stuffed with cheese and bacon called a handbrot.

Chocolate-box Colmar sits at the crossroads of both France and Germany and you'll find traditions from both countries alive and well at the city's seasonal markets. Feast on a brioche bread "man" and a fresh-baked pretzel before washing it all down with a mug of "vin chaud", the french name for mulled wine. Colmar also goes all out with decorations, so you can expect to find everything from polar bears to elves hiding around town.

This year will mark the 60th anniversary of this cheery Christmas festival in the Rockies. Over two weekends in December, gorgeous mountain town Georgetown transforms into a wonderland of Victorian carolers, roasted chestnuts, and horsedrawn wagon rides. Don't miss the Santa Lucia Children's Procession, which takes place each day at noon.

The right setting can make all the difference when it comes to Christmas markets and Edinburgh castle provides the most dramatic of backdrops. Play on the multitude of carnival rides before settling in for a mulled wine followed by a sampling of Scottish whisky.

Montreux may be internationally known for its summertime jazz festival, but Christmastime is a swinging time to be here, too. The market stretches along the shores of Lake Geneva with the Alps providing a stunning backdrop for the merry festivities.

On any given day of the year, Tivoli Gardens amusement park is arguably the happiest place in Europe. Dust it in white and fill it with wooden chalets doling out glogg (the Scandinavian version of mulled wine) and you've got arguably the best reason to visit Copenhagen at Christmas.

Head to T-Mobile Park to chase a mischevious elf through the world's largest Christmas light maze and take a spin on an atmospheric ice skating trail. Then, do some shopping at the market or hit the Ice Bar for a warming beverage.

Goslar is the gateway to the mystical Harz Mountains and the town hosts a very cozy Christmas market each year. Walk under a string of twinkling lights and past a historic fountain with a mulled wine in your hands before making your way into their wonderful Christmas forest-a section of the market filled with dozens of real trees.

They've been putting up a Christmas tree in the Tallinn town square since 1441, making it the oldest such display in the world. In recent years, the annual Christmas market that surrounds it has picked up plenty of accolades, and when it's covered in snow, it's surely one of the most idyllic in all of Europe. Be sure to try the local cabbage for a true Estonian experience.

The most famous Christmas market in this Rhine-side city takes place in the shadow of the spectacular cathedral, but that's just the start of the fun. Multiple markets are located throughout town, including a harborside version and the Angel Market, which is bathed in soft, twinkling white lights and features excellent artisans and the classy Gabriel's bar.

Austria's stately capital is home to a handful of great markets, which will keep you filled with Christmas spirit for days on end. Visit the main market in front of the city hall (pictured) before heading to either Schonbrunn Palace or Belvedere Palace for an elegant experience. Then, visit the narrow streets of the Spittelberg district for a true neighborhood experience.

Munich's main Christmas market takes place on the famous Marienplatz and it features Bavarian specialties alongside a nightly performance of traditional holiday music on the balcony of the town hall. Other popular options in the city are the market at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden and the Wintertollwood, which takes place on the same fairgrounds as Oktoberfest.

Located at Philadelphia's beloved LOVE Park, the Christmas Village aims to take you away to Europe. Here, you'll find over 80 vendors dishing up continental cuisine and warming drinks in addition to a myriad of gifts from across the globe.

When many of the local mines closed, the townspeople of Seiffen turned to woodcarving and now the town is known as a wooden toy wonderland. Tour the toy shops to pick up a nutcracker, soldier or "smoker" before visiting the town's atmospheric small church and settling in at the Christmas market.

The Old Quebec area is always one of the coziest corners of North America, but things get even more atmospheric when the annual German Christmas market comes to town. The city puts on as authentic of a market as it can, and you'll find treats like bratwurst, mulled wine, pretzels and gingerbread all available at the stalls. Don't miss a stroll down cobbled Rue du Petit-Champlain, arguably the cutest (and most Christmassy) street in town.

They call themselves the '"Capital of Christmas" here and they back up the talk with over 300 chalets decorated with miles of Christmas lights selling charming gifts and local delicacies from the Alsace region. The stalls are spread all throughout the center of the half-timbered city, which makes finding your favorite section just part of the fun.

Poland's second-biggest city is home to its finest Christmas market. The largest square in all of Europe is the setting, and here you will find a beautiful Christmas tree surrounding by stalls selling local snacks and steaming hot wine. Don't leave town without indulging in some oscypek-a smoked sheep's milk cheese made in the local mountains.

While you'll find a few holiday markets dotted around the Big Apple, this is the one true Christmastime "can't miss". It features over 200 vendors selling artisan wares and lots of mouthwatering, warming food and drink.

This German town has been hosting a Christmas market since 1585, which makes it one of the most historic in the country. Join the friendly faces in the half-timbered square for a local sausage or to toast a mug of feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine laced with sugar before being set alight) at Hajo's stall-he's been selling it here for over 30 years.

The Grand Place is always a sight to behold, but it turns downright wondrous when it has a gorgeous Christmas tree at its center. This is just one part of the Brussels Christmas market, which stretches out throughout the town and includes a Ferris wheel and over 250 wooden chalets selling goods.

Croatia's capital city is also its hub of holiday fun. During Advent and into early January, the streets come alive with festive music and vendors selling all sorts of specialties from both the region and further afield.

While you will find markets spread throughout Manchester city center, make for Albert Square to find the best atmosphere. Here, you can bounce between stalls selling continental cuisine and dishes from Northern England and grab a mulled wine from a chalet bar that features a singing moose (you can't ever go wrong with a singing moose at a Christmas market).

Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region and is home to an especially atmospheric Christmas market. Enjoy mountain cuisine like gooey raclette cheese, sausages and crispy fried potatoes before strolling alongside the Inn river.

South Tyrol is a region of Italy that remains very culturally connected to the German-speaking areas to the north and as a result is home to one of the country's best Christmas markets. Explore the delights of the romantic town square before taking a funicular up to the alpine villages above.

The Christkindlmarket has been bringing the spirit of Nuremberg, Germany to the heart of the Windy City since 1996. You'll find multiple vendors selling gifts from Europe in addition to stalls serving decadent savory and sweet treats. For the ultimate experience, reserve a "stammtisch" table inside the heated Grand Timber Haus for you and your merry group of friends.

Over 60 stalls fill the area in front of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, with the vendors changing every day to offer a wide variety of gifts. Listen to some holiday-themed jazz music on the market's stage while you sip on a warming beverage.

Nuremberg is arguably Germany's most famous Christmas market and while it can get a little busy, it more than makes up for it with a rather enchanting atmosphere. The star of the show here is the Christkind, an angelic figure who is responsible for bringing the gifts to children in many regions of Europe. Don't leave without trying the city's signature take on grilled meats: the Nuremberg Bratwurst.

They definitely know how to make the holidays special in the Mile High City. Visit the Christkindl Market for a legit European experience featuring schnapps, mulled wine, polka music and plenty of German gastronomic delights. You may even spot the aforementioned angelic Christkind wandering through the crowds.

This Saxon town gained fame as a center for silver mining and during Christmas, you will find a charming town square lined with stalls offering festive food and drink and the opportunity to connect with the town's mining heritage.

They spare no expense re-creating the continental experience in Birmingham, as the Christmas market features vendors directly from Frankfurt. In fact, it is the largest authentic German Christmas market located outside the borders of Deutschland.

Erfurt is tragically underrated as a travel destination, but one visit to the Christmas market is sure to have you singing its praises. St. Mary's Cathedral and Church of St. Severus provide the magical backdrop for this market which features stalls selling holiday wares and regional food like Erfurt schittchen (a local version of stollen bread) and Thuringian bratwurst.

Bern has been holding a market in its town center for decades, but it's the newest edition called The Stars Market that will make your trip here a holiday dream come true. Located just steps from the train station, this market is spread throughout an idyllic park and features top-notch and on-trend food and drink vendors in addition to a myriad of artisan crafts.

Maybe it's the Love Actually factor or just the fact that British people seriously love Christmas, but there's nowhere better than London in December. The two markets you have to visit are the one along the South Bank of the Thames and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (pictured), which features carnival rides, ice skating and lots of tasty food and drink.

Prague's Old Town Square glows at Christmastime with vendors selling gifts and Czech cuisine and a giant Christmas tree that puts on an enchanting musical light show each evening.

While the city of Frankfurt may be a modern metropolis, its Christmas market can trace its roots back to 1393. Both Romerberg and St Paul's Square are the hubs of the holiday fun that features the chiming of Frankfurt's church bells, carol concerts and of course lots of delicious things to eat and drink.

You will find over 50 vendors selling European gifts and goodies to eat and drink during this fun event which has quickly become a Baltimore tradition. The Christmas Village is located next to the Inner Harbor and highlights include appearances from Santa Claus and the Christkind in addition to beer & wine tastings.

Christmas markets line the grand streets of Budapest during Christmas, serving traditional food like chimney cakes and selling artisan Hungarian crafts. The perfect way to warm up after a visit? A trip to the city's famous mineral baths, of course.

The Distillery District comes alive each year with twinkling lights and the sights, sounds and smells of the season. Don't miss the massive (and magical) Christmas tree that comes to the market thanks to the rugged forests of Ontario.

If there's anywhere when they know how to embrace the wonders of being outdoors in the winter, it's Minnesota. Holidazzle features fair-style fun, fireworks, movie night, sing-a-longs and of course an ice skating rink and lots of tasty food and drink.

Taking place over two weekends in December, the Bavarian-inspired town of Helen does their best to transport visitors to Germany. Expect imported gifts, traditional gifts and German gastronomic delights.

This maritime city in northern Germany is home to a multitude of markets. The main market takes place in the shadow of the stately town hall while alternative markets take place in hip St. Pauli and alongside the harbor.

Salzburg comes alive with the sound of holiday music, the pouring of mulled wine and the gentle crackling of roasting chestnuts each December. And when the snow blankets the city, you could make a case for it being the most Christmassy place on the continent.

You'll find a quality Christmas market just outside the train station in Hannover, but walk deeper into downtown and you will discover a city alive with lights and chalets. Look for lively concerts at the heart of the market for the chance to celebrate with the locals.

You will find over 160 chalets spread throughout Basel, in addition to food stalls selling sizzling sausages and local specialty Basel Lackerli, which is a local style of gingerbread.

Alongside Nuremberg, Dresden can lay claim to being Germany's most historic-and most famous-Christmas market. Stop by to see what has been drawing visitors since the 1400s and to enjoy some of the town's famous stollen bread.

Sweden's capital is spread over a series of islands, which makes it one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe-especially at Christmas. Hang with the hip locals at Old Town market before heading to Skansen Open-Air Museum for a treat. Here, you can shop for sweets, sausages and holiday decorations in a historical setting.

Berlin is Germany's most cosmopolitan city and you can find a Christmas market for all tastes here. The Gendarmenmarkt is always a classic, with other great markets being the one held at posh Charlottenburg Palace and the Nordic-inspired Lucia market.

The festive fun starts in Zurich when you step off the train and discover a Christmas market inside the station. That market is famous for its Christmas tree adorned with crystals but it's just the start of the fun as you'll soon discover an Old Town where labyrinthine streets are lined with seasonal stalls selling their wares.

Shop for gifts and enjoy a delightful bite to eat all in the shadow of the town's famous basilica at the Piazza Santa Croce. This is the largest of the Christmas markets in this romantic Renaissance city and offers a wide variety of vendors from all over Italy and some who arrive from further afield.