Lesser-Known European Christmas Markets for the Family

Christmas markets filling a town square with colorful market cabins and the fragrance of pine boughs and spaces are a familiar sight for December family travelers in Europe. Along with these traditional markets in Germany and elsewhere, families find some surprises, from unusual settings to authentic historical themes.

No place has perfected the art of Christmas markets quite like Germany, and some of the most interesting takes are in Southwest Germany’s Black Forest region.

In Esslingen, near Stuttgart, an entire square transforms into a medieval marketplace, the Mittelaltermarkt, with craftspeople in period dress creating authentic crafts with historic tools and materials. Minstrels and jugglers entertain, a manually operated Ferris wheel amuses children, and you can eat traditional foods cooked on open fires. Go in the evening when the entire market is lighted by torches.

For three days in early December, the stone streets of medieval Tübingen are filled by Germany’s largest chocolate festival, Chocol’ART. Dozens of top chocolatiers from around the world sell the most beautiful chocolate confections, from cups of rich hot chocolate to eye-catching chocolate creations. One entire display is devoted to chocolate replicas of foods (even fried eggs) all made from chocolate.

The Black Forest’s most surprising Christmas market is hidden deep in the Ravenna Gorge in a forest underneath the soaring stone arches of the 190-foot-high Devil’s Valley Railway bridge. Forty stalls spread along the hillside, accessible by a path from Hofgut Sternen, a historic inn where you can stay to enjoy the market at night when it’s lantern-lit and the most atmospheric.  Or you can take a shuttle from nearby Freiburg.

South of Munich, board the Fraueninsel-Christkindlmarkt-Schifffahrt across Lake Chiemsee to Germany’s only island Christmas market. Go in the evening to see the island of Fraunenchiemsee aglow with the Fraueninsel Christmas Market. Kids love the Fairytale Tent, with children’s programs and music.

Europe’s highest Christmas market, at 6,994 feet altitude, however, is found on Switzerland’s Mt. Pilatus. Forty decorated market stalls compete with the views of the Alps and Lake Luzern for your attention. Access is only by cable cars or cogwheel train.

By contrast, the lowest market is in the Netherlands, where Christmas Town Valkenburg is held in three caves underneath the city. These historic mining caves date from the Middle Ages and were used as a hideout during World War II. Vendors set up inside the caverns and above ground in the charming Santa’s Village.

In Stockholm, Sweden, Skansen open-air museum on the island of Djurgarden decorates all historic homes and farms, and invites guests to join in traditional dancing or create their own Christmas decorations. Traditional Swedish holiday treats are for sale at the market.

In Oslo, Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is another open-air museum of historic houses and shops. In December, these become workshops for craftspeople, who sell both traditional and contemporary crafts.