Last updated: November 7, 2026. Market dates, hours and rules are set by each city and can change, so confirm on the official market websites before you book. Dates marked “reported” come from news coverage rather than the city’s own site. This guide is independent and is not affiliated with any market, airline or hotel.
Europe’s biggest Christmas markets are about to open, and the first stalls are already going up. If you are deciding where to go and when, the short version is this: Vienna’s markets open earliest, in mid-November; Nuremberg, Strasbourg and Prague open in the last days of November; and most close on or just before December 24, so a trip in early to mid-December usually gives you the fullest choice. The details below separate what the official sites confirm from what news outlets have reported.
2026 Opening Dates at a Glance
| City | 2026 dates | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg (Christkindlesmarkt) | November 27 to December 24; opening ceremony November 27 at 5:30 pm; daily 10 am to 9 pm | Official site |
| Strasbourg | November 27 to December 24; daily 11 am to 9 pm (opening day from 2 pm; December 24 until 6 pm) | Official site |
| Prague (Old Town Square) | November 28 to January 6, 2027 | Official city tourism site |
| Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace market) | Reported: November 6 to January 6, 2027 | News report |
| Vienna (Rathausplatz) | Reported: November 13 to December 26 | News report |
| Cologne (Harbour market) | Reported: November 13; other Cologne markets open later in November | News report |
Vienna’s and Cologne’s official pages could not be read when this guide was prepared, so treat those rows as provisional and check the city tourism sites before booking.
Nuremberg: The Classic German Christkindlesmarkt
Nuremberg’s market opens with a ceremony on November 27 at 5:30 pm and runs every day from 10 am to 9 pm until December 24, according to the market’s official English site. If you want to see the opening ceremony, plan to arrive early on the 27th, since the main square will be crowded.
Strasbourg: One of the Longest-Running Markets in France
Strasbourg’s official FAQ lists the 2026 market as running from Friday, November 27 to Thursday, December 24, with stalls open from 11 am to 9 pm daily, a 2 pm start on opening day and an early 6 pm close on Christmas Eve. The FAQ also notes that no stalls open on December 25 or through New Year’s Day, so do not plan a post-Christmas visit here.
Practical details from the same FAQ: each drink is served in a returnable cup with a €1 deposit that you can get back or donate to charity; motor traffic is prohibited on the Grande Île during market hours; bikes and scooters are not allowed on the market squares while stalls are open; dogs on a leash are welcome; and while cash is advisable, nearly all exhibitors accept cards. A park-and-ride option is listed at €4.20 per day, including a round-trip tram ticket for all passengers.
Prague: Old Town Square Through Early January
Prague’s official city site lists the Old Town Square Christmas Market from November 28, 2026 to January 6, 2027, which makes it a good option if you are traveling after Christmas when many German and French markets have closed. The listing says the stalls are mainly Czech Christmas goods and handmade items. Opening hours were not stated for the Old Town Square market on that page, so check the organizer before you go. The nearby Wenceslas Square market is listed with the same dates and daily hours of 10 am to 10 pm.
Vienna: The Earliest Start
A November 3 news report says Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace market opens November 6 and runs to January 6, 2027, with the Stephansplatz Christmas Village opening November 6 and Rathausplatz following on November 13, and that nearly all Vienna markets should be open by November 20. Because these dates come from a news article rather than the city’s own site, verify them before paying for non-refundable travel.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
- Fewer crowds: Weekdays and earlier in the season are usually calmer than weekend evenings in December. This is general travel experience rather than an official statistic.
- Most markets open at once: The first two weeks of December is when the largest number of the cities above have all their stalls running.
- After Christmas: Prague (and, per reports, Vienna’s Schönbrunn market) run into January, while Strasbourg and Nuremberg end on December 24.
Practical Tips Before You Go
- Carry some cash and a card. Strasbourg’s own FAQ says cash is advisable even though almost all exhibitors take cards, and that is a sensible rule for most markets.
- Dress in layers. You will stand outdoors for hours. Our guide on how to choose winter boots covers insulation, waterproofing and traction for cold, wet pavement.
- Plan connections carefully. If you are routing through Turkey on the way, our Istanbul Airport layover guide explains transfers and entry rules.
- Returning to the U.S.? U.S. travelers can read how the free Mobile Passport Control app can speed up arrival processing at participating airports.
- Check entry requirements for your passport. Rules differ by nationality and can change, so confirm on your government’s travel advice pages and the destination country’s official site.
- Book early. Hotels near the biggest markets tend to fill earlier for December weekends, so reserve with a free-cancellation option where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Nuremberg Christmas Market 2026 start?
November 27, 2026, with an opening ceremony at 5:30 pm, and it runs until December 24.
Is the Strasbourg Christmas market open on December 25?
No. The official FAQ says stalls close on the evening of December 24 and no stalls are open on December 25 or through New Year’s Day.
Which Christmas market stays open into January?
Prague’s Old Town Square market is listed through January 6, 2027, and Vienna’s Schönbrunn market is reported to run to the same date.
How much is the cup deposit?
Strasbourg lists a €1 returnable cup deposit. Deposit amounts in other cities were not confirmed, so check each market’s rules.
Sources
- Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt official site (christkindlesmarkt.de), English page
- City of Strasbourg Christmas site (noel.strasbourg.eu), home page and FAQ
- Prague City Tourism (prague.eu), Old Town Square Christmas Market event page
- Rus Tourism News, “Europe’s Christmas markets start opening November 6” (November 3, 2026), for Vienna and Cologne dates (secondary source)
