Advent Season in Europe

Christmas markets

The best place to get in the mood for the festive season is at the famous Christmas markets in the English capital – be it Covent Garden with its thousands of glittering lights or Leicester Square Christmas Market. At King’s Cross Christmas Market, you can find everything from warm drinks to handmade gifts. The Borough Market under the historic arches, decorated with pretty ornaments, is also worth a visit.

Christmas shopping

If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones, head to London’s historic shopping centres. The world-famous Harrods in Knightsbridge shines with over 12,000 light bulbs. Just a few steps away, Harvey Nichols beckons with a wealth of Christmas gifts. On Oxford Street, the festive window displays at Selfridges are impressive, while at Liberty, timeless elegance invites you to explore.

Christmas lights

On Regent Street, the famous angels add a touch of magic to the largest Christmas lights display in the city centre. Elegant Bond Street and bustling Oxford Street are also brightly lit in winter. If you want to explore London’s famous landmarks during the festive season, take the Christmas Lights Bus Tour.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

One of the Christmas classics in the heart of London is the majestic Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, which has been handed over from Norway to Great Britain every year since 1947 as a symbol of gratitude and to promote the spirit of joy and unity during the festive season. The tree lighting ceremony will take place this year on 7 December 2023. An almost more magnificent Christmas tree can be admired at the entrance to the art deco hotel Claridge’s in London’s Mayfair district.

Sparkling children’s eyes

Children’s hearts beat faster in the enchanting world of Hamleys directly on Regent Street. Hamleys was founded in 1760 and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest toy shop in the world. The iconic shop spans seven floors and stocks over 50,000 toys and games.

Winter dinners and drinks

London’s bars and restaurants also exude a very special charm in the run-up to Christmas. One of our favourites is Jimmy’s Winter Lodge with its pop-up «Snow Globes» on the Thames. Alpine fondue, steak or a special three-course winter menu are served here in heated, privately bookable igloos. Fulham’s Winterland is just as wintry, but a little wilder. A Miami-style beach club in summer, the location is transformed into an alpine oasis with a moose bar, DJs and arcade games in winter.

Christmas spirit

From mid-November, Vienna’s most beautiful squares are transformed into festive Christmas markets. The scent of roasted almonds, Christmas biscuits and hot punch fills the air. The Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz attracts visitors with around 70 stalls full of gift ideas. And while the adults search for the right presents and souvenirs, a children’s railway and a nostalgia carousel await the little ones.

Vienna Christmas Market

Probably the most famous Christmas market in the city is the Vienna Christmas Market on Rathausplatz. The market offers everything your heart desires, from gifts and Christmas tree decorations to culinary delights. Anyone who wants to venture onto the ice can strap on their skates and put their skills to the test on the Ice Dream at the Christmas market.

Classical

For fans of classical music, the traditional Kursalon is an ideal place to go during the Christmas season. Concerts with works by Strauss and Mozart are on the programme there every day. St Peter’s Church, one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Vienna, also offers classical evenings with special Christmas and New Year’s Eve concerts.

Natural History Museum Vienna

During the Advent season, the Natural History Museum Vienna awaits families with a varied programme: from a walk through the museum to a cup of punch on the roof terrace with a view of Vienna to planetarium shows and microtheatre – there is sure to be something for everyone among the numerous activities.

New Year’s Eve in Vienna

Vienna is also a great place to spend New Year’s Eve. The Vienna New Year’s Eve Trail, Austria’s largest New Year’s Eve event, takes place here: Around 800,000 people from all over the world come together on the party mile in the heart of the city to celebrate the turn of the year. The programme includes free show and music performances from 2 pm, including a children’s programme, punch, sparkling wine and culinary specialities.

Salzburg Christmas Market

The Salzburg Christmas Market on Domplatz and Residenzplatz is one of the oldest Advent markets in the world, with a history dating back to the 15th century. Since 1974, it has offered a variety of traditional decorations, gifts and culinary delights, including Austrian specialities, mulled wine and punch. A historic and festive experience at the same time.

Café Tomaselli

Coffee house culture has a long tradition in Austria. One of Europe’s most famous coffee houses – Café Tomaselli – is located in an historic setting that was frequented by Mozart. From hot Schoggi Melange and Einspänner to apple strudel, the café offers sweet temptations in a historic setting that was already frequented by Mozart.

Mozart concerts

Those wishing to immerse themselves musically in the world of the Austrian composer can attend a performance in the classical Mozart tradition in the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace. Guests can also enjoy Mozart’s music at Hohensalzburg Fortress and experience the unique atmosphere that keeps the composer’s musical legacy alive in Salzburg.

St. Peter’s Abbey Culinarium

The St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is considered to be the oldest restaurant in Central Europe, first mentioned in 803. In eleven themed rooms, specialities such as Tafelspitz and Salzburger Nockerln are served, and the Mozart Dinner Concert is also held several times a week in cooperation with the Salzburg Concert Society.

Salzburger Old Town

The historic centre of Salzburg is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with sights such as the baroque Salzburg Cathedral as well as a rich artistic and cultural history. The lively flair and charm of the old town is best experienced on a leisurely stroll through the historic centre.

Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral

In the middle of Roncalliplatz, over 130 festively decorated stalls with arts and crafts, gifts and culinary specialities await you during the Advent season. Little Christmas fans can look forward to a children’s programme with theatre and a visit from Father Christmas. Everyone can enjoy culinary delights, thanks to classics such as potato pancakes, roasted almonds and mulled wine.

Wolters Bimmelbahnen in Cologne

If you want to experience several Christmas markets in comfort, take a round trip on the Christmas Market Express. During the Advent season, it stops at the four most popular Christmas markets: From the Christmas market at the cathedral, it first goes to the Christmas market at the Alter Markt, then on to the harbour Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum, to the “Market of Angels” at Neumarkt and finally back to Cologne Cathedral.

CologneTriangle

The CologneTriangle offers an impressive viewing platform at a height of around 100 metres. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of Cologne Cathedral, the Rhine and the Old Town through panoramic windows.

Cologne history

Both the Basilica of St Gereon and the Church of St Peter in Cologne are important religious buildings in the city. St Gereon is one of twelve Romanesque churches in Cologne and stands out in particular due to its striking round building. St Peter’s, on the other hand, is a Gothic church in the heart of the old town, which impresses with its imposing silhouette and historical details.

Taste specialities

A visit to Cologne would not be complete without savouring some regional delicacies. These include an Aachen Christmas liver sausage paired with Düsseldorfer Mostert – a malty brown mustard that has been produced using traditional methods since 1726 – or a Killepitsch – a herbal liqueur made from over 98 herbs, berries and fruits. And of course the Kölsch beer is a must. Cheers!

Christkindelsmärik

The Christmas market in Strasbourg has a long tradition: the Christkindelsmärik has been held on the Place de la Cathédrale since 1570, making it one of the oldest in Europe. The smell of mulled wine fills the air and visitors can prepare for Christmas and find original gifts and decorative items. On Place Kléber, the Christmas tree decorated with ornaments invites you to marvel.

Alsatian cuisine

Anyone visiting Strasbourg should not miss out on immersing themselves in the gastronomic world. This includes dishes such as sauerkraut, baeckeoffe, chicken in Riesling sauce or, of course, tarte flambée and the classic Gugelhupf. A tarte flambée is served at Binchstub Broglie and the best fondue and raclette at La Cloche à Fromage.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg

The Liebfrauenmünster in Strasbourg is one of the most important cathedrals in the history of European architecture. With its striking, asymmetrical shape, the cathedral is still considered the landmark of Alsace today. Its most famous features include the astronomical clock and the angel pillar.

Petite France

Petite France is a neighbourhood in Strasbourg straight out of a picture book. Cobblestone streets, canals and half-timbered houses characterise the picturesque cityscape and invite you to stroll and discover in a charming atmosphere.

Light Experience Trail

Photocredits: ©CREATE.eu

For the fifth year in a row, Bruges shines with a beautiful light trail. The «Aurora» trail is inspired by the Northern Lights and comprises ten unique light installations. The route stretches over a 2.5 kilometre winter walk and takes you past hidden spots in the city.

Bruges by boat

A boat trip on the Bruges canals is a great way to discover the city from a new perspective, even in winter. The canals have been the arteries of the city for centuries. A boat trip to Rosary Quay offers a particularly beautiful view.

The Old Chocolate House

The chocolate shop was founded in 1997 as a family business, and the tearoom was added later. In the cold winter months, you can warm up with a hot chocolate at The Old Chocolate House. Chocolates, gingerbread, biscuits, tea and coffee are also served.

Brewery De Halve Maan

The family-run brewery De Halve Maan – meaning «the half moon» – has been in operation since 1856 and is now run by the sixth generation. A guided tour provides insights behind the scenes and into the history of the brewery. You can also enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of Bruges from the roof.