Europe's Christmas markets open this year between mid and late November, and some stay open into January. They are squares packed with people after dark, with children, cold weather and phones in hand: exactly when it helps most to know where you will meet if you get separated and who to call if something goes wrong.
This guide brings together the official 2026 dates of the most visited markets, the security measures the authorities have announced, and what to prepare before you go, especially as a family or group.
Key facts for the 2026 Christmas markets
- Dates: the first open on 13 November (Vienna, Budapest and Copenhagen); those in Germany and France, between 16 and 27 November.
- Closing: several end on 23 or 24 December; others stay open into January.
- Security: more police, barriers at the entrances and bag checks at many markets; you may not carry knives at Christmas markets in Bavaria.
- Emergencies: 112 works in every EU country; in the United Kingdom, 999.
- If you get separated: a meeting point agreed before you go in, away from the busiest area.
2026 Christmas market dates, city by city
- Vienna (Rathausplatz): 13 November to 26 December; on the 24th, until 18:30.
- Nuremberg: 27 November to 24 December; on the 24th, until 14:00.
- Cologne: the cathedral market, 16 November to 23 December, closed on 22 November; Heinzels Wintermärchen at the Heumarkt, 23 November to 10 January, closed on 24 and 25 December.
- Dresden (Striezelmarkt): 25 November to 24 December; on the 24th, until 14:00.
- Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt): 23 November to 31 December; entry costs €2, but there is no charge Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00, except on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December.
- Strasbourg: 27 November to 24 December; on the 24th it closes at 18:00.
- Basel: 26 November to 23 December.
- Prague (Wenceslas Square): 28 November to 6 January.
- Budapest: at Vörösmarty tér, 13 November to the early hours of 1 January; by St Stephen's Basilica, 13 November to 1 January.
- Brussels (Winter Wonders): 27 November to 3 January.
- Zagreb (Advent): 28 November to 7 January.
- Copenhagen (Tivoli): 13 November to 3 January.
- Tallinn (Town Hall Square): 20 November to 6 January.
- Edinburgh: 14 November to 3 January; closed on 25 December.
Opening hours can change: check them on each market's official website before you go.
Christmas market security in 2026: checks and police
Several cities have stepped up security this year. In Austria, the Interior Ministry says there are no signs of a specific threat, but it has stepped up the police presence.
- Nuremberg: barriers and police vehicles at the entrances, uniformed and plain-clothes officers, and random bag checks.
- Strasbourg: no cars on the Grande Île during market hours, checks at the access bridges and no luggage storage inside the market; this year there will be walk-through detectors at some entrances.
- Austria, including Vienna: visible foot patrols, plain-clothes officers and, this year, police drones too, to watch over the crowds.
- Bavaria: since October 2024 carrying knives at Christmas markets has been banned.
The United States asks for increased caution in Germany and France (level 2 of 4), and the United Kingdom warns of a terrorist threat in crowded places in both countries, naming markets in Germany. Carry a small bag, be patient at the checks and follow police instructions.
Before you go, especially as a family or group
- Agree a meeting point that is easy to recognise, outside the square or in a quiet corner.
- If you have children with you, take a photo of them when you arrive and write your phone number on their wrist.
- Save the country's emergency numbers and your embassy's details.
- Charge your phone and carry a power bank.
- If you will need data on arrival, install your eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi.
At the market: safety tips
- Avoid the busiest times and corners, and find the exits when you arrive.
- If the crowd keeps moving and stopping, head for the edges: it is a warning sign. We explain it in our guide to safety at big events.
- Keep an eye on your wallet and phone.
- If someone in your group does not turn up, go to the meeting point and tell the market staff or the police; if you use a Telcomia group, ask for their location from the group map.
If something goes wrong
- Emergencies: 112 in the EU; 999 in the United Kingdom. The Telcomia safety page shows each country's numbers.
- If there is an attack: run if there is a safe route, hide if there is not, and call the emergency number when you are safe.
- If you lose your passport: report it to the police and contact your embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document.
How Telcomia helps
On the safety page, choose your nationality and the market's country to see your embassy or consulate, the 24-hour consular emergency line verified against official sources, directions and the emergency numbers.
With a Telcomia eSIM active on your account, your embassy's details, the phone numbers, the risk level, the warnings and the emergency phrases stay saved on your phone and open even without a connection. If you travel as a group, the group map lets you set the meeting point and, with consent, see where everyone is.
For France and Croatia, Telcomia brings official weather warnings and recent earthquakes together on one page: France and Croatia.
Questions travellers ask about the 2026 Christmas markets
When do the Christmas markets open in 2026?
Vienna, Budapest and Copenhagen open on 13 November; Edinburgh on the 14th; Cologne on the 16th; Tallinn on the 20th; Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt) on the 23rd; Dresden on the 25th; Basel on the 26th; Nuremberg, Strasbourg and Brussels on the 27th; Prague and Zagreb on the 28th.
Which markets stay open after Christmas?
Among others, Vienna until 26 December, Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt) until the 31st, Budapest until 1 January, Brussels, Copenhagen and Edinburgh until the 3rd, Prague and Tallinn until the 6th, Zagreb until the 7th and Heinzels Wintermärchen in Cologne until the 10th.
Is it safe to go to the Christmas markets this year?
The United States asks for increased caution in Germany and France, and the United Kingdom warns of a terrorist threat in crowded places, naming markets in Germany; that is why you will see more police and checks. Find the exits, follow police instructions and agree a meeting point.
Can I take a backpack to the Christmas markets?
A small bag is better: many markets carry out bag checks, and in Strasbourg there is no luggage storage inside the market. You may not carry knives at Christmas markets in Bavaria.
What should I do if I lose my child at a Christmas market?
Tell the market staff or the police straight away and show them the photo you took when you arrived. Before you go in, explain the meeting point to your child and write your phone number on their wrist.
The short version
Check your market's dates, carry a small bag and expect more checks than in other years. Agree a meeting point, take a photo of the children when you arrive, and save 112 and your embassy's details.
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