In the second half of November, the streets of European cities are transformed. The dreary autumn grayness is replaced by beautiful Christmas trees, bright colors of dressed up shop windows, festive melodies and ceremonial illumination. Wreaths of coniferous branches, candles, garlands and figurines of deer appear in the windows of houses. The time comes to wait for miracles. And the best Christmas markets in Europe are announcing his arrival.
History
Christmas is the most beloved and expected holiday of Europeans preaching Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy. Its roots take us back 2,000 years ago, when the long-awaited Savior came to earth. On a clear night over Bethlehem, a new star lit up, and a heavenly angel told the shepherds guarding the livestock about the great event. The humble shepherds were the first to worship the King of the world.
For several centuries, followers of Jesus Christ did not celebrate the day of His birth. Moreover, the exact date of birth is not mentioned in the Gospel. The tradition of praising the bright event on December 25 (according to the Gregorian style) was given to the world by the ancient Romans at the end of the 4th century. On this day, the inhabitants of the Eternal City honored the invincible sun God. In connection with the increasing number of people who believed in the Messiah, the pagan triumph was replaced by the veneration of Jesus Christ, who gave the world light, truth and hope for salvation.
Traditions
Gradually, the custom of celebrating Christmas spread throughout Europe. Together with him came the inalienable attributes of the holiday:
- Christmas tree. The fragrant evergreen tree - a symbol of endless life - first appeared in the homes of the ancient Germans during the Middle Ages. The Germans also have the idea to crown the coniferous beauty with a five-pointed star.
- Decorations. Mistletoe, animal figurines, sparkling garlands and pine wreaths - this is how the houses of Europeans look in December. Each nation has its own decorations. For example, Italians set up small nurseries, and the Germans display wooden pyramids topped with candles and a Christmas star - a red poinsettia flower - on the windowsills.
- Caroling. Echoes of pagan rituals have reached our days. However, they are popular mainly among rural residents. Not only children, but also adults from villages in England, Germany, Austria, Serbia and Bulgaria gather and go from house to house, singing traditional songs and receiving refreshments from the owners.
On Christmas Day and the 4 weeks preceding it, festive services and sermons are held in Catholic and Protestant churches. Believers observe strict fasting only on Christmas Eve, preparing themselves for a joyful event.
Celebration dates
According to the Gregorian calendar, Europeans celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Preparation begins long before the joyous event. The hostesses bake special cookies, which include cinnamon, cloves, ginger and allspice. Decorating the house and decorating the Christmas tree begins 4 weeks before the holiday.
Christmas in Europe is preceded by a special waiting time for a bright event - Advent. The first of them will take place on the fourth Sunday before the holiday. It opens the period when solemn Masses begin to be celebrated in churches, and city squares fall under the power of vibrant bazaars. Fenders appear in houses - wreaths of coniferous branches with four candles - one for each Sunday of Advent.
Where to go - TOP 10 most beautiful cities
High spirits, cheerful music, breathtaking aromas of roasted almonds and spices ... Even the absence of snow does not spoil the festive atmosphere of European cities. Each of them not only stocked fiery mulled wine and crispy gingerbread for their guests, but also prepared something of their own, fabulous and unique.
London
In early November, the UK capital turns into a wonderland. Whether it's Oxford Street, Piccadilly or Hyde Park, all of London is enveloped in the atmosphere of the approaching Christmas. Christmas Lights kicks off the festive season. On a day when thousands of lights illuminate the city, public events and concerts featuring famous British pop stars take place.
At this time on the street you can easily meet a white-bearded Santa Claus or a cheerful elf. For Christmas experiences in London, head to Winter Wonderland located in Hyde Park. In addition to the grand fair, there is an ice rink, a circus, a disco and an ice kingdom made from 200 tons of snow and ice. The queue continues to reach the 60-meter Ferris wheel, from the top of which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lights of the main British metropolis.
Vein
Romantic Vienna opens its fabulous season in mid-November. At this time, the elegant city, full of dignity, forgets its age and turns into a young rake, adorned with glowing bows and garlands. You can fully experience the magic time at three Christmas markets, or, as the locals call them, Christkindlmärkte.
The largest of them is the Wiener Adventzauber located on the square near the town hall. Cheerful visitors buy Christmas tree decorations, warm themselves with marzipan punch, ride an ice rink flooded in the park, or compete in Bavarian curling. The Belvedere bazaar is renowned for its fine jewelry and culinary delights, while the Spittelberg fair is visited by lovers of unique handicrafts.
Prague
Medieval charm, cozy squares, shimmering angels and generous food - is this not a reason to visit Prague in December? The fairytale city invites you to walk along the mystical streets, listen to musicians at the Charles Bridge, visit the Old Town Square and admire the 20-meter spruce specially grown in the Giant Mountains. Even the most inveterate supporters of healthy eating will not refuse local treats.
Costume performances featuring characters from Czech fairy tales will be an excellent accompaniment to the appetite-stirring food. In the meantime, the adults are warming up with a hot punch, the children will play by the paddock, where a donkey, a lamb, a goat and a pony coexist peacefully. By the way, choosing Prague as the purpose of your trip, you will kill two birds with one stone. At 147 km from the Czech capital is the German Dresden, and with it one of the oldest holiday bazaars in Germany.
Dresden
The main events in Saxon Florence unfold in the historic center, in the Altmarkt square. In 2018, the Striezelmarkt bazaar hospitably opens its doors 579 times. Miracles begin at the entrance. The first thing that visitors see is the world's largest Christmas arch with a height of 5 m.An old wooden pyramid is not inferior to it, rushing into the sky at 14.62 m.
The hero of the program is the legendary Dresden stollen, baked especially for the holiday. No, on the eve of Christmas Eve, we are not talking about the banal yeast cake, which is sold in every pastry shop. The hero of the occasion weighs about 3 tons. To slice the flavor giant, bakers use a 1.6-meter knife.
Paris
In mid-November, elegant Paris pulls out its most chic outfits from its chests. On the Champs Elysees, shopping chalets line up in a row, bells ringing next to the Eiffel Tower, and the smells of crepes, mulled wine and corrugated waffles fill the air. A 65-meter Ferris wheel appears on the Concorde Square, and an ice rink is poured in front of the L'Hôtel de Ville City Hall.
Famous department stores argue which one is brighter and more attractive. The windows of the largest stores turn into stages on which colorful performances are played out. Eminent French designers take part in the decoration of the scenery for the puppet shows.
Wernigerode
In the heart of Germany, among the mountains and forests, lies the mystical Harz covered with legends. According to Goethe, the cunning Mephistopheles brought the dreaming of power Faust to the top of one of its mighty ridges. A knight's castle rises on a cliff here, and small towns have not changed their appearance since the Middle Ages. And it is here, in beautiful Wernigerode, that the most cozy Christmas market in Germany opens at the end of November.
In front of the half-timbered town hall, as if descended from the pages of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, multi-colored tents stand. Cheerful troubadours perform performances in front of the audience, and the children with delight rush to the miniature railway. The blissful atmosphere is rounded off by fluffy snow - a common sight in mountainous Wernigerode.
Budapest
The alleys of Budapest can be explored for hours, each time discovering something new. The city is beautiful at any time of the year, but it gets special chic in November. With the onset of dusk, iridescent trees, shoes, umbrellas and bells are lit over the heads of passers-by. At 4:30 pm, St. Stephen's Basilica, next to Vereshmarty Square, turns into a canvas for a 3D light show.
Bazaars are opening everywhere. It would seem, what new can you think of for a traditional fair? However, the Hungarians did not stop at the ubiquitous fried sausages and scalding mulled wine. Local chefs make a real feast. Its main characters are goulash, ribs, spicy soup, tortillas, vegetables and a whole baked pig.
Innsbruck
Festive time in mountainous Tyrol begins in mid-November and lasts until early January. Innsbruck, an ideal destination for skiers and snowboarders, flourishes and immerses its guests in the magic of Christmas, created by 6 fairs and a magnificent 14-meter Christmas tree made of Swarovski crystals.
For 100 years, at this time, a dressed up retro tram leaves the central streets covered with snow at 15:30. Don't look for a conductor in the cabin: travel in the nostalgic red carriage is free. Take your seat and head to Riesengasse and Märchengasse Streets, where the figures of fairytale heroes will transport you into a world of wonders. There is also an observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of the center of Innsbruck and the Alpine foothills.
Berlin
In the last week of November, the German capital swaps out its somber autumn clothes for a glittery festive outfit and paints its streets all the colors of the rainbow. The metropolis does not skimp on illumination. The branches of the trees are entwined with iridescent garlands, the luxurious Kurfürstendamm boulevard attracts tourists with huge luminous figures, and a fluffy spruce appears next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Everyone has a reason to travel to winter Berlin. Shopaholics will delight in holiday sales, while art lovers will be delighted to attend organ concerts at the Berliner Dom Cathedral or watch The Nutcracker at the Deutsche Oper. But the highlight of the program will certainly be a visit to the Christmas market. By the way, there are about 65 of them in the main German metropolis!
Strasbourg
Half-timbered houses, stone pavements, streets shining with cleanliness, commercial stalls in the form of trains and the oldest Christmas market in Europe: picturesque Strasbourg attracts guests no worse than shining Paris. A month before Christmas Eve, life in the city, filled with voluminous installations, figurines of deer and Santa Claus, centers around the historic center.
Lights on a giant Christmas tree come on in Place Kléber. It is decorated with 300 toys made specially for the celebration by the masters of Alsace. Since 1570, next to the Place de la Cathédrale, the Marché de Noël, a mini-town of 300 trade pavilions, has been operating. Local merchants offer their delicious goods: fried chestnuts, "fire" pie, foie gras and legendary beer. In addition to culinary delights, concerts, wine tastings and attractions are prepared for guests.
Holiday excursions
Excursion tours organized by professional guides will help you go to a fairy tale, see the most beautiful European cities, get acquainted with national traditions and visit the best fairs.
Rome from scratch: Christmas stories
Where the atmosphere of Western Christmas is best felt, if not in Rome, the city on the territory of which the religious shrine of Catholics is located - the Vatican. Here, in front of St. Peter's Basilica, until January 12, a grandiose spruce and a sculptural composition depicting the Bethlehem manger, the birthplace of the Infant Jesus, delight the eye.
By booking a tour of the capital of Italy, you will experience the iconic landmarks of the Eternal City: the Colosseum, the ancient Forum, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Well, what a holiday without goodies! Generous Rome prepared for its guests aromatic coffee, hot chocolate and incomparable gelato ice cream.
A Christmas tale in Florence
Preparation for a bright holiday in the pearl of Tuscany begins on December 8th. On the Day of the Immaculate Conception, when Catholic believers attend Mass, a sea of sparkling lights illuminates Florence. Christmas trees flaunt everywhere, nativity scenes and unusual installations attract attention. And even warm weather does not interfere with the special Christmas atmosphere.
At this time, it is doubly pleasant to explore the beautiful corners of the Italian city. As part of a walking tour, you will visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Academy of Fine Arts, learn what the Gates of Paradise look like, look into the jewelry boutiques of Ponte Vecchio and visit the central Christmas market in Santa Croce Square.
Magical Christmas in Prague
The eternally young Prague gives its guests a complete immersion in a fabulous atmosphere. With the arrival of the first Advent on the Old Town Square, a beautiful spruce tree will shine with thousands of multi-colored lanterns on a 4.5-kilometer garland, and magic will come into its own. In the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Tyn Church, solemn masses begin, and Hratčany and Wenceslas Square turn into a stage for colorful performances.
All this you will see if you become participants in a winter sightseeing tour of the Czech capital. The guide will not bore you with boring facts and endless numbers. He will share entertaining stories about Prague and its sights and show you the places where you can taste the most delicious punch and the national delicacy Trdlo.
Lights of Christmas Prague
This tour does not have a clear program. Based on your wishes and preferences, an experienced guide will create an individual route. What to see first? Start your journey with a visit to the Old Town Square, where you will be drawn into a festive maelstrom of traditional chants and aromas of mouth-watering dishes.
Next, walk along the Charles Bridge, bow to the Infant Jesus in the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious, walk in authentic Hradcany, visit the fair in Prague Castle and take a break from the bustle of the city on the Kampa Island. The perfect end to a busy day will be a dinner in a national restaurant.
A Christmas tale in Prague tradition
When Prague is plunged into twilight, and the mystical streets are lit by the lights of ancient lanterns, it's time for an evening walk. In the darkness of the approaching night, in the flickering light of the festive illumination, the legends of the medieval city become even more beautiful and mysterious.
You will explore the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, Hradcany and Mala Strana, see the famous sights, go to numerous shops and get acquainted with the delicious exhibits of the chocolate museum. At every step you will encounter the obligatory attributes of Prague Christmas: fairy trolls, twinkling angels, apple punch and cinnamon trdlo.
Christmas Cologne and Germany's best fairs
Find yourself in the realm of the wooden nutcracker, almond stollen and Christmas creche on a 3-hour tour of the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia.You will see beautiful fairs, famous sights and non-tourist spots in Cologne. And wherever you go, you will be accompanied by the appetite-stirring smells of baked goods, mulled wine and smoked meats.
For those who wish to broaden their horizons and learn more about the German holiday bazaars, the guide will offer to visit neighboring cities located 30–95 km from Cologne. Calm Bonn will charm you with an old glowing pyramid, fashionable Dusseldorf will surprise you with the work of glassblowers and woodcarvers, and mountainous Monschau will invite you to ride a mini-train and listen to musicians playing on alpine horns.
Christmas Amsterdam and Dutch holiday traditions
Christmas in the capital of the Netherlands includes festive Christmas trees, festive concerts, plays, an annual circus show and a festival of light. Streets and houses are illuminated with multicolored lights, and installations by contemporary artists are lit up in the city center. Among all this beauty, it is especially pleasant to get acquainted with the sights and places of worship: the National Monument, the Coin Tower, the Weight Chamber, Gothic churches, Rembrandt and Spuy squares.
The walk will appeal not only to connoisseurs of historical monuments, museums and designer shops. Gourmets will taste the legendary Dutch herring, music fans will learn how to play the didgeridoo, and avid athletes will race on the smooth ice of the Leidseplein ice rink.
Strasbourg - the capital of Christmas
The magnificent Strasbourg will greet its guests with the shining of a thousand lights. Choosing a festive tour of a cozy French town, you will visit a sweets fair, make friends with the inhabitants of the Children's Village and get acquainted with the culinary traditions of one of the European countries, presenting their delicious masterpieces at the Christmas marathon.
The accompanying guide will not let you get bored for a second. He will tell about local legends, tell why Strasbourg was chosen as the capital of Christmas, and will reveal the secret of the perky witch - the symbol of the main city of Alsace.
Christmas glitter of the imperial capital
On the first Sunday of Advent, a huge Christmas tree lights up outside the neo-Gothic town hall, marking the opening of the main Christmas market. You will visit it, as well as the markets on Freyung, near the Belvedere and Schönbrunn palaces, as part of a tour introducing the beauties of elegant Vienna.
Following the path that the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire once walked, you will get acquainted with the most famous landmarks of the Austrian capital. The excursion program includes a strudel show, a collection of nativity scenes, a punch of fir cones and, of course, the eternal melodies of Strauss waltzes.
The best Christmas markets in Berlin
Musicians and magicians demonstrate their talents not only in the central squares, but also in inconspicuous lanes of the capital of Germany, German artisans sell traditional nutcrackers, and merry culinary specialists treat them with fried sausages, gingerbread and fragrant mulled wine.
As part of the tour, you will visit the city fairs in the Gedarmenmarkt and Alexanderplatz squares and the traditional market next to the St. Marienkirche, learn about the history and customs of celebrating Christmas in Germany. And do not rush to leave Berlin after the end of the holiday. After all, ahead is the New Year, and with it fun parties and a grandiose fireworks at the Brandenburg Gate.
The magic of German Christmas markets
The capital of Bavaria is famous not only for its beer. You will be convinced of this by walking through the streets of the pre-holiday Munich. Not every German city can boast of such a variety of fairs. With a guide, you will visit the most interesting bazaars and feel the spirit of Christmas in the air.
The children's fair will delight young tourists with costume performances and non-alcoholic mulled wine. At Marienplatz, you will see a 26-meter Christmas tree decorated with handmade glass toys. But the most original market is the Medieval one. It will surprise you with unusual wrought-iron souvenirs and authentic drinks brewed in cast-iron boilers.
The magic of British Christmas
A December trip to the capital of Great Britain is akin to a stay in the kingdom of elves, dwarfs and Santa Claus. For the British, Christmas is not just a holiday, but a state of mind. A guide who is in love with the main English city and is ready to reveal all its secrets will help you to learn the centuries-old traditions and immerse yourself in the history of the celebration.
The chic Piccadilly Street with its sparkling glass windows and the historic Trafalgar Square, on which the city's main spruce rises, will appear in a new light. The final destination of the route is Hyde Park. The largest British fair is located here - a kingdom of delicious food, attractions, perky music and neon lights.
