Top Global Best Christmas Markets 2024-25, From New York to Vienna, Magical Settings, Epicurean Delights, Handmade Artisan Gifts
Campus University of Vienna, Austria Christmas Market offers visitors an enchanting, traditional Viennese atmosphere. The artistically designed and decorated market stalls located along the many narrow alleyways offer beautiful Christmas gifts as well as delicious Glühwein, also known as mulled wine. This popular sweet, spiced drink is a traditional part of the Christmas markets of Vienna. Let’s hold up our mugs and toast to the magic of the world’s best Christmas markets!
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, Vienna. The Schönbrunn Palace in its present form was built and remodeled during the 1740–50s during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa who received the estate as a wedding gift. Located in front of the famous palace, exhibitors in glowing booths offer handicrafts and artisanal gifts such as hand-made Christmas decorations and nativity sets for visitors to purchase.
Vienna Belvedere Palace Christmas Market. Discover traditional baroque design and time-honored handicrafts. This bustling Christmas Village features over 40 gloriously decorated market stalls, which offer traditional handcrafted goods, festive Christmas decorations and unique culinary delights.
Vienna Maria Theresien Square Christmas Market is conveniently sandwiched between two incredible museums. Located between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, this is a must-visit Christmas treat. With an extraordinary selection of arts, crafts, food stalls and over 70 booths to visit, this is an iconic Viennese Christmas experience.
Strasbourg, Alsace, France Christmas Market. Experience centuries old timber frame houses, elegant chalets and the famous Teddy Bear buildings when you visit the enchanted Alsace Christmas Markets. Interesting historic fact: The first Christmas Market in Alsace was held in 1570!
Stunning timber frame buildings are the glorious nostalgic backdrop to the Alsace Christmas Market.
The must-see Teddy Bears house display. Strasbourg, Alsace, France Christmas Market.
A glittering fantasy experience, Strasbourg, Alsace, France Christmas Market.
Exquisite handmade crafts and traditional gifts. Strasbourg Christmas Market.
Handcrafted sparkling glass ornaments create a kaleidoscope of color. Strasbourg, Alsace, France Christmas Market.
Inviting booths entice the happy holiday visitors of the Strasbourg, Alsace, France Christmas Market.
Christmas in New York City starts with a visit to Rockefeller Center to admire the always awe inspiring Christmas tree. This years tree is a Norway Spruce and hails from Massachusetts. This beauty is 74 feet tall and features 50,000 multi-colored lights and a Swarovski star crown.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is the largest Christmas market in New York City. The open air booths and holiday shops feature artisans based in New York and around the world. New York and the U.S. are, after all, a blend of all cultures and people from all countries. Our diversity is what makes us special.
The Winter Village at Bryant Park is located at West 41st Street and 6th Avenue. It’s one of New York’s ultimate winter experiences. They offer cozy igloos to spend some private time in, overlooking the ice skating rink and lighted Christmas tree. You and your friends can enjoy festive food and drinks in your own heated dome, surrounded by the twinkling lights of the Midtown skyscrapers. Each cozy igloo session is 90 minutes and features a seasonal selection of food and drinks. One igloo can accommodate up to eight guests.
Friends celebrating inside a cozy igloo with a festive holiday toast.
Bryant Park offers tree lined walkways as well as bistro tables and chairs in the heart of Manhattan.
Bank of America Marketplace sponsors woman owned businesses from around the world. These lovely Maika designs are hand printed on recycled canvas using eco-friendly inks. Maikagoods.com is a woman and minority owned brand based in California, with the charming tote bags produced in Japan.
Bight and cheerful designs by the talented Viola Sutanto, founder and designer of Maikagoods.com.
I bought this cute change purse to save me from always searching for quarters at the bottom of my handbag. Maikagoods.com.
Handcrafted jewelry produced from sterling silver coins. Made From Coins by Jessie Driscoll. This is her husband, managing the booth.
Made From Coins by Jessie Driscoll. Many designs have a Southwestern flair.
A multitude of festive handmade Christmas ornaments. How to choose?
Miniature animal sculptures created from Tagua; also called vegetable ivory. Tagua is the nut from the palm tree, which grows in the tropical forests of Ecuador. After a drying process the nuts can be carved like ivory. Tribu Art is an eco-friendly, fair trade company that stimulates the livelihood of local artisans.
Shopping for unique holiday gifts certainly makes a person hungry! Luscious, freshly baked cookies, Bryant Park Winter Village.
Dazzling merino wool handbags handmade in Italy. Rayerbag.com. The opportunity to purchase these glorious, hand crafted designer bags is one reason people from around the world visit the Bryant Park Winter Village.
Lovely and informative representative for the Elke Van Dyke Jewelry Company. Working with gold, silver and copper, the designer fashions elegant pieces that fire one’s imagination.
It takes a very special person to share a small booth with high-spirited puppets all day long.
The softest, fluffiest alpaca toys handmade by artisans of Peru are waiting to be adopted at the Bryant Park Winter Village. Incaheritagenyc.com.
Let’s take a spin on the carousel before we continue our holiday shopping expedition.
Love this bag! Graphic designer Pamela Barsky hits the nail on the head with her clever New York witticisms printed on canvas bags and totes.
Spend some time and read these small canvas clutch bags; they are hysterical. By Pamela Barsky.
Looking for vintage vinyl? It’s right here at the The Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Ingenious colorful baskets made using recycled chopsticks.
Heavenly scented candles, soaps, hand lotions and a sales person with a cheerful smile.
The Evil Eye booth, The Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Magnificent decorative handmade glass. Artisans of New York.
The Bryant Park Winter Village offers a mind boggling selection of international food stalls for hungry visitors. From curds to crepes to crispy chicken, you can indulge in it here. I checked out every food booth to discover the favorite for you. Where were the lines the longest? The most popular, (at least on the day that I was there), was the Raclette booth. What is Raclette? A pungent variety of melted Swiss cheese scraped over a baguette, with the option of adding cold charcuterie. I’ll attach this centuries old traditional Swiss recipe for you here, in case you want to try it at home.
Hey, it’s better to be aware during all your visits to the Christmas Markets, worldwide. We appreciate the heads up. Thank you Bryant Park.
Next stop, Macy’s Holiday Square. This is the first time Macy’s has presented a holiday market of New York artisans, foods and gifts within the store. Yes, that’s the Empire State Building just down the block.
As we enter Macy’s we’re greeted by a lively squirrel waggling his tail.
Up the escalator we go…
The woman with the extraordinary coat is looking through the puzzle offerings. Macy’s.
Macy’s Holiday Square vendor booths located on the mezzanine level. Many of the vendors here also have booths in Bryant Park, which you’ve already seen, so let’s dash over to the Grand Central Holiday Fair!
Grand Central Terminal has an amazing history, including being saved from the wrecking ball by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This fair is professionally curated and features many of the premier artisans in the New York area.
Reclaimed cashmere hat, sweater and collar by Ekologic, handmade in Troy, New York.
At Ekologic they manufacture desirable, quality products out of recycled cashmere clothing.
Colorful, eco-friendly fingerless mittens by Ekologic.
The adorable Onion hat. Repurposed cashmere becomes an heirloom.
Fabulous hats, sweaters, fingerless mittens and skirts. Watch the video to learn how Kathleen, owner and designer of Ekologic creates her sustainable cashmere magic.
Show-stopping hand painted silk, cashmere and velvet scarves by the multi-talented Lisa Kiss.
Watch this video to see how Lisa paints on white velvet to create stunning heirloom scarves, using an ancient Japanese technique.
Über talented Kelsy Smith meticulously crafts luxury handbags that are instant classics. Designed in New York and produced sustainably in both New York and Spain, her sense of style is both elegant and chic.
You can never have enough positive stained glass holiday ornaments. The Glass Haus.
Nature vs. Future. Designer coats and apparel that could honestly make you start to salivate. Yes, that’s how desirable these contemporary silhouettes are.
Convertible shearling fleece capelet by Brooklyn native and Parsons graduate Nina Valenti. Designed with an eco-conscious approach, Nina’s select ‘Naturevsfuture®’ pieces have been on view at museum exhibitions and galleries worldwide including NYC, Tokyo, Paris, Italy and Belgium.
It’s time to say goodbye to New York City and visit our next Christmas market. What better way to end our visit than a last photo of Radio City Music Hall, the home of the world famous Rockettes.
“Fairies in the Secret Kingdom,” Christmas Market, Brussels Winter Wonder.
The enchanting Christmas Market Winter Wonder, Brussels, Belgium.
The City of Brussels celebrates their 24th edition of Winter Wonders this year.
A can’t miss spectacle is the Grand-Palace Sound and Light Show. Brussels Winter Wonder.
Tower Bar, Brussels Winter Wonder.
Light-up Samurai robots entertain guests at the Brussels Winter Wonder.
Lollipop lights, Brussels Winter Wonder.
Decorative handmade Christmas stockings, Brussels Winter Wonder.
Father Christmas asking this sweet little girl if she’s been good this year. We know the answer…”of course Santa!” Brussels Winter Wonder.
The City of Brussels certainly knows how to put on a light show. Brussels Winter Wonder.
Unbelievable Christmas festivities. Brussels Winter Wonder.
We can’t leave Brussels without sampling the world famous Belgium chocolate! Brussels Winter Wonder.
The main Christmas markets are held at the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) in the centre of Prague, Czech Republic.
Glowing lights and enticing snacks, Prague, Christmas Market.
Scalloped potatoes are on the menu at the Prague, Christmas Market.
History, Christmas magic and delicious food offerings blend at the Prague, Christmas Market.
Observation Bridge decorated in holiday splendor. Prague, Christmas Market.
Sample authentic Czech home cooking at the Prague, Christmas Market.
Amazing gingerbread stall at the Prague, Christmas Market.
Prague’s famous hot, sweet chimney pastry is called trdelnik. This traditional dessert is baked over an open fire on wooden stakes in the Prague, Christmas Market. Made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix, this is a must-try treat! Just heavenly!
After sampling the incredible Prague culinary specialties, why not save some time for ice skating!? Prague, Christmas Market.
Best wishes for a beautiful holiday season!
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Source: Pynck – pynck.com
