Festive Season
London
Edinburgh
Dublin
London
Christmas Markets - Nov 17-Jan 1
Several markets throughout London including at some of their famous markets. The most notable locations are - Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Southbank Centre, Trafalgar Square, Leadenhall Market, Spitalfields, Winter By The River & Winter Wonderland.
Connaught Village - Nov 22
Head to this event to find the perfect gifts! The Connaught Christmas Collective pop-up is where you can indulge in seasonal treats and explore unique boutiques for perfect Christmas gifts all under one roof! There are also tons of activities and events. See list attached!
Covent Garden Winter Mulled Wine Event
Nov 7-26, enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate and lots of holiday themed drinks
Festive Lights
London is known for their amazing festive lights displayed throughout the city. We suggest checking out - Regent St, Oxford St, Covent Garden, Carnaby St, Bond St, Marylebone Village, Kings Cross Coal, Drop Yards.
Hanukkah Celebrations
Islington Menorah Lighting on Sunday, Dec 10 from 17:30-19:00
London’s Trafalgar Square is the perfect place to celebrate Hanukkah as you watch the lighting of the giant menorah.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Probably the biggest Christmas Market in London! Very popular for all ages. Has everything from food, rides, ice skating to shopping. You need tickets and you pick your time slot. Download the app to make visiting easier.
Miracle Bar at Henrietta's
If you are looking for a Christmas themed lounge with festive themed cocktails and food you must check out Henrietta's!
The Zetter Afternoon Tea
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carole themed afternoon tea! So delicious and so festive! At their Clerkenwell location.
Edinburgh
Christmas Market - Nov 17-Jan 6
Known for one of the best markets in Europe. Located in the city center. Has ice skating, rides, food stalls, craft stalls, live music and more
Menorah Lighting
Usually in St. Andrews Square on the first night of Hannukah.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay
This is their festival of lights from Dec 29 - January 1st. Considered one of the worlds greatest New Years celebrations. In any normal year the big events include a torchlight procession and other entertainment on December 30th, a massive outdoor street party, concerts, and fireworks on December 31st, and then smaller public entertainment options on January 1st, including a family friendly ceilidh.
Dublin
Christmas Markets - Dec 6-19
Located in Dublin Castle it has stalls selling crafts, food and even has an open-air bar. There are other locations of smaller markets throughout Dublin.
Florence
Rome
Florence
Christmas Markets
Lots of different events to choose from but among the most popular is Florence Ice Village! You will find it at Fortezza da Basso from 2nd December to 15th January (to be confirmed). It is a magical place during Christmastime: you can enjoy the longest ice rink of Europe and a beautiful panoramic wheel that will give you a full Florence view.
Tree Lighting - Dec 7
The last two years, the large Christmas tree set up in the Piazza del Duomo is turned on on December 7th, instead of the 8th. We believe it is to draw less crowds to the piazza. The lighting up of the Christmas tree is accompanied by an official public ceremony with the participation of Florence's mayor and other events, such as concerts and entertainment.
Rome
Christmas Markets - Dec 6-Jan 1
At Piazza Navona known as Befana Market. Check out the nativity scene at the Spanish Steps. The stalls carry crafts and treats as well as Italy's version of mulled wine, vin brulé.
Menorah Lighting
In Rome, a 20ft Menorah commands Piazza Barberini and designates a central gathering place for the city's Jewish Community. Each of the seven nights of Hanukkah, people gather for a public lighting ceremony which celebrates with festive food, music, and commemorations.
Vatican Christmas
Vatican Christmas tree display - In 2023, the tree will be lit on Saturday December 9 at 5:00pm.
Madrid
Barcelona
Madrid
Christmas Markets - Nov 24 - Dec 31
Located in Plaza Mayor with huts selling all sorts of crafts. Plaza de Santa Cruz has a vintage carousel till mid January
Gigantic Light Ball
A spectacular 3D lit-up ball with a diameter of 12 metres, weighing seven tonnes and fitted with 43,000 LED lights. This year, the huge bauble will be located at Plaza de España, right beside the entrance to the Sabatini Gardens. Date TBD
Barcelona
Christmas Markets - Mid Nov - Dec 23
There are different types of markets throughout Barcelona - Historical, Christmas Street Markets and Pop Up Markets. Fira Santa Llucia is the largest market. They all offer different festive crafts, food and wine. The lighting of the Christmas lights will take place on pg. de Gracia on 11/23 at 6:30pm
Paris
Paris
Christmas Markets
Typically 15-20 markets are around the city with Swiss style chalets with crafts, food and mulled wine. La Magie de Noël ("The Magic of Christmas") in Tuileries Garden is among the best to visit. Additionally, To see the most lavish display of Christmas lights and decorations in Paris, head straight to Champs Élysées, where over a million (yes, literally!) sparkling lights cover the 400 street trees between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.
Festive Lights Tour
The city of lights is beautiful but around the holidays is when it really sparkles!
Festival du Merveilleux
Visit Festival du Merveilleux, a collection of vintage rides and stalls dating back to the 1850's. From Dec 27 - Jan 7th it is open to the public. You can explore the exhibits, have a go on some of the vintage rides and watch performances by storytellers, magicians, musicians, dancers and puppeteers.
Menorah Lighting
The city of lights will celebrate each night of Hannukah with menorah lightings each night at different locations throughout the city. The first night will be in front of the Eiffel Tower on December 7th.
Central Europe
Budapest
Prague
Vienna
Berlin
Munich
Central Europe
Budapest
Christmas Markets - Nov 17 - Dec 31
The most famous is located at Vörösmarty Tér. Has lots of food stalls and crafts stalls. Also check out the skating rink and folk dance shows on the weekends. Voted amongst the best in Europe
Menorah Lighting
In Budapest, the festival is celebrated with a series of concerts, theatre shows, culinary fairs and candle lighting ceremonies. A fascinating insight into Jewish culture, heritage and religion, events are organized by the Quarter6Quarter7 Festival.
Prague
Christmas Markets - Nov 2 - Jan 6
At the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Prague Castle also hosts a Christmas Market. Has tons of crafts stalls, food and drinks. Try many local favorites like trdelnik, flatbreads and meat dumplings
Menorah Lighting
Last year the local Chabad hosted a candle lighting at at Prague's Bubny railway station. In Prague, a giant Menorah is lit every year in front of the Rudolfinum
Vienna
Christmas Markets - Nov 2 - Jan 6
Has multiple markets with various dates but typically mid Nov till end of December. The Viennese Christmas Market has tons of crafts and confections. There are rides and ice skating and the tree of hearts for couples.
Menorah Lighting
Every year, the Jewish Chabad community in Vienna puts up a giant menorah in the city center of Vienna, at Stephansplatz. Each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, the community comes together to light the next candle and enjoy some scrumptious sufganiyot
Berlin
Christmas Markets
Every December, “Plaisirs d’Hiver” takes over the open areas around the Bourse stock exchange, the Place de la Monnaie, the Place Sainte-Catherine, and the Marché aux Poissons, transforming the city into a winter wonderland. There you will find over 200 chalets, an ice rink, ferris wheel and tons of Belgian treats.
Menorah Lighting
Since 2003 a large menorah is lit on the first night of Hanukkah in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Munich
Christmas Markets
Has different markets throughout city but the main one is Munich Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz (main square). There is lots of live music, There is lots of food at The Viktualienmarkt and you must see the nativity scene in the beer garden
Market Tour w Mulled Wine
A great way to see, eat and buy all the best Munich has to offer!
Amsterdam
Christmas Markets - Dec 13-26
Visit the small Christmas village set up near Rijksmuseum with chalets selling trinkets, wine, food and other treats. Also check out the Funky Xmas Market which replaces the Sunday market on Sunday, December 17th.
Amsterdam Winter Paradise
The RAI transforms into a winter wonderland in December with both indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks, seasonal parties, dining galore and a giant Ferris wheel that looks out over the city of Amsterdam. You can tube across real snow, cross-country ski between Christmas trees or goof off with a classic snowball fight.
Amsterdam Light Festival
Dozens of artwork and installations can be found lit up around the canals from Nov 30 - Jan 21.
Copenhagen
Christmas Markets
There are several throughout but the most popular are Højbro Plads, Kongens Nytorv, Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn Christmas market on the waterfront.
