Magical.

Impressive.

Christmas markets – an enchanting blend of festive spirit, local culture, and unique traditions. Markets cities into winter wonderlands filled with lights, music, holiday joy, and food, lots of delicious food.

And here are our top 12 of the best Christmas markets from around the world.

See our video – for a quick look at all them.

And you can also see the unique details for each market below the video.

Here are the top 12 markets.

Strasbourg, France

It’s one of the oldest European Christmas markets.

Its first one held in 1570.

The market consists of 10 different locations and 300 stalls.

You can stroll, see the different displays, buy Christmas gifts and trinkets, eat delicious holiday treats, savoury and sweet – and drink great Alsatian wines.

Vienna, Austria

The Christmas spirit reigns supreme in Vienna, dating back all the way to 1298, when the first Christmas market opened.

Make it night out – you can go ice skating, there are reindeer rides for the kids, enjoy a classic nativity scene.

And more than 151 stalls are ready for you – serving tasty Austrian sausages, warm boozy Christmas drinks, and an endless array of other sweet and savoury delights.

Prague, Czech Republic

Enjoy two markets here – they are a mere five minute walk apart from each other.

Quaint wooden huts offer an array of Christmas decorations, fantastic Czech sausages, drink a classic Hungarian beer, Pilsener Urquell

Make sure you hang around long enough for a special event – the lighting of a gigantic Christmas tree.

Berlin, Germany

Enjoy the evening – listen to nightly concerts, ranging from choral to jazz.

Amble along, step into the vast craft tents filled original Art, wood carvings, Christmas gifts.

Once done, treat yourself to delicious sausages and some mulled wine.

Krakow, Poland

Set amidst one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and amongst all the Christmas market stalls is the beautiful twin towered basilica of St Mary’s.

Here you can taste seasoned grilled sausages sourced from local farms or roasted knuckles of pork coated in honey with the tender meat falling off the bone. 
Or try spiced beetroot soup – the staple of the Polish family meal tradition on Christmas Eve.

Artisans offer their handmade wooden toys and Christmas decorations including the famous hand-painted Krakow Christmas baubles.

Savour some spiced nuts and boiled candies.

Florence, Italy

The setting is perfect – the Franciscan Basilica all lit up, a pantheon of colours, a fabulous backdrop for the 50 Christmas stalls.

Buy some terrific hand-crafted stocking fillers.

Enjoy terrific Italian treats.

And there is more – some stalls even serve traditional German Christmas food and drinks.

Brussels, Belgium

The magic number is – more than 200 chalets.

Ready to serve mulled wine, Belgian beers and those classic Belgian waffles.

And there is more.

Put those skates for some ice skating, take that Ferris wheel ride and enjoy various light shows.

Zagreb, Croatia

Europeans love this market – voting it year after year as the “best Christmas market destination”.

And it’s no wonder – there is an ice rink for skating, you can watch beautiful ice sculptures being carved, listen to wonderful music at the various outdoor music stages.

And after all that – have a drink at a pop-up bar and enjoy local food at endless street food stands.

New York, U.S.

Bryant Park is one of the most well-known Christmas markets in New York – styled after the traditional European Christmas markets.

Its 125 custom-designed kiosks feature jewelry and handicrafts from all over the world.

Cologne, Germany

The market sprawls across several locations.

But the main and most iconic one is at Cathedral Square – the stunning Cologne Cathedral adding to its festive magic.

More than 150 stalls offer plenty of choices

offering everything from gingerbread to handcrafted glass ornaments.

As well there are performances by choirs and live bands under the open sky.

Specialty German foods like bratwurst, potato pancakes, and hot mulled beer await to tickle your taste buds.

Toronto, Canada

Now 10 years old Toronto’s annual Christmas market is one of the biggest in North America.

Based in the city’s historic Distillery District, it’s an enchanting scene, with glittering lights, a Santa’s Grotto, fairground rides, beer gardens and holiday vendors selling everything from poutine to one-off Christmas gifts.

Budapest, Hungary

This market – called the Advent Feast Basilica – offers an unparalleled experience.

It features 100 local craft exhibitors.

There is a vast array of traditional Hungarian culinary delights available.

You can ice skate, listen to fabulous heartwarming musical performances.