As Bing Crosby once crooned, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – or at least it will be when Europe’s top Christmas Markets make their highly anticipated return.

Generally running from late November until the start of January, Europe’s Christmas Markets date back to the late Middle Ages in Germany, eventually spreading to German-speaking parts in Italy, Switzerland and France. Today, the festive tradition has caught on in many European countries, with Austria hosting the biggest market (Christkindlmarket in Vienna welcomes over three million visitors each year), Germany home to the oldest (Streizelmarkt Christmas Market in Dresden dates back to 1434), and Switzerland laying claim to the highest (at the summit of Mount Pilatus, 2,132 metres high).

And though it’s anyone’s guess as to how many Christmas markets there are in all of Europe, the fact that there are over 1,400 in Germany alone will give you some idea as to scope of their popularity.

“The holiday season in Europe is simply magical, with every city and small town looking as if it were plucked straight out of a storybook,” says Guy Young, Chief Trade Engagement Officer, TTC Tour Brands, North America. “The festive Christmas markets across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and more are a must for the ultimate holiday experience. Think mulled wine, hot chocolate, handcrafted gifts and more, all set against the scenic backdrop of an historic European town. It doesn’t get much better than that!”

Travel companies like TTC Tour Brands have long been escorting Canadians to experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets for themselves. But spots do sell out fast – with the festive season running so short, tour operators often encourage travellers to book far in advance. 

So are there any spots left with less than eight weeks to go until Christmas? We asked top suppliers what festive tours and packages are still available to book. 

AmaWaterways

According to Kristin Karst, co-founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways, occupancy levels for the company’s Christmas Market cruises are nearly at full capacity, particularly its most popular itineraries on the Danube and Rhine rivers. However, there’s still some limited availability on the award-winning AmaMagna, sailing from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary and departing on Dec. 17, 2023, as well as the French Christmas Market sailing on the AmaKristina from Arles to Lyon on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, 2023. 

For clients wishing to sail earlier in the season, AmaWaterways’ Taste of Christmas itineraries offer the same festive spirit in cities like Budapest, Hungary and Vienna where Christmas Markets tend to open in mid-November. 

Credit: AmaWaterways

In addition, there’s still some availability on the ‘Blue Danube Discovery – Taste of Christmas Markets’ itinerary, departing from Budapest on Nov. 18 and sailing to Nuremberg, Germany onboard the AmaSonata.

While onboard the company’s ships, Karst says guests can expect plenty of festive touches, including twinkling lights, special events and seasonal delicacies.

“Our ships are considered by many to be the most beautifully decorated ships on the rivers during the holiday season. The seven-night itineraries offer guests ample time to explore the world’s most renowned Christmas Markets and stay in luxury aboard our decked-out ships, which feature onboard festivities like tree-trimming, caroling and ‘Shoes for St. Nick,’ which encourages guests to leave their slippers outside of their stateroom door to be filled with tasty treats, like the children of Europe do on St. Nicholas Day,” says Karst.

Credit: AmaWaterways

Avalon Waterways

Avalon offers more than a dozen Festive Cruises throughout Europe that sell out each year, and according to president Pam Hoffee, these voyages are becoming even more popular, if that’s even possible.

“The rise in off-season travel is leading to increased interest in river cruise bookings in November and December,” she says. “Our 2023 Festive Cruises are nearly sold out, with 99% booked, but there is some space still available!”

To cater to this increased demand, Avalon has added two new cruises featuring some of Europe’s best Christmas Markets on the Danube, between Budapest and Vienna, in late November. 

There are also Panorama Suites available here and there on a handful of Christmas cruise departures for 2023, including ‘Christmastime from Budapest to Vienna,’ ‘Festive Season in the Heart of Germany,’ ‘Christmas in Alsace & Germany’ and ‘Christmastime on the Danube.’

But if you ask Hoffee, she’ll tell you the best thing to do is to book now – for next year.

“My advice for travel advisors is to reach out to clients now about 2024 Festive Cruises so they can get onboard on their holiday of choice for next year. It’s time to wrap next year’s Christmas plans in a bow now!” she says, adding that her favourite Festive Cruises include ‘Christmastime on the Danube,’ ‘Christmas in Alsace & Germany’ and ‘Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine.’

Credit: Avalon Waterways

Collette

Collette’s Sam LaFrance, Public Relations Specialist says that the tour operator’s all-new ‘European Christmas Markets’ tour has seen a “surge in interest from travellers in its first year.” With travellers eager to celebrate the holiday season, he adds that there are a few seats left for departures of the ‘European Christmas Markets’ itinerary in late November and early December. The ‘Magical Christmas Markets of Austria and Germany’ has also proven popular, with a few remaining seats left for departures in December.

“The centuries-old tradition of Christmas Markets in Europe is what makes it all so special,” says LaFrance. “As part of Collette’s ‘European Christmas Markets’ tour, travellers will have the opportunity to visit ‘Striezelmarkt,’ the world’s oldest Christmas Market. The history and incredible tastes of the regions featured on Collette’s tours helps bring the holiday spirit to life.”

TTC Tour Brands

Guy Young, Chief Trade Engagement Officer, TTC Tour Brands, North America says that bookings for various Christmas market itineraries across Europe are holding steady, and there are still several options still available, including Contiki’s German Christmas Markets itineraries, designed for 18-35 year olds and visiting six different cities. Also available is Insight Vacations’ eight-day Christmas Markets of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria featuring handpicked attractions across Zagreb, Ljubljana and Vienna.

“As the global leaders in tours for any and everyone, we offer budget to premium and everything in between so there are lots of options for our guests,” says Young. 

“One of our most popular itineraries with Trafalgar, for example, Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, takes guests on an unforgettable eight-day journey through the Christmas Market capitals of the world, with stops in Vienna, Munich, Zurich and more. This is the quintessential Christmas Market experience complete with Bavarian architecture, wooden market stalls full of handmade gifts and tasty treats, plus dazzling holiday lights,” he adds. 

Credit: TTC Tour Brands

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld’s seven themed holiday season cruises combine Europe’s most popular and lesser-known Christmas Markets in charming towns with a five-star, all-inclusive cruise experience complete with gourmet meals, offshore excursions and activities, high-speed Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and more.

One of the company’s most popular holiday itineraries, says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, is The Danube Holiday Markets onboard the S.S. Maria Theresa during which guests will visit four countries in eight days, following a classic route that starts in Budapest and visit Vienna and Salzburg before disembarking in Passau, Germany. “It’s an incredible way to celebrate the season in the birthplace of so many holiday traditions,” says Bettridge.

For clients looking to visit Europe’s Christmas Markets this year, Bettridge notes that there’s still some space available on select sailings of Uniworld’s Classic Christmas Markets itinerary, which is operated by both River Princess and River Queen, giving guests two options to experience the magic of the holidays in Germany.

“Imagine sailing through Christmas country, trying Frankfurt’s famous apple cider and Nuremberg’s gingerbread, and stopping at the renowned Würzburg Christmas Market, all while discovering fairytale houses and a friendly, festive atmosphere along the way,” adds Bettridge. “Throughout the journey, guests can cozy up to steaming mugs of glühweign (warm spiced wine) and do as the locals do, by collecting different mugs from each stall and town they visit.”

Uniworld’s S.S.Maria Theresa, festive lobby / Credit: Uniworld