Best Xmas markets for toddler?

[Fivefootoffun]

Will also have a 4 month old. We’ve taken toddler to Munich and Copenhagen the past 2 years but she’s been too young to do anything other than sit in pram. This year she’ll be almost 3 so hopefully able to get a bit more out of it.

Just wondering if there are any specific markets people would recommend? (European).

We’ve been to Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Munich and Copenhagen markets but happy to go back to any of anyone has specific experience of any with young kids in tow.

Thanks a lot!

They are all fairly boring for a toddler I would have thought? All rammed, Chance of losing her. Go and see Santa in a zoo or somewhere lovely instead.

I agree with Superram a toddler will be bored.

I think they’re pretty boring and all pretty much the same tatt Europe over.

I'm afraid I always feel sorry for children at Christmas markets. Getting squashed between semi drunk shoppers, loud, cold, smelly. Save your money, take them to see Santa at the local church fair!

Vienna is lovely. There’s a wonderful Christmas market in front of the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace where children can decorate gingerbread and make marzipan figures. In other areas you’ll find pony rides, a reindeer train and a Post Office in the Clouds where you can get special Christmas stamps, puppet shows and a children’s railway.

You could do a then take the train from Vienna to Innsbruck. Trumpeters play on the Golden Roof balcony every afternoon. Along the lanes leading off the market square you’ll find Fairy Tale Alley, with life-size characters from fairy tales. There are story sessions, magic shows and a puppet theatre. At Marktplatz you’ll also see the 14-metre high Swarovski crystal tree covered with thousands of crystals as well as a merry-go-round, pony rides and a petting zoo.

Thanks @ricekrispie22 - that sounds wonderful!

It depends if they prefer local beers or mulled wine

We went with DD most years from being a toddler but we are Germans and use it to visit family and also for us it is something normal and absolutely possible if properly done.

You should go during the week and have them ideally in a back carrier (or on your shoulders) and the baby in a front one. Otherwise it is pointless as they can't see anything at all.

Nurnberg is lovely but can be absolute nightmare, i lived nearby and we avoided it like the pest unless we went during the week.

Hamburg is nice, it is a bit more spread out throughout the city. You can also then take a train to Lübeck, a smaller city but has a lovely market.

If you can I would try to include the 6th December, that's St. Nikolaus in Germany and there is normally something going on, children get sweets, busy but DD had great times.

Get wrapped up warm and enjoy it, we go on an absolute flying visit this year thanks to school holidays so only have basically one day and I am miffed about it.

@reluctantbrit thanks so much - that’s incredibly helpful. We’ll likely be leaving on the 6th unfortunately! But we’re planning mid week.

Will look into flights to Hamburg.

Have loved Germany in the past so would make sense to return.

Thanks again!

Prague is lovely for Christmas!
Not sure how enjoyable for a toddler but it's beautiful and you can get horse and carriage around the centre - with all the lights etc

@hardyloveit thanks a lot!