European Christmas/winter city break with children

[Petal7]

Am hoping to take the dc (by then 14, 12 and 10) for a European city break instead of our usual Father Christmas theme park sleepover the first weekend of December now they're getting older.
Has anyone got suggestions for compact city centre, Christmassy/snowy fun?
We could fly from any London airport. We've done lots of UK city breaks that they've loved (Bath, York, Bristol) so thought it might be fun to go further afield. Would be very grateful for any suggestions! Thank you.

I doubt you will get snow beginning of December unless you go to Scandinavia. But it will be cold.

Germany has great markets, Austria is also nice, we loved Prague and Bruges and Antwerp.

We were in lisbon for their christmas winter wonderland a few years ago. Obviously no real snow but it was fantastic and an insight into how other countries have christmas. Its also an amazing compact city with plenty to do

Definitely recommend Berlin at Christmas with teens and tweens. When we went, there were a few funfairs and a great toboggan run.

Antwerp or Ghent can be visited by train- Eurostar and then a train of less than an hour from Brussels. Ghent the more compact city centre.

Thanks all - some great ideas. I will enjoy having a good browse.

If you're looking at Germany & considering Eurostar convenience, Cologne used to / have a magnificent Christmas market right in front of the cathedral & train station. Aachen is also lovely & convenient. You could combine one of those with a Belgian city or two really easily.

It probably won’t snow in early December but Nuremberg is one of the most Christmassy markets in Germany. The city centre is compact & you can get direct flights from London.

I've taken dd at that age to Vienna for the Christmas markets, it was lovely.

It can be very busy at weekends but I agree, it's a great market and there is lots to do and. see in Nürnberg as well.

Copenhagen and go to Tivoli. Absolutely magical. And New Years Eve with the fireworks is something else. Terrifying and amazing.

Budapest - iceskating in the city park and then going to the Szecheny Baths.

Thanks all - we booked a trip to Finnish Lapland! But have compiled your suggestions for future trips.

watching