Best Christmas Markets in Europe and when to go?

[LollipopChaos]

Thanks.

It’s impossible to choose just one!
Cologne is amazing and there are several large markets to choose from. We did find it popular with coach-loads of English tourists though!
Strasbourg really goes all out at Christmas - there are decorations everywhere and it’s clear that it’s a really city-wide event.
Nuremberg is your quintessential and most traditional market, but has absolutely hordes of tourists. Great atmosphere though.
Berlin has lots of variety throughout the different types of markets and there’s loads of extra entertainment.
The main market in Vienna is absolutely massive and there’s loads of other Christmassy things to do like workshops and shows.
The best time to go is mid December.

Sorry I only just saw your reply. That's really helpful thanks. Have you been to Bruges?

h Bruges market is tiny. Bruges is otherwise very pretty though. The Brussels xmas market is much better and larger. Strasbourg is lovely. As is Cologne but it gets ram packed at the weekend in some of the larger markets - there are several . We did Aachen last year which was really nice. And Lille - the market is small but the town is really nicely decorated for Xmas - lots of lovely shops and places to eat. Prague also nice. My next on list one is Budapest but can't do it this year. If you google for european Xmas markets there are some good websites that give you the dates for each. Some start late November. I had a thread on markets last year - will try to find.

Have only been to the markets in Prague but they’re really lovely. Every afternoon at 4:30 the Christmas lights in Old Town Square are switched on to music. The food is amazing. Roast pork, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, trdelnik (traditional pastry), hot chocolate all absolutely beautiful.

Munich is good for Christmas markets - several different ones with different themes. Massive market with indoor/outdoor market at the site of the Oktoberfest which is good if it's a bit rainy. Better to go in the week if you can, as the weekends get very busy.
We also combined it with a night in Erding, at the ThermeSpa, which was good fun (especially the swim up bar!)