15 Mistakes to Avoid at European Christmas Markets

If you’re planning a trip to Europe this winter, visiting Christmas markets is probably at the top of your itinerary. As a foreigner living in Austria, I’ve picked up quite a few Christmas market tips to make the experience as special as it can be.

Here is my ultimate guide to 15 mistakes to avoid making at European Christmas markets.

1. Taking the mugs home

When you buy mulled wine or punch from a Christmas market stall, a deposit for the mug is included in the price. When you return the mug, you get your money back.

Because many of the mugs are beautiful and usually have the name of the Christmas market and the year on it, many tourists decide to take them home as souvenirs.

Trust me, I get the appeal. But this is something that REALLY irritates locals. There have been many occasions where stalls have run out of mugs because so many tourists took them home.

If you do want to take a mug home as a souvenir, just ask the vendor! At almost every market nowadays, there is a stall that sells the mugs separately (at the price of the normal deposit). This way, you’ll also get a clean one to take home.

2. Don’t just hit the popular markets in big cities

Vienna, Strasbourg, Nürnberg – yes, all these cities have great Christmas markets. But because of the boom the markets have had as tourist attractions, I find that a lot of these markets can be targeted at travelers – high prices, mass-produced crafts, and watered-down versions of local food and traditions.

If you’re looking for something more authentic, try some of the markets in smaller towns. I’d suggest staying in big cities during the week and taking day trips to small nearby towns on weekends.

Ask the locals in the city if they have recommendations. Many people working in big cities live in these smaller towns, so if you talk to the right people, you’ll get some great suggestions!

3. Visiting on peak days and times

Christmas markets can get really crowded, especially in big cities. Unless you like human traffic jams, you should avoid going at certain times and days.

As a rule, I avoid visiting any Christmas market on its opening weekend (unless you really want to see an opening ceremony). This is when it’s usually the busiest, and it can be really uncomfortable. Wait until December – but not the week right before Christmas! – and try to avoid weekends.

Most locals visit after work, so all markets tend to be less busy during the day. Of course, the twinkling lights and the magical atmosphere at night is unmatched, so it kind of makes up for it.

If you visit any market as it opens, it will generally be at its least busy. You can check the official websites for opening times.

4. Not carrying both cash AND a card

Depending on where you are, many market stalls may be restricted to taking only one of the two payment options. As a general rule of thumb, the further north you go, the more likely you won’t need cash.

In Central Europe – countries like Germany, Austria, and France – you won’t come far with just a card. Though many big cities have started accepting digital payment, it’s relatively new and most vendors prefer cash. And you’ll definitely find at least a few stalls at every Christmas market that only take cash. In smaller towns, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a card machine anywhere. So always have cash on hand!

In the UK and Nordic countries, however, almost everything is paid by card. In fact, most vendors do not accept cash.

Do some research on your destination beforehand or, better yet, always have both on hand.

I’d also advise you always have some small change on you for public bathrooms.

5. Forgetting to bring a bag

If you’re planning to do any shopping at Christmas markets – for souvenirs or Christmas presents – remember to take a bag with you.

Most vendors don’t offer bags. They just wrap up your goods in bubble wrap or paper and you have to carry it around. And trust me, the last thing you want is to walk around a crowded market with fragile crafts in your hands. How are you supposed to eat or drink then?

I always fold up a tote bag and keep it in my crossbody bag, so I have it on hand in case I need it. Alternatively, you can carry a backpack, so you don’t have to walk around juggling bags in your hands.

6. Buying the first thing you see

It’s easy to be immediately taken by the stalls right at the front of a Christmas market. But if you follow just one piece of advice on this list, it’s this: BE PATIENT!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought a souvenir at one of the first stalls I saw and later came across something I liked a lot more (or, even worse, the SAME thing but at a cheaper price!).

Of course, this applies to both crafts and food. You don’t want to get to a stall that has exactly what you’re craving, only to find yourself already stuffed from the (somewhat disappointing) quick-fix food you bought on a whim earlier.

The best way to approach any Christmas market is to buy a warm drink early on, then take a walk through the entirety of the market without buying anything else. If you’re REALLY hungry, get something small, like roasted chestnuts. Once you’ve reached the end – and checked out all the vendors – you’ll have a better idea of the stalls you want to go back to.

7. Not wearing comfortable shoes

A lot of Christmas markets are situated in squares or Old Towns, where the ground isn’t exactly even. A lot of them are on cobblestone streets, which can be difficult to walk on if you’re not wearing sturdy shoes.

You’ll also be walking A LOT to explore the big markets, and finding a place to sit down can be really difficult. If you’re hopping from one market to another, you can easily go the whole day without really getting off your feet.

Before your trip, make sure to get shoes that are well-insulated, sturdy, and waterproof to ensure that your feet don’t get sore or cold.

8. Not booking accommodation early enough

Everyone has a European Christmas market trip on their bucket list.

That’s why, in many European countries, especially those known for their Christmas markets (Germany, Austria, France), December is a suuuuper busy time of year for tourism.

So it’s important that you book everything for your trip well in advance – at least a month or two before your visit. This way you’ll get accommodation closer to the city centre at much more reasonable prices.

Of course, this doesn’t only apply to accommodation. Flights, trains, activities, and tickets for sightseeing – these all get sold out quickly during the holiday season.

To avoid wasting money and risking sold-out activities and sights, book everything as soon as you know where you want to go.

9. Visiting only during the day

I know, I know. I’m contradicting myself a bit. If you want to avoid the crowds, evenings are not the best time to visit Christmas markets.

But – with the exception of a few markets – they are just so much more magical once the sun has gone down and the lights have begun to twinkle.

Many Christmas markets also set up beautiful light displays, and the ferris wheels light up too. The atmosphere is just totally different than during the day.

10. Buying mass-produced crafts

When you’re at a Christmas market, especially in a big city, you’ll see a lot of stalls that sell mass-produced, imported crafts.

Some of these may look pretty or cute, but they’re generally quite cheaply made and break very easily. They are also usually more affordable than handmade local crafts.

If you care about buying high-quality, unique items and supporting local artists, here are a few tips for spotting these mass-produced goods:

• If you see the same crafts at multiple different stalls, it’s a clear sign that they are bought from a bulk supplier.
• Some stalls will have huge amounts of the same items hanging together, which is another sign that it’s mass produced.
• Look for business cards or signs to social media of the artists. Do a quick scan on one of their social media accounts if you’re not sure – trust me, you’ll be able to spot it.
• Do some research on the city you’re visiting to find Christmas markets focused on local art. The Art Advent am Karlsplatz in Vienna is one example of such a market.
• Be more vigilant at bigger, more popular Christmas markets – they tend to sell a lot more of these goods than small markets in nearby towns.

11. Expecting to sit down to eat

Part of the culture of a Christmas market is eating and drinking while standing up. All around the markets, you’ll usually find tall tables (without chairs) that you can stand at while you eat.

In some Christmas markets you’ll find stalls that have seating areas, but it isn’t the norm. Alternatively, you may find benches, but only if you get really lucky.

12. Not being careful with your money

Because Christmas markets are so beloved by travelers, it’s a pickpocket’s paradise. Just think about it: Every time you want to buy something, you need to reach into your bag or pocket quickly to pay. So it’s probably pretty easy for an experienced pickpocket to reach in there, too.

I like to use an anti-theft crossbody bag or a jacket with inside pockets. If you’re carrying a bag, use one that has a zip (not just a magnetic button) and one you can keep close to your body.

In general, always be aware of your surroundings and wary of the people around you.

Criminals tend to target areas where there are more tourists and bigger crowds. So be more careful at the massive, popular markets in big cities famous for their Christmas markets.

When you’re in a small-town market with just a few hundred people, it’s much less likely that anything will happen than at a main market in a capital city.

13. Not researching opening dates and times

There’s nothing worse than showing up at a Christmas market and finding it closed. Before planning your trip, do some research to find out when all the markets are open.

Typically, the first Christmas markets open in mid-November and stay open until 23 or 24 December. But some markets only open at the end of November or even the beginning of December.

In big cities, Christmas markets are usually open from Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm (earlier on 24 December), varying slightly from market to market. But there are always select markets that have days off, including some that are only open on weekends. Christmas markets in small towns tend to have at least one or two off days a week.

The opening times of various Christmas markets in the same city can differ immensely, because the organisers generally aren’t the same.

Luckily, nowadays, most Christmas markets have a website. They usually list their opening dates and times right on their homepage.

14. Not visiting when the markets host events

One of the best parts of visiting Christmas markets is attending the special events they host. Some countries have specific days that are dedicated to a certain celebration every year.

Austria, for example, has Krampus- and Nikolaustag (5 and 6 December). The Krampus is the evil figure that punishes naughty children. At the Christmas markets, there is a ‘Perchtenlauf’, where people dress up as the Krampus and run around with sticks hitting people (don’t worry, they don’t actually hurt anyone) – I know, it’s weird and honestly kind of scary, but it’s a really unique and traditional experience.

Some Christmas markets host live music, including traditional Christmas caroling groups or even modern local bands. There are also some that have craft activities for children or even interactive art shows.

Many Christmas markets have an ‘opening ceremony’ of sorts. Whether it includes live music or just lighting up a giant Christmas tree, it’s a really special experience.

Again, do some research and check out the websites of the different markets to find out about national and local events that you can attend.

15. Not combining your visit with sightseeing

If you’re exclusively visiting the Christmas markets on your trip, it can get a bit repetitive. That’s why I recommend doing some sightseeing while you’re already in a new city.

A lot of Christmas markets are located conveniently close to tourist attractions, so visit these before or after you’ve been to the market. I recommend visiting attractions during the day and going to Christmas markets at night.

Remember to book attractions ahead of time, as many of these may be sold out during this peak travel season.

If you’re planning a Christmas market hopping trip through Europe, check out my guide to the 10 best cities to visit for their holiday markets.