How To Visit a Christmas Market in Europe With Kids: All You Need To Know +Tips
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Christmas markets are a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit and create lasting memories with your kids. Packed full of festive decorations, hot food and drinks, and stalls of all kinds, they can be exciting and overwhelming for the whole family.
Planning ahead of time is essential for a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re visiting a traditional European Christmas market or a more local one close to home, the following tips will help you to get the most out of your experience with kids.
With a little preparation and some helpful advice, you can make sure your children have a magical time that you’ll all remember for years to come. The following tips will help you know what to expect and to plan ahead for your Christmas market experience with kids.
1. What are Christmas markets, and why should you visit them with your family?
Christmas markets are festive marketplaces that typically take place during the Advent season (the season leading up to Christmas) and run for several weeks. They have been taking place for centuries in many European countries as a way to celebrate the holiday season and to promote local products and crafts. There are Christmas markets all over the world, but the best-known markets are in Europe.
Visiting a Christmas market with your family is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and create lasting memories. They are great for families with kids because they offer plenty to see and do, such as decorations, lights, music, and entertainment. They also offer a wide variety of festive food, drink,s and souvenirs. Many also have activities and events that you can enjoy together as a family
2. Planning Ahead: How to choose a Christmas market and prepare for your visit
There are many factors to consider when deciding which Christmas market to visit, both on a local and international level. You’ll want to think about travel time, costs, what it is like, and how the weather is likely to be. You may also want to consider growing crowds and potential closures. While visiting the same market every year is nice, you should also consider visiting at least one or two others in your area so your children can experience a variety.
Keep the following tips in mind as you begin to plan your visit with kids to a Christmas market:
Timing
Christmas markets are typically busiest around the weekends, during the weekdays, and in the lead-up to Christmas Day. You may want to consider visiting a popular one in the middle of the week or a less popular one near Christmas to avoid the crowds. Many seasonal Christmas markets only open for a few weeks before Christmas, so keep that in mind when planning.
Activities for kids
Depending on which Christmas market you choose, there are plenty of options for kids, couples, and groups — from ice skating to carousel rides and Ferris wheels. They have plenty of festive stalls and stalls selling tasty treats. But if you’re looking for something more active, why not check out the best Christmas markets in Europe for a quick summary? From Cologne to Luxembourg, these offer many fun activities for the whole family.
Costs
Most Christmas markets don’t have an entry fee, but some do. They also have extra charges for certain attractions or food items. Tip: it’s important to plan ahead and set a budget for your Christmas market visit with kids, as you may find additional costs creeping in unexpectedly.
Local weather
Consider the local weather forecast in the weeks leading up to your chosen date. If rain is likely, you may want to try another market or shop a little earlier in the day to get out before conditions worsen.
Closure dates
Check the dates of closure for that market. Some close for a few days around New Year’s Day, while others close around Christmas.
Tip
Most of the Christmas markets in Germany are only open until Christmas.
3. When to go: Dates, times and avoiding peak hours
While you want to visit a Christmas market as early as possible, you also avoid the busiest times. It is best to visit on a weekday evening or very early on a weekend morning when crowds are less likely. Alternatively, you can also visit a Christmas market in a nearby city to avoid the local market being too crowded
See how empty the ice rink at the Cologne Christmas market is early on a weekday!
4. What to wear
Make sure your children have warm coats and hats. Depending on where you live, this may mean purchasing new winter clothing for your kids before the trip. Wearing comfortable, warm clothing will help your children to stay happy and active.
It’s important to stay warm when visiting a Christmas market, so the best option is to dress in layers and wear wool. Depending on the time of day and weather forecast, you may also want to pack a rain jacket.
5. Attractions and entertainment
The attractions and entertainment at Christmas markets can vary greatly. Check the best Christmas markets in Europe for a short outline of the attractions of each Christmas market and linked posts with details.
Expect to see various Christmas decorations, lights, and other attractions, such as Christmas trees and carousels. Many Christmas markets also have live entertainment, such as choirs and carolers, marching bands and dancers, as well as activities for kids.
Some Christmas markets are like a mini fun fair for kids, like Luxembourg or Hasselt. Others have many activities organized for kids, like Cologne. Many have ice rinks, like Brussels or Dusseldorf. Each and every one is unique, but they are all kid-friendly in different ways.
6. Tips on What to Eat and Drink
Expect various festive food and drinks at a Christmas market, from sweet to savory treats. There is a wide variety of hot drinks, such as hot chocolate as well as warm mulled wine (Glühwein in German, the traditional drink at Christmas markets).
You will also find a variety of baked goods, such as cookies and doughnuts, as well as Christmas favorites, such as Bratwurst (sausages) and roasted nuts. Try local dishes, like tartiflette in the French Alps and fondue in Switzerland. However, some dishes are appreciated at Christmas markets away from the country where you can typically enjoy them.
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Tips
The following are some general tips on eating and drinking at a Christmas market
*Some may have a general seating area, but others may leave the seating up to the vendors, so be sure to find a place to sit before you get your food and drinks
*Many of the foods and drinks are meant to be consumed while they’re piping hot, so be careful when tasting them
*Bring cash! Many vendors accept cards, but there are also several that only accept cash
7. Tips on What to Buy
The best part is the handcrafted items you can find in these markets. Each is a unique treasure, from wooden toys and hand-knitted scarves to intricate ornaments and gingerbread houses. And if you’re looking for something truly special, you can find it here – whether it’s a wooden nutcracker or a hand-carved wooden trinket box.
Kids love to buy Christmas gifts, but you should remember that you’ll likely be visiting several markets, so buy some small gifts they can open early. Christmas markets have many great gift ideas, including decorations, treats, toys, and more.
Bring your bags or reusable shopping bags if you plan on buying gifts to bring home. Most don’t offer bags; even if they do, they may run out. If you have very small children, bring a wagon or stroller to help you carry gifts and purchases.
Tip
If you intend to go shopping, taking the stroller with you is one of the best tips. However, there are pros and cons to both taking a stroller and a baby carrier – see 9. Baby carrier or stroller?
8. Tips for parents: Keeping kids safe at a Christmas market
As with any visit to a busy and unfamiliar place, keeping your children safe is your priority. Depending on the age of your children, you may need to watch for the following dangers and distractions. Usually, there should be no issue, but it is best to be prepared.
- Keep hold of young children’s hands at all times. Remind older children to stay with the group. There are often lots of distractions at Christmas markets, so it’s important to stay close and keep an eye on each other.
- Keep an eye out for trip hazards such as uneven pavement, potholes, and people’s feet.
- Stay aware of your bag and valuables at all times, particularly if you’re in a busy market in a foreign country.
9. Baby carrier or stroller?
Deciding whether a stroller or baby carrier is better is tough. Each option has pros and cons, so what is best will depend on your family’s needs.
With a stroller, you have more space for your kids and can store items like shopping. It’s also easier to maneuver over the often uneven ground. Furthermore, you can bring a blanket to keep the kid warm.
On the other hand, a baby carrier will keep your baby close to you and can be a great bonding experience. It also gives you more freedom to explore, as getting around is much easier.
Ultimately, the best choice for you comes down to your preference and how much space you need. If you want to keep your kids close, a baby carrier is the way to go. But a stroller is better if you need more storage or want a smoother ride.
10. Additional tips
- Most markets are outdoors, so be prepared for sun and rain.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Pack some snacks for the journey and when waiting in line. Older children may want to bring a drink, too.
- Take a small first aid kit with you. You never know when you might need it, so it’s best to be prepared.
- Plan your route before you get there to avoid wasting time. Christmas markets are often very busy, so it’s best to go with a plan in place to avoid getting lost or caught up in the crowds.
Christmas Markets
Are you looking for the best Christmas markets in Europe? Here is a guide with details and practical tips on how to visit with kids
Winter Wonders, the Christmas market in Brussels, is one of Europe’s most impressive Christmas markets. Do not miss the light show at the Grand Place!
You will find practical tips for visiting with kids, kid-friendly restaurants, and a map in this post.
We love the Christmas market in Cologne!
The Monschau Christmas market in Germany is one of the most magical places to get into the festive spirit. Read on for practical tips to plan ahead for your visit.
Aachen Christmas market is one of our favorite ones! It is so close to Brussels that you can visit for a day. You will find many practical details to plan ahead and activities to do with kids in our Aachen Christmas market guide!
What a wonderful little town! And what an original Christmas market in a cave in Valkenburg, perfect for visiting with kids. Read on for practical details to plan your visit ahead with kids, photos, and a video.
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