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Christmas markets 2026

Christmas markets you can fly to from Ireland

21 Christmas markets around Europe. Ryanair flies direct to 16 of them from Irish airports in December, and this page shows from which.

“Usually” means the run from past years. Not every market has published its 2026 dates, so check the market’s own dates before you book anything.

Direct from Ireland in December

  • Austria

    Vienna

    the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz

    Stalls under the lit-up trees in front of the City Hall, with mulled wine in a mug you can take home.

    Usually runs from mid-November to Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Scotland

    Edinburgh

    Edinburgh’s Christmas in Princes Street Gardens

    A market and a big wheel below the castle, an hour’s flight from home.

    Usually runs from mid-November into the new year.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock

  • Hungary

    Budapest

    the Christmas fair on Vörösmarty Square

    Chimney cake, mulled wine and the light show on St Stephen’s Basilica a short walk away.

    Usually runs from mid-November to the end of December.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin and Shannon

  • Denmark

    Copenhagen

    Christmas at Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn

    The old amusement park lit up for Christmas, and stalls along the coloured houses of Nyhavn.

    Usually runs from mid-November to the end of December.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Poland

    Kraków

    the Christmas market on the Main Square

    Wooden stalls on one of Europe’s biggest medieval squares, with grilled oscypek cheese and hot honey wine.

    Usually runs from late November to Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin and Shannon

  • Germany

    Cologne

    the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral

    Red-roofed stalls under the cathedral’s twin spires, and more markets across the old town.

    Usually runs from mid-November to just before Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Estonia

    Tallinn

    the Christmas market on Town Hall Square

    A medieval square, a tall tree and, if you’re lucky, snow.

    Usually runs from late November into the new year.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Belgium

    Brussels

    Winter Wonders, from the Grand-Place to Sainte-Catherine

    The Grand-Place’s light show, an ice rink, and waffles at every corner.

    Usually runs from late November to early January.

    Ryanair flies to Brussels Airport and to Charleroi, about an hour south of the city.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin and Cork

  • Czech Republic

    Prague

    the Christmas market on Old Town Square

    A giant tree in front of the Týn Church, with trdelník and svařák to keep warm.

    Usually runs from late November into the new year.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Switzerland

    Basel

    the Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz

    One of Switzerland’s prettiest markets, a short train ride from Colmar and Strasbourg.

    Usually runs from late November to just before Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Sweden

    Stockholm

    the Christmas market on Stortorget in Gamla Stan

    Red huts in the old town’s square, with glögg and saffron buns.

    Usually runs from late November to just before Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Croatia

    Zagreb

    Advent in Zagreb

    Voted Europe’s best Christmas market more than once: the whole city centre becomes one.

    Usually runs from late November into January.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Latvia

    Riga

    the Christmas market on Dome Square

    Stalls in the old town of the city that claims the first decorated Christmas tree, in 1510.

    Usually runs from late November into the new year.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Spain

    Madrid

    the Christmas market on Plaza Mayor

    Nativity figures, fancy-dress hats and chocolate con churros under the arcades.

    Usually runs from late November to New Year’s Eve.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin and Shannon

  • Poland

    Gdańsk

    the Christmas market on Targ Węglowy

    Stalls and a carousel in the old town, among the gabled merchant houses of the Baltic’s prettiest port.

    Usually runs from late November to just before Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

  • Slovakia

    Bratislava

    the Christmas market on the Main Square

    A small, friendly market in the old town, an hour from Vienna.

    Usually runs from late November to just before Christmas.

    Direct with Ryanair in December from Dublin

No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland

  • France

    Strasbourg

    the Christkindelsmärik

    The city that calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and one of the oldest markets in Europe.

    Usually runs from late November to Christmas Eve.

    No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland in December

  • Italy

    Bolzano

    the Christkindlmarkt on Piazza Walther

    One of Italy’s best-known Christmas markets, with the Dolomites behind it.

    Usually runs from late November into January.

    No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland in December

  • Netherlands

    Valkenburg

    the Christmas markets in Valkenburg’s caves

    A Christmas market underground, in caves carved out of the hills.

    Usually runs from mid-November to just before Christmas.

    No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland in December

  • Romania

    Sibiu

    the Christmas market on Piața Mare

    A Transylvanian town square with a carousel and a skating rink, one of Romania’s best-loved markets.

    Usually runs from mid-November to the end of December.

    No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland in December

  • Finland

    Helsinki

    St Thomas Christmas Market on Senate Square

    Stalls in front of the white cathedral, with handmade crafts and glögi.

    Usually runs in December, until just before Christmas.

    No direct Ryanair flight from Ireland in December

When do Christmas markets open?

Most of these markets open in the second half of November and run through December. Many in Germany, Austria and Switzerland close a day or two before Christmas. Some, especially in the Baltics, central Europe and Spain, run on to New Year or into January.

Christmas markets with school-age children

Schools close after Tuesday 22 December 2026, so with school-age children a market trip is either a weekend before then, perhaps with a day or two out of school, or one of the markets that usually runs past St Stephen’s Day:

  • Edinburgh, Edinburgh’s Christmas in Princes Street Gardens, from mid-November into the new year
  • Budapest, the Christmas fair on Vörösmarty Square, from mid-November to the end of December
  • Tallinn, the Christmas market on Town Hall Square, from late November into the new year
  • Brussels, Winter Wonders, from the Grand-Place to Sainte-Catherine, from late November to early January
  • Prague, the Christmas market on Old Town Square, from late November into the new year
  • Zagreb, Advent in Zagreb, from late November into January
  • Bolzano, the Christkindlmarkt on Piazza Walther, from late November into January
  • Riga, the Christmas market on Dome Square, from late November into the new year
  • Madrid, the Christmas market on Plaza Mayor, from late November to New Year’s Eve
  • Sibiu, the Christmas market on Piața Mare, from mid-November to the end of December

Planning a market trip: what to check

  • The market’s own dates. Book flights only once you know it is open on your days.
  • The hotel price for your nights, before you settle on flights. A cheap fare is no help if the hotel for that weekend is not.
  • Which days the flights run. Some routes do not fly every day in winter, so check the days before you plan the weekend.
  • The cheapest Ryanair fare covers one small bag that fits under the seat. A 10kg cabin bag and checked bags cost extra with Ryanair, so price them for everyone travelling.
  • Every passport, especially children’s, which run out sooner than adults’.

Planning the rest of Christmas

Christmas markets: questions

Which Christmas markets can you fly to direct from Dublin?

Of the markets on this page, Ryanair flies direct from Dublin in December to Vienna, Edinburgh, Budapest, Copenhagen, Kraków, Cologne, Tallinn, Brussels, Prague, Basel, Stockholm, Zagreb, Riga, Madrid, Gdańsk and Bratislava.

Can you fly to a Christmas market from Cork, Shannon or Knock?

Yes, to some. In December Ryanair flies direct from Cork to Edinburgh and Brussels; from Shannon to Edinburgh, Budapest, Kraków and Madrid; from Knock to Edinburgh.

When do the Christmas markets open in 2026?

Most open in the second half of November and run through December. Not every market has published its dates yet, so check the market’s own dates before you book.

Which Christmas markets are still open after Christmas?

Of the markets on this page, these usually run past St Stephen’s Day: Edinburgh, Budapest, Tallinn, Brussels, Prague, Zagreb, Bolzano, Riga, Madrid and Sibiu. Many in Germany, Austria and Switzerland close a day or two before Christmas.

Do Ryanair fares include a bag?

The cheapest fare covers one small bag that fits under the seat. A 10kg cabin bag and checked bags cost extra with Ryanair.