The holiday season brings a range of traditions, not the least of which are the holiday villages and Christmas markets that pop up in cities and towns all over the world.
These open-air markets encapsulate all the best parts of the season — twinkling lights, gift shopping, towering Christmas trees, festive food, carolers and general merriment. Visiting a holiday market is a beloved tradition for millions of people who make the trek to these shopping outposts every season.
Though there are scores of holiday markets throughout the world, there are some quintessential locales that you have to see at some point in your life if you’re a fan of the merriment. Read on for the 11 holiday markets to add to your travel bucket list:
Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, France
There’s no shortage of holiday cheer — or holiday markets, for that matter — in Strasbourg, France, which fondly refers to itself as the “capital of Christmas.” But the most-visited of the markets is Christkindelsmärik, in the square surrounding Strasbourg Cathedral. It runs through Christmas Eve and has a range of items for gifts, along with spaetzle (an egg noodle dish), hot wine, cookies and more. Take a stroll through the picturesque streets to find even more Christmas markets, a towering Christmas tree and bedecked historic buildings.
