The holiday season is yet again upon us, but who’s complaining? (Because it’s definitely not us!)

As we start counting down the days to Christmas, we start getting into this festive mood where we start setting up Christmas decors and lighting holiday scented candles, with Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on repeat in the background. It’s just some of the best times of the year.

Some cities around the world take the word festive to the next level during the Christmas season by putting up hundreds of stalls featuring handicrafts, street food, and other products that just scream the Christmas spirit. We could just smell the aroma of cinnamon and mulled wine from here! 

If you’re looking for a new way to celebrate Christmas this year or if want to spend your honeymoon with a cup of hot chocolate in one glove-clad hand and your lover’s warm hand in the other, then Christmas markets are definitely worth the visit.

Here’s a rundown of some of the best Christmas markets around the world you (and your lover) could visit this holly jolly season.

Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland

• Address: Rheingasse, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
• Duration: November 24 to December 23
• Operating Hours: open daily from 11 am to 8:30 pm (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free

We don’t know about you, but spending Christmas in Switzerland is right on top of our bucket lists. Just imagine this, skiing resorts, the snow-covered Alps, and the festive markets that are littered all across Switzerland. While there are so many to choose from, word on the street is that Basel Christmas Market is one of the best ones around. This market has two sections called Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz, where there are almost 200 decorated wooden chalets that have different products like Swiss sausages, fondue, the classic Basel Lackerli, Christmas decors, candles, and spices.

Gendarmenmarkt, Germany

• Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin, Germany
• Duration: November 21 to December 31
• Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 12 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12 am to 11 pm, 24 December until 6 pm, 31 December (local time)
• Admission Fee: 1 euro, free for children aged 0-12, free admission daily between 11 AM and 2 PM (except December 24, 25, 26, and 31)

It’s no secret that Europe, specifically Germany, is where some of the oldest and most joyful Christmas markets started. There are about 80 markets you can choose from just in Berlin, but the one in Gendarmenmarkt is the most well-known. For a reason, of course, the market is littered with thousands of sparkling lights, festive decors, mouthwatering local food, dozens of different vendors selling traditional crafts like wood carvings, and tons of entertainment. In fact, around 800,000 people from different parts of the world come to witness the magic that happens in Gendarmenmarkt during the Christmas season every year.

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

• Address: Place Broglie, Strasbourg, France
• Duration: November 21 to December 23
• Operating Hours: 11 am to 8 pm (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free

There’s nothing like celebrating Christmas the French way. Aside from delectable meals and mesmerizing decorations, they also like Marchés de Noel or Christmas Markets. For a one-of-a-kind experience, head on over to the quaint town of Strasbourg where Europe’s oldest Christmas market was founded in 1570. Immerse yourself in Alsatian (a unique mix of French and German influences) Christmas traditions with over 300 chalets selling all kinds of trinkets, food, and drinks to keep you all full and toasty while enjoying the festivities. 

Noel Sydney Christmas, NSW

• Address: Macquarie St and Parade Ground, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW
• Duration: December 9 to 24
• Operating Hours: 6 pm to 11 pm (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free

16 nights of dazzling lights, delish food, a wide range of market stalls, and a digital Christmas forest. These are what you can expect when you go to the Noel Sydney Christmas market. It is quite literally a fairytale wonderland that came to life. You can also expect captivating Christmas music from community choirs, variety shows, a Christmas sky show, and fun song and dance performances throughout the 16 nights of festivities.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

• Address: Hyde Park, London
• Duration: November 18 to January 2, 2023
• Operating Hours: 5 am to 12 am (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free during off-peak periods and costs £5 or £7.50 for peak hours

When talking about Christmas markets, we have to include the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London. It is London’s most awaited event during the Christmas season, with lines of gift-filled stalls, over 200 plus rides, a 70-meter-high Ferris wheel, and the biggest outdoor ice skating rink, we can’t see why not. Not only that but you can also expect pop-up performances, try workshops, and listen to live music while you’re at it. You’ll probably need a full day to catch all the wonders this market has.

Roppongi Hills Christmas Market, Tokyo

• Address: Oyane Plaza, Roppongi Hills
• Duration: November 26 to December 25
• Operating Hours: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, daily (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free

Europe isn’t the only place you can find Christmas markets, right in the center of the vibrant nightlife district of Tokyo is the Roppongi Hills Christmas market. Gift-selling stalls, classic Christmas decorations, and the comforting hum of the festive season are what you can expect from this market. Although modeled after the European Christmas markets, you can also look forward to a taste of local Japanese food. And of course, the illuminations everywhere are pretty hard to miss and admire. 

Winter Village at Bryant Park, New York

• Address: 41st Street and, 6th Ave, NY 
• Duration: October 28 to March 5, 2023
• Operating Hours: 8 am to 10 pm (local time)
• Admission Fee: Free

It’s hard to resist the Christmas spirit, especially when surrounded by the sweet smell of Christmas treats, bells ringing, twinkling fairy lights and the 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink in the Winter Village at Bryant Park. Every year, right when the Christmas season comes, Manhattan’s Bryant Park turns into a winter wonderland. They also have show-stopping performances and over 150 kiosks offering a wide variety of food and drinks, your senses will surely be delighted.

It really is the season to be jolly, but it’s also the season to celebrate love. While we think visiting Christmas markets filled with the holiday spirit is the perfect plan for this season, it’s also great to celebrate your love as a couple surrounded by all the magic and romance these markets have to offer.