European Christmas Market Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

We've spent a lot of Decembers behind a Christmas market stall, and we've watched plenty of first-time visitors make the same small mistakes. Here's what we'd tell a friend before their first European Christmas market.

Go early in the season, and early in the week

Most markets open in mid to late November and close on 23 December, with a few (such as Vienna's Schönbrunn market) running into early January. Weekday afternoons are the quietest; dusk, when the lights come on, is the prettiest. If you can, do both: browse in the afternoon, then come back for a Glühwein after dark.

Bring cash

Card payments are much more common than they used to be, but plenty of food stalls and smaller makers still prefer cash. As the Austrians say, nur Bares ist Wahres: only cash is true. Coins are handy for drinks and toilets.

Keep (or return) the mug

Hot drinks come in a ceramic mug with a deposit (Pfand) added to the price. Return the mug for your money back, or keep it: many markets design a new mug each year, and they make a cheap, cheerful souvenir.

Dress in layers

You'll be standing on cold cobblestones for hours, then ducking into heated shops and trams. Warm shoes, a beanie and gloves are essential; a coat you can open up is a bonus.

Eat like a local

Sausages are a big deal in Vienna, so join the queue for a Käsekrainer or a hot dog (and take a glass hot dog home as a souvenir). Then work through the regional specialties: Lebkuchen in Nuremberg, Langos almost everywhere. Our guide to Christmas market food has the full list.

Shop thoughtfully

Prices at market stalls are fixed, so don't expect to haggle. Instead, take your time: walk the whole market before you buy, and ask stallholders where their pieces are made. Makers love to talk about their work, and it's the best way to tell a handmade ornament from an imported one.

Plan how to get it home

Glass travels best in your carry-on luggage, wrapped and cushioned with soft clothes. Every Edelglas ornament comes wrapped and boxed, so it's ready for the trip. And if your suitcase is already full, you can always find us online: we ship from Vienna and Melbourne.

Where to start

If you're heading to Austria, start with our guide to Vienna's Christmas markets, then add a few of Europe's best Christmas shops to your itinerary. Check our locations page to see where you can find Edelglas.

Updated November 2026