European Christmas markets are pure magic — twinkling lights draped over centuries-old squares, the warm smell of spices drifting between wooden stalls, the clink of mugs, the music, the snow (if you’re lucky). But as enchanting as the markets are, there are a few common mistakes that can take the experience from cozy and festive to chaotic and frustrating.
After visiting 40 Christmas markets across seven different countries, I’ve learned what makes a Christmas market trip truly enjoyable — and what travelers often get wrong. Here are the 10 most common Christmas market mistakes to avoid so your trip stays just as magical as you imagine.
1. Not Checking Opening Dates
This is one of the easiest mistakes to make. Every city — and even every individual market — has its own set of opening dates. On one of my trips, I unfortunately arrived in Prague before the main markets opened, and it’s something a lot of travelers accidentally do.
Some markets open mid-November, others not until the end of the month, and smaller neighborhood markets sometimes open even later. Always check official sources so you don’t show up expecting twinkling stalls… and find workers still setting them up.
To avoid this, always check the official website for each market. And be careful — there’s a lot of misinformation online. Some websites simply copy last year’s dates and swap in the new year, but opening days can change every season and often vary from market to market within the same city.
If you’re unsure whether a site is official, look for the city’s tourism board website or a government tourism page. Those are usually the most accurate. Also, don’t worry if the information isn’t in English — most official sites have a translation tab, and if not, you can use the translation tool built into your browser.
And finally, cross-check at least two or three sources. It seems tedious, but it’s the best way to make sure you don’t plan your whole trip around markets that aren’t open yet.
2. Assuming Markets Are Open Every Day — and Not Checking Opening Hours
A lot of travelers assume Christmas markets run all day, every day… but that’s not always true. Some markets close one day a week, others have limited hours on certain weekdays, and many open later in the afternoon rather than first thing in the morning.
Even within the same city, hours can vary wildly between markets — one might open at 10 a.m. while another doesn’t start until 4 p.m. And some close earlier on Sundays or during special events.
Before you plan your route, always check the official schedule for each market you want to visit. Look for daily opening hours, weekly closures, and any special holiday hours. It’s the easiest way to avoid showing up to a row of empty stalls when you thought you’d be sipping mulled wine.
3. Only Visiting the Big, Popular Markets
It’s easy to get swept up in the hype of the major Christmas markets — the ones you see all over Instagram and travel guides — but focusing only on the “headline” markets means you’ll miss out on some of the best parts of the Christmas market experience.
Every major city has multiple markets, and while the main ones are beautiful, they’re often the most crowded. Don’t skip the smaller neighborhood markets tucked into courtyards, side streets, or local squares. These little markets often feel far more authentic, offer handmade goods you won’t find elsewhere, and give you a sense of the local community you can’t get from the big, tourist-heavy spots.
Also, don’t forget about the smaller towns nearby. Some of the most magical and charming Christmas markets aren’t in the major cities at all — they’re in the villages and small towns just a short train ride away. These markets often feel like stepping into a storybook, with fewer crowds and a cozier, more intimate atmosphere.
Take Strasbourg, for example. Its main markets are incredible, but the surrounding Alsace towns — like Colmar, Riquewihr, and Obernai — are where the real magic happens. These small villages transform into glowing Christmas postcards, and many travelers say they’re even more enchanting than the larger city markets.
So yes, visit the big markets — but don’t let them be the only ones you see. The smaller ones might end up being your favorite.
4. Only Visiting at Night
Evenings at Christmas markets are undeniably magical — the twinkling lights, festive music, and cozy atmosphere make for beautiful photos and a festive vibe. But if you only visit at night, you’ll be missing a big part of the experience.
During the day, especially on weekdays, most locals are at work or school, so the markets are far less crowded. This is the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll, browse the stalls, and get your souvenir shopping done without bumping elbows.
In the evening, the crowds swell as locals come out to enjoy glühwein, hot chocolate, and food with friends and family. While it’s busier, the atmosphere becomes even more magical under the lights and holiday decorations.
For the best experience, plan to visit markets both during the day and at night. That way, you get the calm, relaxed shopping vibe as well as the festive, illuminated magic that makes European Christmas markets so special.
5. Only Taking Cash or Only Taking Card
Payment options at Christmas markets can vary a lot. In most of the bigger markets, you’ll be fine paying with a card — I usually use Apple Pay — and many vendors are happy to accept it.
But in smaller markets, or in the markets of smaller towns, you’ll often find booths that are cash only. You don’t want to get stuck paying high ATM withdrawal fees or having to skip something you really want because you don’t have cash on hand.
Even when a vendor takes card, there may be a minimum spend requirement to use it. Cash comes in handy here, especially if you’re traveling solo and don’t want to buy extra items just to reach the minimum.
Carrying both cash and a card keeps you flexible. Plus, having some cash is useful for public transportation or small local shops that don’t take cards. It’s a small detail, but it can save a lot of hassle during your trip.
6. Not Dressing in Layers
Not all of your time exploring the markets will be spent outdoors. You’ll be in and out of shops, cafe’s and restaurants and on and off public transportation. And take it from me, anywhere indoors in Europe in the winter is going to be hot — they keep the heat cranked up! So if you don’t have a layer or two you can shed, you might end up a sweaty, miserable mess!
On the flip side, you don’t want to be cold in the markets either. The temperature can vary a lot by city and even more between day and night so the only way you can ensure you’re comfortable all the time, is to dress in layers.
I usually wear a merino wool base layer (mostly at night or the bottoms under jeans during the day), a light sweater, a coat (like my Eddie Bauer Parka or Mountain Hardware Stretch Down Hoodie), a hat, gloves and scarf. This makes it easy to take my coat and accessories off while indoors, and be able to walk around comfortably until it’s time to go back out.
I tend to run really hot, so I also tend to wear lighter shoes, rather than snow boots during the day. On my last trip I wore these Hey Dude boots with some Darn Tough wool socks and it worked out perfectly!
For more tips, check out my full guide on what to pack for Christmas markets. It has everything you need to stay cozy, stylish, and ready for festive adventures.
7. Not Trying the Regional Specialties
Almost every Christmas market will have the basics — sausages, pretzels, and glühwein — and while these are delicious and worth trying, don’t forget to step a little outside your comfort zone and taste the regional specialties unique to each city or region.
These are the dishes you won’t find anywhere else: think käsespätzle in Austria, tarte flambée in Alsace, lángos in Budapest, chimney cake in Prague, and so much more. Trying new foods is not only fun, it’s also a great way to get a well-rounded cultural experience and make your Christmas market adventure even more memorable.
8. Not Bringing Hand Sanitizer, Wipes, or Napkins
Christmas markets are full of delicious food, but a lot of it can be really messy! There’s usually no seating, so you’ll be eating while standing or walking around, which only adds to the chaos. And since much of the food is finger food, your hands can get dirty fast. After a day of riding public transport and wandering through the city, they’re probably less than clean — and there’s usually nowhere to wash them before you dig in.
Having a bottle of hand sanitizer or some sanitizing wipes can be a life saver to clean your hands before eating and help keep you from getting sick on your dream trip.
Also, napkins are not always readily available, and even when they are they are the paper thin crunchy type (if you’ve ever spent time in Europe, you know what I mean) that don’t do any good anyway. Bringing a wipe or a small paper towel can be a lifesaver for cleaning your hands during or after a snack. It’s a small thing that can make your day a lot more enjoyable.
9. Forgetting About Deposits in the Price of Food and Drink
Many Christmas markets in Europe charge a small deposit — usually called a Pfand in Germany — for things like mugs, glasses, or bowls of food. The deposit is refundable, but if you don’t know about it ahead of time, it can catch you off guard.
For example, you might order a mug of glühwein for €3.50, with a €2 deposit, making your total is €5.50. The deposit is refundable when you return the mug, or you can choose to keep the mug for the deposit price by simply not returning it. If you do want to return it, make surd you do so before you leave the market. Each market has their own mug and their own deposit amount and you can’t return a mug to a different market. But you can collect a mug from each!
Knowing how deposits work helps you budget better, avoid surprises, and gives you the option to take home a festive mug if you want a tangible memory of your Christmas market adventure.
10. Not Allowing Enough Time to Explore
It’s tempting to try to see as many markets as possible, but rushing through them is one of the biggest mistakes travelers make. Many cities have multiple markets scattered throughout, each with its own unique charm and specialties. If you cram everything into a single afternoon, you’ll miss the variety and ambiance that make each market special.
Also, consider that you might want to take a day trip to a nearby town, which often has its own magical markets. On top of that, there are the usual tourist sites — cathedrals, castles, squares, and historic streets — that make the city special during the holidays.
Give yourself enough time to wander, soak in the decorations, try the local foods, and enjoy the festive atmosphere without feeling rushed. Planning a more relaxed itinerary not only reduces stress but allows you to truly savor the magic of the season. A slower pace gives you the flexibility to enjoy both the markets and the city itself, making your trip far more memorable.
Christmas markets are magical — but they’re even better when you know what to expect. With a little planning and a few simple adjustments, you’ll have a smoother, warmer, more festive trip that lets you enjoy all the twinkling lights, incredible food, and cozy holiday charm Europe is famous for.
Want more Christmas market fun? Check out my other posts:
Top 10 Christmas Markets in Europe You Need to Visit
What to Wear to the Christmas Markets in Europe – A Complete Packing Guide
The Ultimate European Christmas Market Itinerary
