Європейський найбільший різдвяний ярмарок 2025: Магія свят у Крайові

As Christmas approaches, European cities are once again transformed: historic squares and narrow streets turn into winter kingdoms of lights, music, and the aromas of festive spices. Christmas markets in 2025 became one of the key tourism highlights of the winter season, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.

While in previous years the news most often featured the classic “giants” — Strasbourg, Vienna, Nuremberg, or Cologne — this year the title of Europe’s largest Christmas market goes to a new star: the Christmas market in Craiova, Romania.

Craiova: Europe’s Largest Christmas Market of 2025

In 2025, the Christmas market in Craiova gained recognition not only as one of the most beautiful, but also as the largest Christmas market in Europe by total area.

• Total area: more than 280,000 square meters — far larger than traditional markets concentrated in a single city centre, with the fair spreading across several main squares and streets of Craiova.

• Atmosphere: the entire city centre is transformed into a continuous “winter world,” featuring dazzling lights, a large ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel, and dozens of themed zones.

• Entertainment and décor: giant decorations, themed installations inspired by The Nutcracker, festive parades, live performances, traditional crafts, and gastronomic stalls create a truly magical holiday atmosphere.

The market opened in mid-November 2025 and ran through January 4, 2026, offering visitors not only shopping and seasonal treats, but also a full-scale winter festival with entertainment for the whole family.

Christmas Market Traditions Across Europe in 2025

While Craiova became the sensation of the season, Europe’s classic Christmas markets also drew impressive crowds:

• Strasbourg (France) — one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets, attracting visitors for centuries with its medieval festive atmosphere.

• Vienna (Austria) — with dozens of markets throughout the city, including the iconic market in front of City Hall, welcoming millions of visitors every year.

• Nuremberg (Germany) — the renowned Christkindlesmarkt, a traditional market hosting more than 2 million visitors, remains a must-see destination of Christmas Europe.

• Gdańsk (Poland) — voted the best Christmas market in Europe in an international travellers’ poll.

Each of these events preserves its own unique traditions, blending music, craftsmanship, gastronomy, and festive spirit.

Winter Season Highlights

Christmas markets in 2025 once again confirmed that these traditional events remain the heart of Europe’s winter tourism season. From cozy markets in medieval towns to large-scale festivals like the one in Craiova, they offer a unique combination of holiday atmosphere, cultural heritage, and entertainment.