Epic Europe Christmas Bucket List, It’s Christmas Magic!

There is no other word for Europe at Christmastime than MAGICAL. Real life snow globe scenes, festive markets, fresh greenery, shimmering lights, decadent culinary delights, and delightful smells that fill the air… it is without a doubt the most wonderful time of the year! If you’re dreaming of an over-the-top Christmassy experience, then Europe is the perfect place to make that happen.

You’ll find loads of magical holiday experiences and festive must-dos. Overwhelmed with your choices or just need ideas? You’ll find tons of holiday inspiration in this “Europe Christmas bucket list!”

I LOVE Christmas time and Europe is my favorite place to be during this festive time of year. I’ve created this list that includes the best highlights to add to your holiday bucket list that will take you to Europe’s most enchanting holiday destinations, and introduce you to experiences that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Let’s unwrap the magic together with this list of decidedly Christmassy things to do in Europe in December.

Traditional Europe Christmas Bucket List Ideas

Experience a Traditional Dickens Christmas

When I think Christmas, I think Dickens. Dickens’s A Christmas Carol starring Ebeneezer Scrooge is one of my all-time favorite stories. There are several options for experiencing a “Dickensian” Christmas in Europe.

During the Dickens Festival in Deventer, Netherlands, the town transforms into 19th-century England with characters and carolers. During this two-day event in December, you’ll meet characters like Scrooge and Oliver Twist, listen to carols, and see historical buildings decorated for Christmas.

The Great Feast in London, Dickens Style! Time travel to 1843 as a guest at the home of Dickens. Witness the birth of ‘A Christmas Carol’, and enjoy Victorian feasting, ravishing live music, and spellbinding theatre. Book here!

The Grassington Dickensian Festival in the Yorkshire Dales, England, a village-wide event with Victorian dress and festive markets. Over two December weekends, you’ll experience Christmas market stalls, carols, and performances.

Dickens At Christmas Walking Tour, London: Explore the streets and alleyways of London that inspired Dickens’ characters and visit places like Leadenhall Market.

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Sleighbells ring, are you listening?

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through a snowy park or snow dusted cobbled lanes. The mountain regions of Europe are a great place to take a scenic horse-drawn sleigh through snowy mountain landscapes…it’s one of the best ways to spend a winter afternoon! You’ll find this activity on the Winter Bucket list, check it out for winter activities that are a little less “Christmassy!”

Popular choices include:

• Romantic Sleigh Ride through the Countryside, Salzburg Austria
• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride with Snacks and Transfer, Rovaniemi Finland
• Traditional Finnhorse Sleigh Ride at Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi Finland
• Levi, Finland, Polar Lights Tours: One Horse Open Sleigh Ride
• Looking for more options: It may look as if you have to go to Finland for this fun activity but that’s not so. Many of the snowier areas of Europe offer horse drawn sleigh rides. Google is your friend here. If you plan to be in a snowy area just google “horse drawn sleigh rides.” If you’re looking for carriage rides head to the city center or ask at the Tourist Information office (TI.)

Elevate your mood by going Christmas Caroling

The practice of singing Christmas carols originated in Europe thousands of years ago and continues today in various forms across the continent. According to the National Institute of Health singing releases endorphins, the brain’s natural “feel-good” chemicals that elevate mood and reduce pain.

Carolers are common at Christmas markets, why not join in? If you’re looking for an organized caroling event, try asking at local churches or check local listings for organized Christmas events, concerts, and walks that may include caroling.

Experience one of Europe’s many outdoor ice-skating rinks

Imagine yourself gliding across an outdoor skating rink under winter skies with sparkling lights all around. From the Rathausplatz in Vienna to the park beside Prague’s Old Town, to the frozen canals of Amsterdam, these rinks offer the opportunity to, if just for a moment, feel like a kid again.

To find an ice rink you can try Google but also check the local Christmas markets where many temporary rinks spring up to add a little extra added fun to the festivities.

Marvel at some of the world’s biggest Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree was invented in Europe, so of course they do it best, and you’ll find some of the world’s biggest Christmas trees here. As they say, the bigger the better right? Add these trees to your festive bucket list!

These are some of the biggest Christmas trees in the world:

• Monte Ingino Tree, Gubbio, Italy, Height: ~2,460 feet (over 750 meters), This tree is shaped with light strings and can be found on Ingino Mount, overlooking the town of Gubbio. Pope Benedict XVI once lit this behemoth remotely.
• Lisbon, Portugal, Lisbon Christmas Tree, Height: The height varies each year, up to 76 meters (249 feet), this artificial tree’s claim to fame is that it was once listed in the Guinness World Records as Europe’s tallest Christmas tree.
• Bucharest, Romania, Piata Constitutiei Constitution Square, Tree Height: Also 76 meters (249 feet) This lighted tree sculpture competed with Lisbon for the tallest title in 2007. This tree isn’t erected every year so check their website before you make plans.
• Dortmund Christmas Tree, Dortmund, Germany, Height: ~150 feet (45.7 meters), This real tree located on Hansaplatz is assembled from over 1,700 smaller trees, it’s often considered the tallest real Christmas tree in Europe.
• Strasbourg Christmas Market Tree, Strasbourg, France, Height: ~100 feet (30 meters), impressive because this is one single very tall tree! You’ll find this Alsatian fir at Place Kléber.
• London, UK, Trafalgar Square Tree, Height: ~20 meters** (68 feet) Type: Norway spruce. This tree has been gifted annually by Norway since 1947 as a thank-you for WWII support. The exact height of the tree varies by year.

Visit the world’s largest advent calendar

From massive Christmas trees to gigantic Advent Calendars! You’ll find the World’s Largest Advent Calendar is in Gengenbach, Germany. The town hall’s 24 windows are decorated with art. At 6 pm each night during the advent season a new window is lifted to reveal artwork inspired by a yearly theme.

Looking for another option? Children decorate the windows of the town hall in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, creating yet another giant advent calendar!

Book yourself a wooden chalet high in the mountains

If you really want to step into a real live snow globe, book yourself a chalet high in the mountains where you’re sure to have plenty of deep snow to wake up to not just on Christmas morning but through the month of December and beyond! Priceless!

Settle down in front of that living room picture widow and enjoy the magical snowy scene before you. Then sign into your Netflix account, snuggle up under a cozy blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy a Christmas movie marathon with classic Christmas movies like the Polar Express and It’s a Wonderful Life. Life doesn’t get much better than this!

Popular places where you’re guaranteed to have snow in the month of December include Zermatt, Switzerland, Tignes/Val d’Isère, France, or go far north to places like the Northern parts of countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Shop and Splurge this christmas!

Why not splurge a little on Christmas gifts this year? I’m admittedly a pretty frugal person but occasionally it’s fun to shop for something a little, let’s say, luxurious! Shop for designer handbags, high end perfumes, crystal, China, expensive watches, and top of the line neck ties at some of Europe’s famed luxury Christmas shopping destinations like Paris and Milan.

Think Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton…It’s sure to bring a smile to your loved one’s face on Christmas day! Most large cities in Europe have at least one high-end shopping area. In Paris head for the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne, in Milan it’s the Quadrilatero della Moda, and in London it’s New Bond Street, Sloane Street, and Mayfair.

Send Christmas Cards from Europe

Shop for handmade Christmas Cards at the Christmas markets and post them from Europe. -To you, From Paris with Love!

Christmas Festivals and Events

Experience a European Christmas Market

No Christmas bucket list would be complete without strolling through a European Christmas market. The festive energy, market stalls overflowing with treats, and the smell of roasted nuts, hot cocoa, and spiced mulled wine, a bit of Christmas cheer in a mug, create an out of this world festive atmosphere.

Whether in Vienna, Prague, or Budapest, or one of nearly any small towns in Europe, you’ll find dazzling Christmas lights and stalls selling Christmas decorations. Larger markets often include a Ferris Wheel and possibly a giant Christmas pyramid, and even the smaller markets often have a carousel.

Europe is home to glittering big city markets, but my favorites are the enchanting medieval Christmas markets, especially in Germany and the storybook villages of the Alsace region of France. Towns like Colmar France and Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Esslingen Germany transform their old town squares into living history.

Before you go read these insider Christmas Market tips that will make you look like a pro!

Get your fright on at a Krampus Event

Krampus, scaring the lebkuchen out of children since medieval times! I LOVE Halloween and so love the idea of creepy creatures at Christmastime…I call it Hallow’istmus! Rooted in centuries-old folklore, Krampus is a horned, devil-like figure who punishes naughty children, serving as a dark counterpart to St. Nicholas.

You’ll find Krampus events across the Alpine regions of Europe, particularly in Austria, Germany, and parts of Switzerland. During lively Krampus runs (known as Krampusläufe), costumed revelers parade through towns in fur suits, terrifying masks, and jingling bells, playfully scaring onlookers while celebrating local heritage.

Attend a special Christmas holiday concert or show

This festive time of the year is the perfect time to attend holiday concerts, symphonies, and ballets. Imagine yourself getting dressed in your best and embarking on a magical evening in a cozy baroque music hall or candlelit theater.

The holidays can be stressful. Allow your cares to magically float away to the sounds of violins or flutes playing lilting tunes or experience the joy of watching feather light ballerinas float across the stage.

Are area few options that are bookable on Get Your Guide:

• Salzburg: Ticket to The Nutcracker at the Marionette Theater
• Prague: The Nutcracker Ballet Tickets
• You can find more performances of The Nutcracker at Music-Opera
• Prague: Classical Christmas Gala Concert at the Rudolfinum
• Barcelona: Christmas Broadway Christmas Concert at the Museu Núria Pla
• Prague: Christmas Gala Concert at Liechtenstein Palace

Religious and Humanitarian activities

Volunteer, make someone’s Christmas Holiday brighter

Christmas is a special time of year for many but for others it can be a difficult time. One of the best ways to feel good about yourself is to lift someone else up. Consider donating your time and volunteering at a charity or local food bank to help those in need during the holiday season.

Another way to show some love is to visit a local animal shelter, because pets need to feel loved at Christmas time too. The best way to find opportunities to serve others while traveling abroad is to contact a local church. Your donated time will pay off dividends with holiday feel good memories.

Discover Nativity Scenes Across Europe

Europe during Christmastime is a veritable paradise for Nativity Scene lovers. From elaborate nativity scenes in Italy to the detailed displays of Germany and Austria, you’ll find them literally everywhere!

Almost every church has one, scan markets and city centers too. Bamberg Germany is known for their Nativity Trail where you’ll find around 35 nativity scenes, while the city has more than 400 public nativity scenes in total, spread across about 40 locations.

Attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Church services

Why not attend a candlelit Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Services? It’s a great way to add a little quiet calmness to your holiday, complete with Christmas hymns being sung by the choir, giant pipe organs playing your favorite Christmas music, flickering candles, and a chance to honor “The Reason for the Season.”

You can elevate the experience by choosing a grand cathedral or one of Europe’s tiny cozy hundreds of years old churches. Most churches publish times when services are held on their website.

Santa Claus Experiences

Meet Santa Claus

A meet-and-greet with Santa himself? I think so! Sant’s Village is located in Rovaniemi Finland. Here are some bookable options!

• Meet Santa Claus, Reindeer Sleigh Ride & Husks
• Santa Park Visit with Hotel Pick up
• Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle
• Santa Claus Village + Husky & Reindeer Sled Ride
• Private Pro Photoshoot in Santa Claus Village
• Santa Village Tour+Lunch In Glass Igloo+Scooters

Make like Santa, and take a Reindeer drawn sleigh ride!

What could be more Christmassy than gliding through the snow in a sleigh drawn by adorable Reindeer? Here are a few popular options:

• Kuusamo Finland: Reindeer Sleigh Ride
• Svolvær Norway: Sami Culture and Reindeer Experience
• Saariselkä Finand: Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour
• Tromsø, Norway: Sámi Reindeer Sledding and Sami Cultural Tour
• Levi, Finland: Reindeer Sleigh Ride Tour in Snowy Forest, Sirkka, Finland
• Rovaniemi: Saami Reindeer Farm Visit & Sleigh Ride

Visit Santa’s Reindeer

Spend some time with real life Reindeer. There’s just something so special about these almost mythical creatures. I recently had the opportunity to visit a reindeer farm and what an experience! They really could not be cuter. Check out these Reindeer tours:

• Tromsø, Norway: Reindeer Feeding & Northern Lights
• From Tromsø, Norway: Reindeer Feeding and Sami Experience

Can’t make it to Europe this year? Make your way to Leavenworth Washington, Bavaria USA, where you’ll meet these very hungry reindeer!

Christmas-themed Tours and Excursions

Chug your way through snowy landscapes on a Christmas Train

Europe offers a range of Christmas-themed train ride experiences. Here are some great Christmastime options:

The Golden Eagle Danube Express luxury train winds through Central Europe’s markets. This is a high-end option for exploring the famous Christmas markets of cities like Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest. It’s a luxury hotel on wheels that is a real splurge!

The festive double-decker Santa Claus Express to Finnish Lapland The Santa Claus Express is an overnight train operated by Finnish Railways (VR) that travels from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus in Finnish Lapland, offering a festive and comfortable way to reach the Arctic Circle.

How about a DIY Train Travel Christmas Markets market tour? You can create your own personal Christmas train by connecting towns with the extensive European rail network which allows you to plan your own custom itinerary.

Experience the best markets destinations like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France, all on your own! You’ll want to compare the cost of point-to-point tickets with rail passes to find the better deal.

Take a Christmas themed Cruise

Go on a Christmas river cruise on one of Europe’s rivers like the Danube, Rhine, or Seine. If there’s a river winding through town there is a good chance you’ll find a short cruise, many of them with a fun Christmas theme during the season. You can also find multi-day Christmas Market cruises throughout Europe.

Here are a few fun options found on Get Your Guide:

• Prague, Czech Republic Advent Boat Cruise with Sweets and Hot Drinks
• From Rüdesheim Germany: 2-hour Christmas Boat Tour on the Rhine
• Festive London Christmas Day River Thames Lunch Cruise
• Paris: Seine Cruise in Paris with 5-Course Christmas Dinner
• Bonn Germany: Winter tour by boat with mulled wine
• Cologne Germany: Rhine River Winter Cruise
• Koblenz Germany: Christmas Boat Tour with Mulled Wine
• TONS of options for other cities on Get Your Guide!

Join a Christmas themed tour

Many tour operators organize special Christmas themed tours this time of year. A great place to find these fun tours is on Get Your Guide. I love to book activities on Get Your Guide because in most cases they are “Book Now, Pay Later” and offer free cancellation!

Here are a few ideas for Christmas Themed Tours in Europe:

• London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Bus Open Top
• London: Christmas Eve City Tour with Dinner & Midnight Mass
• Reykjavik: Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks

Everything else Christmas!

From special Christmassy destinations, to theme parks that go out for Christmas, to one potentially odd suggestion, you’ll find them under this heading!

Experience Tivoli Gardens at Christmastime

A Christmas bucket list highlight, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens turns into a holiday dreamland each December. Think sparkling lights, cozy wooden chalets, an enchanting ice rink, and even thrilling rides wrapped in Christmas charm.

Tivoli is featured on CNN’s list of the world’s best Christmas markets. Try gløgg (Scandinavian mulled wine) and almond cookies while watching the nightly light show.

Botany, bright lights, and boughs of Holly!

Many of Europe’s botanical gardens light up the landscape during the Christmas season. Check the local botanical garden. Big name options include London’s Kew Gardens, Paris’s Jardin des Plantes, Botanischer Garten Berlin, Madrid’s Enrique Tierno Galván park, and Rome’s l’Orto Botanico di Roma. 

Celebrate Christmas in a Castle

It’s difficult for me to separate Europe from its castles, because I love them so!! So why not have a castle Christmas?! Imagine an opulent palace or rustic castle dressed in their holiday finest! Now that my friends is magical!

There are tons of castle hotels in Europe and many of the castles have special events during this time of year, some even host Christmas markets.

Have a Chinese Christmas

Okay this one is a bit off the wall but bear with me here. If you’re American you’ve likely seen the classic Christmas movie a Christmas story. where the Christmas bird gets left out on the counter and the dogs get it and tear it to shreds, effectively ruining Christmas dinner.

Well, I had a real life experience that kind of mirrors this crazy incident. When I was a child, we happened to find ourselves in Amsterdam on Christmas day. When mealtime rolled around we couldn’t find anything open, except for a Chinese restaurant. Since most Chinese people aren’t Christian, their restaurants are often open on Christmas Day.

To this day we’ve made it one of our on-and-off holiday traditions to have a Christmas Day meal at the local Chinese restaurant! Peking duck for Christmas dinner anyone??? No fuss, no mess, delicious!

Europapark for thrills!

Each year around Christmas time Europapark in Rust Germany hosts Winter Magic which comes complete with a traditional Christmas market, fairytale 3D light projections, campfires, grandiose shows, ice skating, a Ferris wheel, thrilling rides, and roller coasters! Oh boy!

Experience an enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris

Spend the Christmas season with your favorite Disney characters at Disneyland Paris’s Disney Enchanted Christmas! From early November until early January the park is dressed in its Christmas finest with Christmas themed shows, parades, sparking lights, giant Christmas trees, and more!

Final Thoughts: Your Europe Christmas Bucket List Awaits

From twinkling Christmas trees and glowing Ferris wheels to cozy wooden chalets and unforgettable European Christmas markets, these Christmas bucket list ideas capture the best of Europe’s festive season.

Whether you’re sipping mulled wine in a medieval Christmas market in Germany, skating at a sparkling ice rink in Vienna, or wandering the illuminated streets of Prague on Christmas Day, these experiences will turn your holiday trip into a true winter wonderland.

Want to hear more about my travels around Europe? You may be interested in my Europe page! and don’t forget to check out my “Travel Resources” page for more great resources for booking your trip from hotels to tours to travel insurance!

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