I started writing this post while on a river boat crusing along the Danube, about half way through our Christmas Markets river cruise from Vienna to Nuermburg.
I was hosting a small group of Christmas lovers and we started in Frankfurt for a couple of nights, in a hotel to get our game faces on for the wonders of Christmas in Germany, Austria and France, then we added a few days to spend Christmas in Paris.
Would I do it this way again? No. Read on to get my tips for what I’d do differently next time. And I’m very excited for next time!
Being from New Zealand, we’re not used to freezing Christmases, but having been singing wintery Christmas carols and jingles all our lives, it kind of felt like a homecoming of sorts.
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I’ve now been to several markets and these are my picks for the best Christmas markets in Europe – that I’ve seen so far!
The biggest concern I had before coming here was what to pack? How cold will it be? What sort of shoes are essential for wandering around markets. Then of course, we have the cruise ship where winter boots are an over statement. I’ve added a bunch of helpful links to the best footwear below.
I loved our river cruise so much, I’d love to take a summer one too. I interviewed our cruise director, Bram, on my podcast and got his recommendations for where to cruise next. You can listen to my podcasts here if you like!
If you’re interested in looking at some Christmas cruise itineraries in Europe, or any other time of year, for that matter, check out Avalon Waterways, who I sailed with and who have the large suites with Juliet balconies, and Uniworld which also have lovely ships cruising European rivers.
And if you’re planning on a visit to Lapland or Rovaniemi, did you know you can rent winter clothes? Such a great idea for those of us who don’t own all the appropriate jackets, pants, shoes and don’t want to buy it. This way you send them your sizes and a bag of high quality clothing will be given to you upon arrival, and you just drop them off when you leave.
When do the Europe Christmas Markets open?
They tend to open from mid November and most close a day or two before Christmas Day. That means you have a month, if not six weeks, to do one of these gorgeous itineraries.
Honestly, when I do it again (on the Rhine next time maybe) I would go early December and be home, or with family somewhere else in the world, for actual Christmas Day. Why? I didn’t find being in a hotel (albeit a posh one in Paris) felt very Christmassy.
I’m SUCH a Christmas person, but I realise that’s also about the people I’m with. It’s also hard to find a place for a traditional Christmas Day lunch or dinner too.
Paris itself was heaving with tourists on Christmas Day. Mostly people who don’t celebrate and for them they were just out on a normal day taking selfies at the Eiffel Tower.
So this list below are my top picks for what to pack and what to wear at Europe Christmas Markets.
*This list below are affiliate links. That means if you purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Footwear for Christmas Markets
Outdoor boots
I wear Mountain Warehouse boots. These are ones I also use at home in the winter when I work at my own Saturday market. You need super comfy and super warm boots with good tread because most of the streets are cobblestoned and it can be slippery if it’s rainy or snow, mist, frost, fog.. etc!
I also bought some sheepskin insoles for mine when I got to Frankfurt, and along with my merino wool socks, my feet were never cold and they were very comfy for up to 16,000 steps a day. (You don’t have to do that much walking, but I did!)
I’ve selected a few of my recommended boots below which you can buy from Amazon. My friend, who is on this trip with me, is wearing Sorel leather boots which have a nice look for wearing inside too with your normal clothes and she’s found them to be super comfortable for our 20,000 steps per day too!
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Indoor boots/shoes
You’ll also want some comfortable boots or shoes for wearing on your cruise ship if you’re doing the markets this way, or for restaurants, in your hotel, etc.
I have a pair of winter-white flat leather boots with cute zips up both sides. These can be worn with everything.
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Slippers
I know, I sound like such a nana, but I always pack slippers for the long haul plane ride, and this time I brought my fluffy Birkenstock sandals that I can wear with or without socks.
Actually mine are Birkenstock wannabes for under $30, so I’ve added that link below, as well as the real thing – if I could only justify the price!
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Outer wear for Europe’s Christmas Markets
Warm puffer jacket
Essential wearing, make sure your jacket is big enough to wear a couple of merino layers underneath, and long enough to cover your backside. I have a down jacket which is super lightweight and can be squished into my suitcase taking up very little space.
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Waterproof jacket
We’ve struck blue-sky fine days (albeit of 1 degree), so I haven’t needed my waterproof jacket yet, but I did bring one. I bought it specially for this trip, as I don’t own a raincoat. It has been a bit drizzly some days, and the fog is quite wet if you’re out on a walking tour before it lifts.
I just brought a reasonably lightweight rain jacket and big enough so that I can wear it over my puffer jacket if I need the warmth too. It’s still quite bulky though and now, having finished the trip, I didn’t need to use it after all.
Don’t bring an umbrella. I did, but just a small one and never used it. No one uses them and you definitely wouldn’t be able to use an umbrella in the markets as it’s too crowded and the little huts have awnings, so you’d be forever bumping their dangly displays. I also have a hood on both my puffer and rain jackets.
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Rain poncho
If I come back, I would just bring a rain poncho rather than a waterproof jacket. I still need the puffer jacket, but in the rain it’s easy to throw one of these ponchos on, and they take up minimal space. You could buy the disposable or reuseable ones, and could even give it away when you leave!
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Tops and sweaters
Cashmere is not only warm but lightweight and breathable. I wish I’d had one of these turtle neck cashmere sweaters as they are great for when you’re inside and have stripped off the outer layers.
But I’ve also selected an acrylic jumper/dress as they are warm, and providing you’re not of the disposition to burst into hot flushes every few minutes, this will be ideal over the fleece leggings and add an outer jacket. I did bring an acrylic long jumper with me and wore it several times. And you’ll also find a lovely fine merino wool jumper here too if you’re looking for natural.
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Pants and leggings
I made a bit of a mistake and bought some huge and ugly fleece-lined leggings – in fact let’s call them slacks! But these ones are slimmer fitting and a number 1 Amazon best seller. They are great for browsing the markets at night when it can be 1˚C or colder. Where them under dresses, skirts or just as is with a long top.
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Under layers
It’s all about dressing like an onion and being able to peel off the layers when required. I have a couple merino tops, a couple of bamboo cotton, plus one fine mesh top with a high polo neck. The latter washes and dries in no time too.
Thermal tops are also helpful for layering, but you’ll also want cotton or bamboo for inside layering. One mistake I made was bringing too many warm thermal pieces and not enough for the heat of the river ship and restaurants. I buy all black so they can be worn interchangeably and go under shirts, jumpers and dresses with just sleeves showing.
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Socks
Not one to scrimp on socks, I have brought about four pairs of thick wool socks for my boots and also another four pairs of light wool socks for my indoor boots. I find I can get a couple of wears out of them too, being wool.
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Hats, scarves, gloves
I am a sucker for a cute hat, and so are some on this tour! You’ll be able to buy pom pom hats everywhere, but check that they’re wool. Most of the ones I’ve seen are acrylic. Mind you, that is still warm and some are lined with polar fleece for extra warmth.
You’ll want your ears covered if you’re out at the markets and it’s a bit windy. Then the cold temps can be bone-chilling. I bought a cute black felt hat, but I can’t pull it over my ears so it’s not for your long distance strolling!
You’ll also find scarves and gloves for sale everywhere too, but I brought some bright orange sheepskin mittens from Italy back in the summer (at the Florence Leather Market actually), and a hot pink scarf with pom poms on it, also in Italy. You’ll want your neck and chin covered if you’re out for a few hours.
The knit or fleece headbands that cover ears are handy, and lots of people were wearing these.
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Hand and feet warmers
These are great for keeping in your pockets or shoes. Some are disposable but offer long heat time and some are rechargeable. They make great gifts for golfer dads too by the way!
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See cruise deals with Avalon Waterways here >
Best Handbag for shopping at the markets
If you’re reading this in New Zealand, I took one of my gorgeous Italian leather handbags from my Freedom Road store and the size was perfect. I wore it crossbody, but it can also be carried over the shoulder.
Check out the Jean leather shoulder from Italy here at Freedom Road. Free shipping NZ-wide.
More packing lists on the blog!
I have written a few packing lists here now, so if instead of winter you’re off to Hawaii, this is one my most popular blog posts: My Ultimate Hawaii Packing List
Or maybe you’re heading down under to a Pacific Island for your next holiday. This Pacific Island Packing List is similar to the Hawaii one, but is specific to Fiji, Rarotonga, Vanuatu and the gorgeous islands in our backyard.
How to pack for a cruise is a helpful post too as you’ll probably put your luggage out for collection the night before you disembark so you’ll need a day bag – and other cruise packing tips!
You can download and print out my free packing list here for all travel. It has check boxes to make it easy peasy. Just write in how many of each item you need (like underwear/socks for example), cross out the things you don’t need and hopefully you won’t leave anything behind!
Here are my top tips for ocean cruising for first-timers – or people who want to be better prepared next time!
Last update on 2026-08-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ann Brien
Sunday 7th of July 2024
Do ladies wear heels at night for dinner on the Christmas Avalon river cruises?
Megan Singleton
Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Not that I noticed. And therein lies the real question, how many people notice shoes on a vacation? I say leave them at home and save the luggage space for shopping ;)