Europe’s Christmas Markets 2021: Which Are Currently Opening?
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced most Christmas markets to either not open or to drastically scale back. However, this year, Europe is getting ready for a festive return of the enchanting festive markets.
However, not every market is going to be available this year. Currently, Austria has gone back into lockdown until December 13. On top of this, Berlin’s Charlottenberg Palace has announced that it will not be able to host its market under the current local health and safety guidelines. Meanwhile, Munich has announced that its famous Marienplatz Christmas market is canceled due to rising case numbers in the city.
Admittedly, with infections soaring across the EU, it is possible that other markets could cancel in the coming weeks. However, the following are several popular European Christmas markets still scheduled to open, along with their respective COVID-19 safety requirements.
Berlin, Germany
A number of Berlin’s popular Christmas markets are getting ready to open for 2021 and all will operate under Berlin’s expanded 2-G rules. These require patrons to be vaccinated or show proof of recovery from the virus. For the most part, markets will allow children under the age of 12 to enter without proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The following are the Berlin Christmas markets that are planning to open this year:
Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market nestles between the beautiful architecture of the Französischer Dom and Deutscher Dom. The market opened on November 22 and runs through December 31.
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market also hosts a fairground and ice skating rink, besides the traditional artisan stalls. The market opened on November 22 and runs through December 26.
The market that surrounds Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is located on Kurfürstendamm Street and opened on November 22, running through January 2, 2022.
Potsdamer Platz’s Winterwelt has a toboggan hill for a little faux sledding and has traditionally been one of the earliest markets to open. The market is centrally located in Potsdamer Platz, close to the Mall of Berlin. It opened on October 29 and runs through January 2.
Nuremberg, Germany
The Nuremberg Christmas market is one of Germany’s oldest and opens on November 26 through December 24. To allow for social distancing, the market has been spread out to other locations in the Old Town.
Bruges, Belgium
With the quaint cobblestone streets and canals in its medieval center, Bruges is a truly beautiful place to be around the Christmas holidays. As part of the city’s 2021 Winter Glow festivities, twinkling lights and more than 500 Christmas trees will decorate the streets. From November 26 through January 9, 2022, visitors can enjoy a winter bar, ice skating and three Christmas markets, located at Market Square, Simon Steven Square and Zand Square.
Participating in outdoor events in Bruges with more than 400 people requires a COVID Safe ticket. Visitors from other EU countries can use their own vaccination certificates in place of the ticket. However, visitors from outside the area need to follow an application process.
Basel, Switzerland
Each year, the charming architecture of Basel’s Old Town is beautified with Christmas decorations, turning the Rhine city into the largest Christmas market in Switzerland. Visitors can head to Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz markets to shop at the rustic chalets. The Basel markets opened on November 25 and run through December 23.
Anyone over the age of 16 must present a valid Swiss or EU COVID certificate with a QR code, along with an official ID. Those visitors from outside the EU who have been vaccinated, or have recovered from the virus, will need a Swiss COVID-19 certificate. It is possible to apply online for the certificate, at a cost of 30 CHF ($32).
Copenhagen, Denmark
Each year, Copenhagen is decorated with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy a visit to the 175-year-old Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which hosts its Christmas market from November 19 through January 2. To enter the park, any visitors over the age of 15 will need to show a Corona Pass (or official vaccination certificate).
Another enchanting place to shop is the Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market, which can be found in the cobblestone square near Charlottenborg Palace. The market opened on November 12 and runs through December 22.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s Christmas market is held in the Old Town Square in the heart of the city, as well as the nearby Wenceslas Square. Both are set to open on November 27 and run through January 6, 2022. So far, organizers have not specified requirements for entry, but according to the Czech Tourism Authority, visitors are required to wear FFP2/KN 95-grade masks when indoors, along with proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus in the past 180 days, or a negative COVID-19 test result to enter most of the city’s venues and public events.
Poznań, Poland
The Christmas market in Poznań is considered the best in Poland and also among the top in Europe. The market opened in Plac Wolności on November 20 and runs through December 26.
While a wonderful Christmas experience throughout, the second weekend of December sees the city host its famous Ice Sculpting Festival. From December 10 to 12, the festival involves ice sculptors from 12 different countries, competing to create awe-inspiring frozen works of art.
Strasbourg, France
Heading to France, Strasbourg hosts the oldest Christmas market in the country and prides itself on being the “capital of Christmas.” While the city had to scale back the market in 2020, this year will see more than 300 stalls open from November 26 through December 26.
Patrons will be required to wear masks throughout the market. However, should the COVID-19 situation deteriorate in Strasbourg, the market will require France’s health pass to enter, which shows proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus, or a negative COVID-19 test.
Enjoy the Christmas markets of Europe this year, but ensure not only your own safety, but the safety of others, while taking in the festive events.
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