Christmas market cruises not to be missed
If the first thing you need during the festive season is a Christmas market, we’ve got you covered. Sip delicious mulled wine against a backdrop of festive sounds and twinkling lights at one of our festive destinations.
What Christmas markets can I go to?
This year we are heading to the beautiful Hamburg and Bruges markets, both of which are rich with Christmas culture for you to explore.
What we love about Christmas Markets in Hamburg and Bruges
Christmas Markets
Gifts galore
Immerse yourself in cultural heritage
Which ports can I visit on a Christmas Market Cruise?
Christmas in Rotterdam
Ice-skate the night away
Take a trip to Amsterdam's Light Festival
Feel the spirit at Markthall
Christmas in Hamburg
Hamburg has more than 30 Christmas markets to discover, where you can indulge in favoured festive treats – or try something new!
Wander through a winter forest
Winterwald market transforms a part of the city centre into a magical winter forest, where you can discover an atmospheric Christmas village. Below the half-timbered huts, you’ll discover craftsmen hammering, chiselling and painting their wares live for you to watch. Baked apples and mulled wine are waiting to warm you up as you marvel at the life-size nativity scene, nostalgic carousel and the ginormous Christmas tree. You might even spot Father Christmas himself!
Celebrate Winter Pride
The friendly neighbourhood of St Georg hosts a local Christmas market, WinterPride, and its electric atmosphere. A giant, sparkly reindeer welcomes visitors into the market where you’ll find yummy festive treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate. Watch as the stage transforms for its extravagant characters, spreading joy with their Christmas-themed entertainment.
Visit the Märchenschiffe Boats
Found on the docks of Jungfernstieg, these ceremoniously decorated ships host a range of festive activities for children to enjoy, from the chance to bake and decorate cookies to fairyland theatre shows. They could even get their face painted after listening to the stories of witches, watching the tricks of magicians and discovering new books and games. Watch the magic of Christmas come alive on their little faces.
Christmas in Bruges
The entire city is wrapped in a “Winter Glow” through the festive season and transforms into a festival that celebrates light, Christmas cheer and unforgettable experiences.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride
There’s no better way to tour the snow-dusted fairy-tale city of Bruges than in a horse-drawn carriage. Listen to the horses’ hooves echoing off of the cobbled streets and stone walls as you discover parts of the place you may not have seen on-foot. Can you spot the chocolate makers through their shop windows?
Experience a wonderful winter
Hundreds of Christmas trees and thousands of lights give Bruges its “Winter Glow” during the festive season. The whole city is dressed up and transformed into a winter wonderland where you can find over 500 trees (some of them metres high) and 41 streets and squares decked to the halls. No matter where you go in Bruges during the holidays, you’re sure to discover beautiful Christmas wonder.
Defrost at the bar
You’ll need warming up after taking your skates for a spin on Bruges open-air Christmas ice rink or going for a romantic stroll around Minnewater (lake of love). If you head to The Vorst Winter Bar (which means “frost” in Dutch), you’ll be welcomed by local drinks and delicious snacks ready to melt off your icicles. Sit below the thousands of lights and watch your fellow ice skaters continue the festive fun for an unforgettable evening.