CNN Travel collected the world’s best Christmas fairs in an article published on the 3rd of November. They wrote that such events can be traced back to Vienna, where the first recorded Christmas fair was organised in 1298 when the Árpád Dynasty ruled Hungary. Since then, more than seven hundred years have passed, but the Christmas Fair of Vienna remained one of the world’s best. Two Budapest Christmas fairs are also listed on the top.
Vienna’s Christmas fair dates back to the 13th century
According to CNN Travel, they tried to collect Christmas fairs from everywhere in the world: Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and New York.
In the first place, they listed Vienna’s Wiener Christkindlmarkt with its reindeer rides, giant Ferris wheel and classic Nativity scene. They also wrote that there were 20 Christmas markets in the Austrian capital, but this one will open on 16 November to remain open for the public until 26 December. The news outlet did not forget to mention that there is also a 110-square-meter children’s ice rink in front of the City Hall.
We would only like to add that you can easily reach Vienna from Budapest either by car in just three hours or by train. The train departs from Budapest’s Keleti railway station. The journey takes less than three hours. Trains depart every two hours from the Hungarian capital.
The second one was Basel’s Christmas Market, while the third on their list was Strasbourg.
Hungarian Christmas fairs in the world’s top
If you do not want to travel to Vienna, you can travel to one of the world’s top Christmas fairs in Budapest. According to CNN Travel, the Hungarian capital has two main Christmas fairs. The first one is in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of Budapest’s landmarks. The other one, the one at Vörösmarty Square, is located in the city’s heart.
CNN highlighted that participants might enjoy “the regular 3D light shows projected onto” the facade of the famous basilica. Additionally, there are more than 150 vendors selling traditional Hungarian dishes like chimney cake, lángos or Hortobágyi pancake, hot wine and crafts.
The Vörösmarty Square Christmas fair is in the heart of the city, attracting almost a million visitors every year. Its main highlight is the huge and richly decorated Christmas tree and a giant Advent calendar “that reveals a new window display on a daily basis from December 1 to 23.” You can also taste traditional Hungarian dishes, drinks, spirits, like the famous pálinka. You can also find gifts for your family and friends.
The Advent Bazilika Christmas fair will start on 15 November, awaiting visitors until 1 January. The Vörösmarty Square Christmas market will be open from 15 November and close on 31 December.
Read also:
- Here’s when one of the world’s most beautiful Christmas fairs will open in Budapest!
- How do Hungarians celebrate Christmas?
For the full list – you will need to scroll down for Budapest:
https://edition.cnn.com/best-christmas-markets-around-the-world/index.html
I would add Colmar to the list (for those deciding to go to Strasbourg – cheap flights to Basel-Mulhouse airport, all the towns serviced by Flixbus from said airport!).
If you find the Basilica light show is cool, do go to Le Mans, France in July – September! Absolutely insane – and literally goes on and on and on.
https://thegoodlifefrance.com/nuit-des-chimeres-annual-light-show-le-mans/