Christmas Markets
Europe Shines Brighter During the Christmas Season
Experience the magic of an Old World Christmas on a wintertime river sailing in Europe. Explore the origins of cherished holiday rituals and enjoy the cheerful ambience of bustling Christmas markets—each with its own unique character. From joyful decorations to the warm aroma of sumptuous treats, the inviting spirit of the season comes alive with festive charm. Join us on an upcoming voyage in Europe and perhaps find inspiration to start a new Christmas tradition.
Christmas Market Itineraries
From twinkling lights to warming beverages, an array of magical moments awaits you in colorful Christmas markets located in iconic cities across Germany, France, Austria, Hungary and beyond. Celebrate the romance of the yuletide season in the heart of Europe when you join us on one of the enriching river journeys below.
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Did You Know?Discover the many benefits of exploring Europe with us on a Christmas Markets itinerary.Learn More
Pre & Post Cruise Extensions
Discover Extensions
Enjoy additional days before or after your Christmas Market itinerary to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of intriguing land extensions.
Viking Longships 360° Tour
Discover our award-winning Viking Longships® that showcase innovative engineering, streamlined Scandinavian design and understated elegance. Our ships provide unprecedented levels of comfort, including spacious staterooms with full-size verandas and the most al fresco dining on any waterway.
Take a TourRecipes
Find inspiration to recreate the flavors of traditional European holiday treats at home.
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View Recipe
Glühwein
Around Christmastime, local holiday markets in the main squares and public houses in nearly every European town offer glühwein (hot mulled wine) as a delicious antidote to the season’s chill. To warm up on a stormy evening or put yourself in a celebratory mood, make your own at home. It is an easy, delightful way to share the holiday with friends.
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Bûche De Noël
This grand dessert is a descendant of the medieval subtlety—food disguised to look like something else. Here, chocolate cake masquerades as the traditional yule log for a long winter’s night. Although making the log look realistic can be challenging, even a simple approach is great fun to make and delightful to serve on a holiday evening.
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View Recipe
Lebkuchen
Spiced and nutty in flavor, these traditional German Christmas cookies are a form of gingerbread. The best-known are Nürnberger Lebkuchen, which are often presented in ornately decorated tins or boxes. These cookies are the modern descendants of medieval gingerbread, which was typically a combination of spices, honey and dried bread crumbs.
Videos
Learn about the vibrant cities that await your exploration by watching selections from our Destination Insights library and Viking.TV, our award-winning enrichment channel.
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Christmas Markets (3:10)
Witness the beauty, romance and spirit of the holidays come alive at Europe’s colorful Christmas markets when you join Viking on a festive river cruise during November or December.
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Cooking with Karine: Gingerbread (2:22)
Join Karine as she learns the art of making gingerbread at Passau’s Café Simon, established more than 100 years ago. Sample some on our late fall cruises along Europe’s great rivers.
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Explore Christmas traditions with guest lecturer Dan Jones, PhD (46:58)
Enjoy insights into the origins of beloved holiday customs — along with a few surprises — with guest lecturer Dan Jones, PhD,who presents “The A-Z of Christmas.”
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Immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season in Amsterdam and Cologne (29:54)
Join our Ambassador-at-Large Jean Newman Glock, as she visits two festive ports on our 8-day Christmas on the Rhine journey.
