Recently, major Romanian cities have started to invest more and more in the Christmas market department, resulting in truly unique and mind-blowing Christmas fairs and markets throughout the country.
Today, I am here to share the best winter wonderland options this season. The best Christmas market in Romania can be found in Craiova – which is also considered the city with one of the best Christmas markets in Europe (source here).
Other great options include the Christmas market in Bucharest, Sibiu, Brasov, Oradea, and Cluj Napoca. Let’s check them all out below!
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Craiova Christmas Market
The Craiova Christmas Market, running from November 15, 2024, to January 5, 2024, is the surprising winner in terms of grandeur and awesomeness.
It is the most spectacular Christmas fair in Romania, with over 1 million lights decorating the city – most of them being located in the central area, in the Mihai Viteazul Square, in front of the City Hall.
I am marking the location of the Christmas market here – but you simply can’t miss it. Just follow the lights (and the crowds!).
This year, the main theme of the fair will be “Beauty and the Beast,” but with sub-sections divided throughout the city based on “Star Wars” and “Santa’s Village.” This sounds pretty cool!
As for other attractions – expect a huge Christmas tree, an ice rink, an amusement park, and plenty of cottages selling homemade cookies, drinks and treats, and various holiday-related trinkets.
This year, we will also have free concerts each weekend, with Romanian artists singing mostly winter-themed carols and songs. During the day, there will also be plenty of workshops and activities for children.
We visited this year, and you can read more about our experience at Craiova’s Christmas Market.
All in all, this is the best in Romania – and one many foreigners are unfortunately not aware of yet. Must visit!
Craiova itself is a city worth visiting no matter the time of the year. We were there recently and we were profoundly impressed by how nicely the city has grown. You can read about our experiences exploring the city in my previous article sharing the top attractions in Craiova, or the one recommending the best restaurants here.
Bucharest Christmas Market in Constitution’s Square
There are various Christmas Markets organized in Romania’s capital, but the one in Constitution Square is the main attraction – and the one you should visit if you can’t check them all out.
The Bucharest Christmas market runs between November 29 – December 26, 2024. As always, it is located in front of the Parliament Palace (make sure to tour it if you’re there), offering a spectacle of lights and decorations.
Over a million participants gather here annually to enjoy the lights, Christmas carols and delicious foods served in the plethora of cottages spread all over the square.
You can taste delicious local foods like the Cozonac (sweet bread with cocoa and walnuts), mulled wine, or hot tea. You can learn more about the traditional Romanian foods here.
A special attraction for children is The Magic House of Santa Claus. Here, they can interact with Santa and his elves, take pictures and even tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
It is true that it’s pretty crowded and prices are bit on the spicy side too, but you can still enjoy it for free if you want to – and it’s worth visiting at least once!
I’m marking it on Google Maps here to make it easy for you to reach it.
Sibiu Christmas Market
Located in the heart of Transylvania, the Sibiu Christmas Market has been considered the best in Romania for many years.
While it recently lost the crown to Craiova, it still delivers a delightful spectacle and you won’t be disappointed if you choose to visit it.
Just imagine the festive feeling created by all the lights and decorations, but mixed in with all the mountains around you and the medieval-style architecture. It’s perfect – straight out of a fairy tale!
The fair is located in the heart of Sibiu in the Large Square (I’m marking it on Google maps here), extending all the way to the courtyard of the Brukenthal Palace.
You can check out a few more photos below to see what you can expect when you visit:
Each year, the market features a concert and a Santa Claus house, delighting both locals and tourists. The Sibiu Christmas market operates between November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
And since you’ll be here anyway, make sure to also visit the top attractions in Sibiu – they’re even more special during the winter.
The Christmas Market in Oradea
The Oradea Christmas Market is one of my favorites, as the city itself holds a special place in my heart. Each year, this Christmas market is getting better and better and I don’t think it will stop anytime soon.
Oradea’s Christmas market takes place in the Union Square (marked on Google Maps here), from November 29 to December 26, 2024.
The location is amazing – a huge, open square surrounded by old, yet colorful Baroque palaces and elegant buildings, blending Austro-Hungarian heritage and Romanian tradition.
You can even find accommodation facing the Square and the Christmas fair itself – but expect to pay a premium for it. If you have the money – it’s totally worth it, though.
Back to Oradea’s Christmas market, expect tons of lights and Christmas-themed decorations, as well as wooden stalls selling all sorts of goodies – all creating a magical atmosphere.
Visitors can enjoy performances including traditional Romanian carols and classical concerts, adding to the festive mood.
For children, workshops, puppet shows, and carol singing offer delightful experiences. A mini train ride around the square is also available.
Oradea is an amazing city to visit and, if you have time to explore it a bit more, I recommend ticking off as many of its top attractions as possible.
The Christmas Market in Brasov
The Brasov Christmas Market, running from November 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, is located in the historic Council Square of the city, surrounded by picturesque Baroque buildings and the iconic Black Church – some of the main attractions in the city.
This market features dozens of stalls offering unique Romanian crafts, but also homemade sweets, various types of foods and drinks.
Additional attractions include ice skating in the Council Square and Santa’s House, open from December 17 to 23.
Since Brasov is such a popular city for tourists, and one of the best winter destinations in Romania overall, it will surely be full, although the area itself is smaller and therefore offers fewer options for mind-blowing Christmas decorations. But, despite this, the Christmas spirit will be present – and that’s all that matters.
Cluj Napoca Christmas Market
Last but not least, we have the Cluj-Napoca Christmas Market, active from November 22nd, 2024 to January 1st, 2025.
This market is a blend of medieval charm and modern vitality, creating a unique atmosphere in one of the most popular cities in Transylvania.
IMPORTANT: There are actually two Christmas markets in the city. The main one is in the Unirii Square (here on Google Maps). This is the one I recommend checking out – although time permitting, you should check the smaller one at the Sports Hall.
As you visit this fair, you’re greeted by a fairytale world: plenty of lights, the Christmas tree, the white houses hosting a variety of seasonal vendors, the ice rink, and the Ferris Wheel… all of these mix perfectly together to offer a unique, pleasant experience.
Plus, it is organized by the same company that handles Romania’s top music festival, Untold, so you know you’re in for a solid treat – and plenty of good music and events at the Planet Christmas stage, but also plenty of workshops for the little ones.
Romania is a great destination for those looking for hidden gems when it comes to Christmas Markets and Fairs. And above you have the six best that you should visit.
And if you’re going to be in Romania during the winter, make sure to check out my previous article sharing the best ski resorts in the country or simply learn what is the country like during the cold season.
What’s your favorite Christmas market in Romania? Do you know any amazing ones that I haven’t listed above? Let us all know by commenting below!
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