Christmas Market River Cruises
Lights, glühwein and wooden market huts — and a warm ship waiting at the end of the evening.
Get Christmas Market QuotesWhat a Christmas Market Cruise Is Like
For a few weeks every winter, town squares across Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and Hungary fill with wooden huts selling ornaments, gingerbread, roasted nuts, sausages and hot spiced wine. A river cruise strings these towns together: you dock in or near the old town, walk to the market, and come back to a warm ship instead of a hotel.
A typical day: a guided walk in the morning, often ending in the market, free time in the afternoon, and many ships back on board in time for dinner. Evenings are when the markets glow — some ships stay late in port so you can go back after dark.
What you buy
Hand-carved wooden ornaments, glass baubles, nutcrackers, candles, local crafts, and food to take home: Lebkuchen gingerbread, Stollen, chocolates.
What you eat and drink
Glühwein (mulled wine), hot punch, bratwurst, roasted chestnuts, potato pancakes. Many markets serve drinks in a souvenir mug — pay a deposit, return it or keep it.
On board
Lines often dress the ship for the season and add carols, Christmas cookie or gingerbread demonstrations, and seasonal menus. Ask what your sailing includes.
The Classic Christmas Market Routes
The Danube
The most popular route. Vienna has several large markets across the city; Budapest’s centers on Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica; Passau, Regensburg and Melk-area towns add smaller ones. Sailings that continue up the Main-Danube Canal reach Nuremberg, whose Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous in Germany.
The Rhine
Cologne has several markets, one beside the cathedral. Strasbourg calls itself the capital of Christmas, and Basel has markets in its old town. The Rhine Gorge towns in between are small and very pretty in winter.
The Main and Moselle
Smaller rivers with smaller, more local markets — Würzburg, Bamberg, Bernkastel and Trier among them.
Which Lines Run Christmas Market Cruises?
Almost every major European river line runs a holiday market season, including Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald and Tauck. Itinerary names and routes change from year to year. Tauck also runs a December family sailing on the Danube under its Bridges family brand — see our family sailings page.
Tips for a Christmas market cruise
- Book early: the best December dates, especially the weeks just before Christmas, fill first.
- Pick an itinerary that is in the big cities on market days and evenings, not just mornings.
- Bring cash in euros (and forints for Budapest) — many small stalls prefer it.
- Leave space in your suitcase, or bring a soft fold-up bag for purchases.
- Add a night or two in Vienna, Budapest or Prague before or after the cruise for more markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Christmas market river cruises run?
Typically from late November until just before Christmas. Most of the big German and Austrian markets open in the second half of November and close on or around December 23–24. Exact market dates change every year, so check the dates of your sailing against the markets you want to see.
Which rivers are best for Christmas markets?
The Danube (Vienna, Budapest, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg via the Main-Danube Canal) and the Rhine (Cologne, Strasbourg, Basel and smaller towns) are the classics. The Main and Moselle add smaller, more local markets.
Is it too cold?
It is cold — often near freezing — and dark by late afternoon. That is part of the charm: the markets are at their best after dark. Pack layers, a warm hat, gloves and shoes with grip.
Can the river freeze or flood in December?
Winter water levels can occasionally affect sailings, as they can any time of year. Lines adjust by swapping ships or using coaches. It is one more reason to book with an advisor who will tell you what is happening and why.
Get Christmas Market Cruise Quotes
Tell us the river and the December week you want and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the market sailings still available.
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