Advertisement

The World’s Most Festive Christmas Towns

By: iTopTopics Staff

Christmas Decorated Towns

Click and hold the image to drag

On the radio the song “I’ll be home for Christmas” (lyrics by Kim Gannon and Buck Ram, composed by Walter Kent) was playing. The weather is chilly enough outside to put people in the Christmas mood. The twinkling lights from the Christmas decorations can be seen along the road. It might already be snowing in some places. Kids are excited and can’t wait for the winter break to start so they can have fun and start counting down to Christmas Day. Some of us might not be home for Christmas this year. Wherever you are, we hope your hearts are filled with the spirit of Christmas and joy.

We searched near and far, low and high for the most festive Christmas towns in the world to showcase here for you to enjoy. Like a Christmas Village collection or a Christmas greeting card sprung into real life, these places around the world are the top tourist attractions during Christmas time. From the colorful timber-framed houses and shops on the rolling streets of Rothenburg, Germany to Christmas market in front of Vienna city hall, Austria and many more wonderful places have made Christmas season an unforgettable experience for tourists around the world.

Christmas Town: Colmar, Alsace Region, France

The picturesque town Colmar is the third-largest commune of the Alsace region in north-eastern France, founded in the 9th century. Christmas magic is sprinkled all over the old town of Colmar. Its holiday market has been voted as European’s best Christmas market.

Christmas market at Colmar, Alsace region, France

Christmas town: Colmar Canal, France

Colmar's secular and religious architectural landmarks reflect eight centuries of Germanic and French architecture and the adaptation of their respective stylistic language to the local customs and building materials with pink and yellow Vosges sandstone and timber framing. A section of the town crossed by canals of the river Lauch is now called "little Venice" (la Petite Venise).

Colmar Canal, France

Colmar Christmas Village, France

The Christmas markets of Colmar are open from the 25th November to the 30th December 2016. Discover the 5 markets nestled in the heart of the historical center: Place Jeanne d'Arc - Place de l'Ancienne Douane - Place des Dominicains - Koïfhus - la Petite Venise. Each market carries its local enthusiastic craftsmen’s most unique and high quality products.

Click and hold the image to drag

Christmas Town: Vienna, Austria

The Viennese Christmas Market in front of the City Hall brings the crowd to the town square, not just for the Christmas shopping but also for the festivities the market offers during this time of the year. The market locates right at the famous Vienna City hall “Wiener Rathaus” which was constructed from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style. The unique backdrop gives this market a charm of its own. Inside the City Hall on the ground floor there is an area dedicated to children, where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies or candles. The delicious aromas are filled the halls and lure more visitors to visit. You can also listen to international choirs singing carols with free entrance on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Christmas market at Vienna, Austria City Hall

Vienna, Austria – Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace

The most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in the country, Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence with 1,441-rooms was transformed into a showroom with approximately 60 exhibitors present handicrafts and original gifts such as hand-made Christmas decorations and nativity sets for visitors to admire and purchase. The fragrance of freshly baked Vanillekipferl and hot punch fills the air and creates a wonderful atmosphere.

Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace

Christmas Village at Prague, Czech Republic

Christmas market at Charles Square - Prague, the largest medieval square in Europe, is one of the best Christmas markets in the world. The unique atmosphere of the medieval central Prague makes the Market very popular. Visitors may look forward to traditional Czech food as barbecued pork, blood sausages, Czech muffins, conkers, beer, mull, mead and other typical gastronomical specialties from Old Czech cuisine. Visitors can also find unique Christmas decorations, wood-carved toys, blacksmith’s products and glass-work wares at the fair.

Christmas market at Charles Square - Prague, Czech Republic

Christmas Village at Rothenburg, a region of Bavaria, Germany

Rothenburg is a notable renaissance building and its well-preserved medieval buildings. For its picturesque romantic roads and half-timber houses on rolling hills, Rothenburg has appeared in several films, notably fantasies. It was the inspiration for the village in the 1940 Walt Disney movie Pinocchio.

Every year around Christmas time, the medieval town of Rothenburg is transformed into a winter wonderland. Rothenburg Christmas market is full of Christmas shops. To keep yourself warm while walking in town, make sure you treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine, enjoy an original Rothenburg Snowball, or, if you have a heartier appetite, satisfy your hunger with a grilled sausage or roast chestnuts and immerse the Christmas spirit all around you.

Christmas market at Rothenburg, a region of Bavaria, Germany

Warsaw, Polland – Christmas Market at the Castle Square

The Royal Castle in Warsaw, Polland was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located in the Castle Square, at the entrance to the Warsaw Old Town. After the devastation done by Nazis during the Warsaw Uprising, the Castle was rebuilt and reconstructed. In 1980, Royal Castle, together with the Old Town was registry in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is a historical and national monument, and is listed as a national museum.

Warsaw, Polland – Christmas Market at the Castle Square

Christmas market shares the square with Warsaw’s oldest monument, the column of King Sigismund III Vasa and the atmospheric grand Royal Castle. As every year Royal Castle in Warsaw will present special events dedicated to celebrate Christmas. Two concert of tradition Christmas Carols will be played on 17th and 18th of December, 2016. Just in time to put concert-goers in festive spirit!

Christmas on Royal Treaty Street, Warsaw, Polland

At night, visitors also enjoy Royal Treaty Street all illuminated brightly during Christmas season. It seems the city doesn’t sleep during Christmas time.

Royal Treaty Street, Warsaw, Polland

Christmas Village at Nantucket Holiday Stroll, Massachusetts

Nantucket locates 30 miles off the Massachusetts coast, this island is characterized by cobblestone streets, antique stores, lighthouses and acres of conservation land. Famous for its rolling dunes and gable-roofed, gray-shingled houses, Cape Cod is where you'll find outdoor activities and loads of fun family attractions. Every block of Nantucket's historic downtown is lined with extravagant shop windows. The cobblestone streets are lined up with small fir trees along the narrow sidewalks, all decorated cheerfully and brightly by the shop owners. The shop owners here make sure visitors feel welcome, cozy and warm. Free cups of cider, sips of wine, or nibbles of chocolate are offered to customers.

Nantucket Holiday Stroll, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism’s slogan for their visitors:”Take the time to find yourself on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, where all that matters is what matters to you.”

Kingston Christmas Market, London

From captivating carol concerts to luxury shopping and festive family fun, South West London has something to offer everyone this Christmas. Visitors can find all kind of Christmas gifts, decorations and arts at the historic Kingston Christmas Market. The whole market smells wonderful with mulled wine, hot chocolate, German-style street food. Every day while the market opens, visitors can enjoy music and Christmas carols.

Kingston Christmas Market, London

Christmas at Swarovski Ice rink, London, England

Not quite as old world charm like a Christmas market, Swarovski Ice rink boasts lots fun and festive for the whole family to enjoy. Set against the backdrop of the historic Waterhouse building, the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum is one of the most magical places to be in London during Christmas season. Visitors can experience the thrill of skating surrounded by fairy lights nestled in frost-covered trees, with the smell of mulled wine and toasted marshmallows in the air.

Swarovski Ice rink, London, England
Advertisement