Many cities in Eastern and East Central Europe host Christmas markets during the month of December. Shop for traditional souvenirs and decorations, enjoy open-air concerts, and sample local foods.
View Photos of Christmas in Eastern Europe
The largest Christmas Market in Poland is held in Krakow, but other Christmas markets pop up in other cities like Warsaw and Wroclaw.
The Prague Christmas Market attracts visitors from all over the world. Old Town Square sparkles at Christmas time and a full calendar of events accompanies the Christmas market here.
Bratislava's Christmas Market is held on its Freedom Square. Sample Slovakian food and purchase traditional handicrafts.
Riga's Christmas Market is held on Dome Square. Riga takes its Christmas celebrations seriously - it is said that the first Christmas tree was decorated in the Latvian capital during the Middle Ages.
See Santa Claus at the Tallinn Christmas Market, which is open from the end of November to the beginning of January.
The Ljublana Christmas Market is set up along the river. Purchase Slovenian souvenirs or enjoy a hot drink while you browse the stalls for gifts for family and friends.
Budapest's Christmas Market sells traditional Hungarian folk art and crafts. You can also sample some traditional Hungarian dishes here while you enjoy the decorations and holiday atmosphere on Vörösmarty Square.
Sofia's Christmas market opened for the first time in 2009 and is described as a "European-style" Christmas bazaar with all the usual Christmas food and drink, as well as entertainment for children.
The Town Hall Square of Vilnius lights up with a gigantic Christmas tree and the Vilnius Christmas Market, where performances can be enjoyed, crafts can be purchased, and food and drink sampled.
