Bucharest Christmas Market
Location: Constitutiei Square
Open: Nov 20 – Dec 26
Visitors will find traditional products from farmers from around Romania, as well as handicrafts, sweet gingerbread, hot mulled wine, regional pies, cured meats, baked goods, and more. A large stage will also welcome the performances of Romania’s top artists. More about it here.
Location: Drumul Taberei Park
Open: Nov 25 – Dec 27
The capital’s districts have also organized smaller Christmas markets around the city. Sector 6 is opening its “West Side Christmas” market on November 25 in Drumul Taberei park, organized by UNTOLD Universe. A model of the market is available online. A giant tree, and Ferris wheel, Christmas lights, and a series of workshops for children and adults are available, not to mention ten food trucks and plenty of mulled wine.
Timișoara Christmas Market
Location: Victory Square
Open: Dec 1 – Jan 2
Timișoara’s Victory Square will host this year’s Christmas market, which will begin on December 1, Romania’s national day, and end after the New Year, on January 2. The first concert to be held on the market’s grounds will be on December 1, and will feature Romanian traditional music and the pop rock band Voltaj. Throughout the entire month of December, 50 Christmas stalls, the result of an architectural project by the Events for Tourism association, will enrich Timișoara’s central square. There will also be a skating rink and merry-go-rounds. Throughout the city, smaller neighborhood Christmas markets can be found.
Sibiu Christmas Market
Location: Piața Mare Square
Open: Nov 11 – Jan 2
Sibiu holds its 15th edition of the event in the city’s Main Square, which is covered with shining Christmas lights. Santa’s workshop will welcome children and a skating rink will also be set up. Hand-painted jewelry, Christmas mugs, and decorations, some brought over from Bethlehem, along with renowned local dishes featuring Angus beef and vegetarian burgers can be found. A Ferris wheel will take people above the market and its surroundings, allowing a view over Sibiu. Organizers set up a webcam feed of the market so it can be enjoyed from afar as well.
Craiova Christmas Market
Location: Old Town & Mihai Viteazul Square
Open: Nov 11 – Jan 8
Craiova is expecting over 100,000 visitors for the opening of its Christmas market. The date will coincide with The Artist Awards, during which Romanian musicians will receive awards.
In 2021, European Best Destinations ranked Craiova’s Christmas market among the top six most beautiful in Europe. This year, local authorities have designated an entire square kilometer to the event. Uniquely-painted Christmas stalls, polar bears, penguins, and other figures, not to mention over a million lights, will be spread over five squares to welcome all visitors. Children and adults alike will also be able to skate across a 700-meter rink. The star of the market, however, is a brightly-lit 20-meter Christmas tree. Despite the grandeur, local officials argue that measures will be taken to reduce the market’s consumption of electricity.
Cluj Christmas Market
Location: Unirii Square
Open: Nov 18 – Jan 31
Forty-five days of concerts will see beloved artists like Voltaj, Direcția 5, Alexandra Ușurelu, Iuliana Beregoi, Școala de Muzică Voltaj Academy, The Beat music school, and Armonia Music onstage at the Christmas Market. Santa’s trolley will travel Cluj’s 101 line during this period, while Santa’s house will welcome children through its doors. Santa’s letterbox, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, Radio Rudolf, storytelling by the fire, and 86 Christmas stalls chockful with food and gifts are available to visitors this year.
Brașov Christmas Market
Location: Council Square
Open: November 30 – January 3
Brașov’s Christmas Market returns to its usual venue in the city’s Council Square as part of a wider program called The Magic of Winter. Besides the impressive Christmas tree and over 40 stalls with various season items and products, visitors will be able to enjoy carol concerts, performances delivered by children, choirs, and music and dance schools. Santa Claus will meet the young ones every evening between December 17 and December 23, at Santa’s House. Elsewhere, the winter celebrations program also covers the reopening of the former Saxon bank (22 Michael Weiss), now the Apollonia Culture Bank, which is set to host various cultural events; a free-entrance ice rink in Sfântul Ioan Square; several Days of Giving (December 3,10,17) in Unirii Square, where visitors can donate toys and presents for children in need; and workshops teaching participants how to make Christmas decorations and presents in Titulescu Park. More about the program here.
Oradea Christmas Market
Location: Unirii Square
Open: Nov 26 – Dec 26
Visitors will be welcomed with goodies, sweets, Christmas decorations, and thousands of gifts, all under a ceiling of colorful Christmas lights. More information will follow on the Facebook page and the website of the event.
Constanța Christmas Market
Location: Oleg Danovski Park
Open: Nov 30 – Dec 25
Constanța’s Christmas market will feature live music, train rides for children, a magic carousel, the traditional nativity scene, Christmas stalls, and its famous Christmas lights. Dance crews and singers representing the region’s diverse ethnic groups will also take to the stage to put on their best performances for all visitors.
Tens of thousands of bargain Christmas trees on sale in Romania
