IHG's 2026 Holiday Travel Guide

November 13 – December 26, 2026

For a quintessential German Christmas market check out Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt. In the city's historic Old Town, wooden stalls fill the squares with traditional crafts, ornaments, gingerbread and the unmistakable aroma of Nuremberg bratwurst.

Stay close to the festivities. With the historic center within easy reach, the city is a practical base for exploring the market and Nuremberg's other Old Town sights on foot.

November 13 – December 26, 2026

In Vienna, the holiday season isn't about finding one perfect market. It's about discovering several. Rathausplatz, Stephansplatz and Spittelberg each offer their own atmosphere, both grand and glittering, and intimate and neighborhood-focused.

Check in nearby as a base for exploring the city. Convenient public transport connections make it easy to reach central Vienna and spend the day moving between markets, museums, cafés and historic sights.

November 13, 2026 – January 1, 2027

Hungary glows with Christmas magic as holiday markets fill its grand squares with twinkling lights and festive wooden stalls. Browse handcrafted gifts at Vörösmarty Square, follow the sweet scent of freshly baked chimney cakes, and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Outside St. Stephen’s Basilica, a sparkling Christmas tree and colorful light projections create a dazzling backdrop for an evening of seasonal delights.

Stay in central Budapest to explore both markets on foot, with cozy cafés and the Danube nearby. Spend your days discovering Hungarian crafts and festive flavors, then return after dark to wander beneath the lights and soak up the warmth of the holiday season.

November 27 – December 24, 2026

Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik dates back to the 1500s, making it one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets, and the tradition remains woven into the city's winter identity. Wander beneath the lights with Strasbourg Cathedral rising above the rooftops, stopping for a mug of vin chaud and Alsatian specialties along the way.

Stay within easy reach of Strasbourg's festive heart to conveniently explore the city's holiday sights, from the historic center to the Christmas markets. After a day among the lights and stalls, return to a comfortable place to unwind before doing it all again.

November 27 – December 24, 2026

Prague's Gothic towers, historic squares and winding streets already look magical any time of year. Add glowing market stalls, Czech pastries and steaming hot drinks, and the city becomes an especially atmospheric holiday destination.

Stay close to Prague's historic center, giving you an easy starting point for exploring the city's major holiday markets and Old Town sights. After a day spent wandering among the lights, you'll be well placed to continue discovering Prague after dark.

November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Brussels sparkles with holiday magic as its Winter Wonders celebration fills the city center with twinkling lights and festive market chalets. Browse for special gifts, follow the sweet scent of warm waffles, and sip hot chocolate between stalls. At the Grand-Place, a magnificent Christmas tree and dazzling sound and light show bring extra sparkle to the season.

Stay close to Brussels' historic center for easy access to the holiday markets around the Bourse and Sainte-Catherine. Spend your days discovering festive treats and browsing the chalets, then linger after dark as the lights turn an evening stroll into a little Christmas adventure.