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Need a taste of what the festive spirit has to offer overseas? Here are some of our top picks for the biggest and brightest Christmas markets from around the globe.
Xmas Cruise DealsFor many, the best part of the festive period is attending the annual Christmas market. Bright lights, delicious food, and good cheer make this event the highlight of many people’s Christmas calendar, but did you know that there are incredible Christmas markets all over the world?
If you’re looking to do things a bit differently this year, Odysia Cruise has a range of festive cruises that take guests to some of the world’s best Christmas markets. Need a taste of what the festive spirit has to offer overseas? Here are some of our top picks for the biggest and brightest Christmas markets from around the globe. Try and resist them if you can!
A city renowned for its history, iconic food markets, and thriving music scene, Hamburg comes alive each Christmas when it hosts one of the world’s most spectacular Christmas markets. Its main Weinachtmarkt takes place in front of the Town Hall, and guests who spot its giant Christmas tree and head in that direction are sure to be overcome with festive cheer.
Walking the city streets, it’s impossible not to be mesmerised by the lights that adorn each and every turn. Glittering stalls and seasonal scents from passing food huts delight the senses, and what makes Hamburg’s market offering even more special is how varied it is. Guests can wander over to the “White Magic” market, an arts and crafts hub overlooking the beautiful Binnenalster lake, or to the Winter Forest, a market that celebrates the stature and style of the beloved Christmas tree.
Guests looking to enjoy a Christmas evening exploring the Hamburg markets will find plenty of opportunities offered by cruise lines such as Fred. Olsen Cruises and P&O Cruises. These cruise lines regularly offer Northern Europe journeys that stop in festive hotspots.
To feel warm and fuzzy despite the winter chill, the Bruges Christmas market is undoubtedly one of the best you can visit. A fairytale brought to life, this market features two hubs of festive activity in the city centre. Taking a stroll on a wintery evening during the holiday season, guests can try their hand at skating at the iconic ice rink, grab a drink at the winter bar, or dig into a warm, freshly made waffle.
The streets of Bruges truly come alive when the Christmas season begins. Carollers, musicians, and horse-drawn carriages capture the magic of decades gone by, and the wonderful warmth of the lights that cover every building creates an absorbing sense of homecoming, no matter where guests have travelled from.
To enjoy a Christmas market trip to Bruges, guests can look to some of the best cruise lines in the business. Ambassador Cruise Line and MSC Cruises are just two examples of the cruise lines that offer December cruises that stop in Bruges.
Ready to try something different this Christmas? Let’s steer away from the classic Christmas markets and head to the other side of the world to Australasia. Sydney is a city many associate with pristine beaches, surf culture, and exciting shore excursions, and all of that is true! But did you know that Sydney also packs a festive punch with its Christmas markets?
On a single-port day down under, guests can explore numerous markets that offer something a little different in the Australian summer. Enjoy a culinary quest through the Carriageworks Christmas market, sampling wine and sweet treats from over 100 stallholders, then embark on a mission to Martin Place, where gourmet food and spirited entertainment make every night feel like the most wonderful night of the year.
If you like the idea of exploring Christmas markets in your flip-flops and shorts, cruise lines offering cruises to Australia during the festive period include Seabourn Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises.
It’s called “Christmas Wonderland” for a reason. Located in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s yearly Christmas market extravaganza is everything you’d expect from a festive party in one of the most developed nations in the world. With stunning light displays, carnival rides and games, and festive stalls, this Christmas market captures everything you could want from a festive evening, as well as activities you never thought you’d love.
Over in Marina Bay, guests can also explore Singapore’s largest festive market, where they can visit classic stalls and enjoy sweet treats. The World Christmas Market also features a specially produced Christmas musical – what better way could you celebrate the most magical time of year than with singing, dancing, and a heartwarming story?
Cruise lines sailing to Singapore during the festive period include Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
Make it a Christmas to remember by booking your Winter 2026 cruise and discover the world’s greatest Christmas markets
A Christmas market cruise follows an itinerary of stops at various Christmas market ports. Cruise lines that offer such cruises include P&O Cruises and Ambassador Cruise Line. Popular routes include Rhine River cruises and North Sea cruises across Northern Europe.
Yes! Many cruise lines offer cruises from Southampton to cities with excellent Christmas markets, including Bruges, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Rotterdam.
Those looking for a short cruise at Christmas will find plenty of 3-day options available, including river cruises along the Danube or Rhine that visit top Christmas market towns like Strasbourg and Vienna.
Celebrate a little bit differently this year with Odysia Cruise! If you have more questions about Christmas cruising, be sure to contact us, and our team of Cruise Experts will help you make the best decision and guide you on your way to the festive cruise experience of a lifetime!
