Christmas markets in Romania transform the nation into a magical wonderland, shimmering with lights, echoing with cheerful tunes, and radiating a captivating festive aura. Central to this mesmerizing setting are the lively Christmas markets, enticing both residents and tourists to dive into a realm of joy and amazement.
Embark with us on an enchanting tour through these Christmas markets. They seamlessly blend time-honored traditions with contemporary joys, culminating in a heartwarming Yuletide festivity. From the vibrant city centers to the charming villages, the markets present a rich mosaic of visuals, audios, and tastes, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Best Christmas Markets in Romania
Well, finally the last month of the year has arrived: sweet December (and you can consider it literally if you think about all the gingerbread, the sponge cake, the mulled wine, and all the other special flavors so typical for this month).
In Romania, we take December pretty seriously as there are so many traditions and superstitions related to the holidays that we celebrate this time of the year. And believe me, is quite hard not to respect them if you have a grandmother like mine who still keeps them religiously, I might say, making me do the same. Fortunately, there are many grandmothers like mine in Romania, thanks to whom the winter holidays are so special. But more about these traditions, I will talk about in a future article. There are too many charming stories, legends, and superstitions to mention and I need to offer them the appropriate attention.
Besides, the local traditions, Romania started little by little to adopt some others in addition to the existing ones. One of the most beautiful and appreciated ones is the so-called Christmas Market, already so common in Western countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
So, the Christmas market is known as a street market which is associated with the celebration of Christmas and lasts about 4 weeks. These markets are originally from Austria, Germany, Northern Italy, and the Eastern part of nowadays France. It is hard to say where the Christmas market was for the first time held as Germany and Austria claim the “world’s oldest” title, but we do know that nowadays, the Christmas market might be the best reason to spend the holidays in Europe.
Little by little Eastern European countries started to adopt and adapt these celebrations.
Sibiu, Romania Christmas Market
The first Romania Christmas Market was held in Sibiu, in 2007 when the city was the European Capital of Culture. It was the first of its kind in Romania and inspired by Viennese Christmas markets, being a project developed by the Social Attaché of the Austrian Embassy in Romania. It was organized in a Small Square with small stalls, a small stage, and an area dedicated to children, having several mechanical attractions installed there. One year later, the market was held in the “Large Square” with a larger number of stalls and a bigger stage where Christmas carols concerts were held.
It was the first Christmas Market in Romania and soon other Christmas markets were organized across the country. In 2012, the Sibiu Christmas market was included in the top “15 Of The Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe“.
Tours with TravelMaker that include Sibiu
- The Medieval Transylvania – 3 days
- Transfagarasan Road and Medieval City of Sibiu Tour – 2 days
- Magic Transylvania Tour – 4 days
Have a look over some other Christmas markets that are held in Romania this winter:
Bucharest, Romania Christmas Market
The 4th edition of Bucharest Christmas Market comes this year with many surprises, festive events, concerts, dance performances, gifts for loved ones, traditional decorations, and products from all regions of the country.
The Constitution Square in Bucharest will turn into a magical Christmas village beautifully decorated with over 50,000 lights and architectural projections on the historical buildings. There will also be the traditional Christmas fir tree, 15 meters high, decorated with Christmas candies, bells, and lights.
Thus, for one whole month, at the Bucharest Christmas Market people can buy from traditional objects made of painted ceramics, carved wood, icons, and embroidery to different costumes and masks, wooden toys, musical instruments, and hand-painted decorations. Probably the most “delicious” gifts will be the traditional food, part of it being cooked and served at the spot (traditional warm Romanian food, sponge cake, mulled wine, gingerbread, hotcakes, fruit jam, honey, syrup, etc.).
We strongly recommend leaving your diet on holiday when you visit the Christmas Market. As much as I like this subject which is very close to my heart… and stomach, we should continue with some other surprises.
Also, some of the craftsmen will allow the curious to admire their talented hands making jewelry, glass, or traditional embroidery. Believe me, it is way more exciting than the “How it’s Made?” series.
The Christmas atmosphere will be “sweetened” by the voices of the folk singers but also some great rock bands (to the amateurs’ delight).
Brasov, Romania Christmas Market
The fairy tale atmosphere will certainly delight you in Brasov, Kronstadt, at the Christmas Market. The fair offers visitors the chance to buy from the local producer handicrafts and gifts: figurines, candles, toys, wood carvings, Christmas tree ornaments, masks, etc. Everything takes place in the old city center, Council Square, at the foothills of Tampa Mountain.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who get to this fair, you can taste the teas flavored with orange and cinnamon, baked apples, and other savory snacks. Also in the Christmas market from Brasov, there will be performances with masks, customs, and traditional Christmas carols, dances, and folk music recitals.
Tours with TravelMaker that include Brasov
- Two Castles in One Day – 12 hours – Shared Tour
- Transylvania Break – 2 days
- Medieval City of Brasov (Kronstadt) – 2 days
Cluj-Napoca, Romania Christmas Market
Cluj-Napoca is another beautiful city that, in 2015, was declared the European Capital of Youth.
Here, the Christmas Market will be inaugurated on the National Day of Romania, 1st of December 2015, in Union Square and will last until the 26th of December 2015. The festive atmosphere will be maintained by groups and school assemblies, 40 music bands, and artists who will sing carols, traditional music, folk, rock, pop, and opera.
What new and unique about this edition of the Fair is that on the 9th, 14th, and 15th of December, the choirs from the city’s churches – the Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Greek Catholic Church, the Reformed Church, and Evangelical churches will perform in front of the people.
In Union Square, there are 40 Christmas boxes where people can buy glazed almonds and nuts, cakes, tea, or mulled wine with cinnamon.
On the 10th of December, there will be a special event called “EBS – The Voice Of Children ” worthy of the Guinness World Records, organized in collaboration with Transylvania College. Over 1,000 children from 26 schools in Cluj, along with another 200 from abroad, will sing “ one of the most beautiful Christmas songs entitled “That’s Christmas to Me”. Students from nine countries of the world will join Union Square through two monitors located in the Square. It will be even more exciting when all the lights will be turned off for a few minutes and the only source of light will be represented by over 1,000 lanterns.
The Christmas Market in Cluj-Napoca takes place from the 1st of December until the 26th of December 2015.
Suceava, Romania Christmas Market
Once you get to Suceava, you are officially in Bucovina, a gorgeous and very picturesque region of Romania, where people really know how to celebrate Christmas. So, things are a little more “complicated” here. Thus, for more than one month, there are different kinds of fairs, traditional markets, and folk concerts all over the area.
The Christmas Fair in Suceava will take place from the 6th of December 2015 – the 10th of January 2016 in front of the Palace of Culture and in Suceava Shopping City. On the 22nd of December 2015, there will be a concert of Christmas carols performed by different local groups.
On the 27th of December 2015, there will be a parade of masks, at which groups of children and adults from the area will participate.
At the same time, other traditional fairs will take place in Gura Humorului and Campulung Moldovenesc, two important cities of Bucovina.
These are only a couple of cities where the Christmas Markets are organized. These, combined with a ski holiday or simply a cultural visit to Romania, will definitely make your trip!
Tour with TravelMaker that include Bucovina
So, if you need further information or you need help, just drop us a line and we will take care of every single detail of your trip!
You can contact us at reservations@travelmaker.ro or give us a call at +40 735 525 710.