Bucharest Christmas Market: The Complete Guide
It’s easy to fall in love with the capital of Romania on Christmas. From December 1st, the entire city lights up with twinkling Christmas lights, live shows, music, and snow. You’ll also find cheerful and energetic groups of kids singing carols to people’s homes and delicious dishes, putting the city in a delightful festive mood.
As soon as the yuletide season kicks in, you’ll also notice the Bucharest Christmas markets popping up, signaling the start of the colorful Romanian Christmas. They host several attractions, including an ice skating rink, fun rides, and nativity scenes to create a festive atmosphere. Additionally, street vendors line up the alleyways in the Old City and beyond to introduce traditional Romanian food and sell handmade gifts and goodies.
Bucharest may not have Transylvania’s medieval city landmarks, but it isn’t much different from the magical Brasov Christmas markets. See for yourself and discover the wonderful celebrations and holiday flairs in Romania’s most prosperous city. Be sure to bring warm clothes, as it can get pretty cold, and store your bags in a Bucharest luggage locker for your overall convenience.
Bucharest Christmas Market
The annual Bucharest Christmas Market (Târgul de Crăciun) will return this year in Piața Constituției, or the Constitution Square, one of the largest squares in the heart of the city. The Capital City Hall opens the Square to private operators for the first time to organize the Christmas Fair, which will take place between November 30th to December 26th, 2022.
There’s not much information available yet about this year’s largest Bucharest Christmas market, but everyone expects a grand event worth visiting. After all, it has become the city’s tradition to transform the capital of Romania into a beloved destination among children, families, tourists, and everyone spending the winter holidays.
Since it’s located in the expansive Constitution Square, it’s likely to be filled with kid-friendly attractions where you can spend time outdoors. These include an ice rink, a carousel, and even Santa’s House, where kids can leave their letters to Santa Claus.
Be sure to come on an empty stomach, as there will be plenty of places to eat at the Christmas market. With dozens of Christmas stalls, you’ll surely find the best gifts and traditional food items to buy. Try the local sausages and Transylvania’s sweet bread specialty or have a sip of mulled wine. If you’re here to shop, you’ll find beautiful gift items, handicrafts, baked products, Christmas decorations, traditional clothing, and other local specialties.
What to do near Bucharest Christmas Market
There are plenty of other attractions near the Christmas fair, so you’ll never be bored even if you come alone. After browsing the cottages, take a walking tour to discover the majestic buildings and landmarks surrounding Piața Constituției. These include the Palace of the Parliament and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) Romania, which are close to each other. It's also a short distance from University Square (Universitatii Square) in downtown Bucharest.
West Side Christmas Market
The large urban space in Bucharest’s West Side will transform into a magical festive destination during Christmas time. Drumul Taberei Park is the site for the bustling West Side Christmas Market, taking place between November 25th to December 27th, 2022.
It’s a nearly five-week celebration and holiday fun in the park. West Side Christmas market will feature playgrounds, family-friendly activities, light shows, workshops for adults and children, and other magical experiences. The City Hall reveals it will become the country’s most visited and loved destination dedicated to the winter holidays.
You’ll also have numerous opportunities to shop for Christmas decorations, unique ornaments, and gifts! Local artisans, producers, designers, and artists will have stalls to show off their original works.
What to do near West Side Christmas Market
Thanks to its peaceful and scenic location, visitors can enjoy sightseeing or walk around the greenspace at this Bucharest Christmas market. If you want to do something else, go swimming at Parcul Acvatic Magic Summer Waves. But if it’s too cold for winter, you can walk to the Biserica Nașterea Maicii Domnului and admire its architecture.
Christmas Gifts Fair
For those who want to focus on getting that special gift for a special someone or family member, the Christmas Gifts Fair is the right place to go. It’s only open for three days, from December 9th to 11th, so be sure to get your shopping bags ready and head to ROMEXPO, Bucharest, Romania.
The Gifts Fair will have everything from fine art, silverware, antique jewelry, Christmas decorations, toys, and other collectibles. It will feature exhibitors from all industries and fields, including textile distributors, manufacturers, importers, and local producers. Besides the products specific for the yuletide season, you can also buy footwear, cosmetics, home décor, leather goods, accessories, and many more.
What to do near Christmas Gifts Fair
The Christmas Gifts Fair is close to several restaurants, event centers, and a few landmarks, including the House of the Free Press. It’s also a short drive from Dimitrie Gusti Muzeul Național al Satului, a village museum in the northern part of the capital.
Get in the Christmas Mood in Bucharest
The Bucharest weather in December can get snowy, so you might experience a true white winter wonderland in this dreamy city in Europe. Pack warm clothes and sip hot mulled wine to warm your body from head to toe. Invite your friends and family and head to the city’s vibrant Christmas markets with music everywhere, fairy lights on every corner, and the smell of mouthwatering food like tasty cabbage rolls, sponge cake and delicious jams filling the holiday air.
Besides shopping and experiencing a delightful culinary experience, exciting activities are also endless. You can enjoy ice skating until late, ride the carousel, visit the house of Santa Clause, and watch live concerts and shows featuring live carols. It’s a holiday like no other as you explore the Christmas markets in the world-class Romanian capital.
Now you are ready to enjoy the Christmas Markets in Bucharest. For more things to do in Bucharest, check out these other guides.
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