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Christmas lights and light festivals in Europe's Christmas markets

30 Christmas lights and light festivals

A canal boat crosses the Amstel towards a lit arch at the mouth of the Herengracht during Amsterdam Light Festival.
Carré Theatre and the lights of Amsterdam Light Festival shine across the Amstel on a January night.
Seasonal

Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam · Amsterdam canals

Amsterdamfrom Nov 26

Lit stall roofs of the Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt fill Rathausplatz at night, seen from the Perlach Tower.Photo of Augsburg
Seasonal

Christmas Garden Augsburg

Augsburg · Zoo Augsburg

Augsburgfrom Nov 26

A lit Christmas tree and the glowing Rex cinema canopy brighten the Steinenvorstadt in Basel at night
Strands of Christmas lights hang from the Mittlere Brücke in Basel in front of the snowy Minster and Rhine houses

Basel Christmas Lights

Basel · Basel city centre

Baselfrom Nov 26

Seasonal
Weihnachten im Tierpark

Christmas at the Tierpark Berlin

Berlin · Friedrichsfelde

Berlinfrom Nov 20

Candles glow in the windows of a Lyon apartment building on the evening of 8 December.Florian Pépellin / Wikimedia Commons

From the guides7 min read

When is Lyon's Festival of Lights in 2026?

The Fête des Lumières lights Lyon from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026, and on the last night many Lyonnais set candles in their windows.

Lyon and the Alps45°42′N 5°24′E
Read the story
Seasonal

Christmas Garden Berlin

Berlin · Dahlem / Lichterfelde

Berlinfrom Nov 18

Floodlights come on along Špilberk Castle at blue hour on the wooded hill above Brno.
Snow lies on the roofs and ramparts of Špilberk Castle on its hill above Brno in January.
Opens November 2026

Story of Lights Brno at Spilberk Castle

Brno · Špilberk

BrnoLight trail

Shoppers cross the Markt in Bruges at blue hour as the Provinciaal Hof and a white light tree glow behind the rink.
Fairy lights hang in the willow on the Rozenhoedkaai in Bruges as the floodlit Belfry rises over the canal.
Seasonal

Bruges Winter Glow

Bruges · Koning Albert I-park

Brugesfrom Nov 20

Visitors stand on the Grand-Place in Brussels at night under a tall Christmas tree strung with warm lights.
Crowds gather on the Grand-Place in Brussels at night beside a lit tree as the town hall glows gold.
Seasonal

Grand-Place Christmas Light Show

Brussels · Grand-Place

Brusselsfrom Nov 27

A projected countdown glows on the facade of St. Stephen's Basilica above the crowded Advent market in Budapest.
Crowds fill Szent István tér under strings of lights as the projection plays on the basilica front in Budapest.
Seasonal

St Stephen's Basilica Light Projection

Budapest · Lipótváros (District V)

Budapestfrom Nov 13

The Light Tram crosses Budapest's green-lit Liberty Bridge on line 49, its body covered in fairy lights.
The Light Tram runs along the Danube embankment in Budapest with the floodlit Parliament across the river.
Dates projected

Budapest Light Tram

Budapest · Citywide; the fleet sets out from the Hungária tram depot

Budapestfrom Nov 27

Snow dusts the castle walls and the painted tower of Český Krumlov above the Vltava footbridge.Photo of Cesky Krumlov
Opens November 2026

Cesky Krumlov Light Park

Cesky Krumlov · Czechia

Cesky Krumlovfrom Nov 6

Strings of lights trace the steep gables of half-timbered houses in Colmar as people walk below at night.
Crowds cross the square below the Koïfhus in Colmar while lights outline the gables of the old houses.
Seasonal

Colmar Illuminations

Colmar · Old town

Colmarfrom Nov 23

All 30 Christmas lights and light festivals from A to Z