Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu
With the end-of-year festivities getting underway, Chronicle.lu is compiling a series of articles exploring some of the Christmas markets taking place across the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
While major events such as the markets in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette run for several weeks, many smaller yet equally charming local markets open for just one day or a single weekend.
Luxembourg’s oldest city, Echternach, traditionally holds its annual Christmas market ("Chrëschtmoart") on the third weekend of Advent, which in 2025 took place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 December.
Located in the historic centre of Echternach, the market was spread across the old town, with decorated stalls stretching around the Basilica of Saint Willibrord and the Place du Marché.
The streets, transformed into a pedestrian area, featured around 40 stalls, a central food court with seated and standing areas and three outdoor fire pits, which were well used by visitors to keep warm.
This year, vendors offered typical regional dishes, several seasonal specialities such as gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, sweet baked goods, mulled wine and a selection of regional cheeses.
Beyond all the goods on sale, the market's weekend programme also included live music and dance performances.
The market officially opened at 17:00 on Friday 12 December, followed by a Christmas carillon concert titled Le son des étoiles de Noël, performed by Anna Kasprzycka, and an evening concert by singer Leila Vallio. The following days, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, featured musical performances by the Big Christmas Wind Orchestra and Choir and the Echternach Regional Music School, with additional Christmas carillon concerts held on Sunday. The weekend programme also included family activities such as children’s readings, cinema screenings at Ciné Sura and a Christmas musical at the Trifolion.
During Chronicle.lu's visit on Sunday evening, people were strolling through the streets but the market was not overly crowded. Even at the busiest food stalls, queues did not exceed five people, while the bouncy castle for younger visitors drew the most attention.
EO
