Are Luxembourg City's Christmas Markets 'The Best' in Europe?

On 17 November 2025, days before this year's markets opened, the BBC (in the UK) published an article crowning Luxembourg City's Christmas market(s) "the best in Europe".

Naturally, the news came as a pleasant surprise - I always welcome positive international coverage of Luxembourg. Yet, as with any claim of something being "the best", I was also slightly sceptical. While I agree that the markets in Luxembourg City (and across the country) are among the most overlooked and underrated in Europe, calling them "the best" is subjective and risks putting undue pressure on our small but charming capital. The label also sparks inevitable debate, especially when neighbouring countries such as France and Germany are renowned for centuries-old Christmas market traditions - just this week, Facebook reminded me that I had been at the famous "Christkindelsmärik" in Strasbourg (considered France's oldest and largest Christmas market) nine years ago.

The BBC article compared Luxembourg City with several other European cities (including Mainz, Prague and Budapest), praising its more relaxed atmosphere, accessibility (thanks to free public transport) and fewer crowds. Indeed, escaping the chaos of larger, over-touristic markets is part of Luxembourg City's general appeal. Ironically, however, since the article's publication, some days (notably Saturdays) have felt busier than usual. Has the new-found media attention drawn more visitors to "the best" - and supposedly calmest - Christmas market(s) in Europe, or am I overthinking this? In any case, even with more visitors, I can see how the markets still offer a more relaxed experience than many of the larger European markets.

Personally, I prefer being able to leisurely browse handcrafted goods and sip mulled wine without feeling like the place is packed like sardines (or like the queue for smoked salmon at the Gëlla Fra's "Wantermaart"!). This is one reason I often seek out Luxembourg's smaller local markets. Almost every town or village has its own festive market, each with its own charm and tradition - Mullerthal is home to one of my personal favourites, while the one in Differdange is considered the country's oldest. These smaller markets offer an authentic and cosy atmosphere, even if they often take place on only one or two dates, compared with the weeks-long larger markets. (Chronicle.lu is currently publishing a series of articles reviewing a selection of the Grand Duchy's Christmas markets).

Luxembourg City itself is unique, with festive markets spread across five locations (a layout that may also reduce crowding): the "Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart" in Place d'Armes; the "Wantermaart" in Place de la Constitution; the "Niklosmaart" in Place de Paris; the "Wanterpark" and ice skating rink at Kinnekswiss; the new "Sapin Royal" in Place Émile Hamilius. Plus, a new addition that appears to have caught many people's attention this year is the giant advent calendar house (next to a children's reindeer slide) in Place de Guillaume II (Knuedler), with different doors opening daily to reveal a festive story. These markets and attractions all form part of the "Winterlights" programme, which aims to transform the capital into a winter wonderland from 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 - thus also helping visitors and residents alike beat those (early) January blues.

I wholeheartedly agree that Luxembourg City in general, and the country as a whole, remain "hidden gems" in Europe - overlooked, underrated and charming. Still, I would avoid calling the markets "the best", if only to prevent too much pressure and potential disappointment for visitors, who might enjoy them more without inflated expectations.

Also, a word of caution: I feel that over-commercialisation (perhaps inevitable nowadays) can take away some of the Christmas magic and authenticity. Take the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market in Germany's Black Forest, for example, which requires pre-booked online tickets to avoid crowding - a result of its huge popularity. I have not been myself, but the idea certainly puts me off going...

Perhaps Luxembourg's Christmas markets - in the capital and beyond - could offer a subtle lesson in sustainable tourism: their appeal lies not in being "the best", but in providing a still often relaxed and somewhat authentic experience, where visitors can savour the warm and cosy atmosphere, mulled wine, festive food (including the famed traditional "Gromperekichelcher" - also highlighted in the BBC article) and craft stalls. Maybe the real charm of the Grand Duchy's Christmas markets is precisely that they remain something of a secret - at least for now.