During the holiday season, cities across Romania open up their Christmas markets, promising an enchanting mix of festive lights, traditional treats, and unique attractions. Globe Aware volunteers plan your volunteer vacation there for winter 2025!

Romania’s 2024 Christmas Markets open early and bring new attractions

Oana Vasiliu
November 22, 2024
Business Review

As the holiday season approaches, cities across Romania are preparing to open up their Christmas markets, promising an enchanting mix of festive lights, traditional treats, and unique attractions.

Each city brings its unique flair to the holiday festivities, blending traditional charm with modern attractions. From Sibiu’s Santa’s Land to Craiova’s fairytale zones and Bucharest’s panoramic wheel, Romania’s Christmas markets promise to have something for everyone. With stunning decorations, hearty Romanian foods, and festive activities, these markets are the perfect way to celebrate the season. Mark your calendars and join the festive cheer across Romania this winter.

Bucharest

In Bucharest, three major markets will delight residents and tourists alike. The Children’s Opera Market (Nov 15 – Dec 29) will be hosted by the Comic Opera for Children. It offers a family-friendly atmosphere with 112 scheduled performances, interactive workshops, and festive activities designed to create unforgettable memories.

Meanwhile, the grand market in the Constitution Square (Nov 29 – Dec 26) features carousels, a panoramic wheel, Santa’s house, and countless stalls brimming with traditional foods and handcrafted items.

The West Side Christmas Market (Nov 28 – Dec 27) in Drumul Taberei Park will reopen for its fourth edition and will feature a spacious ice rink, a storybook carousel, a children’s train, Santa’s house for magical encounters, an Instagram-worthy giant tree, 64 stalls with traditional goodies, plus a panoramic wheel offering stunning views of the entire market.

Craiova

Craiova’s Christmas market (until Jan 5) is set to charm visitors with its “Beauty and the Beast” theme. Spread across five zones, each with a distinct concept, the market will feature a skating rink, a panoramic wheel, and Santa’s flying sleigh, a new addition this year.

Sibiu

In Sibiu, the market will open under the “Christmas Unboxed” theme and run until January 5, 2025. Highlights include Santa’s Land, a magical area for children, a 600-square-meter ice rink, and an array of traditional delicacies. Sibiu’s market is expected to be one of the most enchanting destinations of the season.

Brasov

Brasov’s market (Nov 29 – Jan 7) offers visitors local crafts, beautifully decorated wooden houses, and open-air performances set against the city’s picturesque backdrop. Brasov’s 29-meter, 17-tonne Christmas tree is the largest natural tree of the season, marking the winter holidays in one of Romania’s key cities.

Timisoara

Timisoara’s celebrations will kick off on November 30 and run until January 5, 2025, spreading across the three iconic city squares. The market will feature daily concerts, live performances, and festive stalls offering homemade sweets and Christmas decorations, creating a city-wide celebration of the holidays.

Cluj-Napoca

For the second year in a row, Cluj-Napoca will host two holiday markets: The Christmas Market (Nov 22 – Jan 1) features “Christmas Planet” in Union Square, complete with a panoramic wheel, light shows, a carousel, and a VR sleigh ride through Santa’s reindeer journey. The Winter Market will follow from January 1 to February 15.

Oradea

In Oradea, the Christmas market (Nov 29 – Dec 26) is known for its cozy ambiance and fairytale decorations. The Oradea Christmas Market offers visitors concerts, carols, Santa Claus appearances, sweet treats, a panoramic wheel, kids’ activities, gifts, and more surprises.