Luxembourg Christmas Markets 2026: What to See + Tips for Visiting with Kids
The Luxembourg Christmas markets aren’t the biggest in Europe, but if you’re looking for festive markets that don’t feel overwhelming, that’s exactly what makes them so enjoyable. There are several spread around Luxembourg City, along with plenty of fun activities, yet everything feels surprisingly manageable.
We spent two days in Luxembourg City in mid-December after visiting the much busier Christmas markets in Cologne and Trier, and Luxembourg felt different almost immediately. Instead of rushing from one market to the next, we could wander around, stop when something caught our attention and simply enjoy being there.
There was also far more for my kids to do than I’d expected, and I loved how easily we could combine the markets with exploring the city itself. Add in free public transportation and Winterlights celebrations that continue past Christmas into early January, and Luxembourg ended up being one of our favourite stops of the trip — so much so that we’re heading back again this year.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the different markets, what there is for kids, how much time you need and the practical things I wish I’d known before our visit, so you can decide what to prioritize and plan your own trip.
Why Visit Luxembourg at Christmas?
Christmas in Luxembourg is more than just a trip to the Christmas markets. The city is decorated for the season, there’s huge light installations as you walk around, and the markets are mixed in with everything else you might want to see in Luxembourg City.
The markets add to the experience rather than becoming the whole reason for visiting. You can spend time exploring the city and its viewpoints during the day, then stop at the markets for food and drinks, go outdoor skating or head back out after dark when the lights make the city feel even more festive.
And another bonus: Winterlights continue into early January, making it a good option for a Christmas trip after many other markets in the region have already closed.
Best Christmas Markets in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg’s Christmas markets are spread across several squares in the city centre, and each has a slightly different feel. They’re close enough that you don’t need a strict itinerary, and we found it easiest to explore the city and stop at the different markets as we came across them.
Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart (Place d’Armes)
If you’re looking for the most traditional Christmas market in Luxembourg City, start at Place d’Armes. This large square in the heart of the city is filled with wooden chalets selling Christmas decorations, gifts, food and drinks, with a huge Christmas tree overlooking the market.
It’s one of the larger markets in the city, with enough stalls to spend some time browsing without it feeling huge. There’s also a large nativity scene and usually a few rides for kids, including a carousel and small Christmas train.
Despite being one of the main markets, we never found it to be too busy. The square has plenty of room to wander between the stalls, and its central location makes it easy to stop here while you’re exploring the city. If you can, come back after dark too, when the Christmas tree and lights around the square are lit up.
Wantermaart (Place de la Constitution)
Wantermaart at Place de la Constitution was our favourite Christmas market in Luxembourg. Set right along the edge of the Pétrusse Valley, it has one of the best locations in the city, with views across the valley and towards Pont Adolphe. You’ll probably spot its large Ferris wheel before you even reach the market. We could see it as we came into the city on the tram.
The market is one of the larger ones in Luxembourg, with plenty of food and drink stalls, along with stalls selling gifts, decorations and souvenirs. A huge Christmas pyramid stands in the middle, and there are several rides and activities for kids.
After riding a Ferris wheel in Cologne a few days earlier, my kids weren’t particularly interested in another one. Instead, they made a beeline for the bungee trampolines and loved them so much that we ended up coming back for a second turn.
I found one of my favourite souvenirs from our trip here too: a blue Luxembourg Glühwein mug with flat sides that looked completely different from the traditional mugs we’d seen at the German Christmas markets. And while the boys were bouncing high above the market, I was perfectly happy watching with a Glühwein in hand.
Even if you skip the rides, I’d make Wantermaart a priority. The combination of the market, the views and the location makes this one feel different from the other Christmas markets around the city.
Winterkids (Place Guillaume II)
This is the market you’ll want to visit with kids. As the name suggests, Winterkids at Place Guillaume II is designed specifically for families, with rides and activities that give kids something to do beyond browsing Christmas market stalls.
One of the first things we noticed was the huge Advent calendar, designed like an oversized Christmas chalet with a new window opening each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve. There was also a giant slide when we visited, which is pretty hard to miss as you walk through the square.
During the school Christmas holidays, Winterkids becomes even more activity-focused, with workshops, shows, live music and other events for kids. The exact programme changes, so it’s worth checking what’s scheduled for your dates if you’re visiting later in December.
Even if you don’t plan around any of the activities, Winterkids is an easy stop as you’re exploring the city centre and a good place to give kids a break from simply walking through market stalls.
Niklosmaart (Place de Paris)
Niklosmaart at Place de Paris is one of the smaller Christmas markets in Luxembourg City, with a handful of rows of stalls rather than a large market square. You’ll find the usual mix of food and drinks along with Christmas decorations, gifts and a carousel for kids.
We came across this one near the tram stop, and that’s really how I’d recommend visiting it. You don’t need to plan a separate trip to Place de Paris just for the market, but it’s an easy one to wander through if you’re staying near the train station or passing through this part of the city.
There’s also live music throughout the Christmas season, so depending on when you visit, you may find quite a bit happening despite the market’s smaller size.
Sapin Royal (Place Émile Hamilius)
Sapin Royal at Place Émile Hamilius is much smaller than Luxembourg’s main Christmas markets, so this isn’t somewhere I’d plan a lot of time. Instead, it’s an easy stop as you’re walking through the city centre or hopping on the tram at Hamilius.
The main attraction is the Sapin Royal itself, a Christmas tree standing more than 10 metres tall with a small train circling around the top. There are just a handful of chalets around the square selling food, Glühwein and other seasonal drinks.
Wanterpark and Outdoor Skating
Aside from the markets, one of the best things to do in Luxembourg, especially with kids, is outdoor skating at Wanterpark. The rink is set up at Kinnekswiss in the city park, surrounded by Christmas lights and decorations, with a small food village nearby for snacks and warm drinks.
We hadn’t planned to spend much time here, but my kids loved it and we ended up staying far longer than expected. You can rent skates at the rink, and when we visited, it wasn’t overly busy, especially compared to some of the public skates we’re used to at home. One of my boys had just started playing hockey a month earlier and was pretty pleased with himself skating past everyone.
The rink is more interesting than a standard rectangular skating rink too, with sections that loop around the boards. And if you’re not skating, you can grab something to eat or a Glühwein and watch from the side, which is exactly what I did.
Keep an eye out for the lights as you walk through the park too. A huge illuminated heart marks one of the entrances to Wanterpark, and you’ll find more light displays throughout the park, including a giant pair of skates.
What to Eat and Drink at the Luxembourg Christmas Markets
You’ll find plenty of familiar Christmas market foods in Luxembourg, from sausages and waffles to lángos and Glühwein. But there are also a few Luxembourgish (if that’s a word?) specialities worth looking for while you’re here.
Gromperekichelcher are one of the most traditional. These crispy potato fritters are made with grated potatoes, onions and parsley and are often served with applesauce. We tried these without realizing they were actually a Luxembourg speciality, so I didn’t think to get a picture, but they look similar to the potato pancakes you’ll find at Christmas markets in Germany.
Another seasonal treat to look for is Boxemännchen, a small brioche shaped like a person that’s traditionally eaten around St Nicholas Day and throughout the Christmas season. You’ll also come across Kniddelen, Luxembourgish dumplings, and Bamkuch, a layered cake that’s traditionally made by cooking thin layers of batter on a rotating spit.
But my kids were far more excited about finding lángos. They’d tried it in Germany earlier this trip, and quickly became fans. Being gluten-free, I didn’t get a chance to try it, but the boys were happy with it and I mostly stuck with sausages and Glühwein, which you can’t go wrong with.
For drinks, Glühwein is easy to find throughout the markets, but keep an eye out for Feuerzangenbowle at Place d’Armes. It’s a hot wine punch made by setting a rum-soaked sugar loaf on fire over the wine. And don’t forget about the mug deposit: you can return your mug to get the deposit back or keep it as a souvenir, which is how my blue Luxembourg mug ended up coming home with me.
Are the Luxembourg Christmas Markets Good with Kids?
Yes, and there was actually more for my kids to do than I’d expected. Between the bungee trampolines at Wantermaart, outdoor skating and the rides scattered around the different markets, I never had to convince them to walk around another Christmas market just because I wanted to.
But I think the biggest advantage for families is how easy the whole experience feels. The markets aren’t overwhelmingly large, we never found the crowds difficult to navigate, and there’s enough happening around the city that you can mix the markets with other things rather than spending the entire day browsing stalls.
Winterlights Light Displays
The Christmas markets are only part of Winterlights. There’s also large light installations set up throughout Luxembourg City, which you’ll come across them as you’re walking between the markets and exploring different parts of the city.
Some are hard to miss. We walked through a huge illuminated heart on the way to Wanterpark, found giant skates and light-up animals around the skating area, and passed an enormous glowing gift box near our hotel. My kids loved spotting the different displays as we walked around the city.
This is another reason I’d make time to explore Luxembourg after dark rather than only visiting the markets during the day. And you don’t necessarily need to plan a route around the lights, you’ll come across them for sure.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Luxembourg Christmas Markets
Visit after dark. The markets are open during the day, but Luxembourg is at its best once the lights come on. The markets are lit up, the Winterlights displays are easier to see and the city feels especially festive in the evening.
Bring some cash. Cards are accepted in plenty of places, but I used cash for things like the bungee trampolines and found it useful to have euros on hand for smaller market purchases.
Take advantage of the free public transportation. Public transit is free throughout Luxembourg, including buses and trams in the city. We normally walk as much as possible when travelling, but because transit was free, we hopped on the tram whenever we’d had enough walking — including after an evening at the markets.
Don’t worry about seeing every market in a specific order. The markets are spread around the city centre and easy to combine with sightseeing. I found it much more enjoyable to explore Luxembourg and stop at the markets as we came across them.
Leave time to see Luxembourg itself. Don’t fill every hour with Christmas markets. Walk along the viewpoints, take the glass elevator down to the lower city and explore beyond the market squares. The city itself was one of the biggest reasons we enjoyed Luxembourg at Christmas.
Give yourself at least two days. Two days gave us enough time for the markets and some sightseeing, but I left wishing we’d had another day. If you want to explore Luxembourg City beyond Winterlights, I’d plan on three days.
Where to Stay for the Luxembourg Christmas Markets
You don’t need to stay right beside one of the Christmas markets, especially with free public transportation throughout the city. I’d look for somewhere between the train station and city centre so you can easily walk or hop on the tram.
Hotel Perrin
We stayed at Hotel Perrin and would absolutely stay here again. It’s a short walk from Luxembourg’s main train station, which made arriving from Trier easy and was even more convenient when we had to leave early in the morning for our flight home.
The hotel is family-run and felt more homey than a typical city hotel. We stayed in a regular double room, but it was the little details I remember most, like the wide staircases, an old telephone on the landing and how friendly and easy both check-in and check-out were.
Hotel Perrin also has triple rooms, and extra beds can be requested depending on availability. Breakfast is available in the morning, and gluten-free bread can be requested in advance.
Novotel Luxembourg Centre
For families who need a room that sleeps four, Novotel Luxembourg Centre is another good option. Rooms are available with a queen bed and sofa and can accommodate up to four people, making this a better fit for larger families.
It’s also conveniently located between the train station and historic centre, so you can walk to many of the main sights and use Luxembourg’s free public transportation when you don’t feel like walking.
Looking for more options? See our guide to where to stay in Luxembourg City for more family-friendly hotels and the best areas to stay.
Getting Around Luxembourg
As I mentioned earlier, public transportation is free in Luxembourg, which makes it incredibly easy to get around. You don’t need a ticket to use buses, trams or second-class trains anywhere within Luxembourg, and that includes the trip out to the airport.
We normally walk as much as possible when we’re exploring a city, but I found myself using transit more often in Luxembourg simply because it was so easy. We’d walk between the markets and other sights during the day, then hop on the tram when we’d had enough walking or wanted an easy ride back after dark.
If you’re arriving by train, Luxembourg’s main station is also really convenient to get to the city centre. We arrived by train from Trier, walked to Hotel Perrin with our luggage and didn’t need to worry about arranging a taxi or figuring out local transit tickets.
Other Things to Do in Luxembourg at Christmas
One of the reasons I’d recommend leaving some space in your itinerary is that Luxembourg itself is worth exploring beyond the Christmas markets. We planned a few days here to visit the markets, but quickly regretted not having more days to explore.
Luxembourg City is built across different levels, with the historic upper city sitting high above the river valleys below. That makes for some great viewpoints, and a few interesting ways to get between the two.
It’s worth taking some time to explore both levels of the city. Walk along the viewpoints overlooking the lower city, explore the Bock Casemates and take the free glass elevator down to Pfaffenthal. We found a playground near the bottom of the elevator, which made an easy stop with my kids before continuing along the river.
And don’t feel like you need a long list of attractions. Some of my favourite moments in Luxembourg were simply walking along the upper city and taking in the views. It’s incredible to see, and made me wonder whether people who live there ever get used to seeing them.
If you have more time, you could also take a day trip outside Luxembourg City. Vianden Castle is high on our list for our next visit.
Planning more than just the Christmas markets? Our guide to things to do in Luxembourg with kids has more ideas for exploring the city.
Christmas Markets Near Luxembourg
Luxembourg works really well as part of a longer Christmas market trip, particularly if you’re travelling by train.
Trier Christmas Market
Trier is the easiest nearby market I’d recommend, and one that we visited before Luxembourg. It’s only an hour by train, and the two destinations work really well together.
The Christmas Markets in Trier give you a more traditional German Christmas market experience, with stalls filling Hauptmarkt and Domfreihof beside Trier Cathedral. It’s smaller and calmer than the big German Christmas market cities, so pairing it with Luxembourg makes for a relaxed few days rather than a trip spent rushing between markets.
If you’re travelling before Christmas, you could also continue farther into Germany and combine Luxembourg and Trier with the iconic Christmas Markets in Cologne, Dusseldorf or head east to the markets in Mannheim and Heidelberg.
FAQs
Luxembourg City’s Winterlights festival runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Individual market dates and opening hours can vary, so check the current schedule before your trip.
Yes. This is one of the big advantages of Luxembourg if you’re planning a trip during the school Christmas holidays. Winterlights continues into early January, although individual market dates can vary.
Yes. There’s much more for kids than simply walking through market stalls. Depending on the year’s programme, you’ll find rides, Winterkids activities, outdoor skating and other seasonal entertainment. My kids especially loved the bungee trampolines at Wantermaart and skating at Wanterpark.
Wantermaart at Place de la Constitution was our favourite. Its location overlooking the Pétrusse Valley makes it different from the other markets, and you’ll find food, drinks, shopping and rides all in one place. In recent years, those activities have included a large Ferris wheel and bungee trampolines.
For a more traditional Christmas market, head to Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart at Place d’Armes. If you’re visiting with younger kids, make time for Winterkids at Place Guillaume II as well.
Yes. Buses, trams and second-class trains are free throughout Luxembourg, so you don’t need to buy a ticket for local public transportation. You’ll need a ticket for first-class train travel or most journeys that cross the country’s borders.
I’d bring some. Cards are accepted in many places, but I used cash for activities such as the bungee trampolines and found it handy for smaller purchases at the markets.
Absolutely! Luxembourg doesn’t have the enormous markets you’ll find in some German cities, but that’s part of what I liked about it. You still have several markets, skating, rides, lights and plenty of food and drinks, while also having time to explore Luxembourg itself.
Our Take on the Luxembourg Christmas Markets
The Luxembourg Christmas markets aren’t the biggest we’ve visited, but I wouldn’t want them to be. After visiting some of the busier Christmas markets in Germany, I loved being somewhere where we could wander between markets, stop when we wanted and enjoy the city without feeling like we needed to see everything.
Wantermaart was our favourite market, and the outdoor skating rink ended up being one of the highlights for my kids. But what I really loved was the whole experience of being in Luxembourg at Christmas, from the markets, huge light displays, incredible views and how easy it was to get around.
Two days was enough to enjoy the Christmas markets and get a taste of the city, but it wasn’t enough for us to feel finished with Luxembourg. My kids were already asking to go back, and we’re heading back again this year, which probably says more about how much we liked it than anything else I could write.
Planning a trip to Luxembourg?
Start with what to do in Luxembourg with kids to plan your itinerary and where to stay in Luxembourg for accommodations. If you’re adding another Christmas market stop to your trip, Trier is an easy next stop, or take a look at our best Christmas markets in Germany for more ideas.
