In many European cities with a tradition of hosting a Christmas market, 2022 is a year of difficult choices. High energy costs are forcing some to scale down on bright lights and decorations, while other places are scaling up and hoping the unrestricted return of the markets after two years of COVID-19 closures will boost holiday spending. Below are images of some of the Christmas markets that recently opened in Berlin, Strasbourg, Tallinn, Prague, Wrocław, Nuremberg, and more.
Photos: Europe’s Christmas Markets Return
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![An elevated view of a brightly lit Christmas marketplace]()
Read moreLights illuminate the traditional Christmas market that opened in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 21, 2022. #
Michael Probst / AP -
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![A costumed performer on stilts sprinkles snowflakes on children.]()
Read moreA theatrical performer on stilts delights children on the first day of the Christmas market at Bebelplatz Square in Berlin, Germany, on November 21, 2022. #
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![A person works in a festive market stall as people walk by.]()
Read morePeople visit the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt ("Christ Child Market"), one of the world's oldest Christmas markets, in Nuremberg, Germany, on November 25, 2022. #
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![People walk through a marketplace among decorated stalls and lights.]()
Read morePeople visit the Christmas markets at the Main Square in Wrocław, Poland, on November 21, 2022. #
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![People wait at a market stall, where a person serves hot red wine from a large pot.]()
Read moreAn employee serves hot red wine as people gather on the first day of the annual Christmas market at Schloss Charlottenburg palace on November 21, 2022, in Berlin. #
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![A view of the Dresden Striezelmarkt]()
Read moreA general view of the Dresden Striezelmarkt during its opening in Dresden, Germany, on November 23, 2022. The first Striezelmarkt took place in 1434. #
Jens Schlueter / AFP / Getty -
![A girl uses her mobile phone as she rides on a merry-go-round.]()
Read moreA girl uses her mobile phone as she rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt on November 25, 2022. #
Michael Probst / AP -
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![A spotlight shines on an exterior balcony of a church, showing several costumed performers.]()
Read moreThe Christ Child (Christkind), this year played by Teresa Windschall, reads her celebratory address from a balcony of the Frauenkirche church to inaugurate this year's Christmas market in Nuremberg on November 25, 2022. #
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![People crowd around market stalls.]()
Read moreA view of Nuremberg's Christmas market, prior to its opening, on November 25, 2022. #
Johannes Simon / Getty -
![A market stall stocked with gingerbread, fruit bread, and cookies]()
Read moreA market stall sells gingerbread, fruit bread, and lebkuchen in Nuremberg on November 25, 2022. #
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![A shopper looks at a Christmas ornament.]()
Read moreA shopper looks at an ornament at the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg on November 25, 2022. #
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![An elevated night view of a Christmas market in a European city]()
Read moreA night view of the Christmas market in Tallinn, Estonia, on November 26, 2022. #
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![A crowd gathers in a city square among Christmas lights and decorations.]()
Read moreVisitors stand in front of the illuminated Christmas tree at the Winter Wonder and Christmas Market on the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on November 25, 2022. #
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![Illuminated paper stars are displayed in a booth.]()
Read moreIlluminated paper stars are displayed in a booth at the Christmas Market in Ludwigsburg, Germany, on November 22, 2022. #
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![A market stall sells hot wine in front of a cathedral.]()
Read moreA stall serves hot wine on the opening day of the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, on November 25, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![A crowd, including several children seated on the shoulders of adults, looks on in awe.]()
Read moreVisitors watch and take pictures at Strasbourg's Christmas market in eastern France on November 25, 2022. #
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![An elevated view of a Christmas market in Prague]()
Read moreA Christmas tree is illuminated as the Christmas market opens in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, on November 26, 2022. #
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![People ice skate in a rink near a Ferris wheel.]()
Read morePeople visit the Christmas market at Alexanderplatz in Berlin on November 23, 2022. #
Michele Tantussi / Reuters -
![A crowd moves about in a Christmas marketplace.]()
Read moreVisitors walk between stands at the Dresden Striezelmarkt on the day of its opening in Dresden, on November 23, 2022. #
Jens Schlueter / AFP / Getty -
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![Three women wearing white cold-weather clothing and angel wings hold lanterns and a collection can in a marketplace.]()
Read moreWomen from Ukraine, dressed as angels, collect donations for Ukrainian children at the Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, Germany, on November 24, 2022. #
Lisi Niesner / Reuters
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