Are you spending Christmas in Bucharest? If you are here, it means you are looking for the best Christmas markets in Bucharest, Romania. As a local, I can tell you all about the famous and not-so-famous spots in Bucharest and what to visit in Bucharest in December.

Before heading outside, make sure to read about the Romanian Christmas traditions. You will find some of those Christmas foods at the Christmas markets in Bucharest, so it might be a good idea to look after.

If you’re staying in Romania for longer, make sure to check out the amazing things you have to do and see in Bucharest all year round.

Let’s discover what to do for Christmas in Bucharest and what other events are happening in December.

Christmas markets in Bucharest, Romania (Update 2025)

Bucharest Christmas Market

Daily schedule:

• Monday to Friday: 12:00 – 22:00
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 si 22:00
• Check the latest updates on their Facebook page.

On the day of the opening (November 29th), the event starts at 18:00. It will probably be extremely crowded, so I would recommend using public transport to get there. Usually, parking spaces are an issue around that area, especially during events and weekends.

Organised by Bucharest city hall, this Christmas market is located in Constitutiei Square (Piata Constitutiei) and features a huge Christmas tree, over 120 food and souvenir stalls, a carousel, and a stage.

Admission is free, and during the weekends, they have music concerts and on some other selected days.

𝐁ucharest Downtown Christmsas Market

• Location? 𝐏𝐢𝐚𝐭̦𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚̆𝐭̦𝐢𝐢
• When? November 29th – December 28th
• Admission? FREE.

This is the closest Christmas market to the old town, where most people go out in Bucharest, and where most tourists spend their time. It’s not a big market; it only offers about 15 food stalls, but it offers a bit of magic right in the centre of the city. There’s also a DJ playing holiday music.

Bucharest Opera Christmas Market

• Location? Opera Națională București 
• When? December 6-28
• Admission? FREE.

Located just in front of the National Opera House in Bucharest, this Christmas Market appeals to families with children, because they offer special workshops for the little ones during the day.

Winter Wonderland (Piata Alba Iulia, Bucuresti)

• Location? Piata Alba Iulia
• When? November 27th – January 7th.
• Admission? FREE.

This is where you’ll find the largest ice rink in Bucharest this season.

There’s also a stage where Romanian artists are expected to perform beloved songs for the public. Find more details on their Facebook page.

Christmas Market (Museum of the Romanian Peasant)

• Location? Museum of the Romanian Peasant
• When? December 12-14, 2025. Follow Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Facebook page for updates.
• Admission? FREE.

This is a small Christmas Market in Bucharest that is full of traditional food, decorations, and souvenirs. Here, you will have a taste of the Romanian traditions. And a smell of it.

They sell (and offer for tasting) desserts, traditional vegan food (“de post”) and non-vegan traditional dishes (fish, cheese, pork, sarmale – cabbage rolls with minced meat, barbecues, pickles, bulz – traditional polenta with cheese).

If you want to buy traditional icons, glass and wood objects, ceramics, wool objects and toys, this is a good market. I recommend this market if you want to take a look at traditional clothes and taste traditional foods. Of course, you can also take them home.

West Side Christmas Market

• Location? Parc Drumul Taberei
• When? November 29th – December 26th
• Admission? FREE.

The market in Drumul Taberei Park will transform the area into a charming, storybook-like village. Key attractions include a 33-meter-high Ferris wheel, a colourful carousel, and an ice rink, appealing to both adults and children. Additionally, there’s a special Santa Claus house where kids can write letters and have fun with elves.

The preparation for the market is already underway, with significant efforts being made to refurbish and beautify the park.

In 2024, the West Side Christmas Market saw a huge turnout, with a total of over 1.3 million visitors during its 30-day opening, indicating its popularity and success.

Although the entire city is decorated, the most central squares and boulevards have the best decorations. If you are spending Christmas in Bucharest, then you will and can not miss them.

I recommend visiting Piata Constitutiei, Piata Unirii, Bulevardul Magheru, Piata Universitatii, Piata Romana, Piata Victoriei, Aviatorilor Blv, Kiseleff Blv, Arcul de Triumf, and Piata Presei.

Ice Rinks in Bucharest

Hotel Caro ice rink

Location: Hotel Caro

When? Daily from 11:45, 13:30, 15:15, 17:00, 18:45, 20:30. Each skating session lasts 1.5 hours.

Cost: 40 lei for entering the ice rink and 20 lei for skate rental

Colosseum Mall

Location: Colosseum Mall

When? December 4th, 2025 – January 4th, 2026. Daily between 10:00 and 22:00 (during weekends it opens at 10 AM).

Cost: FREE for entering the ice rink (bring proof of purchase from the mall).

Opera House ice rink

Location: Bucharest Opera House

When? Daily between 10:00 – 20:00.

Cost: 20 lei for entering the ice rink (1.5h) and 20 lei for skate rental

Parcul Drumul Taberei ice rink (West Side Christmas Market)

Location: Parcul Drumul Taberei

When? Daily between 12:00 and 22:00. During weekends, it opens at 11 AM.

Opera Comică pentru Copii (children ice rink)

There are multiple activities and workshops for children; you can check their website.

Parcul Titan ice rink

Location: Parcul Titan (IOR)

When? Daily between 10:00 – 21:00.

Cost: Free access and 15 lei for skate renting (1.5 h)

Year-round activities in Bucharest

If you’re in Bucharest for the first time, you should also check out some of my other guides on things to do in Bucharest:

• Top things to do in Bucharest
• Best restaurants in Bucharest
• Instagrammable places in Bucharest
• Best day trips from Bucharest
• Bucharest best rooftops — for dining and drinks