Are you spending Christmas in Bucharest? If you are here, it means you are looking for places to discover the Christmas vibes 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 focusing on Christmas season events, 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 in Bucharest.
Christmas markets in Bucharest, Romania, in 2023
The official Christmas Market of Bucharest
Location? Piata Constitutiei (click for Google Maps location)
When? Opened every day between November 30th – December 26th
Admission? FREE
Daily schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 12:00 – 22:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 si 22:00
On the day of the opening (November 30th), 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.
Organized by the Bucharest city hall, this Christmas market is located in Constitutiei Square (Piata Constitutiei), and it has a huge Christmas tree, over 130 food and souvenirs stalls, a carousel, an ice rink, and a stage.
Highlights:
- Santa’s house (for children)
- The carousel
- Ferris wheel
- Train
- Concerts on special days
Admission is free and during the weekends they have music concerts and on some other selected days. Check the Bucharest Christmas Fair Facebook event for more info.
Christmas Market at the Peasant Museum
Location? Museum of the Romanian Peasant
When? Unannounced yet for 2023. Follow Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Facebook page for updates.
Admission? FREE.
This is a small Christmas Market in Bucharest but 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 2022, the West Side Christmas Market saw a huge turnout, with over 100,000 visitors during its grand opening weekend, indicating its popularity and success.
Admire the Christmas decorations
Location? Everywhere.
When? The Christmas decoration lights start from the 30th of November in the entire city.
Admission? FREE.
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, Piata Universitatii, Piata Victoriei, Aviatorilor Blv, Kiseleff Blv, Arcul de Triumf, and Piata Presei.
Ice Rinks in Bucharest
Cismigiu Ice Rink
Location: Cimigiu Park
When? Daily between 10:00 and 20:00.
Cost: 30 lei admission and 10 lei for renting skates
The ice rink from Cimigiu Park has become a tradition, and it’s probably one of the most famous ice rinks in Bucharest. As it is an attraction itself, people come just to admire it, but if you love to skate, then you love it.
The 30 lei admission price is for a 1.5-hour period. Every 2h, they take a 1h break to clean the ice. Skates are available for rent (10 lei), and you have to pay a deposit for each pair (which you get back upon returning the skates).
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: 30 lei for entering the ice rink and 20 lei for skate renting
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 renting
Parcul Drumul Taberei ice rink (West Side Christmas Market)
Location: Parcul Drumul Taberei
When? Daily between 09:00 – 16:30.
Cost: 10 lei / 1h and 25 lei during weekends and 15 lei for skate renting
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)
Parc Bazilescu ice rink
Location: Parc Bazilescu
When? Daily between 09:00 – 20:30.
Cost: 20 lei during weekdays and 25 lei during weekends and 15 lei for skate renting (1h)
Mall Veranda ice rink
Location: Mall Veranda
When? Daily between 10:00 – 21:00.
Cost: 20 lei entrance fee and 20 lei for skate renting
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:
[…] What to do in December in Bucharest? […]
Really interest blog Iulia thank you! I will use it when I’m next in your lovely home town over the Christmas period!
Thank you! I will update it whenever necessary, so you can use the info whenever you come to Romania!