Romania events: The calendar of 2023 Christmas markets

The local season of Christmas markets kicked off with the opening of the markets in Sibiu and Craiova. More are scheduled to open between the end of November and December 1, adding to the tourist offer of the cities that host them.

Sibiu Christmas Market

November 17 – January 2

The event that started the trend of Christmas markets locally returns with an edition gathering more than 100 exhibitors, a third of them present for the first time in Sibiu. The market, which takes place in Sibiu’s Grand Square, is expanding this year to the courtyard of the Brukenthal Palace, where handmade products, pastry items from producers from Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca, a bar, and many culinary surprises will be available.

Among the market’s main attractions are the light projections on the buildings in the Grand Square, Santa’s Workshop, the Ferris wheel, the tourist train, and the ice skating rink. The program also includes various concerts, set to take place on the stage set up inside the palace’s courtyard. Jazz groups, classical music artists, Andi Moisescu, DJ Antenna, DJ Vasile, and Nopame will perform throughout the fair.

Elsewhere in Sibiu county, Biertan, known for its fortified church included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage, will host the first edition of its Christmas market between December 15 and December 17. Hosman will host the fifth edition of its Christmas market on December 16, when the public is expected around its fortified church with a program for both grownups and children and products from Valea Hârtibaciului.

Craiova Christmas Market

November 17 – January 2

The event, which this year has a theme that revolves around the story of the Snow Queen, takes place in four venues in Craiova, namely the Old Town, William Shakespeare Square, Doljana, and Mihai Viteazul Square. More than 70 sellers from Craiova and the country will be present at the market with traditional food products, hand-made gifts, and decorations. An ice skating rink, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel brought from the Netherlands, creative workshops and concerts are all part of the event.

Timișoara Christmas Market

November 26 – January 7

In addition to the series of events part of the city’s European Capital of Culture Program, several places in Timișoara will host the Christmas market, namely Victoriei Square, Libertății Square, Sfântul Gheorghe Square, Soarelui and Aurora. Of the close to 83 sellers that will be present in the city’s central area, 23 will showcase non-food items. There will be two Santa’s workshops, an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, two merry-go-rounds, and a tourist train. The opening of the fair coincides with the turning on of the city’s festive lighting. Meanwhile, the Christmas tree will be set up in Victoriei Square, in front of the city’s Opera House.