The holiday season is upon us as two of the country’s largest Christmas markets open to visitors this weekend, with more to follow this month. A selection of what’s happening and when is below.

The Christmas market in Sibiu

November 15 – January 5

The longest-running event of this type in the country expanded this year from Piața Mare a Sibiului to several other locations. This year’s edition, titled Christmas Unboxedinclude a 22-meter Ferris wheel and a 600-square-meter ice rink, which can accommodate up to 300 people at a time, among the attractions of Piața Mare. The same square houses Santa’s workshopwhere children can participate in activities such as mosaic and paper-making workshops. Piața de Jos (Little Market) hosts The land of Santa Clausa place dedicated to children, with a carousel, train and Santa’s sleigh. The protrusions on the facades of the buildings in the square are set to add extra sparkle. Meanwhile, in Huet Square, visitors can enjoy a stroll under an illuminated tree installation.

This year, the fair will bring 120 exhibitors from Romania, as well as international artisans from Israel, Hungary and Italy. Another premiere this year is the Sibiu Christmas Shuttle bus, which will cross the Olt Valley to bring visitors from Bucharest to Sibiu. Excursions will depart from Bucharest in the first two weekends of December.

The Christmas market in Craiova

November 15 – January 5

After being named among the most beautiful in Europe, the event aims to maintain its status with an edition inspired by the story of Beauty and the Beast and a fairy tale atmosphere. Several markets in the city will host the event, each with different concepts, from Star Wars to Santa’s Village. The main locations are Mihai Viteazul Square, Frații Buzești Square, National Theater Square, Doljana and Casa Băniei. The program of the event also includes numerous concerts.

The Christmas market in Bucharest

November 29 – December 26

Held in Piața Constituției in Bucharest, the event awaits its visitors with activities and attractions dedicated to the whole family. It will feature a 30 meter high Christmas tree, a craft and craft fair, carol concerts and international music. More than 130 stalls will host artisans and producers from all corners of Romania, with products as varied as ceramics, icons and objects of worship, wooden items, metal, cloth, leather, fur, glass, wool felt, in addition to various products food. .

Children can visit Santa’s House, where they can write their wishes in words and drawings. For 11 days, Santa Claus will be present to listen to children’s wishes and share his Christmas stories with them, together with his elves. On weekend mornings, the little ones can watch a series of shows specially created for them.

The carousels in Constitution Square promise to be a top attraction, the Ferris wheel will offer a unique view of the city, while the themed train will be ready to take visitors on a fairytale journey.

Christmas Story Fair @ Bucharest Children’s Opera

November 15 – December 29

The event features 112 performances scheduled in the institution’s performance halls, while the courtyard will host attractions and interactive activities for visitors of all ages. This fair features a variety of special activities, including Elf Workshops, where children and families can participate in activities such as creating Christmas decorations, modeling gingerbread figures and making traditional wreaths.

Other attractions are the Santa’s Sleigh VR Adventure, Santa’s Sleigh Ride, the Grinch’s Grotto – which offers children the opportunity to discover how the one who wanted to steal Christmas transformed, the Magic Elevator – which allows the little ones to reach and faster at Santa Claus, Children’s Center. The Ice Rink, the Toy Carousel, the Magic Wheel – which offers an unmissable panorama of the fair, the Reindeer Court and the Carol Stage.

One of the attractions offered for the first time this year is the Time Tunnel, where participants can meet two emblematic figures from Romania’s history: Queen Maria and King Ferdinand. This experience is also an opportunity to mark Romania’s National Day, celebrated on December 1, the commemoration of the Great Union of 1918, achieved under the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria. At the same time, a new horse show will take place outdoors between December 20 and December 29.

West Side Christmas Market in Bucharest

November 28 – December 27

For the fourth consecutive year, the Drumul Taberei Park in the 6th District of Bucharest is hosting the event that will include tens of thousands of lights, colorful ornaments, fairy-tale houses, a Christmas tree, fairy-tale characters and much more. Among the main attractions are the Ferris wheel, the ice rink, a carousel and a children’s train and, last but not least, Santa’s House. Artists such as Direcția 5, Fuego, Alina Sorescu, Gașca Zurli and others will perform at the event organized by Untold Universe.

The Christmas market in Brașov

November 29 – January 7

The town hall purchased 65 new stalls for this year’s edition of the event that takes place in Piața Sfatului, where a 29-meter high Christmas tree has already been set up. With a visible 26 meters above the ground and weighing about 17 tons, the tree is one of the tallest ever displayed in the city, the local government said.

Christmas market in Timișoara

November 30 – January 5

On Saint Andrew, when the traditional lights will be lit in the city center, the opening of the market is scheduled. Nearly 100 vendors signed up to bring goodies, decorations and many other gifts to the event. There will be kurtos, pancakes, langos, doughnuts, pies, cheeses and charcuterie, mulled wine, must, palinka or hot chocolate. More stalls with holiday products will also arrive at locations in the city’s neighborhoods. The square will include, among other attractions, an ice rink, a carousel, an electric train, a Ferris wheel and a tourist train.

Christmas Planet in Cluj-Napoca

November 22 – January 1

One of the two Christmas fairs organized by Untold Universe in Cluj takes place in Piața Unirii and promises attractions such as a Ferris wheel with a light show, a story carousel and a VR sled, where the curious will be able to enjoy a hike with virtual reality equipment on the reindeer path to Santa’s home in Lapland. At Santa’s House, young visitors will be able to take photos, meet the one who brings everyone presents and participate in more than 20 different creative workshops. The characters Crăciunir, Frim, Ona, Mira and Rexy will be present to maintain the festive atmosphere. The performing line-up will consist of beloved bands and artists known for Christmas carols.

The winter fair in Cluj-Napoca

December 1 – February 15

Held on the stage of the Horia Demian Sports Hall, the event comes with interactive activities and numerous stalls hosting local producers and artisans. It will also feature a lavish ice rink and carousel, while its opening will feature a performance by professional skaters.

Christmas fair in Oradea

November 29 – December 26

Stalls with goodies, sweets, handmade gifts and more await visitors. The evenings will be enlivened by traditional carol performances and concerts by top artists in what promises to be a fairytale atmosphere.

The Christmas market in Iasi

November 30 – January 5

The event will be organized on Ştefan cel Mare si Sfânt Boulevard – IC Brătianu Street – Piaţa Unirii, where the stalls decorated with lights will be installed. In total, over 110 illuminated figurines will be set up in the city, three 2.5 meter 3D figures located in the center of Iași. As happens every year, festive electric lighting installations will be arranged along the main arteries in the central area, but not only. The town hall announced that 22 large Christmas trees will be decorated with light installations and installed on Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard, Piața Unirii, Păcurari (Mimoza), Tătărași (Oancea), CUG (Rond vechi), Nicolina (Esplanade I), Alexandru cel Bun (Piața Voievozilor), Podu Roș, Ateneu and other locations, in addition to the 500 Christmas trees in pots to be placed in various places in the city.

(Opening photo: Ahmadrizal7373 | Dreamstime.com)

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