What to Wear to Christmas Markets & Best Packing Tips

This article will cover what you should bring, and what to wear to Christmas markets in Europe to make the very most of your trip! We’ve been going to European Christmas markets for years now, and have definitely learned from experience.

A crowded Christmas market with lots of overhead icicle lights, wooden huts, people bundled up in scarves and hats, and an illuminated Ferris wheel — *Christmas market in Poznan, Poland*

Christmas markets in Europe are every bit as magical as you’ve heard. The smell of roasting candied nuts and hot spiced wine, church bells ringing in the Medieval town squares, beautiful handmade crafts, twinkling lights, and a feeling of cozy cheer that’s just indescribable! But nothing can burst your Christmas bubble like being cold and miserable, having your phone die, or kicking yourself for not bringing that one perfect thing that would have made your trip so much better.

Fear not, Christmas traveler! We’ve got you covered. Here are the hacks, tips, tricks, and must-haves for your best market experience!

Things to Pack for Christmas market traveling

Portable battery charger (or two)

This is the thing I have most often kicked myself over. Trust me you are going to want to take LOTS of pictures, and there aren’t really any places to charge your phone at the markets. Plus your phone will lose charge faster in the cold, so that’s double the reason to bring one along. We use one by Goal Zero and love it, but there are all kinds of phone chargers you can choose from.

When choosing a charger, make sure it works with your phone (obviously!), and that it will fit inside your bag comfortably. Also consider how much juice it will give you, and also how heavy it will be. Ideally you’ll want your phone to last a good 12 hours of regular photo and video usage.

And don’t forget to bring the charging cord!

Ziploc bags and paper towels

Why you ask? At Christmas markets, you can buy a mug of glühwein (hot spiced wine) or hot chocolate, or any number of other hot drinks, and they will hand it to you in a cute Christmas mug. You’ll pay a few euros as a deposit and you can either return the mug and get your money back, or keep the mug as a souvenir.

A woman's hand in a fingerless mitten holds a black mug that says Weihnactsmarkt Ravennaschlucht

When you decide you want to keep it, you can just wipe it out with a paper towel and put it in your Ziploc bag to keep everything in your bag from getting sticky. Ask me how I know?

Collecting market mugs is a popular way to have a great souvenir that’s inexpensive and practical!

Phone lanyard

Losing your phone, or having it pickpocketed is even worse than having it die, so find a phone lanyard and hang it around your neck. This will also allow you to keep your phone close to your body and warm so it doesn’t lose charge as fast. There are all kinds of phone lanyards, and some even have cross-body design.

Air tag/Smart tag

I’m a huge fan of the air/smart tag. You can get a phone case with a pocket to fit your air tag, you can put one in your bag, your wallet, your kid’s pocket, your dog’s collar… If there’s anything you want to keep track of, there’s your solution.

I use my Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 whenever I go anywhere. Why? Because I lost my wallet in Erfurt, Germany, and didn’t have one in it. And I never got it back. What a gigantic pain in the neck. Don’t be me.

Since getting them, I’ve been able to successfully track my wayward luggage on more than one occasion. Definitely worth the investment, and easy to use. You can get just one SmartTag, but I opted for the 4-pack and I use every one.

A woman't hand holding a black Samsung Galaxy tag

Folding duffel or tote bag

Needless to say, if you’re going to be buying some of the amazing and unique products you’re sure to find at the markets, you want to have a sturdy bag to carry them. Make sure it’s one of the ones that folds small, and pack it in your luggage for use at the markets. If it can go over your shoulder, even better so you can keep hands free for your phone and your glühwein.

Small backpack

If you’d rather not use a tote bag or duffel, a backpack will allow maximum mobility and room to store small items you buy. Waterproof is a bonus!

A man walking away from the camera on a snowy road. He has hiking shoes, jeans, a warm grey down coat, a hat and an olive green backpack — *My husband and his new waterproof roll-top backpack hiking to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market*

Plenty of Euro coins

Remember that you may need to pay anywhere from 20 cents to a euro to use public restrooms in Europe. Be sure to have 20 cent, 50 cent, and 1 euro coins. They also come in handy for tipping, for making cash payments for small items, as a deposit for grocery shopping carts, and other things you might not expect.

I usually carry about 10 euros worth of coins in various denominations.

A woman't hand holding a 20 euro note, and four coins - 2 euros, 1 euro, 50 cents, and 20 cents

Cash

Many Christmas market vendors do not accept credit cards. Know this in advance and be prepared. Christmas markets are usually located in the Old Town in the center of the city so there should be ATMs available close by, but it’s nice not to have to track them down if you don’t have to.

Hand and toe warmers, or battery-operated pocket warmers

Always be prepared for snow, rain, sleet, fog, and dampness. You may be lucky and miss bad weather, but the odds are not in your favor. Either disposable hand/toe warmers, or the battery-operated kind will vastly improve your experience if you get cold or damp.

I’ve used these hand/toe warmers many many times, even when I lived in Alaska. They do the job.

Small roll of toilet paper or tissues

You never know when you may find a bathroom with no toilet paper, so bring a Plan B with you, even if it’s just a travel pack of Kleenex. If you don’t want to lug around a whole roll of toilet paper, just fold some and store in a Ziploc bag.

Usually you will find clean, well-stocked restroom facilities at the markets, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Bubble wrap or newspaper

If you want to be super prepared, pack a few sheets of bubble wrap or newspaper to wrap any delicate purchases.

Luggage organizers/Packing cubes

Keeping the contents of your bag from shifting around will minimize breakage and damage. Luggage organizers/packing cubes help with this, and also keep things packed up and safe if you are moving around, or unpacking and repacking items out of your suitcase.

What to Wear to Christmas Markets in Europe

There’s one main rule to keep in mind when choosing what to wear to Christmas markets in Central or Northern Europe – practicality. This is not to say you can’t look cute for photo opps, but the main thing you should be focusing on is having a capsule wardrobe of outerwear that is adaptable to rain, snow, wind, and freezing temperatures.

Outdoor tables willed with people bathed in pinkish red light and huge lit up letters spelling XMAS — *Christmas Town in Valkenburg, Netherlands*

Anyone who is a regular Christmas market attendee knows it’s more about staying warm and comfortable than what you look like. Because the purpose of the markets is to enjoy and create great memories, not to be wet and cold and having to call it an early day.

Heated scarf or vest

I’ve heard great reviews of heated scarves, and heated vests from folks who are hitting the Alpine or Northern markets where the weather will be coldest. They are also great if you live in a warm area and your body isn’t used to the cold. Keeping your core snuggy warm can make all the difference.

I’ve never been cold enough to wish I had these, but then again I’ve lived in cold climates most of my life. So if you’re a hothouse flower, think about picking one up!

Long Johns, Silkies, or Leggings

Layers, layers, layers! Your mother was right. A thin underlayer will help retain your body heat and insulate you to keep you warm. You may not need to use them but check the weather before you go out and prepare in advance! Again, thin is best for packability, and to fit comfortably under your clothes. And you don’t want to overheat either!

Warm Accessories

Try to choose items that pack small and insulate well. You’ll definitely want to bring a hat, scarf, gloves or mittens, warm socks (smartwool socks are great!).

What to wear to Christmas markets — Christmas Market, Strasbourg, France

The good news is, if you forget any of these things, there are always booths that sell all kinds of beautiful woolens and hand-made accessories to choose from. My husband picked up a hand-knit green “elf hat” at the Christmas market in Dortmund and wore it all season long.

Fingerless gloves or mittens with flaps

If you lose gloves and mittens like I do, here’s your solution. These allow you to use your phone, find change in your wallet, and all number of things without taking your gloves on and off (until one inevitably gets lost). I picked up some warm lined wool fingerless mittens at the Freiburg, Germany Christmas market that have become my absolute favorite! They even have thumb holes, and let me take pictures without having to pull them off!

Sturdy Footwear

You will definitely want to have waterproof or at-minimum water-resistant footwear. Cold wet feet will make you miserable and could even lead to frostbite. So choose good, sturdy shoes with thick soles and adequate support that are lightweight. Cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks are everywhere in Europe.

Money belt or secure inside pocket

Since you will be carrying cash around, make sure to keep it and your other valuables secure where they can’t be lost or stolen. I have personally never had a problem or been pickpocketed at a Christmas market, but it’s always possible so take precautions like using a money belt, or make sure your coat has a zip-able inside pocket.

Secure and theft-proof cross-body bag that zips shut!

If you’re carrying more than just cash and ID, cross-body bags work really well. I have an anti-theft bag from Travelon and it’s my go to market bag. I wear it as a cross-body bag and always keep it in front of me. It has a slash-resistant mesh on all sides, a slash-resistant and lock-down strap; locking compartments; and an RFID-blocking organizer for credit and debit cards. I feel like a walking bank safe!

A small over-shoulder bag with a light blue geometric pattern

I have the Classic Mini Shoulder Bag which comes in many patterns and colors. But there are all kinds of sizes and styles available. You can browse Travelon bags here.

Windproof, waterproof jacket

We’re all dreaming of a white Christmas, but winter rain in Europe is real, and you should definitely be prepared for it. Find a good waterproof and windproof jacket and you’ll be very glad you did.

Long coat

If your butt gets cold, you will be so very glad to have a long coat. If luggage space is tight, just wear it on to the airplane, or throw it over your arm and put it in the overhead bin if you are flying. Lightweight but warm puffy coats with hoods are ideal rather than heavy wool. Mine goes down to my knees.

Rain poncho or umbrella

When you’re thinking of what to wear to Christmas markets, you may not be thinking of rain gear, but do! Small, foldable plastic rain ponchos are super handy to have and allow you to maneuver around the market without putting someone’s eye out with your umbrella.

If you do prefer an umbrella, make it small, compact, and easy to stash in a deep coat pocket or your backpack or bag. I lost my favorite umbrella because it was too long, even when collapsed, and it fell out of my pocket.

Booths at the Dusseldorf Christmas market made to look like little decorated townhouses — *Christmas market in Dusseldorf, Germany*

Things to Do Before You Go to the Christmas Markets

🗣 Download the Google Translate app, and also download the language of the country(ies) you will visit on to your phone so you can use the app while in airplane mode or when you have no cell service.

🧻 Download the Flush app to find public restrooms. There are often temporary and very clean restroom trailers with flushing toilets and sinks at markets, but they don’t appear on the app.

✈️ Put your phone in airplane mode to save battery life. If you get separated from someone, remember to turn it back on.

🧥 Have a warm place to keep your phone to make it last longer – on a lanyard inside your coat, in a warm pocket.

⛪️ Decide on a meeting point and time with other members of your group in case you get separated.

🌧 Check the local weather forecast the day of the market, and dress for it!

✅ Bookmark this post, and go down the checklist to make sure you didn’t forget anything!

🚉 Use the Rome2Rio website to plot your trip, and find the best ways to get from Point A to Point B by train, bus, and car. They also tell you the closest airports to your destination.

🗺 Investigate the market location on Google Maps and plan how you will get there, where to park if needed, where the train station is, how long of a walk it is from your hotel to the market, and familiarize yourself with the terrain.

💶 If the euro is not your local currency, check and see what the exchange rate is so you know how much you are spending, and be sure to have enough with you.

🚨 There is no 9-1-1 in Europe, but there is a 1-1-2! Remember it or put it in your phone, just in case of an emergency.

Have a Great Time at the Christmas Markets!

A large illuminated sign over a street saying Weihnachtsmarkt and a line of trees covered in little white lights, and a booth that says Crêpes, Germknodel. — Christmas Market, Dortmund, Germany

Congratulations for thinking ahead and researching what you should bring and what to wear to Christmas markets. By taking some time to prepare, you’ve guaranteed you’re going to have a better, more comfortable, less stressful, and more magical Christmas market trip!