Strasbourg Christmas Market (Christkindelsmaerik)

Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570, and outperforms #4 Prague in historical pedigree by nearly three centuries. Drawing over 2 million visitors annually, it features 300+ chalets on the Grande Ile, making it more than double the size of the runner-up market in stall count. Each year, the Alsatian capital transforms into the 'Capital of Christmas' with a 30-meter-high grand fir tree and 80% locally sourced handcrafted goods. Visitors can taste traditional bredeles cookies, and over 400,000 glasses of mulled wine are served per season—30% more than the average European market.