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European Christmas Markets with Kids Packing List
Christmas-market cold is standing-still cold: families need warmer feet and longer layers than a normal city walk, plus coins for the rituals and toilets.
Updated July 2026
Quick answer
For a November–December market circuit, pack thermal bases, fleece mids, long waterproof coats, wool socks, insulated waterproof boots, and front-worn bags. Ceramic mugs use a €2–5 Pfand deposit, refundable when returned; carry coins for that and €0.50–1 toilets. Markets often open around 10–11am, making the first hour easiest with children. With roughly 8 hours of December daylight, visit at opening, warm up indoors midday, then return around 4:30pm for lights.
At a glance
- Mug Pfand:
- Usually €2–5, refunded on return
- Pay toilets:
- Often €0.50–1
- Family window:
- First hour after 10–11am opening
- December daylight:
- Roughly 8 hours; darkness around 4:30pm
Sample checklist preview
7 days · 2 adults · 2 childrenWhat the generator starts with for this trip type — you can edit everything in the next step.
- Jacket×1
- Coats×1
- Sweaters×1
- Gloves×1
- Dress Shirts×2
- Dresses×3
- T-shirts×4
- Pants×3
- Shorts×4
- Socks×6
- Underwear×6
- Sleepwear×3
The full generator adjusts these for weather, laundry, travelers, and destination.
What actually matters at Christmas markets
- •Dress for 2–3 hours standing: thermal base, fleece mid, long coat, wool socks, and insulated waterproof boots for each child.
- •Carry €10–20 in coins and small notes for €2–5 mug Pfand deposits and €0.50–1 pay toilets.
- •Return a mug for the deposit or keep it as a souvenir; stalls commonly swap the used mug for a clean one when asked.
- •Arrive at 10–11am opening for the first crowd-light hour, then use a museum and lunch during the colder midday block.
- •Order Kinderpunsch at Glühwein stalls so children join the hot-drink ritual without alcohol.
- •Baby-wear infants on cobblestones and set hand-holding rules for older children; dense evening crowds make full-size strollers difficult.
- •Wear backpacks and phones in front because packed market lanes concentrate pickpocket opportunity.
- •Plan around roughly 8 December daylight hours: opening market, indoor midday, lights after about 4:30pm.
Typical weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C / 37°F | −1°C / 30°F | 8 |
| Feb | 6°C / 43°F | 0°C / 32°F | 7 |
| Mar | 11°C / 52°F | 3°C / 37°F | 8 |
| Apr | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | 8 |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 11°C / 52°F | 9 |
| Jun | 24°C / 75°F | 15°C / 59°F | 9 |
| Jul | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 9 |
| Aug | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 8 |
| Sep | 21°C / 70°F | 13°C / 55°F | 7 |
| Oct | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 7 |
| Nov | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 8 |
| Dec | 4°C / 39°F | 0°C / 32°F | 8 |
Typical monthly averages for planning. Check a forecast closer to your trip.
Seasonal things to plan around
- Late Nov–Dec weekendsPeak evening crowds and pickpockets; use opening hour and front-worn bags.
- DecemberAbout 8 daylight hours and freezing evenings; schedule indoor midday recovery.
- Rain/snow eventsWet cobbles become slippery; use waterproof boots with tread.
Common Christmas-market packing mistakes
- •Using city sneakers for 3 stationary hours at 2°C; insulated waterproof boots and wool socks prevent cold feet.
- •Arriving at 6pm with a double stroller; cobbles and peak crowds turn 500m into a slow squeeze.
- •Throwing away a €5 mug token or receipt; some stalls require it for the Pfand refund.
- •Carrying only cards; €0.50–1 toilets and some Pfand stalls still need coins.
- •Putting a phone in a rear pocket during Cologne or Strasbourg evening crowds; use a zipped front bag.
Notes by where you're traveling from
From the UK
- •London flights to the circuit cities take roughly 2 hours; rail works well between Cologne and Strasbourg.
- •Pack Type G-to-C/F adapters.
- •Use open-jaw flights to avoid backtracking.
From the US
- •Use an open-jaw Vienna/Frankfurt or Prague/Paris itinerary for a 7–10 day circuit.
- •Overnight flights plus 6–9 hour time change make day one light.
- •Pack Type A/B-to-C/F adapters.
From Canada
- •Toronto/Montreal routes commonly connect through Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, or London.
- •Bring Type A/B-to-C/F adapters.
- •Reserve family rail seats on peak December Fridays.
From Australia
- •Travel commonly exceeds 22 hours; combine markets with a longer Europe trip.
- •Bring Type I-to-C/F adapters.
- •Protect the first 24 hours from fixed evening bookings.
Venue and attraction rules
- Market mug stalls
- Pay €2–5 Pfand, return mug for refund, or request a clean replacement before keeping it.
- Market toilets
- Carry €0.50–1 coins; attendants and turnstiles may not accept foreign cards.
- Crowded historic centers
- Baby-wear infants, keep older children hand-held, and secure bags in front.
FAQ
What is Pfand at German Christmas markets?
Pfand is a refundable €2–5 mug deposit. Return the ceramic mug for the money, or keep it as a souvenir; many stalls will exchange the used mug for a clean one.
What time should families visit Christmas markets?
Arrive at opening, usually 10–11am, for the quietest hour. Warm up in a museum over lunch, then return after darkness around 4:30pm for lights.
Can children drink Glühwein?
Glühwein contains alcohol, but nearly every market sells Kinderpunsch, a hot non-alcoholic fruit-and-spice drink, often in the same deposit mug.
Should we bring a stroller to European Christmas markets?
A compact stroller can work at opening, but cobblestones and dense evening crowds are difficult. Baby-wear infants and let older children walk with strict hand-holding rules.
How should kids dress for Christmas markets?
Use a thermal base, fleece or wool mid-layer, long waterproof coat, hat, gloves, wool socks, and insulated waterproof boots. Standing for 2 hours feels colder than walking.
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