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Christmas Markets

Explore More
 Europe Shines Brighter During the Christmas Season

Europe Shines Brighter During the Christmas Season

Experience the magic of an Old World Christmas on a wintertime river sailing in Europe. Explore the origins of cherished holiday rituals and enjoy the cheerful ambience of bustling Christmas markets—each with its own unique character. From joyful decorations to the warm aroma of sumptuous treats, the inviting spirit of the season comes alive with festive charm. Join us on an upcoming voyage in Europe and perhaps find inspiration to start a new Christmas tradition.

Christmas Market Itineraries

From twinkling lights to warming beverages, an array of magical moments awaits you in colorful Christmas markets located in iconic cities across Germany, France, Austria, Hungary and beyond. Celebrate the romance of the yuletide season in the heart of Europe when you join us on one of the enriching river journeys below.

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Christmas on the Rhine

Amsterdam to Basel
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
8 tours
4 countries
$4,199 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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Christmas on the Danube

Budapest to Regensburg
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
6 tours
3 countries
$4,199 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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Danube Christmas Delights

Budapest to Passau
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

8 days
6 tours
4 countries
$4,199 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

Paris to Zürich
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

12 days
10 tours
4 countries
$5,699 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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Christmas on the Main & Moselle

Paris to Prague
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

12 days
10 tours
4 countries
$5,999 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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NEW! Christmas on the Rhine & Main

Nuremberg to Basel
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

11 days
9 tours
3 countries
$5,999 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
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Christmas Along the Elbe

Berlin to Prague
Reduced Airfare | Special Fares | $25 Deposit

10 days
7 tours
2 countries
$5,999 from
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  • PRICE & BUILD
Explore More
  • Top 10 Christmas Markets Highlights View Our Top Ten
  • Did You Know?
    Discover the many benefits of exploring Europe with us on a Christmas Markets itinerary.
    Learn More

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

Discover Extensions

Enjoy additional days before or after your Christmas Market itinerary to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of intriguing land extensions.

  • Switzerland: Lucerne at Christmas

    2 Nights

  • Germany: Munich & Salzburg at Christmas

    4 Nights

    Fully Guided
  • Switzerland: Scenic Swiss Alps in Winter by Train

    4 Nights

    Fully Guided
  • Germany: Innsbruck & Bavaria at Christmas

    3 Nights

    Fully Guided
Explore More

Viking Longships 360° Tour

Discover our award-winning Viking Longships® that showcase innovative engineering, streamlined Scandinavian design and understated elegance. Our ships provide unprecedented levels of comfort, including spacious staterooms with full-size verandas and the most al fresco dining on any waterway.

Take a Tour

Recipes

Find inspiration to recreate the flavors of traditional European holiday treats at home.

  • Glühwein

    Around Christmastime, local holiday markets in the main squares and public houses in nearly every European town offer glühwein(hot mulled wine) as a delicious antidote to the season’s chill. To warm up on a stormy evening or put yourself in a celebratory mood, make your own at home. It is an easy, delightful way to share the holiday with friends.

    View Recipe
  • Bûche De Noël

    This grand dessert is a descendant of the medieval subtlety—food disguised to look like something else. Here, chocolate cake masquerades as the traditional yule log for a long winter’s night. Although making the log look realistic can be challenging, even a simple approach is great fun to make and delightful to serve on a holiday evening.

    View Recipe
  • Lebkuchen

    Spiced and nutty in flavor, these traditional German Christmas cookies are a form of gingerbread. The best-known are Nürnberger Lebkuchen, which are often presented in ornately decorated tins or boxes. These cookies are the modern descendants of medieval gingerbread, which was typically a combination of spices, honey and dried bread crumbs.

    View Recipe
View All Viking Recipes

Videos

Learn about the vibrant cities that await your exploration by watching selections from our Destination Insights library and Viking.TV, our award-winning enrichment channel.

  • Christmas Markets (3:10)

    Witness the beauty, romance and spirit of the holidays come alive at Europe’s colorful Christmas markets when you join Viking on a festive river cruise during November or December.

  • Cooking with Karine: Gingerbread (2:22)

    Join Karine as she learns the art of making gingerbread at Passau’s Café Simon, established more than 100 years ago. Sample some on our late fall cruises along Europe’s great rivers.

  • Explore Christmas traditions with guest lecturer Dan Jones, PhD (46:58)

    Enjoy insights into the origins of beloved holiday customs — along with a few surprises — with guest lecturer Dan Jones, PhD,who presents “The A-Z of Christmas.”

  • Immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season in Amsterdam and Cologne (29:54)

    Join our Ambassador-at-Large Jean Newman Glock, as she visits two festive ports on our 8-day Christmas on the Rhine journey.

View More Videos

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Footnote

*FREE airfare on select departures of Grand European Tour, Capitals of Eastern Europe, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland,  London, Paris & D-Day, Pharaohs & Pyramids and European Sojourn, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy, Magnificent Mekong, plus select Asia, Australia, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, Canada, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, South America and Antarctica itineraries.
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© Viking Cruises, 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Footnote

*FREE airfare on select departures of Grand European Tour, Capitals of Eastern Europe, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland,  London, Paris & D-Day, Pharaohs & Pyramids and European Sojourn, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy, Magnificent Mekong, plus select Asia, Australia, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, Canada, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, South America and Antarctica itineraries.

Company Information

  • Contact Us
  • Speak with a Viking Agent
  • Order a Brochure
  • Special Offers
  • Sweepstakes
  • Travel Advisors
  • FAQ
  • Media Center
  • About Us
  • Investor Relations
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  • Site Map
  • Health & Safety Program
  • Legal
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Viking River Cruises

  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Egypt
  • Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

  • Scandinavia
  • British Isles & Ireland
  • North America
  • Caribbean & Central America
  • South America
  • Mediterranean
  • Quiet Season Mediterranean
  • Asia
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • World Cruises
  • Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

  • Antarctica
  • The Arctic
  • Great Lakes
  • North America
  • South America
  • Grand Journeys
  • Longitudinal World Cruises

Call Viking at Call Viking at 1-800-207-7286 1-800-207-7286 Viking Cruises Viking
© Viking Cruises, 2025. All Rights Reserved.

2025-2028 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES: Offer applies to bookings made from October 1-31 2025. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn,  Capitals of Eastern Europe, London, Paris & D-Day, Pharaohs & Pyramids, Magnificent Mekong, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy.  Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in CA dollars and for CA residents only. Additional restrictions may apply.

2025: At time of booking
2026: Pay in full by November 30, 2025.
2027: Pay in full by April 30, 2026.
2028: Pay in full by January 15, 2027. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offers Expires October 31, 2025.

$25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to March 2026 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to May 2026 & onward departures.

AIR UPGRADE: Upgrade to Premium Economy or Business at additional cost based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit Airline Luggage Restrictions. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

To learn more about allowances and general airline information visit Airline Information & Restrictions.

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS: Offer expires October 31, 2025.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS: Cruise fares listed are cruise only in CAD dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and for CA residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings made October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025, are subject to availability; may not be combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Credit. Special cruise fares are based upon published full cruise fares; cruise fares do not include prepaid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full cruise fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to economy, roundtrip flights only from select Viking River Cruises CA gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract.

NOTE: North American flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.