Brasov Christmas Market 2024: The Magic of Winter

Brasov is a beautiful city set against the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains. It’s one of the busier cities in Romania, but it in no way gets overcrowded like in other European destinations, especially in winter.

When planning a winter visit, add a stop at the Brasov Christmas Market and Magic of Winter event. Read on for 2024 dates, locations and local specialities.

Brasov Christmas Market

Dates – Unconfirmed

Brasov Christmas Market dates: 27th November 2024 to 3rd January 2025 (unconfirmed).

Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in October. Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Piața Sfatului (Council Square).
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: Castle tour including Peles and Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle).
Public transport: Buses run frequently but it’s easier to walk if you’re staying in the centre.
Parking: Public Parking Regina Maria is one of the largest parking garages.
Where to stay: Oldern House is a highly-rated hotel, 7 minutes from the square.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: The Christmas tree and lights switch-on takes place on 6th December (unconfirmed) for Saint Nicholas Day at Council Square.
Santa: Yes, at Santa’s House from 15th to 23rd December (unconfirmed).
Ice skating: Yes.
Reason to visit: Set in historic town square, unique Romanian crafts; interesting range of gourmet food, plenty to see in the area.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Mici sausages, cozonac sweet bread, cabbage rolls, sweet pastries; kürtőskalács (chimney cake).

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

Brasov Old Town is relatively small and easy to get around. If you stay between Nicolae Titulescu Park and the base of Tâmpa Hill, you’ll be central.

Several hotels and guesthouses are available in this area. I stayed at Oldern House and you can see it gets excellent reviews.

Recommended Tours

There’s plenty to see on a city tour. These are usually worthwhile because you get to meet a local who shares interesting details and insights. I always like to ask about good places to eat when I take one. I’d recommend taking a tour on your first day to get an overview of things to do. Ask at your hotel about local guides.

This part of Romania is famous for its stunning castles, like Peles Castle and Bran Castle. Bran is the one we know as Dracula’s Castle and is interesting to visit, but I found Peles to be more beautiful and decorative. This castle tour from Brasov covers both and is an easy way to see them in one day.

Event Location

Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!

Christmas in Brasov

The cosy market includes around 40 stalls that surround a Christmas tree. The colourful Baroque buildings and the famous Black Church are the highlights here.

Romana has some of the most beautiful folk crafts, like hand-woven textiles and woodwork. These are very different from what you’ll find at the big European markets. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it’s very affordable for international visitors.

Of course, you’ll find food stalls serving traditional specialties, and there are local performers and entertainment too. The atmosphere is generally fun and easygoing in this part of the world.

Regional Specialties

Sarmale: Romania’s famous cabbage rolls.
Salată de boeuf: Salad made with boiled vegetables, pickles, diced beef and a mayonnaise dressing.
Tocanita de legume: A vegetable stew with bell peppers, aubergines and zucchini simmered in a tomato-based sauce.
Cozonac: A semi-sweet bread with swirls of cocoa topped with raisins and walnuts.

Food at the Stalls

Vin fiert: Romanian version of mulled wine.
Kürtőskalács: Known in English as chimney cake, but it’s particularly loved here in Transylvania, where it originates. It’s made by winding dough around a wooden spit, sprinkling it generously with sugar, and then slowly roasting it over charcoal. As it cools, the sugar hardens, forming a crispy crust around the soft, fluffy interior.
Mici: Literally meaning ‘little ones’, mici are small, skinless sausages. One of the most popular street foods in Romania.
Pretzels: Or ‘covrigi’ as they are locally known. They’re usually best sprinkled with coarse sea salt or poppy seeds.
Bratwurst: International snacks like German bratwurst are also available.

What to Buy

Baubles: Hand-painted glass ornaments.
Ceramics: Often sourced from the Horezu region, these ceramics are typically decorated with geometric, animal or bird motifs.
Embroidered Textiles: Romania is renowned for its folk textiles with vibrant floral or geometric patterns stitched onto the fabric.
Wooden Items: Ornate spoons, simple bowls and unique chess sets are some of the specialties.
Jams and Preserves: Made from locally grown fruits such as plums, raspberries, blackberries and local honey.
Local Spirits: For a more spirited souvenir, look for bottles of ţuică and palincă, traditional Romanian brandies.

Travel Information

To help you explore Brasov and the surrounding region, Romania Tourism can be a useful resource to get you started or for help with dates and locations of museums and concerts.

Aerial view looking down on Brasov's historic city centre.

Sustainability Tips

Use Public Transport: Buses are the most popular way to get around.
Explore on Foot or by Bike: Brasov’s compact city centre is perfect for exploration on foot or by bike. Bike rental services, like Brasov Bike Rent, are an eco-friendly travel alternative.
Eco-friendly Hotels: Book a hotel that implements sustainable practices and uses renewable energy sources.
Minimise Food Waste: Although it’s tempting to try many things, try to only order what you can eat to avoid unnecessary food waste.
Ethical Consumption: When purchasing gifts or souvenirs, consider their source and impact. Choose items made by local artisans and that are sold directly by the makers or from the region.
Sustainable Diets: Romanian cuisine has many delicious plant-based dishes.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.