In Bucharest, the winter feels different. You can feel like you step into a super festive fairytale. We love to see the colorful lights, eat the traditional foods and sing the festive songs. It doesn’t matter where you come from, because Bucharest welcomes you to its Winter Wonderland with joy.
In the holiday season, every person who’s coming to Bucharest, can have a unique experience. We recommend you visit the Bucharest Christmas market with your family or friends. You’ll find many great activities to explore. In this article, we’ll show you what you can do here, in order to have the best time visiting this beautiful city.
Christmas market Bucharest: visit Piața Constituției (Constitution Square)
If you come in this city in the winter holiday season, we recommend you visit Piața Constituției. This is the main square in the city and it gets super festive in the winter. It’s right below the Palace of the Parliament, and every winter, the square turns into a beautiful scene out of a Christmas story.
In this square, there’re over a hundred chalets made of wood, where the locals sell a variety of things. You can buy handmade ornaments, traditional sweets and souvenirs. The giant Christmas tree sparkles above it all, while the families line up to take pictures of Santa’s House. Children can enjoy a variety of carousels and small rides.
Besides the Bucharest Christmas market, the square comes alive on New Year’s Eve. The Bucharest City Hall organizes a big open-air concert and a show with fireworks. Entry is free and any visitors and locals are welcome to enter the new year right in front of the Palace of the Parliament.
Step into Hala Laminor: an indoor Winter Wonderland
We all love diverse experiences. If you’re eager to have one, we recommend you head east to Hala Laminor. This is a historic industrial hall that was turned into the Laminor Winter Wonderland. Here’s you can find five themed lands, a Ferris wheel, Santa’s train and over 150 stalls filled with treats.
It’s free to enter and it stays open until January. The program runs Monday-Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Thursday-Sunday from 12:00 PM until midnight. Families can participate to workshops for kids, live concerts in the evenings and an outdoor ice rink.
The location of the hall is 256 Basarabia Boulevard. To get here, you can take one of the nearby tram lines. There’s also on-site parking available. Another way to get here, is by taking the M1 metro line to Republica station, followed by a short walk.
See the spectacular lights on Magheru Boulevard
There’s no way you come to Christmas market Bucharest and not see the lights on Magheru Boulevard. This is one of the simplest pleasures of winter here: taking a night ride and enjoying the view. The entire street is covered in festive lights and decorations. By all means, it is turned into a glowing corridor through the city center.
Therme Bucharest – a warm escape during Bucharest Christmas season
What could be better than enjoying the warm thermal water when outside is freezing? You have to spend a day at Therme Bucharest! This is one of the largest wellness and spa facilities in the entire Europe. It is located in the north part of the city, and it is open every day, from 9:00 AM until 11:00 PM.
In this complex, you’ll discover multiple themed zones:
- Galaxy – with pools and water slides
- The Palm – with tropical gardens, saunas and relaxation pools
- Elysium – dedicated to wellness rituals and premium spa experiences
The prices start at around 90-100 RON (18-20 euros) for a 3-hour pass, with full-day passes also available. The tickets for children and family packages make it accessible for all ages.
Shopping and skating at AFI Cotroceni
Speaking of cozy retreats, another great place to check out if you visit the Christmas market Bucharest, is AFI Cotroceni Mall. You can find the largest indoor skating rink in Bucharest, along with cinemas, climbing walls, and plenty of stores.
The skating rink is open year-round, but it becomes truly alive in December. So many families and teenagers glide under the twinkling lights, having a blast. You can spend half a day inside, without even noticing the cold outside!
Ice skating around Bucharest
When you’re visiting the Christmas market Bucharest, we recommend you shouldn’t forget about the outdoor ice rinks. They have that classic winter vibe, just like the one you see in the movies.
Our tip for you, is to go to the Cișmigiu Gardens because here’s one of the most popular rinks. Around the rink there’re trees with beautiful lights, giving it a super magical atmosphere. From 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM, you can skate as much as you want!
Seasons here, usually cost around 50 RON (10 euros) for an hour and a half. The skate rentals are available for 10-20 RON (5 euros). There are also other rinks you can go to, like Tineretului and Drumul Taberei, with lower prices. The entry is around 10-15 RON (4 euros), and the skate rental price is the same.
December 1st Military Parade and the National Military Museum
Every year, on December 1st, Bucharest celebrates Romania’s National Day. During this special day, a grand military parade is organized near the Arch de Triomphe. The scene is super impressive and one of the city’s most patriotic events. This parade starts around 10:00-11:00 AM and it’s free for everyone.
After the parade, you can head up to the National Military Museum. Of course, if you are passionate about history and would like to see uniforms, weapons, medals, and even tanks or planes. The museum is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The tickets are around 10 RON (2 euros).
Join a Bucharest Christmas concert at the Athenaeum
The Romanian Athenaeum is the beating heart of the classical music scene in Romania. This is an architectural masterpiece you cannot miss! In every December, the Athenaeum hosts special concerts, performed by the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. So, if you want a magical evening filled with elegance, we recommend you go to a festive concert at the Athenaeum!
The concert tickets can vary depending on the program. However, many fall in a range around 50-150 RON (10-30 euros). There’re also guided tours when there’s no concert and the entry costs around 15 RON (3 euros).
Have fun at wall climbing, stand-up comedy shows, and disco parties
Even if it’s Christmas season, no one says you should only do classic things. What if you try something more dynamic, like wall climbing? In Bucharest, indoor climbing gyms are super popular among the locals and the tourists. Here, you can find over-hanging sections and bouldering areas, perfect for experienced and unexperienced climbers.
If you want some lighthearted evening entertainment, you can check out a few stand-up shows in Bucharest. Clubs like Mojo in the Old Town host events that features international comics performing in English. These shows are great when you want to laugh and have a good time.
When the sun sets, Bucharest comes alive even during the Christmas season. There’re clubs around Lipscani and near Union Square that host many disco nights and holiday parties. Entry fees tend to vary depending on the night, the DJ or the event.
Have a culinary retreat at Haute Pepper Restaurant
What better way to relax after a full day of exploring, than to treat yourself with a refined meal? The answer: there isn’t one! After a day exploring Christmas market Bucharest, wind down your perfect winter day with a dining experience at Haute Pepper.
Step inside, and you’ll find a modern interior with a warm vibe, plus a cozy terrace from where you can see Unirii Boulevard and the Parliament beyond. You can come here super easily, because it’s located in central Bucharest. We await you to taste delicious dishes and have a special experience in this magical season!
Christmas market Bucharest: enjoy a memorable winter season
The winter season has always been the magical one. But here, in Bucharest, the magic is at a different level. We cannot express how beautiful everything is – you just have to come and see for yourself. And don’t worry – we assure you’ll discover something you’ll really enjoy.
The magic of winter can be felt everywhere in the city: in the sound of classical music, the joy of the December 1st Parade, the buzz of nightclubs, and so much more. But, after you experience what Bucharest has to offer, why not taste a delicious meal too?
We recommend you come and eat at our restaurant Haute Pepper, which is located in the heart of Bucharest. Here, you’ll eat something that you’ll definitely remember!
If you plan to come here this winter, you know what you have to do: get your coziest scarf, grab some hot chocolate or mulled wine, and discover how magical the holiday season can be here, in Bucharest!