What to Pack for a Christmas Market Trip
Stay warm, keep your hands free, and don’t miss the mulled wine
This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Christmas markets look effortless in photos, but most of them involve standing outside for hours on cold, often uneven, cobblestones, with your hands full of shopping bags and a cup of mulled wine. Getting the packing right makes the difference between a magical afternoon and a miserable one, so here’s exactly what I bring every time.
Layers
Markets run from late afternoon into the evening, so the temperature drops fast once the sun’s gone. Layering beats one heavy coat, because you can adjust as you move between the cold outdoors and a warm café stop.
Thermal base layer
Top and bottoms, worn under everything else. Makes the biggest difference of anything on this list.
Shop thisMid-layer jumper
Something warm but not bulky, so it still fits comfortably under a coat.
Insulated waterproof coat
Waterproof matters as much as warm – markets don’t pause for drizzle. I actually rate this one so much, I own it myself and it’s fantastic.
Shop thisFootwear
You’ll be on your feet for hours, often on wet cobblestones or icy pavement, so grip and warmth matter more than style here.
Accessories
Small items, but they’re the difference between comfortable and counting down the minutes until you can go inside.
Touchscreen gloves
So you’re not taking them off every time you want a photo or to pay for something.
Shop thisWarm hat
You lose a surprising amount of heat through your head standing still outdoors.
Scarf or snood
A snood is easier to manage than a long scarf when you’re browsing stalls.
Hand warmers
Small disposable ones that live in your coat pocket for when your hands need it most.
Shop thisPractical Extras
The less obvious things that make browsing, buying, and photographing the market easier.
Cross-body bag
Keeps your hands free for mulled wine and shopping, and is harder to pickpocket in a crowd.
Portable phone charger
Cold weather drains batteries fast, and you’ll be taking a lot of photos.
Shop thisSome local cash
Plenty of stalls, especially food and drink ones, are cash-only or cash-preferred.
Reusable insulated cup
Some markets offer a discount on mulled wine if you bring your own cup, and it keeps your drink warmer for longer.
Shop thisCabin-friendly travel bag
Sized to fit as under-seat cabin luggage across airlines, handy for a short market trip with no hold luggage.
Shop thisInsulated phone case
Keeps your phone warmer in cold temperatures, which helps protect the battery from dying early.
Shop thisPack for standing still in the cold rather than walking briskly, and you’ll actually enjoy the hours you spend browsing rather than rushing through to warm up. Everything above earns its place in my bag every single trip.
Taking Cookie to Europe this Christmas? Here’s my free guide.
If you’ve got questions, want to share your own experience, or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you.
Welcome to the travel diary. I’m glad you’re here.
– Elena (and Cookie 🐾)
Follow us on
