In depth · Christmas & New Year
Christmas in Bucharest: the great market, the lights and the carols
Bucharest opens its Christmas season on Romania’s National Day weekend, when the lights come on across the city and the great Christmas Market fills Constitution Square in front of the Palace of the Parliament. Add the carols, the cozonac and the concerts, and December is one of the loveliest times to visit.
Updated October 2026
The Christmas Market
The Bucharest Christmas Market fills Constitution Square, in front of the Palace of the Parliament, with wooden stalls, a giant Christmas tree, Santa’s House, a Ferris wheel and a carousel, as in 2025. It ran from 29 November to 28 December in 2025, and the 2026 dates are expected to be similar; check the City Hall’s announcement.
The lights and National Day
At the end of November the lights are switched on across the centre, from Calea Victoriei to University Square, around Romania’s National Day on 1 December, which is celebrated with parades and events.
Christmas concerts
December is a wonderful month for music in Bucharest, with Christmas concerts at the Romanian Athenaeum and the National Opera; check the programmes of the George Enescu Philharmonic and the Opera.
The Romanian Athenaeum The National Opera
Romanian traditions
On the eve of St Nicholas, 6 December, children leave their boots out for small gifts. At Christmas, groups of carollers go from house to house singing colinde; the men’s group carolling of Romania and Moldova is on UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage. Families bake cozonac, a sweet bread with walnuts, and make sarmale, and at New Year you may see the capra, a costumed goat dance.
Questions and answers
When is the Bucharest Christmas Market?
In 2025 it ran from 29 November to 28 December at Constitution Square; the 2026 edition is expected at a similar time.
Where is the Christmas market in Bucharest?
At Constitution Square, in front of the Palace of the Parliament.
When do Romanians celebrate Christmas?
On 25 December, with carols, cozonac and family dinners.
Join the conversation
Spent Christmas in Bucharest? Share your favourite market, event or tradition.
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Dates for 2026 are announced in the autumn; where they are not yet confirmed we give last year’s dates. Check the official sites before you travel.