Christmas Market
Craiova 2026

The ice rink in Mihai Viteazul Square is one of the attractions that most attract audiences of all ages. Located in the center of the market's main square, surrounded by millions of lights and the giant central Christmas tree, it is the most romantic skating spot in Oltenia. The artificial ice surface is impeccably maintained throughout the market, regardless of the outside temperature.

The ice rink operates daily and offers the possibility to rent skates on-site at affordable rates. The schedule is adapted for the little ones — there are slots reserved for children with instructors present on the ice. In the evening, with Christmas music and lights reflected on the ice surface, the experience becomes truly magical.

Introduced in 2023 and immediately becoming the market's visual symbol, the Ferris wheel in William Shakespeare Square (National Theatre Esplanade) is the largest in Romania — 40 meters high. From the maximum height, the view over the entire center of Craiova illuminated for Christmas is unique and impossible to find otherwise.

Each rotation lasts approximately 10–15 minutes, enough to take panoramic photos of the market lights, the Marin Sorescu National Theatre, Mihai Viteazul Square, and — on clear days — Craiova's surroundings. The gondolas are enclosed and equipped with windows, operating even in rain or light wind.

Introduced in the 2024 edition, Santa Claus's Flying Sleigh instantly became the market's record attraction and an absolute novelty at the national level. It is the tallest flying sleigh in Eastern Europe — a Christmas adrenaline experience that you won't find anywhere else in the region.

The sleigh flies above the market at a spectacular height, offering travelers a unique aerial perspective of the lights and decors. The route travels above several of the market's central areas, and the feeling of flying over a Christmas universe is unforgettable. The attraction operates daily and is also accessible to children from a certain minimum height, according to the regulations displayed at the entry.

The gastronomic heart of the market is represented by the over 90 cottages hand-painted by local artists and themed each year according to the edition's concept. Each cottage is a work of art in itself — no two are alike, and the care for detail makes walking among them an aesthetic experience as valuable as any other attraction.

The culinary offer is remarkable for its diversity: traditional Romanian dishes (cozonac, gingerbread, sarmale, Oltenian tochituri), international cuisine (Greek and Lebanese specialties), seasonal drinks (mulled wine, stroh, hot cider, hot chocolate), artisanal sweets (Belgian waffles, pies, sugar candies), plus handmade souvenirs and handcrafted gifts. Merchants respect the edition's theme both in the decoration of the cottages and in the presentation of the products.

Concerts every weekend (with surprise artists and established names), carol shows at the tree-stage, creative workshops for children, and parades of fairy-tale characters complete an experience that can easily occupy a whole day.

What makes the Craiova Christmas Market unique compared to any other similar destination in Romania is its territorial scope. It is not an event concentrated in a single square — but an urban phenomenon that simultaneously occupies five major public spaces and all central alleys, interconnected through a net of lights and stories.

Mihai Viteazul Square is the center of gravity: the giant main tree, the ice rink, the main stage for concerts, and the densest set of cottages. Frații Buzești Square brings a more intimate atmosphere and areas dedicated to children. William Shakespeare Square (National Theatre Esplanade) hosts the 40m Ferris wheel and the most spectacular artistic installations. Casa Băniei, with its historical architecture as a backdrop, creates an unrepeatable setting for the themed decors. The Doljana Area completes the perimeter with additional cottages and attractions.

Each area has theme-specific elements for the edition — there is no repetition. A visitor who travels through all five areas will see different universes, linked by a common narrative thread — the theme of that year.

The 2023 edition definitively consecrated Craiova on the European map of Christmas destinations. Under the theme The Snow Queen, Mihai Viteazul Square was transformed into a white-turquoise kingdom with amazing details: a gigantic tree, a sparkling ice rink, the cloud vault, the wonderful castle, and the huge mirror surrounded by shards — all wrapped in over two million lights. The first 40-meter Ferris wheel, the largest in Romania, was also introduced.

The success was resounding: European Best Destinations voted Craiova the second most beautiful Christmas market in Europe — surpassing established destinations and placing Oltenia on the 2nd continental spot, right after Vienna.

The 2024 edition continued to innovate with a bold multi-themed approach: the main theme "Beauty and the Beast" coexisted with the "Star Wars" and "Santa Claus Village" themed areas, transforming Craiova into a Christmas universe interconnected by millions of lights. Santa Claus's Flying Sleigh was introduced — the tallest in Eastern Europe and an absolute premiere in Romania.

The "Santa Claus Village" themed amusement park, spanning nearly 5,000 sqm, offered diverse attractions: Venetian carousel, reindeer-pulled sleigh rollercoaster, and VR technology. The market attracted over two million visitors from Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Greece, Great Britain, Poland, USA, and Australia, confirming its status as the largest Christmas market in Europe by area — 280,000 sqm in five squares and all central alleys.

The 2025 edition transported Craiova into the magical world of the classic "Nutcracker" ballet. Mihai Viteazul Square was transformed into a classic ballet set, with tin soldiers, giant mice, and theatrical ballerinas. Every small square and street breathed the atmosphere of this theme — from dynamic light projections on historical buildings to unique artistic installations.

Established traditions continued: concerts every weekend with surprise artists, carol shows at the tree-stage, creative workshops for children, and parades of fairy-tale characters. The cottages — over 90 in number — reflected the Nutcracker and Kingdom of Sweets theme in every detail of the decor and product offer.