🏆 #1 Europe 2026
💡 2M LED Lights
🎡 40m Panoramic Wheel
🏘️ 6 Themed Zones
👥 100k+ At opening 2025

Romania's #1 Winter Destination

Tradition and Magic in Craiova's Fairs

Craiova has become a top European destination, officially recognized for its spectacular festive themed events.

Craiova Christmas Market 2026 — spectacular decorations with 2 million lights in Mihai Viteazul Square 🏆 #1 in Europe 2026 — European Best Destinations

🎄 Christmas Market · Internationally Awarded

Craiova Christmas Market

Craiova won the title of Best Christmas Market in Europe 2026, by European Best Destinations vote — surpassing Vienna, Strasbourg, Prague and other major European capitals. A confirmation of what locals already knew: their market is something unique.

For nearly two months, the city center transforms into a fairytale scenario, with 2 million LED lights, grandiose themed installations, daily ballet performances by artists from the Romanian Opera Craiova, and the largest panoramic wheel in Romania — 40 meters high, brought specially from the Netherlands.

📅 Nov – Jan (annually) 🕛 12:00 – 22:00 🆓 Free access 🏆 #1 Europe 2026
Full Christmas Market Page

6 Fairytale Worlds

The Fair's Themed Zones

Each zone has its own visual and sonic universe — a complete itinerary through the magic of the holidays.

🍬
Mihai Viteazul Square

Candy Land

The kingdom of sweets with colored lighting and Santa's flying sleigh every evening at 18:00 — with artificial snow, ballerinas and projections on the Administrative Palace.

Carousel Christmas
Doljana Area

Carousel Christmas

Artisan cottages decorated in a fairytale spirit, designed by artist Gabriel Rizea. The charm of childhood rendered through storybook design — for visitors of all ages.

🎶
Frații Buzești Square

Traditional Christmas

Live carols, Oltenian craftsmen, traditional Romanian dishes and a giant tree. The authentic heart of the market — concerts every weekend between 18:00 and 21:00.

🎡
William Shakespeare Square

Santa Claus Land

40m panoramic wheel from the Netherlands, carousel, magic train, VR films and digital experiences for youngsters. The National Theatre esplanade transformed into a childhood paradise.

🍢
Theodor Aman St.

Best Christmas Street Food

A modern culinary feast — traditional aromas intertwine with international tastes. Mulled wine, warm sarmale and gingerbread — essential for an evening stroll.

🧸
English Park

Toy Land

Gigantic figurines and storybook decorations for the little ones. English Park transformed into a magic realm — the perfect place for unforgettable photos with the whole family.

Budget your visit

Estimated 2025 Prices

🎡
30 lei
Panoramic wheel
40m, from the Netherlands
⛸️
45–50 lei
Ice rink
1 hour, including skates
🍷
15 lei
Mulled wine
200ml glass
☕
10 lei
Hot tea
Multiple varieties
🍫
15 lei
Hot chocolate
With whipped cream
🥩
8 lei
Traditional mici
Piece, with mustard
🍲
25 lei
Beans with ham hock
Full portion
🫕
10 lei
Sarmale
Per 100 grams
💡 Guide's Tip — Transport to the Market

The center becomes crowded, especially on weekends. Visitors by car are directed to the Craiova Airport parking (~1,000 spaces), from where RAT bus lines 8 and 9 go directly to the market. Ticket: 4 lei / daily pass: 10 lei. Alternatively, Bolt and Uber work excellently. Best time to visit: Monday–Thursday evening, when there are fewer visitors and you have a quieter experience.

All year round — reasons to celebrate

Other Fairs in Craiova

Craiova celebrates in every season — spring with the Easter Fair, summer with the craftsmen, winter with the magic of Christmas.

Craiova Easter Fair — spring decorations with painted eggs and traditional Oltenian icons Spring 📅 April — around Easter

Craiova Easter Fair

Mihai Viteazul Square Orthodox traditions Free entry

The spirit of Resurrection and the joy of spring merge in the most beautiful Easter fair in Oltenia. Eggs painted in traditional techniques, icons painted on wood and glass, fasting products cooked according to old recipes — and Oltenian craftsmen who bring to life habits inherited from generation to generation. An event that means more than a fair: it's a celebration of the soul. Candles, cozonaci, decorative lambs and Easter music complete the unique spring atmosphere in Craiova.

Discover the Easter Fair
Craiova Traditional Craftsmen Fair — ceramics, textiles and traditional Oltenian handicrafts Craft 📅 Summer — August

Traditional Craftsmen Fair

Old Town Oltenian handicrafts Free entry

The mastery of Oltenians from the countryside brought to the heart of Craiova — potters from Oboga, weavers from Gorj, wood carvers from Vâlcea and glass painters from all corners of Oltenia. An event dedicated to the intangible heritage of the region, where you can buy authentic works directly from the craftsman: ceramic pots, towels with traditional motifs, silver ornaments, painted rugs and hand-carved whistles. An unmissable experience for those who love the authentic.

Discover the Craftsmen Fair
🗓️ Craiova Fairs Calendar 2026

April 2026 — Easter Fair (~2 weeks before Orthodox Easter), Mihai Viteazul Square.  |  August 2026 — Traditional Craftsmen Fair, Old Town.  |  November 2026 — Opening of the Christmas Market (around November 14–15).  |  January 2027 — Christmas Market continues until the first half of the month.

Getting here is easy

Transport to the Fairs in Craiova

🚌

RAT Craiova

Lines 8 and 9 — direct connection from the Airport parking to the center. Ticket: 4 lei / daily pass: 10 lei.

„Craiova Transport" App
🚕

Bolt / Uber

Available in Craiova all day. Recommended for direct travel to the market — fare ~15–25 lei from central areas.

~10 min from center
🅿️

Airport Parking

~1,000 spaces available at Craiova Airport during the Christmas Market. Recommended for visitors from out of town.

CRA — 8 km from center
🚂

By train from Bucharest

Bucharest–Craiova InterCity: 2h 30min. Craiova Station is 15 minutes from the center by Bolt or bus.

CFR → cfrcalatori.ro

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Craiova's Fairs

Yes, it's official! The Craiova Christmas Market was named the Best Christmas Market in Europe in the 2026 European Best Destinations competition, organized annually and followed by millions of travel lovers from Europe. The results were announced on November 27, after a week of online voting. Craiova surpassed in votes famous markets in Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg and other European capitals with a much longer tradition in organizing Christmas markets.

The Craiova Christmas Market usually opens on November 14–15 and remains open until the first or second half of January — approximately 2 months. Daily hours are 12:00–22:00, seven days a week. On weekends, additional concerts and shows are organized between 18:00 and 21:00 in Frații Buzești Square.

Access to all areas of the Christmas Market is completely free. Individual activities have separate rates: the panoramic wheel (40m, from the Netherlands) — 30 lei; the ice rink — 45–50 lei/hour, including skates; the carousel and the train — similar rates. Food and drinks: mulled wine 15 lei, hot chocolate 15 lei, tea 10 lei, mici 8 lei/piece, beans with ham hock 25 lei/portion, sarmale 10 lei/100g.

The panoramic wheel at the Craiova Christmas Market is the largest panoramic wheel in Romania active in 2025. It is 40 meters high, has a capacity of 140 people and was brought specially from the Netherlands. It is decorated with 200,000 LEDs and offers a spectacular panoramic view over the entire center of Craiova lit by the 2 million bulbs of the fair. The fare for a ride is 30 lei.

Book well in advance! Data from previous editions show that hotels in Craiova are over 95% occupied on weekends during the Christmas Market period, and prices increase significantly. We recommend central hotels (Hotel Parc, Hotel Helin, Hotel Mercure) for proximity to the market squares. Alternatively, Airbnb apartments can be more accessible. Consult the Craiova Accommodation section of our guide for complete options.

🏨 Book Your Stay in Advance

Craiova's fairs attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Hotels fill up quickly — especially on seasonal weekends. Check the accommodation options recommended by our guide or book directly through booking platforms.

🛏️ See Craiova Accommodation
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