Sibiu's Christmas market is the one Romanian Christmas market that international visitors travel for, and it takes over the Large Square each winter. The market usually opens in mid-November and runs to early January, with well over a hundred exhibitors, the Christmas tree as the focal point, a food area and a stage. Stalls sell crafts, ornaments, sweets and hot drinks, and there are rides including a panoramic wheel, a carousel and a small train. Entry to the market is free. Plan to visit between mid-November and early January. The squares around it are also lit and decorated, which adds to the atmosphere.
The market is pedestrian-only and centred on Piata Mare, with the lit Christmas tree at the middle and the old town buildings as a backdrop. Hours are posted as Monday to Friday from eleven in the morning to ten at night and from ten on weekends. You will find handmade gifts, wool and wooden items, sweets, mulled wine and warm food, and entertainment on the stage, with the stage programme changing from year to year.
Card payment is said to be accepted at stalls, and a Santa's workshop and an enchanted elevator are offered for families, with advance booking advised for some.
Weekend evenings are by far the busiest. If you want calm photographs and shorter queues at the stalls, go on a weekday afternoon, and dress warmly in layers with proper shoes, since evenings are cold and the ground can be wet or icy. Rides and attractions are priced separately, with a day pass available, and parking in the centre is limited, so walk or take a taxi from your hotel. The old town hotels are the ideal base for this season, and they fill up on weekends, so book early.
Dates and details can change from year to year, so check the market's own site before you travel. The Christmas market pairs well with a visit to the Bridge of Lies, Brukenthal Palace and a warm meal in one of the old town restaurants. If you are travelling from elsewhere in Romania or Europe, a two-night stay lets you see the market once in daylight and once after dark.
What to expect
The experience
A free walk through festive stalls, food and rides in the Large Square, with optional paid attractions.
Best time
A weekday afternoon for calm, or a weekend evening for the full atmosphere.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Dress in warm layers, expect weekend crowds, carry some cash as a backup, and book the Santa and elevator experiences ahead.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and families visiting between mid-November and early January.
- Families
- Rides, Santa's workshop and sweets make it a hit with children.
- Couples
- Mulled wine and lights in a historic square.
- Pair with
- The Bridge of Lies, Brukenthal Palace and the Evangelical Cathedral.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
When does the Christmas market open?+
It usually opens in mid-November and runs to early January, so check the market's site for the exact dates before you travel.
Where is it?+
In the Large Square, Piata Mare, in the middle of Sibiu's old town.
Is it free?+
Entry is free. Rides, some experiences and of course food, drink and gifts are paid separately.
When is it busiest?+
Weekend evenings. Weekday afternoons are far calmer.
What are the opening hours?+
Weekdays from eleven in the morning to ten at night, and weekends from ten to ten, per the organisers. Confirm on the day.
