Craiova Christmas Market: opening hours, dates and what to find in 2026

Craiova Christmas Market: the key facts

The table brings together the answers to the most searched questions. Whatever is not officially confirmed for 2026 is marked in the cell.

Mihai Viteazul Square (Piața Mihai Viteazul)

Craiova, DJOpenFree

Monuments and historic sites

Opening hours and how long the market runs in 2026

The dates announced by Craiova City Hall for the 2026 edition are 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027. The official opening is on Friday, 13 November, at 18:00, with a light and fireworks show, and a show with Father Christmas's sleigh is announced every day from 18:30 (local press, 3 November 2026).

The opening hours are not officially confirmed. One local publication gives 10:00–22:00, until 23:00 at weekends. In 2025 the press reported 12:00–22:00 on weekdays and 11:00–23:00 Friday to Sunday, and in 2023 the market was open daily 12:00–22:00. The small attractions and the restaurants sometimes keep their own hours. The detailed concert programme is usually published a few weeks in advance; check primariacraiova.ro and City Hall's Facebook page.

The square's page always has the up-to-date dates. As for an extension: in 2025 the market was extended by one week, to Sunday, 11 January 2026, at the request of travel agencies. There is no such decision for 2026, so plan on 3 January 2027 as the closing date.

Where the market is held and how to get there

The heart of the market is Mihai Viteazul Square (Piața Mihai Viteazul), on Calea Unirii, in the historic centre. In past editions it also spread into Piața Frații Buzești and Piața William Shakespeare; the local press reports that in 2026, too, Piața Frații Buzești, the old town and extensions towards Nicolae Romanescu Park will be used.

By car: Calea Unirii is closed to traffic between the junction with Mihai Viteazul Street and the area of Alexandru Ioan Cuza and Popa Șapcă streets, from 15 October 2026 to 8 January 2027, 23:00; only emergency vehicles have access (City Hall, via Jurnalul Olteniei). The municipality advises avoiding the centre and makes about 1,000 spaces available in the car park near the airport and in the underground car park of the National Theatre (press, 24 October 2026). On the surrounding streets, spaces fill up quickly at weekends.

By public transport: a bus ticket costs 4 lei and a one-day pass 10 lei (press, October 2026). From Craiova railway station to the square it is ~2.3 km, about 30 minutes on foot. The airport is ~8 km away, ~15 minutes by taxi. Craiova is ~230 km from Bucharest (~2 hours 40 minutes by road). Details on the square's page. The traffic restrictions apply for the whole duration of the market, so plan your route in advance.

At the market: ice rink, Ferris wheel, little train, concerts

For 2026 the following have been announced: a bigger Christmas tree than last year, an interactive little train that moves around the tree (a City Hall representative, via Playtech, 13 October 2026), and more than 280,000 m² of decorations with millions of fairy lights and painted chalets. The local press also mentions a Ferris wheel, a maze and an elves' workshop for children, craft workshops, a photo area with Father Christmas, and concerts of carols, children's theatre and recitals by local artists (Bugetul.ro, 8 October 2026).

In past editions the Ferris wheel was a 40 m one with 140 seats and ~200,000 LEDs, brought from the Netherlands. The ice rink and the carousel are on the programme every year. In past editions the weekend concerts were on the stage in Piața Frații Buzești, and the evening shows (dance, ballet with artists of the Romanian Opera Craiova, a light show) in Mihai Viteazul Square.

Traditional food and drink (mici, sarmale, cozonac, mulled wine) are sold by dozens of traders (more than 70 in 2023 and more than 90 in 2025, according to the press). The attractions change from year to year, so the final list is known only at the opening. Unlike markets with a single stage, in Craiova the market is spread over several squares linked on foot, so be prepared for a 1–2 hour walk if you want to see them all. The local press announces more than two million LEDs on the historic buildings in the centre (3 November 2026), so it is worth staying on after dark.

Mihai Viteazul Square (Piața Mihai Viteazul)

Craiova, DJOpenFree

Monuments and historic sites

Craiova Christmas Market with children

For children, the little train around the tree, the carousel, the ice rink, the maze and the elves' workshop, the craft workshops and children's theatre have been announced. Father Christmas appears in the photo area and, according to the local press, in a daily show with his sleigh from 18:30. The timetable of meetings with Father Christmas has not been published.

Mihai Viteazul Square is pedestrianised, with a fountain, so children can move around freely; it is crowded at weekends and in the evening, and cars cannot enter. For a quiet day, come on a weekday, before the evening.

If you also want a stop away from the market: Craiova Zoo, in Nicolae Romanescu Park, has free entry, according to its operator, but does not publish official opening hours; call ahead on 0251 411 214. More places to go with children are in the main Christmas markets guide.

Craiova Zoo

Craiova, DJFree

Zoos and aquariums

How much it costs: entry, ice rink, Ferris wheel, food

Entry to the market is free (Craiova City Hall; also the square's page). The 2026 prices of the attractions had not been published on 4 November 2026. The most recent figures come from past editions and may be adjusted:

The most beautiful market in Europe? The 2025 vote

The title comes from a public vote, not from a measurement. In November 2025 the European Best Destinations platform ran the vote for the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe, and Craiova came first, with more than 142,000 votes from more than 140 countries, over 56,000 ahead of second place, Zürich (Agerpres, 27 November 2025). About 55% of the votes came from outside Romania; the next places went to Zürich, Riga and Lisbon.

So “the most beautiful in Europe” means the winner of the 2025 European Best Destinations vote, not an official European Union ranking. Other cities have other strengths; for a comparison of the Christmas markets in Romania, see which one to choose.

What else to see in Craiova, near the market

From the square you can walk to the Craiova Art Museum, ~150 m away, in the Jean Mihail Palace, with six works by Brâncuși; it is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00, closed on Mondays, and an adult ticket costs 30 lei. ~450 m away is Casa Băniei, the oldest civil building in the city, open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–17:00 (adult ticket 12 lei). The opening hours and prices are those on the attractions' pages, kept up to date.

Further away, in the south of the city, is Nicolae Romanescu Park, with free entry, and the “Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden, Craiova is in the city, on Iancu Jianu Street. Both are more pleasant by day, before you head into the market.

Craiova Art Museum

Craiova, DJOpen30 lei

Museums and memorial houses

Casa Băniei

Craiova, DJOpen12 lei

Museums and memorial houses

Nicolae Romanescu Park

Craiova, DJFree

Parks and gardens

“Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden, Craiova

Craiova, DJ

Parks and gardens

Frequently asked questions

When does the Craiova Christmas Market open in 2026?

On Friday, 13 November 2026, at 18:00, with a light show and fireworks (local press, 3 November 2026). The dates announced by Craiova City Hall are 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027.

How long does the Craiova Christmas Market last?

Until 3 January 2027, according to Craiova City Hall. In 2025 it was extended to 11 January 2026; no extension has been announced for 2026.

What are the opening hours of the Craiova Christmas Market?

The 2026 hours had not been officially confirmed on 4 November 2026. One local publication gives 10:00–22:00, until 23:00 at weekends; in 2025 the press reported 12:00–22:00 on weekdays and 11:00–23:00 Friday to Sunday.

How much is entry to the Craiova Christmas Market?

Entry is free. You pay for the attractions; in past editions the Ferris wheel cost 30 lei, the ice rink 30 lei per hour and the carousel 20 lei (2023–2024). The 2026 prices have not been published.

Where is the Craiova Christmas Market held?

In Mihai Viteazul Square, in the city centre, with extensions in Piața Frații Buzești and the old town, according to the local press.

Where can I park for the Craiova Christmas Market?

City Hall points to about 1,000 spaces in the car park near the airport and in the underground car park of the National Theatre (press, 24 October 2026). Calea Unirii is closed to traffic from 15 October 2026 to 8 January 2027.

Is there an ice rink and a Ferris wheel at the Craiova market?

Yes, the ice rink and the Ferris wheel were there in the 2023–2025 editions. For 2026 the local press mentions the Ferris wheel; the final attractions will be known at the opening.

What is the theme of the Craiova Christmas Market in 2026?

“Land of the Elves” („Tărâmul Elfilor”), announced by Craiova City Hall (Wall-Street.ro, 3 October 2026). The 2025 theme was “The Nutcracker”.

Why is it called the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe?

Because it won the European Best Destinations public vote in November 2025, with more than 142,000 votes (Agerpres). It is not an official ranking.

Can you get to the market by train?

Yes. Craiova railway station is ~2.3 km from Mihai Viteazul Square, about 30 minutes on foot; a bus ticket costs 4 lei (press, October 2026).