It’s All Cruises
All river cruises

Markets, lights & winter evenings

Christmas Market River Cruises

Explore riverside cities in their festive season. Start with the places you want to visit, then compare the route, time ashore and departure date.

Find your kind of journey

The Rhine

Viking’s Christmas on the Rhine connects Basel and Amsterdam, with market visits along the way. Compare the actual stops and time in each city before choosing a sailing.

The Danube

Avalon’s Christmastime routes include cities such as Vienna and Passau. Different versions follow different routes, so check the itinerary rather than choosing by river name alone.

Beyond the two classics

Avalon also offers Christmas itineraries on the Main. A route combining rivers may suit the towns on your wish list better than a simple Rhine or Danube comparison.

Before you choose

Christmas markets or Christmas on board?

Choose a departure built around market visits if the markets are your priority. For a Christmas or New Year holiday sailing, check the planned visits against the individual cities’ market opening dates.

Will you have an evening ashore?

Look for the arrival and departure schedule, overnight stays and the excursion program. A city on the route does not by itself tell you how much time you will have there after dark.

What should you compare before booking?

Start with the itinerary, cabin and fare inclusions. Then check guided visits, free time, any transfers to the markets, and pre- or post-cruise nights. Confirm the details for the departure you want.

Explore the itineraries

These journeys have reviewed specialty programs on upcoming departure dates.

Operator programs

Program information checked October 12, 2026. Departure details can change.

Explore wine river cruises