The Craiova Christmas fair has opened. Pictures of the settings, prices and schedule of events. When those in Bucharest, Brașov and other cities begin
The Craiova Christmas market opened on Friday evening, marking the start of the winter market season in Romania. The event has a “Nutcracker” theme and includes themed areas, shows, special effects, artificial snow and the daily appearance of Santa's flying sleigh. The mayor of Craiova, Lia Olguța Vasilescu, announced that over 100,000 people were present on the first day of the fair.
In the next period, they will open their doors and fairs in Timișoara, Brașov and Bucharest.
Craiova Christmas Market: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The official opening took place on Friday, at 18:00, in Mihai Viteazul Square. The theme of this year's edition is “The Nutcracker”, with the City Hall setting up six themed areas in the city center.
Photo source: Facebook / Lia Olguța Vasilescu
According to europafm.ro, the Candy Land area has been installed in Mihai Viteazul Square, where Santa Claus appears every evening with the Flying Sleigh, from 6:00 p.m. In Frații Buzești Square, the Traditional Christmas area brings carols and Romanian products, and William Shakespeare Square hosts Santa Claus Land, with a carousel, train and panoramic wheel.
On Theodor Aman Street is the street food area, and in English Park – the Land of Toys, with figurines and decorations for children.
The main attraction is the flying sleigh show, with special effects, ballerinas of the Craiova Romanian Opera and artificial snow. The ice rink hosts moments inspired by “The Nutcracker”, and on the esplanade of the National Theater there are VR projections and 3D effects.
Photo source: Facebook / Lia Olguța Vasilescu
Every weekend, between 18:00 and 21:00, there will be concerts in Piața Frații Buzești.
Visitors can find a wide range of souvenirs and themed products. For example, at “Căsuța cu Mununi”, the indicative prices are, according to Antena 3 CNN:
- Mugs: from 30 lei
- “Nutcracker” mug set: 100 – 150 lei
- Ornaments with the Nutcracker: from 25 lei
- Winter hat: 40 lei
- Gloves: 20 lei
- Bandanas: 40 lei
- Toys – from 20 lei
On the first evening, the large number of visitors was also noticed by the traders. “A lot of people, unexpected by a lot of people. We, as traders, were expecting the highest possible receipts, at least the same as last year”, said a trader, quoted by Observator News.
Another trader said he was attending the fair for the first time: “This is our first participation, I hope to impress with the artisans' creations. We have embroidery paintings, soldiers, handmade ceramic globes.”
Photo source: TVR Craiova
The Christmas market in Brașov opens from November 30 / The schedule of the Christmas markets in Sibiu and Timișoara
The Sibiu Christmas Fair returned in 2025 with a new edition, also held between November 14, 2025 and January 4, 2026.
The Christmas market in Brașov will open starting on November 30. The fair will be held in three emblematic areas of the city: Sfatului Square, Sfântul Ioan Square and the Rectorate area.
The Christmas market in Timișoara can be visited this year between November 23, 2025 and January 7, 2026.
When the Christmas market opens in Bucharest, in the Constitution Square
The Bucharest Christmas Market, the capital's official event dedicated to the winter holidays, organized in the Constitution Square, will be open from November 29 to December 28, 2025.
Other fairs in Bucharest will be in Drumul Taberei Park and Laminor Hall. Opening dates to be announced.
When the 2025 Christmas markets open in other European cities
Vienna
The Austrian capital reopens its Christmas markets at the beginning of November 2025. The first event will take place at Schönbrunn Palace, between November 6, 2025 and January 6, 2026. Next is the market in Stephansplatz, open from November 8, and on November 14 those in Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square / Christkindlmarkt), Belvedere and Spittelberg will also start.
Budapest
In the Hungarian capital, the most famous Christmas markets – Vörösmarty Square and the area in front of St. Stephen's Basilica – will open in mid-November 2025, according to local tourism sources.
Prague
Christmas markets in the Czech capital will gradually open from November 20, 2025, when the one in Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) begins, open until December 24. Next is the fair in Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) from November 25 to December 24, and the largest ones in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square will be open from November 29, 2025 to January 6, 2026.
