CSL MAG Guide: Your To-Do List for the Holidays

December is truly one of the best times to visit Luxembourg. There are so many fun and festive activities for the whole family. We have compiled a list of our favorite activities below for celebrating the holiday season in Luxembourg.

Christmas Markets: Winterlights

The Winterlights 2023 Festival hosts the most popular Christmas markets and events including an ice rink, concerts, and special events. You can find all of these festivities nearby in various locations throughout the capital, Luxembourg City from November 24th until January 7th.

Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaar

This is the oldest market in the City. This year, it will feature 37 chalets offering a host of gift ideas and gourmet delights. Further attractions include the city’s traditional Christmas tree and a giant nativity scene.

• When: November 24th to Sunday, January 7th
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am-9pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 11am-10pm
  • December 24th: 11am-6pm
  • Closed on December 25th
• Where: Place d’Armes

Wantermaart

At Wantermaart or the “Winter Market”, you will find over 40 chalets, a Ferris wheel, trampolines, rides and delicious churros. You can get a multitude of lovely local souvenirs at this Christmas market!

• When: November 19th to January 7th
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 12pm-9pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 11am-10pm
  • December 24th: 11am-6pm
  • Closed on December 25th
• Where: Place de la Constitution

Niklosmaart

This Christmas market has all the amazing foods and drinks (can’t forget to savor that delicious mulled wine this time of year). But, this one also has amazing locally curated art pieces for sale. Browse the wide selection of hand-made advent wreaths, Christmas decorations, home textiles and toys. In addition, this market boasts a children’s ride for the littlies and a wide programme of musical entertainment.

On certain days, children will be able to meet St Nicholas at his cottage (“Dem Kleesche säin Haus”), where he comes to put his feet up in front of a cosy fire place.  

• When: November 24th to Sunday, January 7th
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am- 9pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 11am – 10pm
  • December 24th: 11am-6pm
  • Closed on December 25th
• Where: Place de Paris

Go Ice Skating at “Wanterpark” at Kinnekswiss

Glide along the ice under the dazzling stars and magical Christmas lights. Afterward, make sure to warm up with a delicious hot drink or something to eat at one of the 5 food chalets.

• When: November 24th to January 7th
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 9pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 11am – 10pm
  • December 24th: 11am-6pm
  • Closed on December 25th
• Where: Kinnekswiss Meadow

WinterKids

This is the 3rd year for the WinterKids Market which is specifically catered for children and their families to enjoy. Some of our favorite activities include the children’s workshops, puppet theater and reading sessions.

• When: December 8th to December 30th
  Hours:
  • Wednesday-Friday: 5pm-8pm
  • Saturday-Sunday: 3pm-6pm
  • Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays and December 25th
• Where: Place Guillaume II.

Kleeschen on Tour

Kleeschen or St. Nicholas and his friend Houseker will both be visiting various locations throughout the city. They will be giving out Titercher (traditional goodie bags) as gifts to the all of children they meet.

• When: Sunday, December 3rd
  Hours: 1:30pm-6pm
• Where:
  • 1:30pm – Luxembourg Central Station: St Nicholas arrives by tram at Luxembourg Central Station; welcome speech by representatives of Luxembourg City; musical accompaniment by the group Saxitude.
  • 2pm – Place de Paris: The procession arrives at Place de Paris and hands out Titercher; musical accompaniment by the Bouneweger Nuechtigailercher and Saxitude.
  • 3:30pm – Ville-Haute: The procession leaves Place de Paris and continues on to Ville Haute.
  • 4pm – Ville-Haute: The procession will pass through Rue Philippe II, Grand-Rue, Marché-aux-Herbes and Rue de la Reine to reach Place Guillaume II, accompanied by the Tramsmusek music ensemble and dancers from the Cathy Krier dance school.
  • 5pm-6pm – Place Guillaume II: Short speech by Mayor Lydie Polfer; distribution of children’s goodie bags at Place Guillaume II; musical accompaniment by the Luxembourg City Conservatoire Children’s Choir.

See the Christmas Lights and Displays

See the hundreds of thousands of illuminations of all different kinds, from twinkling fairy lights to colourful sculptures throughout the city’s streets and squares.

• When: November 24th to Monday, January 8th
  Hours:
• Where: All across the City center
  • Sunday to Thursday from 4pm to 11pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to midnight

Vegan Christmas Market

The Vegan Society of Luxembourg is hosting its 8th annual Vegan Christmas Market. ! Come one, come all as you enjoy the cruelty-free gifts and vegan food and drinks.

• When: Saturday, December 2nd
  Hours: 11am-9pm
• Where: Tramschapp

Nikloosdaag (Festival of Saint Nicholas) and De Kleeschen (Saint Nicholas Day)

On December 6th, Luxembourgers celebrate De Kleeschen which is also known as Nikloosdaag. However, this event starts around a week or two before December 6th as kids prepare by leaving their shoes outside their bedroom or even classroom door and hoping for a sweet treat (usually a mandarin, candy or chocolate). If they were naughty they receive a rutt (a small branch). The night before on December 5th, children leave a cup of coffee or milk for St. Nicholas and hay or carrots for his donkey. In exchange, St. Nicholas will replace the plate full of sweets and bring gifts for the kids. 

Make sure to try Boxemännchen, or little brioche men, to celebrate this annual festivity. 

Other Festive Activities

Watch White Christmas at Cinémathèque

Gather around the movie theater! Here at CSL MAG, we love watching Christmas films to get in the holiday spirit. This movie has delightful musical numbers as it features Phil and Bob, two demobilized soldiers who team up to create a music hall number. 

• When: December 20th at 8:30pm
• Where: Cinémathèque (click here for the full program with other holiday movies)

A Cambridge Christmas at Philharmonie

Indulge in the beautiful sounds of the Choir of Saint John’s College, Cambridge. From the restrained longing of Johann Sebastian Bach to the jubilant outbursts of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and the sober elation of the English Renaissance, the choristers of St John’s College and their organist illuminate this Advent season with a moment of pure joy, between contemplation and celebration.

• When: December 15th at 7:30pm
• Where: Philharmonie Luxembourg, 1 Pl. de l’Europe, 1499 Luxembourg

Take a Tour of the Vianden Castle

Take a tour of one of Europe’s leading historic monuments. The Vianden Castle is one of the largest castles between the Romanesque and Gothic eras. Make sure to visit the Vianden Castle as it transforms into a scene out of a movie as the snow creates a white blanket over this beautiful hillside castle. 

• When: Monday – Sunday from 10am-4pm
• Where: Vianden Castle, Montée du Château L-9408 Vianden

Winterlights by Night Guided Tour

Go on a 90 minute walking tour with a local who will show you the best viewpoints of Luxembourg City’s Christmas lights in a warm and festive atmosphere. Enjoy your visit through the city center and the train station area, wandering by the ice-skating rink on the “Kinnekswiss” and the tunnel of lights on the Place des Martyrs.

Accompanied by an official guide, you’ll discover the city’s iconic sites and hidden treasures during this one-and-a-half-hour tour and create some unforgettable memories.

Meet your guide in front of the Luxembourg City Tourist Office and complete your tour at the Christmas market at Place de Paris, just in time for the start of an afterwork with friends.

• When: Every Friday until January 5th from 5:30pm-7pm
• Where: Luxembourg City Tourist Office, Place Guillaume II

Midnight Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral

If you are religious, we recommend going to Midnight Mass at Luxembourg’s stunning Notre Dame Cathedral. This 17th-century Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in Luxembourg and it is even more delightful during winter mass.

• When: December 24th at midnight
• Where: Notre-Dame Cathedral

Did we miss something on your ultimate Luxembourg holiday list? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list?