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 2021 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.

Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaar

This is the oldest market in the City. There are over 35 chalets, a 12 meter traditional Luxembourg Christmas tree, a “Wanterzuch” train to the “Wanterbësch” winter forest. We love the daily Christmas tree light show that goes for 1-2 minutes at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and the last showing is at 8:30pm.

• When: Friday, November 19th to Sunday, January 2nd
  Hours: 
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am-10pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 11am-11pm
  • Closed on December 24th and 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: Friday, November 19th to Sunday, January 2nd
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am-10pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 11am-11pm
  • Closed on December 24th and 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. Make sure to stop by for unique Luxembourg gifts to remember your trip!

• When: Friday, November 19th to Sunday, January 2nd
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am- 10pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 11am – 11pm
  • Closed on December 24th and 25th
• Where: Place de la Constitution

Go Ice Skating at Winterlights on Ice

Glide along the ice under the dazzling stars and magical Christmas lights. Afterward, make sure to warm up with a delicious hot drink.

• When: Friday, November 19th to Sunday, January 2nd
  Hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 10pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 11am – 11pm
  • Closed on December 24th and 25th
• Where: Kinnekswiss Meadow

WinterKids

This year is the first annual WinterKids event. This new event 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: Wednesday, December 1st to Thursday, December 23rd
  Hours:
  • Monday*, Wednesday and Friday: 4pm-7pm
  • Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday: 2pm-7pm
  • Saturday: 2pm-8pm
  • *Monday, December 6th: 2pm-7pm

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 5th
  Hours: 2pm-6pm
• Where:
  • Place de Paris from 2pm-3pm
  • Christmas Markets in City Center from 3pm-5pm
  • Place de Guillaume II from 5pm to 6pm

See the Christmas Lights and Displays

See the thousands of LED lights strung up around the entire city. Now, there are 360 Christmas decorations in total with 28 new displays additions for this year. 

• When: Friday, November 19th to Monday, January 10th
  Hours:
  • Every day at 6am until 1am
• Where: All across the City center

Vegan Christmas Market

The Vegan Society of Luxembourg is hosting its 6th annual Vegan Christmas Market. They even have a Christmas card workshop at this year’s market! Come one, come all as you enjoy the cruelty-free gifts and vegan food and drinks. Over 1,700 participants have already said they are going on FaceBook!

• When: Saturday, December 12th
  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 Boxemännercher, a pastry shaped like Saint Nicholas to celebrate this annual festivity. 

Other Festive Activities

Enjoy a Festive Performance (“A text has arisen”) at the National Theater of Luxembourg

On December 14th, The National Theater of Luxembourg is hosting a performance that includes Christiane Rausch’s text interpretation and Jitz Jeitz’s musically illustrated reading choices. 

• When: Tuesday, December 14th
  Hours: 8pm-9:30pm
• Where: THÉÂTRE NATIONAL DU LUXEMBOURG – TNL

Watch White Christmas at Cinémathèque

Gather around the movie theater! Here at City Savvy, 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. 

Here’s what The Times had to say about this spectacular film:

“White Christmas is the cinema equivalent of an inappropriate festive snog under the mistletoe – you know you probably shouldn’t enjoy it but you just can’t help yourself. “

• When: Sunday, December 19th at 8pm
• Where: Cinémathèque

Watch Brother & Sister Performance at Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg

Watch this mesmerizing performance of Brother & Sister, inspired by Grimms fairytale classics Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel. Elise Schmit and Anne Simon collaborated on updating these inspirations into a new story. With help from a local team, including choreographer Elisabeth Schilling, composer Pascal Schumacher and contemporary ensemble Lucilin.

• When:
  • Friday, December 17th
    • Showing: 7pm
  • Saturday, December 18th
    • Showings: 3pm and 7pm
  • Sunday, December 19th
    • Showings: 3pm and 7pm
  • Tuesday, December 21st
    • Showing: 5pm
  • Wednesday, December 22nd
    • Showing: 5pm
  • Thursday, December 23rd
    • Showing: 5pm
• Where: Grand Théâtre de la Ville de 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 scence out of a movie as the snow creates a white blanket over this beautiful hillside castle. 

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

Luxembourg Christmas Walking Tour

Go on a 2-hour walking tour with a local who will show you the City’s best Christmas decorations, the Old City wall, a UNESCO Heritage site, the historic center and more! Put all the planning behind you and let a professional take you around to some of the most magical Christmas markets and beautiful city sights. 

• When: Every Friday and Saturday in December at 10:30am
• Where: 15, Rue St Ulric, Luxemburg

Chocolate Workshop

The best part of the holiday season is the delicious sweets. Everything tastes better when you help make it. This 2-hour long workshop includes making hot chocolate spoons, your own chocolate bar, and learning about the chocolate process from a chocolatier. Make sure to visit NB Chocolate House for a sweet family activity! It’s also important to note you need to book a week in advance.

• When: Any day between Monday to Friday at 10am
• Where: NB Chocolate House Luxembourg

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. Last year, the mass was canceled for the first time since 1803, we cannot wait to be back for mass this year.

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