Guide in progress · Opens 13 November 2026
Craiova Christmas Market 2026
Land of the Elves
Unofficial visitor guide · 2026 edition
The market is open. Full guide coming shortly.
- Dates
- 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
- Theme
- Land of the Elves
- Entry
- Free
- Where
- Craiova city centre
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Good to know
Updated 7 October 2026Is entry free?
Yes. All six zones are free to walk around. You pay only for rides, the skating rink, and food and drink.
What are the opening hours?
The 2026 hours are not announced yet. In 2025 the market ran Monday to Thursday 12:00–22:00, Friday 12:00–23:00, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–23:00. Santa's flying sleigh show was nightly at 18:30 in Piața Mihai Viteazul.
Where exactly is it?
In the city centre, across six squares and streets within a 10-minute walk of each other: Piața Mihai Viteazul (the main square), Piața Frații Buzești, Piața William Shakespeare, Zona Doljana, Strada Theodor Aman (street food) and English Park. The railway station is 2 km away.
Can I pay by card? What does it cost?
Prices are in Romanian lei (RON). Most stalls take cards, but keep some lei in cash: small vendors are faster with cash and the mulled wine cup deposit is usually cash. 2025 prices: mulled wine 15 lei (about €3), hot chocolate 15 lei (about €3), mici 8 lei each (about €1.60), the Ferris wheel 30 lei (about €6) and skating 45–50 lei per hour (about €9–10).
How crowded does it get?
Very. The 2025 edition had 2.5 million visitors, and December weekends are the peak. Go on a weekday if you can, and be in the main square before 18:30 for the sleigh. The centre is closed to cars during the market, so park on a side street 5 to 10 minutes out, or at the airport car park and take the bus.
Hours and prices are from the 2025 edition until City Hall publishes the 2026 programme. Euro values are approximate.
We're writing the full guide: opening hours, prices in lei and euro, parking, how to get here from Bucharest, Sofia and Belgrade, and hotels within walking distance.
craiovachristmasmarket.com
Last updated 7 October 2026 · Dates per press reports, to be confirmed by City Hall.