Bucharest Christmas Market: festive lights by the Palace of the Parliament

The Bucharest Christmas Market sets up on Constitution Square in front of the huge Palace of the Parliament. Stalls with Romanian food and crafts, a big tree and city lights make the capital a lively stop in December.

Fun facts

• The Palace of the Parliament is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world.
• Romanian carol singing traditions, colinde, are a key part of the season.
• Bucharest decorates its main boulevards with large light installations in Advent.

What to see

• The Palace of the Parliament lit at night.
• The decorated Old Town around Lipscani Street.
• Victoriei Avenue and the Romanian Athenaeum.

What to taste

• Cozonac, sweet bread with walnuts or cocoa.
• Mici, grilled minced meat rolls with mustard.
• Sarmale with polenta and sour cream.

What to do

• Listen to traditional carol singers at the market.
• Visit the Village Museum to see houses from across Romania.
• Walk the Christmas lights along the main boulevards.

💡 Tip: An express bus and a train link Otopeni Airport with the city centre, and ride-hailing apps are widely used. The market runs through December and into the holidays, and weekday evenings are the most comfortable time to visit.