Sibiu – Romania’s Winter Holiday Capital

The Sibiu Christmas Market returns in 2025 more dazzling than ever, reinforcing its status as the most beloved and spectacular holiday market in Romania. Taking place between November 14, 2025, and January 4, 2026, the event once again transforms the Great Square into a magical universe where the spirit of winter embraces tradition, art, and authentic Romanian gastronomy.

( Source: Adevărul ) 

From the very first steps into the central area, visitors are greeted by warm lights reflecting off historic buildings, creating a fairytale atmosphere in the heart of Transylvania. The themed decorations, inspired by traditional motifs and elements from Romanian folklore, give the market a distinctive identity—one that blends the elegance of the city’s Baroque architecture with the modern magic of the holidays.

Year after year, the market attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world, and the 2025 edition promises to be one of the most impressive yet. The atmosphere is vibrant, festive, and welcoming, ideal for families with children, couples, or groups of friends seeking unforgettable moments. Illuminated wooden stalls, the scent of mulled wine, cinnamon, and caramelized almonds, carols echoing in the background, and spectacular decorations create a complete, unique, and deeply emotional experience.

Whether you come for handcrafted gifts, local culinary delights, or the performances on the Great Square stage, the Sibiu Christmas Market invites you to step into a world where the holiday spirit comes alive in the most authentic way possible. Sibiu doesn’t just host a market—it becomes Romania’s winter holiday capital, a place where winter feels more magical than anywhere else.

Santa’s Workshop – The Magical Heart of the Fair

No visit to the Sibiu Christmas Market is complete without a stop at Santa’s Workshop, the place where magic truly comes to life for children. Every year, over 4,000 kids step into this enchanted space, and the 2025 edition promises to be filled with surprises, creativity, and unforgettable moments.

The workshop is designed as a miniature world, full of color, light, and decorations that transport you straight into the Christmas story. Here, children can take part in creative activities specially designed to spark their imagination: crafting ornaments, painting, making collages, and small handmade items—all with the help of friendly, dedicated “elves.” At the end, each little artist keeps their creation as a souvenir and receives a diploma and a group photo, symbols of a magical experience shared together.

( Source: Sibiu Independent ) 

A special novelty for the 2025 edition is the Enchanted Lift, a short but thrilling journey that carries little ones into a fairytale world before they arrive at Santa’s House. The spectacular decorations and festive atmosphere make this an unforgettable experience, perfect for photos that will brighten any family album. Sometimes, Santa himself appears to take pictures and bring an extra touch of magic.

The workshop schedule is accessible both to organized groups—schools and kindergartens—and to the general public. From Monday to Friday, activities take place by appointment between 08:00 and 17:00, while on weekends, from 12:00 to 20:00, the workshop is open to everyone without reservation. Payment is made on-site, in a simple and accessible way.

Santa’s Workshop is not just a play area—it is the place where children discover the magic of the holidays, where creativity blends with tradition, and where memories are created in the warmest and most authentic colors of winter.

Amusement Park and Ice Rink – Fun for All Ages

The Sibiu Christmas Market is not only a place of traditions and a fairytale atmosphere, but also a lively, bright, and adventurous space for visitors of all ages. One of the main attractions of the 2025 edition is the Amusement Park, set up right in the heart of the city and designed to bring smiles to both children and adults who still cherish the playful spirit of the holidays.

Among the colorful lights, festive music, and the aroma of mulled wine, visitors will discover a variety of carousels, games, and fun installations that add a touch of magic to every corner. Whether it’s the little ones, excited to try every tiny car or spinning wheel, or the parents enjoying the simple charm of childhood, the atmosphere in the park transforms the Great Square into a true playground for the whole family.

(Source: targul de Craciun din Sibiu ) 

But the attraction that truly captures everyone’s attention is the ice rink, generously sized at 600 m² and open daily between 10:00 and 22:00. Located right in the middle of the fair, the rink allows visitors to enjoy sports, good vibes, and magical scenery all at once. With a capacity of up to 300 people, it quickly becomes a favorite spot for skating enthusiasts, whether beginners or experienced skaters. Skates can be rented on the spot, making it easy for anyone who wants to embrace the winter spirit.

Between the panoramic wheel lighting up the sky, the cheerful music, the laughter of children, and the energy of the ice rink, this corner of the Sibiu Christmas Market is the perfect symbol of joy: a place where every visitor, no matter their age, can feel that the holidays have truly arrived.

Sibiu – The City Where Christmas Feels Like Home

During the winter holidays, Sibiu transforms into a city where the magic of Christmas seems to come alive at every street corner. It is a place where tradition blends naturally with the elegance of Saxon architecture, and the city’s rich history provides the perfect backdrop for an authentic and memorable experience.

The pastel-colored buildings of the old town, the rooftops with the famous “eyes of Sibiu,” the narrow passages, and the old towers all illuminate the atmosphere in gentle harmony, creating a warm and welcoming feel. In the glow of festive lights, every façade looks like part of an illustrated book, and the Great Square becomes the vibrant heart of a city that breathes story, emotion, and tradition.

The pedestrian streets become the ideal promenade for peaceful strolls, where visitors can discover charming cafés, festively decorated shops, and historic corners that preserve the authenticity of Transylvania. The Council Tower, the Bridge of Lies, the Stairs Passage, and the entire historic center offer spectacular views during this season, each element contributing to the sensation of stepping into a fairytale world.

But the most beautiful aspect of Sibiu at this time of year is the unique feeling of warmth, community, and closeness. Whether you wander among the lights, stop for a hot chocolate, or listen to carolers singing in the Great Square, you feel that the city welcomes you with open arms. Christmas in Sibiu is not just about spectacular decorations—it is also about the simple emotion of feeling at home, no matter where you come from.

Nearby Attractions that Enrich the Christmas Experience

The magic of Sibiu extends far beyond the city walls, and those who visit during the holidays quickly discover that the entire region transforms into a winter scene straight out of a fairytale. Snow-covered landscapes, well-preserved Saxon villages, authentic traditions, and the peacefulness of the mountains create a complete experience in which the spirit of Christmas can be felt everywhere.

Just 30 kilometers away, Păltiniș welcomes visitors with fresh mountain air, tall forests, and ski slopes suitable for all ages. This resort—the oldest in Romania—turns into a true fairytale world in December. Whether you choose to enjoy winter sports or simply relax in the quiet of nature, Păltiniș perfectly complements Sibiu’s festive atmosphere.

Not far away, the Saxon villages of Cisnădioara and Cisnădie preserve their traditional charm. Cisnădioara impresses with its Fortified Church perched on a hill, which in winter looks as if it were specially decorated for the holidays, while Cisnădie captivates with its giant illuminated Christmas tree and the peaceful atmosphere of its narrow streets. Both destinations offer visitors a journey back in time, into a world where traditions are preserved with great care.

Further south, the Mărginimea Sibiului region welcomes you with authentic Romanian hospitality. In villages like Rășinari, Săliște, or Sibiel, carols can be heard from the houses from the first days of December, and the local women prepare traditional recipes following age-old customs. In these villages, Christmas is not only celebrated but lived in its deepest sense—with joy, tranquility, and community.

( Source: Descoperim Romania ) 

Together, these destinations form a magical route around Sibiu and turn every visit into a memorable experience, perfectly completing the unique atmosphere of the Christmas Market in the Great Square.

Sibiu, the Heart of Holiday Magic

Christmas in Sibiu is not just an event, but a feeling that accompanies you at every step. The city and its surroundings create a universe of light, tradition, and warmth, where visitors discover both the beauty of cultural heritage and the simple joy of holidays lived authentically. From the vibrant atmosphere of the Christmas Market to the peacefulness of the villages in Mărginime, from the adventures at Bâlea Lake to the charm of the Păltiniș resort, Sibiu offers each December a complete and profound story. It is the place where the spirit of Christmas comes to life, where every light tells a story, and where every visit becomes an unforgettable memory.