This Over-the-top Christmas Market Spans 3 Million Square Feet-and It's One of Europe's Biggest

"Tucked away in the southwest corner of Romania, travelers will find Craiova, one of the nation's larger cities. It's also where they'll discover one of Europe's largest Christmas markets. And this year, the Craiova Christmas Fair has a special theme inspired by the Christmas classic "The Nutcracker." "Craiova will be illuminated with over two million lights, and the new gingerbread houses with snow roofs will bring the charm of a world taken from fairy tales,""

""It's an extraordinary rise for a destination that now hosts the largest Christmas event in Europe in surface area - more than 280,000 square meters transformed into a luminous, festive world," the tourism site wrote about the designation. "Craiova's attractions add to the magic: Eastern Europe's highest-flying Santa sleigh, a glittering ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel, and charming hand-painted chalets that give the whole experience a handcrafted, fairy-tale touch.""

"This year, visitors can expect to find six different thematic squares, including a "'Candy Land' kingdom of sweets," a "traditional Christmas" area complete with carols, crafts, and tasty Romanian dishes, and "Santa Claus's Country" where carousels, trains, VR films, and a Ferris wheel await. A highlight is Santa's Flying Sleigh complete with special effects, ballerinas from the Romanian Opera, and more."

Craiova in Romania hosts one of Europe's largest Christmas markets, spanning more than 280,000 square meters. The Craiova Christmas Fair features a Nutcracker theme, over two million lights, and gingerbread houses with snow roofs. The event was voted best Christmas market in Europe by European Best Destinations. Attractions include Eastern Europe's highest-flying Santa sleigh, a glittering ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel, and hand-painted chalets. Six thematic squares offer a 'Candy Land' kingdom of sweets, a traditional Christmas area with carols and Romanian dishes, and 'Santa Claus's Country' with carousels, trains, VR films, and family entertainment.

Read at Travel + Leisure