Craiova Christmas Market 2026
13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
The Kingdom of the Elves in central Craiova. Opening information, a map and travel tips.
Opening programme · Friday, 13 November
Mihai Viteazul Square
18:00 MC Cătălin Măruță. 18:30 official opening, stilt show, “The Elf Fairy and the Snow Ballerina”, Santa’s Flying Sleigh, lights switch-on and fireworks.
Frații Buzești Square
19:00–20:00 Winter Wonderland, Craiova Philharmonic and DJ Mr Shtef. 20:00–21:00 DJ Emil Safta.
Daily opening hours
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–22:00. Friday–Sunday: 11:00–23:00. Open until 3 January 2027.
Flying Sleigh: Mon–Thu 18:30; Fri–Sun 18:30 and 19:30, until 27 December. Tree train: daily 18:30–19:00. Toy Factory: daily 18:00–18:45, 19:30–19:45, 20:30–20:45, 21:30–21:45 and 22:30–22:45.
Magic Train: daily 14:00–22:00, 4 lei/person. Party Bus: daily 17:00–23:00, 6 lei/person. Tickets are sold on board.
RAT maps: routes 8 and 9
These routes connect Craiova Airport with the city centre and the railway station. Check the current timetable in the “Craiova Transport” app or on the RAT Craiova website.
The Land of the Elves opens today
Craiova enters the festive season with an expanded city-centre market, a concentrated opening programme and thousands of visitors expected on the first evening.
Today, from 18:00, Mihai Viteazul Square becomes the starting point of Craiova Christmas Market 2026. The official opening is scheduled for 18:30, together with street performances, the Flying Sleigh, the lights and fireworks.
From 19:00, the programme continues in Frații Buzești Square with Winter Wonderland, the Oltenia Philharmonic and a DJ set. The route between the two squares crosses a city centre transformed by decorations, market houses and attractions.
The Land of the Elves theme changes from one area to another: the Toy Factory and tree train in Mihai Viteazul Square, the nine-metre Santa in Frații Buzești Square, the Elf Workshops in the Doljana area and children’s attractions near the National Theatre.
The opening evening also requires planning. Traffic is restricted from 17:00 to 23:00 on Popa Șapcă and A.I. Cuza, between Unirii and Arieș. Parking maps and RAT routes 8 and 9 are available above; walking is the simplest way to move between the central areas.
The market remains open until 3 January 2027. Today belongs to the lights; the following days offer time to explore Craiova’s centre step by step.
Plan your visit to Craiova Christmas Market
Before heading to the Land of the Elves, check the programme, choose an area on the map and plan your journey into the centre. Find transport, parking and family attractions in one place.
Only one evening?
Start at Mihai Viteazul Square and continue towards the Old Town. Check the programme before leaving.
Visiting with children?
Choose one or two attractions and check their times for your visit.
The market in numbers
From the European poll to the five areas of the 2026 market.
1st place
Craiova won the Best European Christmas Market 2026 title in the European Best Destinations poll announced in November 2025.
Source ↗142,687 votes
Votes came from more than 140 countries. Radio Romania reported a record for the competition.
Source ↗About 280,000 m²
Reported area for the 2026 edition, spread across five central areas. The flying sleigh returns to Mihai Viteazul Square.
Source ↗52 days
The Land of the Elves edition runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, inclusive.
Source ↗Daily programme
The official programme confirms the opening ceremony and the attraction times shown above. Check for last-minute changes before travelling.
Market stalls
11:00–23:00
Flying sleigh
18:30
Concerts
See the confirmed opening programme above.
Opening and dates
The market opens today, Friday 13 November, at 18:00 and runs until 3 January 2027. The official opening is at 18:30; the full programme is listed above.
City Hall announcement ↗Market areas and map
Open directions to each landmark. Check parking and city-centre access below. Parking and access ↗
Piața Mihai Viteazul
The sleigh and the Christmas tree with a miniature train are announced here.
Directions ↗Piața Frații Buzești
Old Town landmark.
Directions ↗Piața William Shakespeare
Landmark by the National Theatre.
Directions ↗Casa Băniei
Landmark in the historic district.
Directions ↗Zona Doljana
Landmark in the central shopping area.
Directions ↗How to get to Craiova
Choose your route to the city and check your onward connection for your arrival time.
Flying to Craiova
Check flights to Craiova International Airport (CRA) first. If you land at Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP), take the airport train to Bucharest North, then check trains to Craiova. Allow extra time between separately booked journeys.
Train or coach
Search for Craiova station in the railway timetable. For coaches, check the arrival stop and luggage terms with your operator. If arriving late, check the last local connection.
Driving
Check whether you need the Romanian road vignette for your route. Pick a car park and continue on foot to the market. See the road closures below.
Airport to the city
RAT bus 8 links Craiova Airport with the city and the railway station. For Bolt or Uber, check availability, fare and the designated pickup point in the app when you arrive.
Airport parking and car hire
Check the airport’s published rates for your parking duration. If hiring a car, confirm desk hours, deposit and after-hours return. For cross-border trips, obtain the rental company’s permission and check the insurance cover.
Travelling from abroad
Use your departure country to plan the route and your passport nationality to check entry requirements.
Bulgaria
From western Bulgaria, consider Vidin–Calafat and continue to Craiova. Romania and Bulgaria are in Schengen. Carry your travel document and check bridge tolls and any traffic restrictions separately.
Serbia
From eastern Serbia, consider the Iron Gates I crossing via Drobeta-Turnu Severin. This is an external Schengen border. Check waiting times and the entry rules that apply to your passport.
EU citizens
Bring a valid national identity card or passport. Each child needs their own travel document.
United Kingdom
For a short tourist visit with a British passport, check its validity and the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period. Check transit rules if you have a connection.
United States
US passport holders are generally visa-exempt for short tourist visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen. If you fly into Otopeni, allow time for the onward journey via Bucharest North.
Other non-EU passports
Check whether you need a visa based on nationality, passport type and purpose of travel. Short stays count across Schengen. The Entry/Exit System may apply at external borders, including biometric registration. Check the official EU portal for the ETIAS timetable.
Parking, public transport and road closures
The underground car park near the National Theatre is at 10 Calea București. Check current access and charges on arrival. For public transport, look up RAT routes and the last service back. On 13 November, from 17:00 to 23:00, restrictions apply on Popa Șapcă Street and on Alexandru Ioan Cuza Street between Unirii and Arieș. The central section of Calea Unirii remains restricted until 8 January 2027 at 23:00.
Underground parking ↗ · RAT routes and timetables ↗ · Official road restrictions ↗ · Calea Unirii restrictions ↗Visiting with children
Announced attractions include the flying sleigh at Piața Mihai Viteazul, the elves’ maze and a Christmas tree with a suspended toy train. Check the attraction times before you go.
Reported market attractions ↗Exhibitors
Operators selected by City Hall in its 16 October list. Check individual stall locations on site. City Hall list ↗
No results
Stalls and terraces (82)
- VIN SEGARCEA
- PLUG SOUND
- GS GRUPS
- UNIVERSITATEA BANU MĂRĂCINE
- CONSULTANȚĂ TUDOR
- PRIMA CAFENEA
- PROLOCAL
- PAVIDAN
- PTN
- CADASTOUR
- SUGAR TRUCK
- VALONTUM GROUP
- ASANORII
- CHILLI FOODS
- HA-HAKY FOOD
- CAV CAKE
- DAMARIN
- WINTER CRAIOVA FOOD
- HED CAFFE CENTRAL
- OUTDOOR RAKO
- SCHOKOMELL
- BELLA BAKERY
- PALOMINO COM
- DECO FUN EVENTS
- CIRICLI
- DESIREE SWEET
- PĂPĂDIA VILLAGE
- SÎRBU MARIA
- MOFT SWEETS
- VSD FANTEZIE DULCE
- BELVORA LINE
- SMART LABORATORY
- MAGIC TWENTY SIX
- MIUBLIS
- COZONAC DOMNESC
- CIUCIULETE IONUȚ
- PREDUȚ DANIEL
- ATELIERUL CU TURTĂ DULCE
- NUDO
- ARTSTIP
- STROE LUCIAN
- PIVNICERU MĂDĂLINA
- FREIGHT EXPRES
- LORICONCEPT
- CORNUL ABUNDENȚEI
- KOLMAN PRIME
- BOANGIU GHIORGHIȚA
- COLȚATU CAMELIA
- IACOB MIOARA
- DANY LILY
- LORIART
- CHANGE CLINIC MED
- MOB CRAFT
- MAGIC ALINA
- ANDREEA PERFORMANCE
- CERAMICA BLEDEA
- GALAXY WORLD EVENTS
- MANUFAKTURA BIJU
- DUMITRU RAMONA
- MIHOREANU TEOFILIA
- CAROUSEL PROJECT
- MOLNOS
- CRISTUS TRANS
- SOFT BANIE
- DOUX ECLAIR
- INTER REGIONAL
- BIADAR
- PYORT
- ROMIDE
- EAT AND GO
- AZET GRALIS
- RAMONA BOTA
- MALISOELI
- REM GRILL FOOD
- VIVA GUSTO
- BURA VASILE
- NELU OȘANU
- NEVADA DUAL
- STOLTONES
- CĂMARA MOȚULUI
- ALCA DOLCE
- DECO ART
Trucks (14)
- GOGOPATI
- AV OFFICE SOLUTIONS
- CRISABI ALEGRA
- MONETA
- LACTATE OLTENEȘTI
- NED SEA
- LE BLANC
- MITITELU LORENȚA
- ZIKRAYAT AL ZAID
- PETROVIS VP
- HERTEA CONCEPT
- ERDEI LUMINITA
- EVENT IMAGE SERVICES
- STAR LIMOS
Amusement equipment (1)
- SC VIVOPRINT SRL
Photo gallery
Archive photographs of Craiova Christmas Market.
Photos: Craiova City Hall · published by European Best Destinations
Frequently asked questions
Where is the market? In central Craiova. Piața Mihai Viteazul is a useful starting point.
Where can I park? Try the underground car park near the National Theatre and check the road closures first.