Opening Day at Timișoara Christmas Markets 2024 | Romania’s Holiday Magic Begins!

Welcome to the first stop on our 7-city Romania Christmas market road trip — Timișoara! Known as the cultural heart of western Romania, Timișoara is famous for its elegant architecture, vibrant squares, and festive spirit. And we couldn’t have picked a better place to kick off our Romanian Christmas adventures!

We arrived just in time for opening day of the Christmas markets, which was also our very first time experiencing a Christmas market opening day! The atmosphere was electric: there were official speeches, a military band performance, a Christmas princess parading through the square, local children helping to light the Christmas tree, and even a live performance by a The Voice Romania singer.

Yes, it was crowded (opening day + weekend + evening = triple whammy), but that only added to the excitement. The market itself had beautiful light displays, a Christmas train, children’s workshops, a giant Ferris wheel, multiple carousels, and an ice rink. And of course — all the festive treats, Romanian foods, and plenty of warm vin fiert (mulled wine) to keep us cozy. It was the perfect way to start our holiday season in Romania.

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In this video, we share everything we discovered: the wonder, the lights, the treats, and of course — the fun!

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:16 - In this video | Where are we?
02:59 - Welcome to Timisoara | Start of Our Day
05:40 - First Stop | Maria Theresia Bastion
06:16 - Second Stop | Three Holy Hierarchs Cathedral & Victory Square
08:19 - Opening Day Festivities Begin | Parade
09:37 - Official Speeches, Military Band, Tree Lighting, & Sandro Machado
12:00 - Alba Lulia Street & Liberty Square
13:40 - Saint George Square & Union Square
14:23 - Final Thoughts on Timisoara


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Family-travel tips & advice:

1. If you can, visit for opening day — the parades, music, and atmosphere are unforgettable!
2. Be prepared for large crowds on weekends and evenings; visit on a weekday if you prefer a calmer experience.
3. Don’t miss the Ferris wheel at night — it offers stunning views of the lights and square.
4. Warm up with a cup of vin fiert (mulled wine) or hot cocoa — perfect after a ride or ice skating.
4. Kids will love the Christmas train, carousels, and hands-on workshops — plan time for each so they don’t feel rushed.


📍Up next: We visit the city ranked SECOND BEST CHRISTMAS MARKET IN EUROPE FOR 2024! — Craiova, Romania!

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✍️ Blog and detailed travel guides: www.gabbettsonthego.com
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ROMANIA'S AMAZING CHRISTMAS MARKETS:

Every Romanian Christmas market we visited in this series has a detailed guide on the blog — covering market areas, accessibility, foods to try, festive fun, and tips.

You can find the full Timișoara Christmas Market guide here:
👉 https://www.gabbettsonthego.com/post/...

To watch our entire Romanian Christmas Market Series:
👉    • Romanian Christmas Markets Tour Through 7 ...  

To watch our entire Balkan Road Trip Series:
👉    • Complete BALKAN ROAD TRIP! | Full Series T...  


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