Sibiu’s Christmas market in Piața Mare opened on Friday, 13 November 2026, at 7 p.m., in the rain. Hundreds of people had gathered beforehand, some with umbrellas and rain capes. The switching-on of the lights was late, and there were complaints in the square; after a countdown, mayor Astrid Fodor turned the lights on, and the crowd was won over. Turnul Sfatului writes that the square was less packed than at other openings and that there was room to move.

In her speech, Fodor said the streets around the market were full of cars with plates from all over the country. “The Sibiu Christmas market is one of the most beautiful markets, not only in Romania, but, we can say, in Europe. It is a market that respects the tradition of those that began in the 15th century.” She recalled that the first edition, in 2007, was held in Piața Mică, a place she called “not the most suitable,” and said that by next Saturday the whole city will have its festive lights. She congratulated the organiser, Andrei Drăgan.

Drăgan said this is the 19th edition and that in 2007, when the story began, Romania did not have Christmas markets “in the true sense of the word.” Sibiu has since appeared on millions of screens and became the example. “The fact that the square is full makes me believe the market is doing something people like. Fifty-two fantastic days are ahead.” This year’s theme is “You are allowed to believe,” with photo spots, Santa Claus and carols. The opening concert was Mircea Rusu Band with Andreea Vîlcan. The market stays open until 3 January. In a notice before the gates opened, Turnul Sfatului wrote that entry is free and that there are more than 120 exhibitors, from more than 20 counties, organised by the Events for Tourism association.

A few hours before 7 p.m., reporters walked the stalls, which were still being set out. G4Media carries the stall prices from Turnul Sfatului. A glass of mulled wine costs between 12 and 20 lei, and so does hot chocolate. Coffee starts at 7 lei and reaches 23 if it is flavoured. Tea also starts at 7 lei. Candy floss, albinita cake and dobos cost 15 lei, biscuit salami 9 lei, and chocolate with walnuts 12 lei.

To take home, fridge magnets are 10 to 18 lei. Two rides on the big wheel cost 30 lei, 10 lei more than last year. A handmade mug costs 50 to 70 lei. Fur coats and hats start at 200 lei and can reach 5,000, depending on the fur and the cut. Other stalls sell playing cards, keyrings, plush toys and other toys.

Mihai, there for the ninth time, told Turnul Sfatului that “there will surely be more tourists; every year the number grows.” Markus, in his sixth year, thinks the market “grows from year to year and becomes more beautiful.” His prices stayed the same except for the wine, where he added one leu, because, he says, it is the best wine in the market. Doina, of Covata Bunicii, brought voivode pies this year, with sour cherries, poppy and sweet cheese, alongside gingerbread, lollipops, homemade chocolate and dobos. She makes everything except the lollipops. Most of her customers, she says, are foreign tourists: “They are fascinated by this market, which is very well laid out, organised, elegant.”

Cristina, from Vatra Dornei and Lactate Călimani, is at her second edition and brought Swiss cheese, cheese matured in red wine, smoked cascaval and burduf cheese. Her family has made cheese since the 1930s. Drinking milk at her stall starts at 7 lei. Observatorul de Sibiu also notes that the tree was moved to the centre of Piața Mare: Drăgan explained that it can be seen from every side. The gate toward Nicolae Bălcescu street is made, the paper writes, from wood several centuries old.

Image: Wikimedia Commons — the Sibiu Christmas market, 2024 edition (Andreidragan, CC BY-SA 4.0). The photo is not from the 13 November 2026 opening.

Sources consulted: Sibiu’s Christmas market opens — G4Media; What the stalls sell: mulled wine from 12 lei — Turnul Sfatului; The market opened, despite the rain — Turnul Sfatului; The tree, moved to the centre of Piața Mare — Observatorul de Sibiu.