Amsterdam, Netherlands

Christmas and New Year River Cruises

Create the festive season on board

Mainz Christmas market
Mainz Christmas market

Get your Christmas off to a magical start on a wonderfully festive cruise along the majestic Danube, the scenic Seine River or the mighty Rhine on one of our A-ROSA river cruises.

There’s nothing more traditional these days than a visit to one of Europe’s famous Christmas markets, all aglow with winter-warming twinkling lights, and heady with the aromas of gingerbread and glühwein.

Soak up the glorious festive atmosphere on one of our Christmas markets river cruises, and discover wooden stalls, brimming with festive goodies, food and unusual gifts, set amid enchanting river-side towns where cobbled streets are lined with half-timbered houses, often sprinkled with a dusting of real snow.

Köln Weihnachtsmarkt Am Heumarkt Min

From spending Christmas in imperial Vienna, to cruising to France's oldest Christmas market in Strasbourg, our Christmas and New Year river cruises will get you in the festive mood.

Perhaps discover the magic of this special time of year in Europe’s fascinating cities from on board a warm and welcoming river cruise vessel. Step ashore to see some of the most captivating sights in all of Europe’s cities, surrounded by festive food stalls, fairground rides, attractions and even ice-rinks.

Take your Christmas river cruise holiday with Newmarket Holidays, and let us bring the magic of the festive season to life.

Top Christmas River Cruises

Shot of a gothic city hall which has a tall clock tower in the middle and four smaller towers, two either side, all with spiky turrets. The building has long windows all over and is a gold colour. Below are the Vienna Christmas markets, with four vertical strips of stalls, the centre having a christmas tree at the far end. There are many people shopping, with lights and lit up signs above them.
Save up to £800 per couple
Danube Christmas Markets
Austria, Slovakia, Germany
+ 2 More
  • Visit Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a city transformed with festive lights and markets
  • Join an included city tour of festive Vienna
  • Explore the Austrian capital and its Christmas markets
  • Arosa Logo (1)

    5 days from £1,554 pp

  • Dates Available

    14 December 2025

  • Duration

    5 days

  • Depart From

    4 airports

  • Excursions

    1 included

  • Meals

    11 included

  • Operator

    A-ROSA

Strasbourg, France
Save up to £800 per couple
Rhine Christmas Markets
Germany, France
+ 1 More
  • Visit the beautiful city of Strasbourg, home to France's oldest Christmas market
  • Sail south through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge from Cologne
  • Join a guided excursion to Speyer - Germany's oldest medieval town
  • Arosa Logo (1)

    6 days from £1,599 pp

  • Dates Available

    10 December 2025

  • Duration

    6 days

  • Depart From

    2 airports

  • Excursions

    1 included

  • Meals

    11 included

  • Operator

    A-ROSA

Explore our River Cruise collections

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