Welcome to
European Capital of Christmas
The creation of an European Christmas City Network pretend to boost the values
of European culture diversity, and especially the different and varied Christmas
traditions in Europe that have been transcended in the whole world
JOIN US
Open Call for the Election of the European Capital of Christmas 2026
This opportunity celebrates cities that embody the spirit of Christmas, showcase vibrant holiday traditions, and unite their communities through festive cheer.
CELEBRATING THE MAGIC
Announcing the 2025 winners
Call for proposal
Three categories are established according to the size of the city
European Capital of Christmas 2026
for cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants
European City of Christmas 2026
for cities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants and more than 10,000 inhabitants
European Village of Christmas 2026
for cities with less than 10.000 inhabitants
UNITING CITIES ACROSS EUROPE
Participants of
European Capital and
City of Christmas
All cities and towns that are part of the 27 Member States of the European Union, as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom will be able to participate in the Call.
The same city may submit to the Call only one single Project in the corresponding category, which will include all the proposed activities, in order to be assessed by the jury.
STEPS TO PARTICIPATE
How to present
a candidature
An individual person or representative of the cities foundations, companies, associations or other legal entities can be registered by sending the signed letter in PDF to contact@europeancapitalofchristmas.org with the information bellow:
• Identification details
• If it is an entity, the whole name
• Register office, postal code (including locality, province and country), telephone number and email address
• Name and Surname of the legal representative
• Free registration for all participants
Winner cities
European Capital of Christmas & European City of Christmas
Vilnius 2025
Celje 2025
Noja 2025
MEET THE EXPERTS BEHIND THE SELECTION PROCESS
International Jury
This international jury will be constituted by a number between five and seven experts in the
different aspect involved, preceded from the different Member States of the European Union.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Danuta Hübner
(Poland)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland (2001-2004) European Commissioner for Trade and Regions (2004-2009)
H.E. Mr Iñigo Méndez
de Vigo
Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of the Government of Spain (2015-2018) Member of the European Parliament (1992-2011)
H.E. Mr. Francisco
Fonseca Morillo
Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain (2009-2015) Professor of International Public Law University of Valladolid
Ms. Ainhoa García Jabonero
Member of the Regional Parliament of the Community of Madrid
Mr. Finn Brophy
Department of Economic Development Waterford City & County Council Representative city awarded European City of Christmas 2024 for Waterford
Ms. Jana Ticha Janulikova
Representative city awarded
European Capital of Christmas
2024 for Brno
Mr. Javier Santiago Vélez
Mayor of Almanza (León) and former Senator in the Spanish Parliament. Representative city awarded European Village of Christmas 2024 for Almanz
H.E. Mr. Alberto Gutiérrez
Alberca
Spanish Senator and President of the Organization
Ms. Mercedes Guillamón
Cultural Manager and Actres
