Wow Brașov

Brașov in December: Weather, Events and What to Do

Christmas market month, from National Day to New Year's Eve in Piața Sfatului, with the ski season starting when the snow allows.

By Diana Published 8 min read
The lit Christmas tree and market chalets in front of the Council House in Piața Sfatului, Brașov, at dusk Photo: Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash
On this page
  1. Weather in December
  2. Events in December
  3. What’s open and what’s closed
  4. Best things to do in December
  5. Crowds and prices
  6. What to pack
  7. FAQ
  8. Sources

December is the month to visit Brașov for Christmas: the Christmas market fills Piața Sfatului until 3 January 2027, the city celebrates Romania’s National Day on 1 December, and on New Year’s Eve City Hall throws a free party in the square. It’s cold, with highs around 4°C, lows around −3°C, snow on about 7 days and the most fog of the year, and the ski season at Poiana Brașov opens when there’s enough snow, usually around Christmas. The first three weeks are calm; the days between Christmas and New Year are among the busiest of the year, so book early.

Weather in December

These are the averages for the Brașov-Ghimbav weather station, 2015–2025, from the table in our Brașov weather and seasons guide:

December
Average high4°C (40°F)
Average low−3°C (27°F)
Rain or snowabout 21 mm on 5 days
Days with snowfallabout 7
Nights below 0°Cabout 24
Daylight9 h 01 min on 1 December, 8 h 45 min on 21 December
Sunrise / sunset07:35 / 16:37 on 1 December; 07:53 / 16:38 on 21 December; 07:56 / 16:44 on 31 December

Sunrise and sunset times are from sunrise-sunset.org.

What it feels like: cold, often grey days and freezing nights. Snow in the city comes and goes, while it lasts longer at Poiana Brașov, about 1,000 m up. Cold snaps are common: seven of the ten winters from 2015/16 to 2024/25 had at least one night at −18°C or below. The Old Town’s pavements can be icy in the morning, especially on the slopes up to the city walls. It’s dark by about 16:45, which suits the market lights.

For today’s forecast as an outfit, use our What to wear today in Brașov tool, and see Brașov in winter for what to do on the coldest days.

Events in December

The Christmas market

The 2026 market opened in Piața Sfatului on 27 November, with the lights switched on at the official opening on 30 November, and it runs until Sunday 3 January 2027 (City Hall). City Hall promises more than 50 stalls in three zones, including Piața Sfântul Ioan. Entry is free. The 2026 hours weren’t published when we checked; in 2025 the stalls opened 14:00–22:00 on weekdays and 10:00–22:00 at weekends and on public holidays, and mulled wine cost about 15–20 lei. Dates, prices, the programme and parking are in our Brașov Christmas market guide.

1 December, National Day

Romania’s National Day is a public holiday, and in 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, at the end of a four-day weekend (28 November – 1 December). The 2026 programme hasn’t been published. In 2025 it went like this (City Hall):

  • 10:00: the Junii, Brașov’s traditional horsemen, gathered in Piața Unirii in the Șchei district.
  • 12:00: a military and religious ceremony on Bd. Eroilor.
  • 18:00: a folk show in Piața Sfatului.

Concerts and Christmas

  • 10 December 2026: The Nutcracker with the Brașov Philharmonic at 19:00, Patria hall (Zile și Nopți), and a Ștefan Bănică concert at Lux Divina (iabilet).
  • Mid to late December: in 2025 the market stage had carol singers and concerts, and live screenings of the Christmas concerts at the Black Church, the Philharmonic and the Opera.
  • 25 and 26 December: Christmas Day and the second day of Christmas are public holidays; in 2026 they fall on a Friday and Saturday (Digi24). 24 December is not a public holiday.

New Year’s Eve in Piața Sfatului

City Hall organises a free open-air party in Piața Sfatului every year. The 2026 line-up hasn’t been announced. In 2025 it ran like this (City Hall, 29 December 2025):

  • The party started at 19:30 at the stage in the square, with Kiss FM DJs through the night.
  • At midnight there was a laser show instead of fireworks; City Hall has dropped the New Year fireworks.
  • The Christmas market stayed open late: the food and drink area ran 14:00–01:00 on 31 December.
  • Buses on 14 lines ran until 01:30, linking the centre with every district, and City Hall asked people to leave their cars at home.

Romania has public holidays on 1 and 2 January; in 2027 they fall on a Friday and a Saturday.

Ski season

Poiana Brașov opens when there is enough snow, natural or artificial. The season started on 18 December in 2024 (Antena 3) and on 30 December in 2025, when only the beginner slopes opened; the upper slopes followed on 2 January 2026 (G4Media). The 2026/27 opening date and prices haven’t been announced; in 2025/26 an adult day pass cost 240 lei. Our skiing guide covers Poiana, Predeal and Sinaia.

What’s open and what’s closed

  • Christmas Day: the Black Church is closed on 25 December (and 1 January), and so is the Libearty Bear Sanctuary (also on New Year’s Day). The farmers’ markets have usually closed on 25 December and 1–2 January.
  • Peleș Castle reopens after its conservation closure (2 November – 1 December 2026), Wednesday to Sunday (National Peleș Museum).
  • Bran Castle: winter hours, Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–18:00 and Monday 12:00–18:00 (last entry).
  • Seven Ladders Canyon: closed from December to February because of ice.
  • Parc Aventura: closed from December to February.
  • Transfăgărășan: closed until the summer.
  • Trains: the new national rail timetable starts in mid-December, so check times for trips after that date.

Best things to do in December

  1. The Christmas market after dark, with mulled wine and the tree in front of the Council House. See our Christmas market guide.
  2. The Black Church, a minute’s walk from the market, on Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 or Sunday and Monday from 12:00; see our Black Church guide.
  3. Skiing at Poiana Brașov once the season opens, 20 minutes away on bus 20; see our skiing guide.
  4. Peleș Castle after it reopens on 2 December, or Bran Castle in the snow; see our Peleș guide and our guide to getting to Bran.
  5. The 1 December ceremonies and the Junii in Piața Unirii.
  6. Warm indoor days: museums, cafés and the indoor pools in our Brașov in winter guide.

Crowds and prices

The first three weeks are the calmer part of December. Then three things stack up at the end of the month: Romanian schools break up on 23 December 2026 and go back on 11 January 2027 (Order 3194/2026, via Edupedu), the Christmas holidays begin, and the ski season usually opens. In December 2024, Poiana Brașov’s tourism employers’ association expected 100% occupancy for New Year’s Eve and about 90% at Christmas in the resort’s hotels and guesthouses (Economedia, 19 December 2024).

Prices we can document: market food and drink (mulled wine about 15–20 lei, sarmale about 30 lei in 2025) and ski passes (240 lei a day for adults in 2025/26). Room rates vary with the date, so compare Christmas and New Year with mid-December before you book.

What to pack

  • A proper winter coat, hat, gloves and a scarf: evenings at the market are usually around or below freezing.
  • Boots with a good grip for icy cobbles and snow.
  • Thermal layers if you’re skiing or staying out on New Year’s Eve.
  • A small bag for cash: some market stalls may not take cards.

FAQ

Is Brașov worth visiting in December?

Yes, if you like Christmas markets and winter weather. The market in Piața Sfatului is compact, with about 50 stalls, but the setting below Tâmpa is one of the best in Romania, and there is skiing 20 minutes away once the season opens.

Does it snow in Brașov in December?

Usually, but snow in the city doesn’t always last. Snow falls on about 7 days in an average December, and there are about 24 nights below freezing. Poiana Brașov, about 1,000 m up, has much more reliable snow.

When is the Brașov Christmas market?

From 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with the official opening and lights on 30 November. Entry is free.

What happens on New Year’s Eve in Brașov?

City Hall organises a free party in Piața Sfatului. In 2025 it started at 19:30 with DJs, had a laser show at midnight instead of fireworks, and buses on 14 lines ran until 01:30. The 2026 programme hasn’t been announced yet.

Can you ski near Brașov in December?

Usually from around Christmas. The season at Poiana Brașov opened on 18 December in 2024 and on 30 December in 2025, depending on the cold and on snowmaking.

What is closed on Christmas Day in Brașov?

The Black Church, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary and, in past years, the farmers’ markets close on 25 December. The Christmas market’s 2025 schedule listed public holidays at 10:00–22:00.

Sources

What's on in Brașov →