A Season of Festive Magic

As Europe embraces the magic of the festive season, Kempinski’s hotels in Dresden, Berlin, Engelberg, Budapest and Riga offer distinctive ways to experience Christmas, each shaped by the traditions, culture and character of its destination.

From the historic Christmas markets of Germany and the snow-covered landscapes of the Swiss Alps, guests can discover a season filled with memorable experiences, exceptional dining and thoughtful festive touches. 

Whether gathering around a traditional fondue in a cosy alpine chalet, enjoying seasonal delicacies beneath magnificent Christmas trees or celebrating the arrival of 2027 with world-class entertainment, each hotel offers its own interpretation of festive luxury.

Start planning your winter holidays in Kempinski in Europe

Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden: A Traditional Christmas Celebration

In Dresden, Christmas unfolds against a backdrop of centuries-old traditions, historic architecture and some of Germany’s most celebrated festive markets. Just moments from the city’s historic landmarks, Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden offers an ideal base for discovering the magic of the season, from the renowned Striezelmarkt, dating back to 1434, to the medieval market in the Stallhof courtyard and the romantic stalls surrounding the Frauenkirche.

Guests can immerse themselves in the region’s rich folklore, from traditional Ore Mountain wood crafts and the charming Pflaumentoffel good-luck figures to the city’s famous Christstollen - a traditional German Christmas fruit bread. At the hotel, a cosy Winter Alpine Chalet in the illuminated inner courtyard serves Swiss cheese fondue, raclette and mulled wine, while festive menus, seasonal cocktails at Bar 1705 and traditional Afternoon Tea with authentic Dresden Christstollen add to the celebrations.

Tailored concierge experiences include private guided market tours and visits to traditional Stollen bakeries, while exclusive after-hours access to the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister offers a cultural highlight for the season. For an unforgettable evening, guests can also look to the nearby Semperoper, renowned for its celebrated opera and ballet performances, including The Nutcracker.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin: Christmas Glamour and New Year Celebrations

In Berlin, the festive season combines historic grandeur, dazzling Christmas markets and an exceptional cultural calendar. From the traditional market setting at Charlottenburg Palace and the WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt to the illuminated trails of the Christmas Garden at the Botanical Garden, the German capital offers a wealth of seasonal discoveries.    

At Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, festive traditions begin on the final three Advent Saturdays, when a live Gospel Choir fills the Lobby Lounge & Bar with uplifting melodies before singing from the iconic Adlon balcony above the main entrance. Guests can savour traditional mulled wine and fresh Adlon Stollen as well as enjoy Advent Afternoon Tea at Bel Etage.        

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring exquisite festive menus at Brasserie Quarré and Michelin-starred haute cuisine at Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, led by Jonas Zörner, recently named among Germany’s 50 best chefs. As the year draws to a close, guests can welcome 2027 with a New Years gala dinner in the Ballroom, a panoramic dinner overlooking the Brandenburg Gate or a six-course gourmet experience – each accompanied by live music, followed by the hotel’s legendary Midnight Lobby Party to welcome the new year in style.

Kempinski Palace Engelberg: Alpine Christmas Magic in the Swiss Mountains

Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, the snow-covered village of Engelberg offers an enchanting setting for a festive alpine escape, where the glow of lights in the Kurpark and authentic Swiss traditions capture the spirit of winter. At Kempinski Palace Engelberg, guests can embrace the season at Chalet Ruinart, a cosy pop-up overlooking the snowy Kurpark, where regional cheese fondue from local cheesemaker Sälmi, velvety raclette and Ruinart Champagne set the scene for relaxed alpine indulgence.      

The hotel’s pop-up restaurant, 1905, introduces a festive culinary crossover with its “STIX & POTS” concept, combining Fondue Chinoise, Asian hot pot and fine sushi. Meanwhile, the sunlit Wintergarden serves Festive Afternoon Tea daily, alongside a special Fairytale Kids Afternoon Tea for younger guests. At Cattani Restaurant, multi-course candlelit dinners featuring festive classics, truffles and delicate live music mark Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, followed by the popular Christmas Brunch on 25 December 2026.

Families can also enjoy dedicated activities, including Kids Fun Dining in The Hall, complete with a children’s buffet, bouncy castle and entertainment. For a particularly memorable Christmas Eve, guided torchlight walks through the snowy alpine landscape culminate in festive carol singing, hot chocolate and mulled wine. Guests can further personalise their stay with beautifully decorated Christmas trees in their suites or the opportunity to decorate their own, creating a special festive moment for the whole family.

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest: A Festive Escape in the Heart of the City

Budapest becomes a winter wonderland in December, with illuminated streets, celebrated Christmas markets and a vibrant seasonal atmosphere. Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest places guests within a short stroll of the city’s two most iconic award-winning Christmas markets, making it an ideal starting point for festive explorations. Outside the hotel, the winter terrace at signature restaurant ÉS Bisztró offers a welcoming spot along beautifully illuminated Fashion Street, while inside, an approximately eight-metre-high Christmas tree and a charming gingerbread village complete with a miniature train bring festive enchantment to the grand lobby.      

The season continues around the table with exclusive Christmas and New Year’s Eve dining menus, accompanied by vibrant festive entertainment. For guests seeking a cultural highlight, the hotel’s Concierge team can assist with securing tickets to The Nutcracker ballet at the majestic Hungarian State Opera House, adding a memorable performance to a winter escape in the Hungarian capital.

Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga: Discover the Origins of Christmas Tree Tradition

Riga’s festive season is steeped in Latvian history and folklore, with a local legend tracing the origins of the Christmas tree to the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, who are said to have decorated the world's first Christmas tree in Town Hall Square in 1510. Today, the tradition lives on in the heart of the Latvian capital, where festive markets fill the Old Town with artisan crafts, hand-knitted woollens and straw ornaments, alongside the inviting aromas of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and traditional Pîrâgi bacon buns.    

Ideally located opposite the Latvian National Opera and within easy reach of the Dome Square and Līvu Square markets, Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga brings the spirit of the city indoors with memorable seasonal dining. At Amber Restaurant, guests can celebrate Christmas Eve with a four-course dinner, a dessert buffet and a visit from Santa Claus. For a deeper insight into the city’s heritage, the hotel’s Black Magic in Riga experience combines a private two-hour walking tour of the Old Town with The Tale of Balsam, a storytelling session exploring the mystery of Latvia’s iconic elixir, followed by a tasting of Riga Black Balsam flavours in an 18th-century-style showroom bar.

Through KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY, part of Global Hotel Alliance’s GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive 'Live Local' offers year-round. For the upcoming festive season, members benefit from preferential pricing through our festive programme, offering tailored ways to celebrate in style.