Gjirokastra Christmas Market 2026 & The Lights Festival

Gjirokastra’s enormous hilltop castle has a Cold War relic parked in its courtyard, an American jet forced to land in Albania in 1957 that the communist government proudly displayed as a captured spy plane. The UNESCO-listed Ottoman stone city below is just as unexpected, and in December the Gjirokastra Christmas Market and Lights Festival transform its steep cobblestone lanes into something genuinely atmospheric.

Gjirokastra Christmas Market 2026

Dates

Status: Expected, based on previous years
Gjirokaster dates: 21st December 2026 to 6th January 2027
Last checked: July 2026

Update: Last year’s dates were announced in October. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Visit Gjirokaster.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Çerçiz Topulli Square and the Old Bazaar.
Opening times: 10am to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: Take a walking tour of the Ottoman-era Old Town. Includes a visit to the Old Bazaar and Cfaka neighbourhood.
Public transport: Buses are available.
Parking: Please walk to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Take a day trip to Blue Eye, Saranda or Butrint National Park.
Where to stay: Hotel Kastro is a highly-rated hotel, 3-minutes from the square.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: The incredibly scenic location and historic UNESCO-listed old town.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, some options.
Vegan: Limited options.
Gluten-free: Ver limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialties: Oshaf dessert made with figs, sheeps milk and cinnamon. Locally brewed beer, turshi pickled vegetables.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes, if you can manage cobblestones.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

Gjirokaster has one of the most beautiful old towns in the country. Cobblestone streets wind past the old Ottoman-era buildings, many of which have now been restored. I recommend staying in one of these historic old buildings for a unique experience in this part of the world.

I would stay at Hotel Kastro, which is located in one of these old buildings. Upon entering, you are greeted by traditional Albanian artisanal woodwork on the ceilings.

Recommended Tours

This is a fascinating walking tour of the Ottoman-era Old Town, where you’ll visit notable sites such as the Old Bazaar, Skenduli House, and the Castle of Gjirokastra.

Alternatively, you could try a traditional cooking class to discover the local culture through their delicious cuisine.

Event Location

From twinkling lights to festive foods, we love seeing your holiday adventures. Use #UltimateChristmasMarkets to share your moments with us!

What to Expect

Regional Specialties

Qifqi: Small, fried balls made of rice and sometimes mixed with other ingredients such as herbs or cheese.
Tave Elbasani: A casserole made with beef or lamb, topped with a layer of yogurt and eggs.
Japrak: Stuffed grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice and herbs.
Speca te ferguara: Fried peppers stuffed with cheese or ground meat.
Pasha qofte: Meatballs made with ground beef or lamb, mixed with rice, and boiled in a broth. They’re often served as part of a festive meal, such as during the holiday of Bayram.
Baklava: Layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey syrup. It’s a classic Balkan dessert.
Fërgesë: A simmered dish made with peppers, onions and tomatoes, mixed with feta cheese and baked in the oven. This is very easy to make at home once you know how!
Kallamari i mbushur: Stuffed calamari served with garlic sauce.
Byrek: The Balkans’ classic spinach pie.

Old Bazaar and Ottoman-era house in Gjirokastra.

Sustainability Tips and Ideas

Shop intentionally and avoid purchasing items that you don’t need.
Use eco-friendly transport options, such as walking, cycling, or public transport, to get around. This is very easy to do in Albania.
Choose to stay at a low-waste, sustainable hotel.
Refuse plastic products and packaging in favour of more sustainable alternatives. This is tricky, as Albanians still find this request unusual. This is slowly changing, though.
When dining out, prioritise locally sourced and organic food. Almost everything is locally produced, so this is easy.
Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products.
Support the local arts scene by attending events and live music performances.

US airplane captured in Gjirokastra and now displayed at the Castle.

If you would like to leave a review of the Xmas Market, feel free to comment below.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.