My Holiday Adventure Countdown: What I Do at 120, 60, 30, and 10 Days Out
Guess what. I live for fairy lights and warm cups of hot cocoa. Think Hallmark movie, but with train apps and real prices. This is the timeline I use when I plan a solo Christmas Market trip to Europe. It keeps me calm, on budget, and still open to joy. Steal it, tweak it, make it yours.
When I book the trip
Buy travel insurance. I do not argue on this. I know nobody wants one more line item. I also know life happens. Work can shift. Weather can flip. A new niece can arrive early and I want to be home for the first cuddle. Insurance gives me options and peace. That is worth the cost. I get a policy that covers trip change, delay, lost gear, and health. Then I print the card and save a PDF to my phone and email. Done. I do not want to be on hold with a bank card, in a cold line, while my train pulls away.
I also make a quick list of why I am going. Sounds cheesy, but it helps me make choices later. My list says lights, food, safe warm places for a solo queer traveler, easy rail hops, and a little theme park magic. If something does not match the list, I drop it.
120 days out
This is where I go from daydream to real plan. I start the heavy research into my target markets. Before I even booked, I looked up last year’s dates and hours. Now I want official 2025 dates and times. City sites and market sites start to update in July or August and change year over year one that opened on 27th last year may not be open until 1st this year and if I leave that city on the 30th well that was a waste. I bookmark them and I check back every week or two.
I build a one page note for each city. Berlin. Cologne. Frankfurt. Strasbourg. Paris. Disneyland Paris. London. I add Four things for each.
- Where and when: Exact market names, the main entrance, weekday and weekend hours, any ticketed zones, and a note on closure days.
- How to reach it: Nearest metro, tram, or train stop. I write down the platform exit if a video shows it. I also add the best spot for a first photo and a second spot for a warm drink. Adding that nearest Starbucks or McDonalds for the free wifi Just in case.
- Queer comfort: Two LGBTQ friendly cafés or bars near each market. I look for places with inclusive vibes and good lighting. I do not film folks up close without consent. I like spaces that feel like family. I save them in Google Maps and on a private list.
- Train/Transportation City to City: I also check trains. If you are using rail, start looking now. Some rail bookings open around this time. TGV Inoui has sales that open about 120 days out. I note the date so I can grab the time I want. If a line is not open yet, I still sketch the plan and set a reminder.
For trains I book the long hops first, after I make a fake schedule for times to be at each market. I never follow this schedule but it is important to have it written down. That way I can plan an order. In Berlin the Market at Bebelplatz goes 1 hour after The Humboldt Forum and I can walk there in 10 minutes so stopping at that early market is important if I want to see it before close!
Gear check starts here too. I test my coat, gloves, and boots. I am shocked to say this year I have lost some weight not much; but if that coat was loose last year I might be swimming in it this year. Also try those gloves on and try to work your phone on camera. If you can’t record or take that selfie, replace em! I may also order a small cross body bag that zips and sits flat under my coat. Keep your wallet and an extra portable power bank there!
60 days out
Now I start to lock special stuff. Every year is a bit different, but last year this is how it went for me.
- Phantasialand Wintertraum sold tickets in September for the 2024 event. So my expectation is that it may be similar plus for early buyers they had an amazing discount. So I can save some money for that extra fast pass for Fly.
- Disneyland Paris opens dining reservations around that same window. I would like to book Pym’s Kitchen or maybe a character dining; but we have to see when it opens what I chose!
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland posted ticket info around the same time. If there is a date and time I care about, I set a calendar alert and get it.
If I think a show or ride will sell out, I decide now if it is a must. I would rather buy one thing I love than stand in a line I hate.
30 days out
Weather checks begin. I know long range forecasts are not perfect. I still start now so I am not panic buying boots the week I leave. I look at the last years for the same week. I will also look for that sunset and twilight timing. Nothing worse than getting to that market that has the best lights and view according to Tiktok 2 hours before sunset!
My 30 day list:
- Clothes fit test
Try on the coat with the sweater I plan to wear. Try the gloves while I hold my phone. If anything annoys me, I fix it now. That way I wont have to be stressing over that coat or the Size 13 snow boots on back order - Power and backup
Four small power banks. Two charging cables. A wall plug that works in the EU. Extra SD card. I put one bank in my coat pocket, one in my cross body bag and leave two in my hotel bag. - Money
I tell my bank I am leaving the country. I set a small cash plan for markets that do not take card. I put a low limit card in a second pocket that zips.
Queer events and safe spaces
I check if any LGBTQ markets or pop ups are live in my dates. In 2024 Grrrande had a LGBTQ Christmas Market during the days I would be there this year; so even though they don’t have an official one like Cologne or Berlin I might still be able to stop by! I also confirm opening hours for my warm up cafés or that dreaded McDonalds or Starbucks! I do use these locations a lot to warm up, sit down for an extended period of time and to “borrow” that free Wi-Fi for something that I want to send friends or family that might take too long over mobile data. I save one after hours plan per city. A talky wine bar. A quiet tea place. A drag show if I have energy and the rules are clear.
7 to 10 days out
Time to confirm the whole trip.
- Hotel reservations
Name, address, check in time. How to reach it from the airport or main station. I write the route as one line on my notes. For example, RER A to station X then walk 6 minutes to hotel on Main Street. If I land late at night, I write the night route too. - Train tickets
Dates, times, car and seat numbers. I download every PDF and screen shot every QR. I set alarms for each departure. I add a buffer alarm in case I get lost in a cocoa line. - Passport
Find it. Hold it in your hand. Put it with your wallet. If you need a visa or an ETIAS in the future, note that for next time. - Packing list
List clothes and gear by day. Socks, base layer, sweater, coat, hat, gloves, scarf. Power banks and cables. Reusable tote for mugs or gifts. Travel size tissue. Lip balm. Hand lotion. I have learned the hard way that cold, dry air is not kind and ashy is not cute. - eSIM or SIM
I buy an eSIM plan that covers my full route. If you like a real SIM, note where you can buy it on day one. Data makes maps easy. Data also lets me send photos to my group chat on the spot. - Health
I pack pain meds, band aids, a few throat lozenges, and a tiny pack of cold medicine. I do not want to shop for that in a new language when I am tired and have no idea what it says. Plus there are so many regular medications like Ny-Quil that you cannot get in Europe. I might need that nighttime, sniffling sneezing…. You get it! - Laundry
Once your packing list is complete; the real work starts. Especially for things that are worn often or rarely. Something I wear often may be in that hamper from the week prior when I work otherwise lets be honest I live in Atlanta and my winter coat is in a closet since I got back from my Berlin Beginner’s Christmas Market Tour last year.
I also put together my Canva itinerary; why as I am extra. Plus its a great way to share things with my friends and family; especially as I am traveling alone. So that way if my Mom wants to call me she knows if I am in Berlin, Strasbourg or London.
48 Hour Countdown to Departure
I check in for my flight. I charge everything. I download playlists and maps. I put a small snack in my bag. I put my coat and scarf in an easy spot so I can grab them when I land.
I text my family and my close friends. I send my route and where I plan to be. I say yes, I will send photos, and yes, I will be safe, and yes, please water my plant. I am high maintenance and I accept that.
I also set a gentle goal for the trip. Mine is simple. One real laugh a day. One hot drink that makes me smile. One photo that I will still love in July. To this day I still love my photo from the Dresden Streizelmarkt from last year and me with Santa at the LGBTQ Christmas Avenue. If I get those, the trip is a win. The rest is a bonus.
Final notes for my queer folks
Pick hotels and cafés where you feel seen. Trust your gut. Take up space with joy when it feels right. Take a breath and step out when it does not. Share your live location with a friend at night. Wear shoes that let you leave fast if you need to. Also leave room for magic. These markets are full of it. Lights, music, tiny moments with strangers, a kind word across languages. That is why I keep going back.
If you want my exact city maps or the short shot lists I use, tell me. I am happy to share the files. And if you find a new cozy spot for us in any of these cities, send it my way so I can add it to the family map.
As a reminder this checklist and schedule can be adjusted for any trip. A Friend’s Destination Wedding, Cruise Vacation or just a vacation.
