(CNN) — There’s nothing quite like a festive market to bring out the Christmas spirit in people.

While these events can be traced back to Vienna — the Austrian city’s first recorded December market was in 1298 — the tradition has spread across the world over the centuries.

From Germany and Switzerland to Singapore and New York , it’s difficult to find a coveted destination that doesn’t hold an impressive annual market. In fact, some have grown so popular that they’ve become tourist attractions in their own right.

Here’s CNN Travel’s rundown of some of the top Christmas markets taking place around the world this year:

Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria

With a reindeer train, a giant Ferris wheel and a giant Advent wreath, Vienna’s magical spectacle encapsulates the festive spiri

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