The European Christmas market competition is won by Craiova, with a record of international votes.

Craiova has obtained 1st place in the European Christmas Markets competition, with a lead of over 56,000 votes compared to the second place, gathering a total of 142,687 votes. Over 55% of the votes came from outside Romania, especially from the USA, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and Spain.

The City Hall of Craiova invested nearly 30,000 euros in promoting the city through the organization European Best Destinations, which contributed to increasing Craiova's visibility as a tourist destination.

Mayor Lia Olguța Vasilescu emphasized the importance of this international recognition, and the president of PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, congratulated the city for its transformation. The Christmas Market in Craiova, opened on November 14, 2025, will remain open until January 4, 2026, offering visitors a festive atmosphere under the theme 'The Nutcracker'.