In the last full trading session before the Christmas holiday break, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 1.3 percent while the euro zone's blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index advanced 1.2 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 index progressed by 1.1 percent, as did Germany's DAX.
London-listed mining stocks dominated the list of Europe's top performing shares, with Glencore and Anglo American both rising more than 4 percent.
Mining stocks benefited as London copper prices rose, with investors looking for more signs that Chinese stimulus measures are having a positive impact in the world's top metals user, with some encouraging early signs of an improvement in grid spending and housing.