Christmas Markets

With not long to go until Christmas it’s time to start thinking about getting your shopping done so why not put the magic back into the holiday season, leave the crowded, over-priced shopping centres behind and head for a short festive break to a European Christmas Market. These markets are almost everywhere now but the oldest and most authentic can be found in Germany and Austria. Set amongst amazing scenery with the smell of roasting chestnuts, spiced gingerbread and mulled wine, on the many wooden stalls with red and white striped awnings, you’ll find unique, hand crafted gifts for everyone.

Christmas markets are the perfect way to have that much needed retail therapy in these difficult times. You can put the credit card away and stop worrying about the Euro as nothing will cost anywhere near as much as it does on the high street at home. It will also give you the chance to experience and explore places you might not have even thought about before.

Most markets are on from the last week of November up until a day or two before Christmas, with some of the big city markets running through till New Year. They are normally open daily until 9pm, but it is always advised to double check the dates and opening times of the smaller markets.

We’re going to give you ideas of the main markets that are just a short ferry, train or airplane ride away and then we’ll give you an idea of those well worth a visit in the UK.

Holland has a great selection of Christmas markets full of local food specialities and hand painted seasonal ornaments.

Getting there: during the winter The Harwich to the Hook of Holland ferry has two sailings in each direction; one during the day and one overnight. Harwich on the coast of Essex is a 90 minute drive from London. Once at the Hook of Holland you are in easy reach of locations in Holland, Belgium, France and the western side of Germany.

Maastricht: Late November to late December annually. Winter Wonderland from the 28th November to the 3rd January.
One of Holland’s oldest cities with a traditional Christmas market with all the trimmings and a 5 week winter wonderland. The centre of town turns into a shopping and entertainment occasion all revolving around the winter wonderland’s skating rink, palace of mirrors, giant Ferris wheel and the Venetian Grand carousel.

Valkenburg (Velvet Market): 21st November to the 21st December, Mon-Fri 2pm – 9pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 9pm (with longer hours after the 4th Dec)
This magical little town built around a ruined castle holds its annual Christmas market underneath the town in beautifully lit old quarry tunnels and caves, selling an array of ornaments, crafts and delicious treats.

Brussels: 27th November to the 3rd January
Being only a two hour drive from the Hook of Holland and easily reached by Eurostar, this market is one of the most impressive and closest to the UK. This very popular market is held in Place Sainte Catherine in the historic heart of the city, a little village is created from wooden chalet stalls and a big wheel and skating rink.

Antwerp: 9th to the 27th of December.
In the town square you’ll find stalls selling a multitude of festive decorations, jewellery and sweets against the backdrop of Europe’s tallest gothic cathedral, with the numerous chances to warm up with a glass or two of mulled wine.

Lille: 18th November to the 30th of December, from 11am to 8pm.
This is one of the largest and most traditional markets and is particularly popular with UK holidaymakers wanting to get into the festive spirit as the journey by Eurostar can take as little as 80 minutes. Held in the centre of town with a big wheel and views of the ancient city, you’ll find all sorts of arts and crafts with the chance to sample local cuisine. They also do their best to entertain the children with theatre acts and games, with a special appearance and chance to meet Santa Claus when he descends from the Chamber of Commerce’s 80 metre high Belfry on Saturday the 19th December.

Calais: 12th to the 20th of December from 10am to 6pm.
This market is held annually, with 100’s of stalls selling arts, crafts and local specialities running from Theatre Square and along the main shopping streets of the city centre. This might be the perfect excuse to make Calais your destination rather than just passing through, you’ll also be able to visit the Town Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Church of Notre Dame dating back to the 13th Century or if you’re feeling energetic you could climb the 271 steps of the Calais Lighthouse for a chance to see the White Cliffs of Dover on a clear day.

Germany’s markets always set the standard for the festive season.

Dusseldorf: 20th November to the 22nd December, from 11.30am to 9pm.
Here you’ll have the choice of two main market areas, the market at Schadowplatz and the Nikolaus Market in Altstadt. After the 3 hour drive from the Hook of Holland you’ll be greeted by an amazing Christmas atmosphere with festively decorated shop windows and stalls lining the narrow, winding streets adorned with hand made crafts, gifts and delicious seasonal treats.

Nuremberg: 27th November to the 24th December, Mon-Thurs 9.30am to 8pm, Fri & Sat 9.30am to 10pm, Sun 10.30am to 8pm and on the last market day 9.30am to 2pm.
It is opened at 5.30pm on the first Advent Sunday by the Christmas angel and is considered to be the most famous Christmas market in Germany expecting to attract over 2 million visitors from all over the world by Christmas Eve. Known as the ‘Little Town from Wood and Cloth’ with its 180 wooden stools with red and white striped awnings on Main Market Square, you’ll find Christmas tree ornaments and candles as well as arts and crafts with a constant flow of refreshments of Nuremberg sausages and mugs of mulled wine.

You won’t find any tacky goods for sale here and market holders compete for the ‘most beautiful and tasteful’ stall design and with its high demand as a picturesque backdrop for TV productions it is well worth a visit.

Cologne: Most markets run from 23rd November to the 23rd December 2009, The Floating Christmas Market starts on the 26th November and the Cologne Medieval Market starts on the 27th November, all running 11am to 9pm daily.

Germany’s 4th largest city plays host to seven Christmas Markets, lighting up the Old Town and the Square in front of Cologne Cathedral, attracting over 2 million visitors every year. ‘The Dom’ Cathedral is one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Europe, so this imposing backdrop adds to the amazing festive atmosphere. The four main markets are at Cologne Cathedral, Alter Market, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz.

There is no better time to visit this wonderful city with a new section of high-speed rail line cutting the journey from London down by 30 mins to just over four hours opening on the 13th of December. With plenty of places to visit, including art galleries, the Romanesque Churches, an abundance of entertainment including a variety of Christmas concerts, a huge temporary ice rink and not to mention all the Christmas shopping, Cologne makes an excellent choice for a festive Christmas break.