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

Holland has a great selection of Christmas markets full of local food specialities and hand painted seasonal ornaments. 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, (annual). Winter Wonderland from 28th November to 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.

Velvet Market, Valkenburg; 21st November to 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.

Belgium

Brussels; 27th November to 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 27th 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.

France

Lille; 18th November to 30th December, 11am - 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 20th December, 10am - 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

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

Dusseldorf; 20th November to 22nd December, 11.30am - 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 24th December, Mon-Thurs 9.30am - 8pm, Fri & Sat 9.30am - 10pm, Sun 10.30am - 8pm and on the last market day 9.30am - 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 23rd December. Floating Christmas Market starts on 26th November and Cologne Medieval Market starts on 27th November, all running 11am - 9pm
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.

Austria

Vienna; 15th November to 24th December, 9am - 9pm and until 5pm on Christmas Eve
Vienna has been having Christmas markets since the 13th century; this now vast market is held in the Rathausplatz, the market square in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall, with stalls selling everything from traditional wooden toys to woollen hats. After exploring all it has to offer, it is worth taking a stroll through the nearby Rathaus Park which is turned into an enchanting winter wonderland, with carousel rides and even a ‘post office in the clouds’.

Innsbruck; 15th November to 23rd December, 11am - 8pm
What makes this Christmas Market in Innsbruck’s Old Town so special is its location; perched high in the Alps every view has an amazing backdrop of snow covered mountains, so this would be a perfect location for a winter ski break and Christmas shopping trip. The whole city gets involved in this magical event, they even turn a whole storey of a building into a giant advent calendar with windows opening for every new day, this is a perfect place to take the kids.

Czech Republic

Prague; November 28th to 1st January, 9am - 7pm
You can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit with the market being held in Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. You’ll find all sorts of fantastic stocking filler treats with nativity scenes, folk bands and choirs adding to the atmosphere.

Copenhagen; 20th November to 30th December, open from 11am
Set in the beautiful scenery of the Capital’s Tivoli Gardens with a spectacular lighting display, surrounded by a great choice of restaurants and shopping among the 70 chalet style stalls, with daily appearances from Father Christmas, not to mention a ‘Pixie ville’. Be sure to sample the local speciality ‘Glogg’, a hot and spicy red wine based drink, traditionally served with pan fried cakes and jam.

The best of British Christmas Markets

Bath; 26th November to 6th December, Thurs-Sat 10am - 9pm, Sundays 11am - 6pm, Mon-Wed 10am - 7pm

Although inspired by the German Christmas markets, this is a very British Christmas market, over 100 stalls selling all sorts from handmade confectionary to exceptional jewellery. This is definitely one for the whole family, with carol services, a stilt walking snow queen and stalls raising money for different charities every day. The Christmas atmosphere running for half a mile from the Abbey to the Roman Baths can’t be missed.

Lincoln; Thurs 3rd December 4pm - 9.30pm, Fri 4th December 10am - 9.30pm, Sat 5th December 10am - 9.30pm, Sun 6th December 10am - 7pm

This is where German Christmas Markets in the UK first began in 1982 with 11 stalls; it has now grown to over 300 stalls filling the city to its limits. The market attracts over 150,000 visitors to sample its local produce of plum bread, poacher cheese and mince pies amongst the Christmas spirit, handmade gifts and fun fair rides.

London, Oxford Street; 20th November to 3rd January, Tues-Sat 10am - 9pm, Sun 10am - 9pm

2009 will be the first year a Christmas Market will be held on Oxford Street, right in the heart of London, between Bond Street and Marble Arch tube stations. This is a magical alternative to high street shopping with lots of colourful wooden chalets offering Christmas gifts from across Europe, taking place under the West End Christmas Lights.

Manchester; Albert Square 18th November to 22nd December 10am - 9pm, Brazennose Street 18th to 21st December 10am - 7.30pm (8pm Dec), St Ann’s Square 18th November to 22nd December 10am - 8pm, Exchange Square/Street 18th November to 21st December 10am - 7.30pm (8pm Dec), New Cathedral Street 18th November to 21st December 10am - 7.30pm (8pm Dec), The Triangle 18th November to 21st December every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 7pm

This is one of the biggest markets in the UK and is well worth a visit, you could wander the stalls whilst sipping Gluhwein from your very own china mug, or opt for a visit to the champagne bar whilst sampling the hog roast and award winning Lancashire Cheeses. You’ll find added extras at 2009’s market, with a crafts fair outside the Triangle Shopping Centre on Exchange Square and there’ll be a food market in Piccadilly Gardens the two weekends running up to Christmas for your chance to get prepared for your Christmas lunch. Once you’ve done all your shopping be sure to have a go on the outdoor skating rink.

Edinburgh; 26th November to 24th December Sun-Wed 10am - 8pm, Thurs-Wed 10am - 10pm, Christmas Eve 10am - 8pm

2009 will be Edinburgh’s 10th annual German style Christmas market and it just keeps getting better, with three markets to choose from. On the mound precinct stallholders come from Frankfurt with their traditional food, drinks and gifts. At the traditional Highland Village Market near Edinburgh’s big wheel you’ll find Scotland’s finest, in particular whisky and cheese. And finally the fair trade Christmas fair for a mix of classic and contemporary gifts can be found on Castle Street and Princes Street.

Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham; 12th November to 23rd December 10am - 9pm

Millions of visitors return annually to Victoria Square and Upper New Street to experience the festive atmosphere and make their way through the 180 stalls, sampling the Gluhwein and traditional Bretzels in search of the perfect Christmas gifts. Amongst all the Christmas shopping, be sure to take in the views with a ride on the 60ft big wheel in Centenary Square and make a detour to see the work of the local artists at the craft fair from November the 19th in Chamberlain Square.