Christmas Market
If your Christmas budget doesn’t stretch to a first class plane journey to Prague, Berlin or Vienna in search of Europe’s best Christmas Markets, we suggest settling for one of the festive markets the UK has to offer, you can get the same festive feeling and it is nearer to your doorstep.
Traditional Markets are springing up all over the UK, and there are more appearing every day.
The perfect Christmas shopping experience and a wonderful place to find unusual Christmas treats, it combines gift hunting with the smell of roasted chestnuts, flickering candlelight and hot mulled wine, sure enough to lift your Christmas spirits.
Be warned that some of the markets only appear for a few days at a time, depending on where you are in the UK. Check the dates below for our pick of the best market’s.
Cologne Christmas Market – London now until 23rd Dec 09
"A Christmas Market flooded in special illuminations, a spectacular Christmas tree, traditional music, numerous wooden huts filled with original handcrafts.
"The public enhanced and inspired by the magic winter atmosphere - listening to Christmas carols while drinking a glass of mulled wine, parents watching the children enjoy a ride on the merry-go-round ..." xmas-markets.com/en/
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland - London now until 3rd Jan 10
A traditional Christmas Market that also boasts Europe’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a big wheel, high quality fairground attractions and visits from Father Christmas.
Traditional German Market - Edinburgh Mound precinct now until 24th Dec 09
Provided by stall holders based in Frankfurt, the market is in its tenth successful year, selling a mix of classic and contemporary gifts as well as a range of German food and drink ideal for warming up the chilly bits.
Traditional Highland Village - Edinburgh now until 4th Jan 10
For more traditional Scottish produce, opt for the Traditional Highland village set beneath the Edinburgh Wheel.
Manchester Christmas Markets located in Albert Square, St Ann's Square, New Cathedral Street,
Exchange Street and Brazennose Street, now until 23rd December 2009
Putting the art back into Christmas and celebrating their 11th anniversary in Manchester is the return of their famous Christmas markets.
Even if you don’t buy anything, the culture and festive attractions will leave you full of festive goodness, especially if the new 6m high Weihnactspyramide (basically a giant Pyramid that holds a Nativity scene – we’ve all seen one in the Vicar of Dibley right?) which sits on top of the German Beer Tent.
manchester.gov.uk/info/200066/markets/1654/christmas_markets/1
Frankfurt Christmas market - Birmingham now until 23rd Dec 09
With over two million visitors each year, Birmingham’s biggest market offers traditional German gifts, food and mulled wine. It is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria.
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