Edinburgh
Christmas markets have been a tradition since medieval times and Edinburgh’s German Christmas Market is provided by stallholders based in Frankfurt. The popular market is back as always, selling a mix of classic and contemporary gifts as well as a range of German food and drink ideal for warming you up on a chilly day. Tasty delights include hearty sausages, fried potato cakes, crepes and German beer, as well as the now famous Gluhwein. Lucerne
Lucerne sparkles under the glow of Christmas decorations, and visitors are greeted by an enchanting Christmas market located at the train station. The captivating aroma of mulled wine and Christmas confectionery wafts over 45 charming market stalls.
Maastricht
Winterland Maastricht
Visit Winterland Maastricht for a Christmas Market with a lively festive atmosphere in Holland. For six weeks, the Vrijthof in Maastricht will change into a festive square, with a Christmas Market, an ice-rink, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and a variety of other seasonal attractions. Browse over 50 stalls for seasonal food and drink, such as oliebollen, poffertjes and Gluhwein. So whether you're looking for exciting Christmas gift ideas or traditional Dutch Christmas fare, Winterland Maastricht is sure to grant you your Christmas wishes. Denmark
Europe’s oldest amusement park, the Tivoli Gardens, hosts Copenhagen’s annual Christmas market. The setting is out of Hans Christian Andersen, with hundreds of Christmas trees and over half a million lights illuminating the stalls and park.
The main lake is transformed into an outdoor ice skating rink, where visitors can hire skates. There are around 60 colourfully-painted stalls, selling locally produced arts, crafts and decorations, such as Copenhagen porcelain or wooden dolls. There are plenty of food stalls – the main draw here is glögg, Danish mulled wine mixed with liquor and spices. Hot apple dumplings make for a warming mid-shopping snack. Rome
Rome’s Piazza Navona has to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Each December, continuing on through January 6th, there’s a Piazza Navona Christmas market. On January 6th, Italian children celebrate the Epiphany with the tradition of La befana. La befana is an old witch who leaves good children a stocking filled with candies on the morning of January 6th. Walking through the market stalls, you will see many of these witches on display. |
London Southbank
This is a large German style Christmas Market with wooden chalets situated between Southbank Centre and London Eye. Meet with family, friends or colleagues at Southbank Centre this Christmas and enjoy a beautiful Christmas Market at this unique location. Whilst wandering about, look for and find unusual Christmas presents such as amber & silver jewellery, hand crafted toys, fragile glass ornaments for your Christmas tree, hand tatted laces, wooden toys, hand-made soap, unique Christmas decoration as well as hand-made ceramics. The carousel in the centre of the Christmas Market offers younger visitors an enjoyable attraction especially for them. Parents can relax with a glass of “Glühwein” (German Mulled Wine) while listening to traditional Christmas music and watching their little ones enjoying a ride on the merry-go-round.
The cultural and Christmas market in the Ehrenhof in front of Schönbrunn Palace offers romance in front of an imperial backdrop, and is converted into a New Year's market after Christmas. The atmospheric market shows traditional handicrafts, handmade jewelry and Christmas decorations. In addition to an extensive children's program, there is also a Christmas workshop. Prague
Prague, Czech Republic The two best Vanocni trh (Christmas markets) are on the long slope of Wenceslas Square and in the medieval movie set of the Old Town Square formed around a giant Christmas tree, manger scene, and small petting zoo. The markets' brightly decorated stalls sell wooden toys, Bohemian crystal, handmade jewellery, classic Czech marionettes, honeyed gingerbread, and vosí hnízda' nutty cookies heavy with rum. Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France. The oldest Christmas market in France, dating back to the 16th century, and one of the largest now spreads throughout the city, but its historical heart is place Broglie and place de la Cathédrale, the medieval square in front of Strasbourg's delicate–spired Gothic cathedral. Local crafts to look out for include glass paintings, marquetry, music boxes, embroidered tablecloths and earthenware pottery, while the food and drink stalls will tempt with spiced bread, traditional bredle cakes, mulled wine and, of course, foie gras. When you tire of shopping, there's an ice rink in place du Château, a programme of more than 50 concerts in the cathedral and city churches, plus children's storytelling and entertainments. Or visit La Petite France, an enchanting, riverfront area of black-and-white timbered fairy-tale buildings, including a gingerbread bakery. |
Heidelberg
Heidelberg's Christmas market extends over no fewer than five squares: Kornmarkt, Marktplatz, Universitätsplatz, Anatomiegarten and Bismarckplatzr
It is great for a leisurely browse and has stunning views of the castle and the old quarter with its beautiful Christmas decorations. A wide array of crafts and tasty regional delicacies all add to the Christmas spirit in the historic town of Heidelberg. A new attraction at the Heidelberg Christmas market is “Christmas on Ice” situated on Karlsplatz. With a spectacular view of the Castle and surrounded by trees glistening with hundreds of stars, residents and guests can skate round the open-air ice rink to the accompaniment of Christmas music Another premiere and fascinating experience will be the Art-Advent Calendar at Heidelberg Castle. Basel
In the heart of the city, in the Old Town with its glittering Christmas decorations, the attractive Basel Christmas market has a special atmosphere of its own. With more than 100 brightly illuminated stands and wooden chalet booths, traders and craftspeople from all over Switzerland and the region offer their goods and give a demonstration of their skills Be sure to visit the Johann Wanner House, which is world famous for its range of Christmas ornaments. Everything one could desire for a Christmas festival ~ just like in the good old days ~ is to be found here. Angels of wood, china, paper of all sizes floating in the air, magnificent glass balls for Christmas trees and gently tinkling bells and Advent calendars make the atmosphere very special Stockholm
The Christmas market in Old Town Stockholm. The Swedish winter is here, which means that in Stockholm, the sun is going down around 3 in the afternoon. It makes for very short days. Swedes though, know how to combat the darkness, Christmas lights line the streets and candles shine in windows throughout town. It makes for a beautiful stroll through Stockholm. One of the best places to end up during your stroll is the Christmas Market in Gamia Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town. Nice
The Christmas Market in Nice, France. While most people know Nice, for the beautiful Mediterranean beaches and perfect summer weather, it is also home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Set up on Place Massena, some features include an ice skating rink, fake snow, market stalls selling gifts and food, a giant ferris wheel, trampolines, and fun houses. Enjoy some freshly made mulled wine as you take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. |
