Whether you fancy an end-of-year European city break or you’d rather stay a bit closer to home, here are five festive Christmas markets to spark your seasonal spirit.
Bath
Bath is a pretty UK city break at any time of year, but the stunning Somerset city truly comes alive every Christmas. With the magnificent Bath Abbey as a backdrop, the pedestrian-friendly streets swell with stalls from independent retailers and festive food outlets.
It’s safe, friendly and accessible with the focus on stylish and sustainable shopping, rather than piles of landfill-bound tat. Organisers ensure stallholders minimise the use of single-use plastic in favour of biodegradables, the event runs on a single electricity generator and you can support plenty of local charities on your visit. Instead of coming home with a cheap Santa hat and mass produced baubles, you’re more likely to treat yourself and your loved ones with handmade jewellery or unique homewares.
Copenhagen
Definitely one for a family-friendly Christmas market experience, Copenhagen offers multiple photogenic markets with plenty of entertainment. If you’ve got wide-eyed kids in tow – and they’re not yet Santa-cynical – magical Tivoli Gardens is a must on your Copenhagen Christmas itinerary. With plenty of rides, including the Elf Train and the Forest Carousel, as well as the opportunity to make a personal request to Santa, the focus is on fun. Be sure to book Tivoli tickets in advance to avoid tears.
Across the rest of the city, more Christmas markets pop up every year, running into the new year. The Højbro Plads Christmas Market is an old favourite with Italian, French and local influences, while the newer Hans Christian Andersen Christmas market is growing in popularity as a family favourite, along with the Jul i ZOO (Christmas in Zoo) experience. And for something a bit different, Christiania, Copenhagen’s freetown, hosts a multicultural market with bazaar vibes.
Frankfurt
It is a rare German city that doesn’t have a Christmas market and Frankfurt is one of the biggest and oldest. With origins stemming back to an extravagant Christmas wedding celebration in 1498, the Frankfurt Christmas markets came into their own in the 19th century when fir trees became a festive favourite. Originally only open to people from Frankfurt, the markets developed a traditional German feel that is now experienced every year by people from all over the world.
With multiple locations across the city, visitors can expect handicrafts, toys, hearty food, hot alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and art markets where you can pick up something special from one of more than 100 creators. For those seeking an Insta-worthy moment, the Pink Christmas-themed Friedrick-Stoltze-Platz is resplendent in rosy-hued lights and decorations. The LGBTQ+-friendly market features stalls in wooden huts selling warming treats, such as hot cocktails and homemade soups.
Prague
Prague is one of those cities that becomes even more magical when dusted with snow. And the changes of a white Christmas experience here are high with an average of 11.9 days of snow in December. Prague’s Christmas markets are ideal for those who want a proper Crimbo with all the traditions and trimmings.
The main markets can be found in the Old Town Square and the iconic Wenceslas Square – surely that would make even the most committed Scrooge feel like bursting into a rousing rendition of “Good King Wenceslas” over a mulled wine. With enormous Christmas trees presiding over the squares, more trinkets than you can shake a fir branch at and plenty of family-friendly fun, such as the opportunity to meet nativity animals, it’s a yuletide calendar classic.
Edinburgh
For the seasonal atmosphere, it’s hard to beat the photogenic city of Edinburgh at Christmas. An integral part of the city’s annual Winter Fest, the markets have a strong focus on selling gifts and goodies from Scotland, including snuggle-worthy knitwear, handmade tree decorations and plenty of food and drink to eat as you wander around or take home for delicious presents.
As well as local specialities, homewares from the Middle East add a multicultural touch, while the Christmas tree maze and Santa’s Stories performances will keep the kids occupied. KIds aged 12 and above can get in touch with their inner Torvill and Dean at the ice rink. Grown-ups, meanwhile, can rug up and quite literally chill out at the Polar Ice Bar, where the temperature is a brisk -8℃ and even the glasses are made of ice.
