With the weather chilling and Christmas in the near distance, many of us are beginning to get excited about the festive season. Although most people hate the manic atmosphere of seasonal shopping and are taking to the internet to complete their gift buying with ease, there is one festive shopping experience that shouldn’t be missed: the Christmas markets.
A Christmas market can bring festive joy to even the most dedicated of Scrooges and can lift spirits higher than the star atop the Christmas tree, so even if not shopping for gifts, a winter market should definitely be on your seasonal to-do list. With celebrations on the horizon, here are some of the best Christmas markets for you to start planning your visits to today!
London’s Southbank
The Southbank is filled with a German market from mid-November up until Christmas Eve and sees a stretch alongside the Thames become filled with festive cheer and fun. Along with the traditional German food, visitors can pick up handmade gifts and beautiful presents that cherished family and friends will adore. With the London Eye glowing in the background and other famous landmarks being clearly visible, shoppers can enjoy the harmonies of choral performances from local schools and recreational singing groups from all genres twice a day to make your market experience wonderfully unique.
Bruges’ Winter Wonderland
The city of Bruges has long been known for its picturesque, quaint streets and canals and the country of Belgium is renowned for having some of the best Christmas markets. Wrap up warm and wander the medieval streets and canals before exploring the Christmas stalls. The market stands in Simon Stevinplein, a square named after a local physicist (a statue of whom stand in the centre), which is surrounded by buildings displaying traditional Belgian facades. Those that are enchanted by the beautiful city may want to return in the spring to visit the Meifoor- an annual fair that opens the 3rd Friday after Easter Sunday.
Cheltenham’s Regency Streets
Resting on the Cheltenham Promenade, the market’s wooden chalets have the wonderful backdrop of Regency architecture which creates a magical atmosphere. From the 5th to the 21st December, visitors can peruse the wares of the market and delight in the gastric offerings of the German mulled wine bar, crepe and bratwurst stands.
For those looking to do some early gift shopping, Cheltenham also hosts an early Christmas fashion and gift fair in late October at the towns famous racecourse. The indoor fair opts for stalls selling more unique wares that are seldom found in regular retails stores, with designer clothing, homeware and gifts ready for purchase.
Strasbourg , the Home of Christmas
Proclaiming itself to be the capital of Noël, Strasbourg’s market runs for the whole of December and embodies the Christmas spirit. Originally called the Klausenmärik, the market grew out of a celebration of Saint Nicolas (who is now more commonly known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas) and is known to be one of the first places where evergreen trees were decorated for festivities. Those travelling to this Christmas market can experience all the traditional festivities, with carol singers, Nativity plays and delicious food that will really get people in the Christmas spirit.
