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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Tips > Top 10 Christmas Markets

Top 10 Christmas Markets

Like or lump it, Europe is awash with Christmas markets In December so here’s your guide on where to go, or where to avoid - depending on your feelings towards festivities!

1. Bruges
   

   Bruges is best for food so if Christmas gluttony is your thing then check out the Plaisirs d'Hiver before January 3, 2010. This assembling of wooden chalets in the Grand-Place is a huge crowd puller, however if you want something a little more serene, try the Place Sainte Catherine instead. The guest country for 2009 and the start of 2010 is Mongolia so expect the decorations to include a taste of Asia. In other festive news, for the first time you guys can enjoy slipping and sliding in Bruges on a 40 metre long, outdoor luge – in the centre of town.

2. Paris
   

   The obvious choice in the city of lights has to be the Christmas market on the Champs Elysées. Expect amazing lighting all along the avenue and 170 stalls selling absolutely everything under the sun, bar slaves, ivory and Class A drugs of course. This is a great outing if you’re looking for a fun atmosphere and an abundance of festive lighting, rather than actual products to buy. The markets are set to kick off around December 10, 2009 so be sure to set aside a little time for a stroll through the stalls and a glass or two of mulled wine.

3. Berlin
   

   In Berlin you are very much spoilt for choice when it comes to the Christmas markets on offer. First up you have Gendarmenmarkt – from now until December 31. This is on every day between 11.00 and 22.00, with the exception of Christmas Day when it closes up at 18.00, and New Year’s Eve, when the party goes on until 01.00! This market serves up arts and crafts, tasty food, jugglers, fire swallowers and more. The nearest U-bahn is Franzosische Stasse station, and it costs a mere 1 Euro to get in. Also check out Unter den Linden near the Opera Palace, the Alexanderplatz markets mere minutes from the St Christopher’s Inn and Spandau Weinachtmarkt, which runs until December 23, 2009. Shuttle buses to this one run from Alexanderplatz, the Brandenburg Gate and KuDamm.

4. London
   

   If you’re looking for a highly enjoyable and easily accessible Christmas market in London, then your best bet is the winter wonderland in Hyde Park. Here you will find a plethora of wooden chalets, laid out in an olde-worldy village, mulled wine aplenty, festive gingerbread, treats, slightly overpriced gifts and daily Christmas carol services, sung by candle light. Also taking up residence in Hyde Park this month is Zippos Christmas Circus and a rather large ferris wheel, offering snap-tastic views across London town.

5. Edinburgh
   

   Right up until January 4, Princes Street Gardens in the centre of Edinburgh will be the home of the best Christmas shin dig in town. Shop for last minute Christmas gifts at the many, many booths, enjoy the festive food on offer and have a wee drink – you’re allowed, it’s Christmas. You guys can also make the most of Britain’s largest outdoor ice rink too - which will cost you less than ten pounds for a skate. Otherwise everything else is free. Expect hockey, curling and professional dancing on ice sessions. Events run all day, most days, but everything shuts down on December 25th.

6. Bath
   

   Alas the Bath Christmas market only runs until December 6, 2009 which quite frankly is rubbish, however it’s still one of the best festive events in the UK so it made the top ten regardless. Smack bang in the city centre you’ll find more than 120 wooden chalet-esque stalls, lined up between the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. This one is famous for stained glass, jewellery, kid’s toys and clothes, however the Bloomsbury stall hold’s the greatest appeal for the international traveller, jam packed as it is, with goods from around the world. The market is open from 10.00 between Monday and Saturday and from 11.00 on Sunday.

7. Amsterdam
   

   Amsterdam isn’t known for its Christmas markets but if you fancy a little afternoon trip the a journey to the Christmas Village in Noordwijk is well worth the trek. Also be sure to check out the Winter Parade at the Westergasfabriek from December 16, 2009 and the Funny Sunday Christmas Market, also at the Westergasfabriek, on December 13 only. Expect a little ice skating rink, fire barges and glühwein (spicy wine) – in the park, along with vendors selling toys, clothes, vintage fun, jewels, furniture, art and other cultural delicacies. The market is open between 12.00 and 18.00, and it’s free! For ice skating on a larger scale, be sure to check out the Leidseplein rink.

8. Newquay
   

   On December 12, 2009 come one, come all to the Newquay Christmas Fair. This affair is hosted by the local town council and offers free entertainment for festive fans of all ages. Expect stalls, carol singers, live bands, clowns, face painters and even Morris Dancers – all down on Bank Street, from 09.00. Over at the Newquay Zoo on December 5, 2009 there are Christmas Lights galore going on from 16.00 and between December 18 and December 20, the Newquay Jazz and Ale Festival will be in full swing. There are rumours that this might be a food, crafts and arts fair instead this year, but the only way to find out is to head along to the car park in Fore Street, next to the hostel. There’s definitely some music lined up at this one with the Tretherras School Jazz Band and the Rowing Club Singers already booked.

9. Prague
   

   The great thing about the Christmas markets in Prague is the smaller crowd and the chance this offers to actually get to the stalls. Right up until January 1, 2010, Prague's markets will be serving up handmade jewellery, sausages, corn on the cob, local mulled wine (sva_ené víno) and more. The markets are within ten minutes walking distance of each other and can be found at the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky. As far as daily good times go, the huge tree brought down to the centre of town from the mountains of the north, is lit up at 17.00, every day!

10. Vienna
    

    Until December 24, a whole bunch of old school advent markets will be creating a festive feel to Vienna with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts aplenty, and market stalls galore. Check out the big market in front of the City Hall - with a collection of intricately decorated trees in the nearby Enchanted Park and activities for all. A little out of town the glorious it’s worth checking out the courtyard of the Hapsburg’s Schönbrunn Palace where you’ll find stalls selling Austrian crafts and food, handmade gifts and festive decorations. There are over 20 official Advent markets in and around the city, including the Christmas Village in the palace garden of the baroque Belvedere Palace, the arts and crafts market in Spittelberg and the old Viennese Christmas Market, at Freyung.

- Rob Savage