It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. In fact, it was already looking quite a lot like Christmas in early November, when John Lewis et al started broadcasting their festive adverts and Xmas-themed aisles cropped up overnight in all the supermarkets.
However, with the big day a little over a fortnight away, further resistance is futile, so what better way to get into the festive spirit and make a start on your shopping list than a visit to a Christmas market?
Christmas markets are generally outdoors, so you’ll need to wrap up warm. For guys, this is the perfect opportunity to break out your chunky knitwear, or you could even don a Christmas jumper if you’re feeling particularly festive (you’ll find plenty of options at Jacamo.co.uk if your winter wardrobe needs an update). For girls, what better excuse do you need to debut this year’s winter coat and matching hat and scarf set, with boots probably a better option than heels if there are wet cobbles underfoot!
Many of the Christmas markets are part of a bigger festive fair with attractions like Ferris wheels and ice rinks, making these events a great destination for a hot date or an end-of-term night out with your house mates. Bear in mind that these bustling events attract big crowds at the weekends and around lunchtime and early evening, so if you’d prefer a more relaxed trip, it might be worth going along later in the evening or during the day.
Here are five of the best UK Christmas markets for festive shopping, food and fun:
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Location: Birmingham
Dates: 12 November to 22 December 2015, 10am–9pm
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is a firm fixture in the city’s annual calendar and, together with the neighbouring Christmas Craft Market, a massive favourite with both residents and visitors to the city.
With over 120 stalls, it’s the centrepiece of the city’s annual Christmas events calendar and the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. The Market offers a large range of traditional goods and gifts and a selection of tempting food and drink. Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds will tempt your tastebuds, all of which can be washed down with gluhwein, mulled cider, weissbier (wheat beer) or hot chocolate if you fancy something a bit less boozy.
And with dozens of stalls filling Victoria Square (where you can also enjoy the live music programme), New Street, Centenary Square and Chamberlain Square in the city’s centre, there are plenty of places to pick up gifts – from hand-crafted wooden decorations and delicate glass baubles to crystal lamps, leatherwork, toys and jewellery. Plus there’s an outdoor ice skating rink in front of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Broad Street until 4 January.
Find out more from the Frankfurt Christmas Market website.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Location: Hyde Park, London
Dates: 20 November 2015 to 3 January 2016, 10am–10pm
You’ll find Christmas fun aplenty at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park, with a huge ice rink, two circuses, a giant observation wheel and the Magical Ice Kingdom, plus Christmas markets and numerous themed bars and food stores.
A wander through the Christmas markets is pretty much guaranteed to get you into the spirit of the season. The event also features the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK, and the Magical Ice Kingdom offers an awe-inspiring walk through a fantastical world of ice sculptures and real snow, with the temperature set at -8°c.
As well as the 60-metre observation wheel, there are rollercoasters and fairground attractions for the thrill-seekers. The selection of themed bars include an ice bar, where even the glasses are made of ice. For those looking for some retail therapy, the Christmas markets give you plenty of choice across more than 200 Bavarian style wooden chalets.
Find out more festive from the Winter Wonderland website.
Manchester Christmas Markets
Location: Manchester City Centre (view map showing locations)
Dates: 14 November to 21 December 2015, 10am–7.30pm (8pm in December), bars open until 9pm
Manchester’s award-winning Christmas Markets offer mouth-watering international food, drinks and delicately crafted Yuletide gifts in the heart of this buzzing city. With over 300 beautifully festooned stalls and chalets, you can soak up the atmosphere as you follow the market trail through the city centre, tempting you with gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes and toys.
European and local producers offer everything from fine amber jewellery, hand-crafted leather bags and top-quality bonsai trees, to handmade Belgian kitchenware, framed prints and French soaps. There’s also an array of food and drink – from traditional bratwurst and Hungarian goulash to Spanish paella or a good old-fashioned hog roast. There are also plenty of vegetarian options on offer, with a mouth-watering selection for those with a sweet tooth.
Find out more from the Manchester Christmas Markets website.
Belfast Christmas Continental Market
Location: Belfast City Hall (Donegall Square, BT1 5GS)
Dates: 14 November to 20 December 2015 (10am–8pm Mon to Weds; 10am–10pm Thurs to Sat; 1pm–6pm Sun)
The highly popular Belfast Christmas Continental Market returns to the grounds of Belfast City Hall for the 11th year, giving visitors the chance to explore market stalls offering gifts and produce from around Continental Europe, while also guaranteeing a real Irish welcome, with plenty of entertainment on offer.
As well as indulging in a little retail therapy, visitors can enjoy a wide range of culinary delights as they wander around the Yuletide market, including Italian nougat, Belgian chocolates, French tarts, Spanish paella, giant bratwurst sold from a traditional schwenkgrill and exotic meats from around the world, such as alligator, impala, kangaroo and wild boar. One of the best creperies in Europe can be found selling both the sweet crepes and savoury galettes, with the Dutch equivalent poffertjes (or mini pancakes) also being served with a variety of toppings.
And if you fancy some liquid refreshment, there’s the Continental Bar and Lavery’s traditional Irish bar, where you can hear some great live music, or you can pay a visit to one of the German gluwein stands and enjoy a glass of warming mulled wine.
Find out more from the Belfast Christmas Continental Market site.
Edinburgh Christmas Markets
Location: Edinburgh City Centre
Dates: 20 November 2015 to 4 January 2016, 10am–10pm (markets close at 8pm on 24 December, are closed 25 December, and open at 11am on 26 December and 1 January)
If you’re in the Scottish capital in the run-up to Christmas, don’t miss the festive markets in the city centre. You can enjoy delicious food and drink and traditional crafts at the Scottish Market in St Andrew Square, pick up unique gifts and goods at the European Market in the Mound Precinct, or choose presents for your ‘wee’ relatives in the Children’s Market, part of Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens.
The markets are part of Edinburgh’s Christmas – a spectacular six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city centre, which includes light shows, fireworks, Santa visits, funfairs and a large outdoor ice rink.
Find out more from the Edinburgh’s Christmas website.
Far-flung festive fun
If your Chrimbo cravings aren’t satisfied by your local Yuletide market, or if you’re feeling intrepid and fancy impressing your other half, then why not take a trip to check out one of the best Christmas markets on the Continent? With over 60 Christmas markets dotted around Berlin alone, a trip to Germany should satisfy even the most fanatical fan of all things festive, with the markets in cool cities like Copenhagen and Milan also well worth a look.