European Christmas Fairs and Markets
There are many many Christmas fairs and markets that take place all over Europe to get you in the festive mood. I’ve listed just some of the main ones. If you can recommend (or otherwise) a particular market please leave a comment.
France
The French markets are famed for their cakes, pastries, chocolates, pates and meats, in addition to arts and crafts and gifts. Most of them start late November, but check dates of individual markets before you go.
Amiens – said to be the biggest Christmas market in northern France and specialised in produce from the Picardy region
Grenoble – starts in December and has more than 50 chalets with chocolates, candles, gingerbread, wooden toys and more. They also have fireworks, clowns, games and jazz bands
Lille Market
Lille – has a funfair with a big wheel on the Grand Place, many lights and entertainment and of course plenty of stalls to try and buy lovely waist-thickening goodies. On the last Saturday before Christmas 450 tubas perform carols.
Strasbourg, Alsace Region – one of the biggest, and arguably one of the most popular in France. They have a skating rink and some 60 free concerts.
Germany
German markets tend to be very traditional and many of the items available are more craft oriented than mass-produced. You can find crib figurines, carvings, candles and of course all manner of edible goodies such as baked apples, mulled wine, hot chestnuts and famous gingerbread biscuits (Lebkuchen). Most markets start in the last week of November
Aachen – is the closest German market to the UK (4 hours from London by train). It is set around the cathedral and town hall on the market square.
Berlin – is the ‘capital’ of German Christmas markets with a staggering choice of 60 individual markets – one will be held in front of the Charlottenburg Castle. Another worth a visit is the Genarmenmarkt being one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Bremen – has a ‘walk-through’ advent calendar on the maritime promenade. In 2008 a fairytale of snow and ice sculptures featuring 30 scenes from Dickens will be created.
Cologne – has 6 individual markets including a Medieval Christmas Market and a Floating Christmas Market, and attracts some 2 million visitors annually
Cologne Market
Dortmund – one of the biggest Christmas markets with over 300 stalls packed around a gigantic Xmas tree (made up of 1,700 individual fir trees)
Frankfurt – the market here is one of the oldest and has been going for over 600 years (and is only 15 minutes away from the airport).
Munich – this fair originates in the 14th century and has over 20 individual markets. There is a daily alpine concert, a ‘Heavenly Workshop’ – where children between 6 and 12 can get involved in arts and crafts. Munich also offers the ‘Tollwood’ which is a fantastic ethnic festival with tents housing international musicians and drama groups.
Stuttgart – one of the oldest and prettiest markets with an outdoor skating rink
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