ZiaBia’s top Christmas market experiences in the UK and Europe

The temperature is dropping, nights are drawing in and adverts are focused on one thing…Christmas!

If you celebrate Christmas, or just like to get into a wintery spirit, there is one sure-fire way to ramp things up a notch – a German-style Christmas Market.

We thought we would shine a (fairy) light on some of the best…

Europe

Germany immediately springs to mind, however it’s worth considering other gems around the continent:

• Munich has an abundance of markets to choose from. Each offers a different experience, varying from Bavarian, food or craft focused, ice-skating to name a few.
• Hanover is a stunning port city in the north and also boasts numerous market experiences. From expansive beer gardens, to stations, night-time only to forests.
• Cologne is a very popular trip for British shoppers. Markets are open now – explore the many markets during a mulled-wine tour through the cathedral city. Be aware though that Cologne Station is currently undergoing refurbishment so there maybe some disruption if travelling there by train
• Zagreb has won the ‘best European Christmas Market’ three years in a row so definitely one to add to the list. ‘Advent for Christmas’ transforms Zagreb into a city-wide winter wonderland.
• Brussels hosts ‘Winter Wonders’ from the end of November showcasing local crafters and producers as well as the city’s culture
• Ghent’s market takes place throughout December. Stalls are laid out around the city’s meandering streets and riverways of the historic centre

A word of warning – many stall holders do not accept credit or debit cards so cash is king (or an EC Card).

United Kingdom

You can now find Christmas markets across towns and cities. Here’s our pick of the best:

• Bath is hugely popular for tourists in its own right, so when the market opens up the city swells with visitors. Arrive early and use the Park and Ride! Cute chalets line the streets adjacent to Roman and Georgian architecture. Open Thursday 27^th November to Sunday 14^th December
• Edinburgh hosts their market at East Princes Street Gardens now until Sunday 4^th January as an extension to the famous Hogmanay celebrations. Why not take a ride on their big wheel or 80m Starflyer?
• Birmingham pays homage to Frankfurt with their market which is open throughout November and December in the heart of the city centre. It boasts to be the largest German market outside Germany or Austria
• Blenheim is a great alternative to a city market. As well as the usual stalls, there is also a superb light trail, and this year hosts a Wizard of Oz experience in the palace itself! Open now until Saturday 3 January and tickets apply

Festive facts

1. The first Christmas market is believed to have started in Vienna in 1298. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest continuously running Christmas markets in the world starting in 1434. By comparison, the UK’s oldest is Lincoln which started in 1982!
2. The Toronto Christmas Market is one of the largest in North America
3. The Copenhagen Christmas market promotes eco-friendly practices, including recycling and using biodegradable materials
4. The Edinburgh Christmas market offers sensory-friendly sessions, ensuring everyone can enjoy the festive atmosphere
5. Many UK Christmas markets, like the one in Bath, are using eco-friendly energy to light up their stalls and decorations
6. Christmas markets have always been a place for local producers to showcase their wares so a perfect opportunity to sample traditional food products

Next year is the ideal time to start planning a winter conference or incentive, and what better way to surprise your delegates than with a bit of festive shopping to round things off?

If you would like to explore this idea further, contact us and we would be delighted to share our experiences and put a programme together for you.