Magical Christmas Markets You Need To Visit At Least Once In Your Lifetime

The most great time of the yr is upon us!

With its arrival, the aroma of gingerbread cookies and chestnuts (roasting on an open fireplace non-compulsory) wafting by means of the festive ambiance of your native malls and purchasing centres is nigh unavoidable. And together with the candy serenade of Christmas carols and the attractive season-appropriate decor, it’s not arduous to see why everyone seems to be in a vacation temper.

Oh, and lest we overlook, the Christmas interval additionally alerts the approaching arrival of a number of the greatest Christmas markets around the globe. From a traditional European affair to the non-traditional tradition of Japan, there’s a Christmas market on the market for everybody!

So why not take advantage of out of your year-end vacation by hopping on a aircraft to go to one in every of these magical Christmas markets? We promise the journey is effectively definitely worth the cash and energy to get there.

But when you’re nonetheless undecided on which Christmas markets to go to, we’ve obtained you fam! We’ve compiled an inventory of must-see Christmas markets that may spark that joyous and festive spirit in you.

Bath Christmas Market 

Regarded as one of many greatest locations for a winter Christmas, the Bath Christmas Market is up first. This market is the native’s favorite annual affair which is held within the centre of the historic metropolis of Bath, England. And the award-winning market is open just for a brief length on the tail-end of the yr.

Bath Christmas Market options greater than 150 fantastically adorned wood chalets adorning its historic Georgian streets, and proper outdoors the atmospheric Bath Abbey, Christmas carolers are sharing the vacation spirit. Majority of the stalls are native companies from Bath in addition to the encompassing area, yow will discover loads of handmade Christmas decorations and toys, festive meals and drinks, native art work, and even designer jewelry. Truly, the Bath Christmas Market is each festive shopper’s haven!

Osaka German Christmas Market

While in Japan, Christmas will not be a spiritual celebration however a time to unfold pleasure, and so they have their very own distinctive Christmas traditions that contain fried rooster. Come December, it’s a widespread sight to see households having a year-end feast at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) eating places.

While it’s true that Christmas markets might be present in each metropolis in Japan throughout this time, we’d prefer to level you to Osaka German Christmas Market. 

Taking inspiration from the normal Christkindlmarkt from Germany, the Osaka model is about up within the neighborhood of the always-enchanting Shin Umeda City Christmas tree. The German hüttes (huts) are dotted across the brightly-lit tree which supplies a great backdrop for selfies and is a well-liked spot amongst vacationers. Expect to search out a wide range of Christmas goodies right here, from pastries to sausages, handicraft trinkets and ornaments, the Osaka German Christmas Market can also be full with a carousel that may make you are feeling as if you’re in Germany!

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Germany

Speaking of traditional German Christmas markets, you may by no means go incorrect with visiting one of many many Christkindlesmarkt/Christkindlmarkt throughout winter.

Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, particularly, is the preferred year-end vacation market in Europe. Every yr, in the course of the Christmas season, town welcomes over two million guests.

The Christmas market is held in Nuremberg’s central sq. within the Old Town in the course of the Advent — an occasion which sees crowds gathering to look at the Christkind, an angel-like being, usually wearing golden robes and wings, to launch the festivities.

Here, greater than 180 wood stalls are promoting a complete host of Christmas-themed merchandise. For instance, handcrafted Christmas ornaments, toys, video games, and vacation treats are on the menu. In Germany, you may even maintain the mugs that serve mulled wine. Also, one shouldn’t miss out on attempting the normal Nüremberg bratwurst and gingerbread.

We’d additionally recommend searching for the lantern procession that passes by means of the market annually. This occasion options the Nüremberg schoolchildren and normally takes place the week earlier than Christmas.

Leiden Floating Christmas Market

Sitting atop one of many Netherland’s many picturesque canals, the Leiden Floating Christmas Market is without doubt one of the extra distinctive entries on our listing. Specifically, the market is situated (or quite floating) on prime of Leiden metropolis’s oldest canal — the Nieuwe Rijn.

Leiden’s Floating Christmas Market is one-of-a-kind Dutch attraction contemplating the truth that there are many Christmas markets throughout Netherland. The cosy market is made up of 90 stalls which provide varied meals and drinks, in addition to handcrafted objects. Besides Christmas purchasing and eating, you may even anticipate finding a skating ice rink and a small stage with festive performances right here – all constructed atop town’s oldest canal.

Top picture by Humphrey Muleba from Pexels

The article was first printed on 9 December 2019. Last up to date as of 28 November 2022.