European Christmas markets

Budapest has a brilliant one as doesBruges

Now for a very daft question, has anyone ever managed to transport one of those snow globes home in hand luggage? ☃️ ?

Joseanne

Fleurpepper you have given some lovely ideas where to go, all with a different flavour.
I'm not saying the exchange rate is irrelevant, but if people are booking a visit abroad to a Christmas Market in the first place I don't think they will be deterred from spending. Some might have to cut their cloth accordingly but I see it as a one off so enjoy it without worrying. The danger is I might get hooked and want to go every year!

I agree.

Christmas Markets abroad are a wonderful treat in cold boring December, money spent can't really be the deciding factor.

Each we have been to was different, each wonderful in its own way - even plastic tat in Madrid (with a fantastic very tall tree made of lights).

It is an annual must-do for us, you will get hooked! Our children, GC, GGC enjoy Christmas Markets as well.

Nannarose, I meant the Christmas markets I have been to in UK have been mostly selling the same stuff as normal markets, slippers, vests, knickers and kitchen stuff- not Christmas stuff, and certainly not much nice artisan stuff not made in China!

Joseanne, the lovely thing about Montreux is that is has a much nicer climate than Northern European markets, and it is so easily reached by train, from UK, or from Geneva airport. The train station is right next to the airport, 2 mins walk with escalator and lifts, and the journey to Montreux is all along the lake with Alps opposite. But cheap, it is not. (for instance if you visited Switzerland about 10 years ago, it is now 60% more expensive- the Swiss franc has gone up like the Dollar, and Sterling has tanked- so worth a warning).

I have been to a few Xmas markets in Europe. Prague was lovely, and I have enjoyed some smaller Scandinavian ones - although all of this was some years ago. I think they would all be very expensive now.
I think that the 'big' Xmas markets in the UK don't have too much tat (not too sure what you mean, other than cheap knickers!) I especially recommend Bath (visit to the Spa afterwards!) and Lincoln is really memorable.
I'd also agree that Waddesdon is a lovely Xmas experience, they do it very well.

Fleurpepper you have given some lovely ideas where to go, all with a different flavour.
I'm not saying the exchange rate is irrelevant, but if people are booking a visit abroad to a Christmas Market in the first place I don't think they will be deterred from spending. Some might have to cut their cloth accordingly but I see it as a one off so enjoy it without worrying. The danger is I might get hooked and want to go every year!

Montreux is great all along the lake- great quality artisan stuff- but oh the price (especially now with Pound so so low).

We really enjoyed Prague but avoid Riga. It’s simply depressing. In this country we always go to the Spirit of Xmas at Olympia. We also like the Xmas Market at Waddesden. Book afternoon tea and then wander the grounds to see the light show.

silverlining48

Berlin has lots of different markets over the city, all slightly different which makes it interesting.

Berlin is wonderful - full stop!

Berlin has lots of different markets over the city, all slightly different which makes it interesting.

Aachen and Cologne for me.

Our son lived in Prague for some years so we often did the markets there.
Prague is cheap and easy to get to and accommodation is reasonably priced.
The markets and Old Town Square are fabulous.

Sadly I will no longer do a Christmas market after being in Strasbourg at the time of the terrorist attack there.
I was unhappy at the high level of Policing and had a sixth sense something was wrong so I begged my husband to let us leave our friends and get out of the area, we did.
The following day in that very street the terrorist attack happened.

Oldbat1

It was reported in yesterdays newspapers that lots of the uk Christmas markets have been cancelled! This is due to extra costs involved bringing goods into the UK for the smallholders from europe please check.

Wonder why Euro pressie prices are high? Leavers votes explains.

DD1 and her husband have done a variety of European Christmas markets and much prefer Krakow. The people and location are better, as far as they’re concerned.
I’m a fan of York’s
Christmas Market. DD2 and I met Robert Fuller, selling his fabulous artwork there a few years ago and we love a glass of wine in the ‘teepee’.

Well, not surprising, really.

It was reported in yesterdays newspapers that lots of the uk Christmas markets have been cancelled! This is due to extra costs involved bringing goods into the UK for the smallholders from europe please check.

Grandmadinosaur

Not all British markets are full of cheap tat. I’d recommend the one at Chatsworth House. Good choice of products and in that beautiful setting it’s magical.

Ah yes, but so so expensive last time I went.

Not all British markets are full of cheap tat. I’d recommend the one at Chatsworth House. Good choice of products and in that beautiful setting it’s magical.

Fleurpepper

As said, with the Pound so massively low now, holidays are going to be so much more expensive, and everything else one there.

The euro has tumbled too so European holidays might not be much more expensive than before.
?
It’s the more far flung that trade in dollars that are going to be ruinous.?

To be honest we never went to the Winchester one last year, the first one since Covid lockdown. We heard that the stalls were a bit depleted, which was to be expected. We're planning on going again this year - we don't buy a lot each year but over the years I've bought some lovely fleece-lined gloves, a belt, usually get some sort of liqueur and bread/biscuits/chocs/fudge, some glass tree decorations and an original watercolour, amongst other things.

My apologies for going off piste, Jaylou, with UK markets

No cheap tat in the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas one. In fact nothing cheap at all. It's very continental. Not a sock or a knicker in sight.

There were a lot of artisan food stalls when I went to York Yammy, not all strictly Christmas I guess, but so delicious, and stalls selling knitted, handcrafted and wooden things were popular too - very little imported stuff. It was a while ago though, I think from memory 2017 - maybe it’s deteriorated since then.

I've been to Lincoln and York and disappointed also the Keswick. You sometimes wonder who they're hoping to sell the tat to, it is often not related to Christmas.

I can recommend the Christmas market in York, they have lots of stalls selling food and crafts made in Yorkshire - and it’s the perfect location, so pretty.

AreWeThereYet

^Sadly not many home-made, quality artisan stuff! Just the same cheap tat, socks and knickers, etc, than most 'normal' markets.^

Not always - the Winchester one has loads of artisan stalls for jewellry, knits and food and drink, plus other stuff. I'm sure that there must be others.

It would be lovely to hear if things have improved and if any UK Xmas markets do have good, interesting stuff. I went twice to Lincoln and was so disappointed I never went again.