Christmas Markets European/US
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s historic capital set to sparkle this Christmas
The festive season in the Scottish capital is truly a magical experience. In the shadow of the historic castle, Edinburgh’s Capital Christmas makes the city the place to be.
The city’s Princes Street Gardens become the focus of Edinburgh’s enchanting Christmas celebrations. The striking Edinburgh Wheel, next to the famous Scott Monument, will make a welcome return this year and will provide exhilarating views across the city from its 33 meter vantage point. Winter Wonderland, one of the largest open air ice rinks in Europe, is also back as the stunning and vibrant centerpiece to the Gardens.
There are plenty of goodies to fill your Christmas stocking at the traditional Christmas Market, where 25 stalls come direct from Germany to provide an authentic continental experience. The variety of products range from beautiful hand-blown baubles to wooden toys and the very popular traditional German mulled wine, Glühwein. Last year, 15,000 mugs were sold, proving that the spicy aroma is hard to resist on a cold winter evening. There are plenty of other shopping opportunities throughout the city. Home to Jenners, the world’s oldest independent department store dating back to 1838. The old town has some of Edinburgh’s most unique specialty shops including antique books, contemporary design and gourmet food. There is even a Christmas shop selling decorations all year around.
Children can expect a special treat, when Edinburgh becomes home to Santa’s Reindeer for two weeks. Santa’s Reindeer will live in West Princes Street Gardens, counting down to their big night on Christmas Eve. Pony and trap rides and Edinburgh’s Robert Brothers Circus will also add to the festive fun.
Opening hours Christmas market
28 November – 24 December 2006
A little piece of Germany in the heart of Leeds, as over 40 traders from the City of Frankfurt set up stalls for the annual Christkindelmarkt.
The market is one of the largest authentic German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, greenery and twinkling white fairy lights, creating a unique continental style festive atmosphere.
There’s a great range of gift ideas for all the family, from handmade jewelry, glassware, ceramics, candles, and handcrafted wooden toys to a unique range of table decorations and Christmas cards.
One can enjoy a warming mug of Glühwein to German delicacies such as Bratwurst, soups and roasted almonds in the “Kuhstall” a covered seating area with a real log fire, to help chase away those winter chills. Specialty foods also featured throughout the market, ideal for holiday treats, including Stollen (German Christmas Cake), candied fruits, ginger bread houses, Christmas cookies and candies and even a butchery selling smoked German sausages and meats.
Christkindelmarkt is easy to find, situated on Millennium Square, just 5 minutes away from Briggate.
Opening hours Christkindelmarkt
23 November – 17 December 2006
Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday – 11 am – 5 pm
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/
Manchester, UK
Manchester city center will positively glow this Christmas. The trees in Albert Square, dripping with fairy lights against the dramatic Gothic Town Hall, provide a magnificent backdrop to the delightful European Christmas Markets, which are now so successfully established that the festive season wouldn’t be the same without them.
St. Ann’s Square will be transformed into an enchanting Bavarian village, as the German market traders gather with their hand-crafted wooden toys, traditional Christmas decorations, crystal lamps, hot roast chestnuts and Glühwein bar.
And just to add to the icing on the cake, silversmiths, wood-turners, blacksmiths, embroiderers, painters, and potters are just a few of the many crafts represented at the Christmas Arts and Crafts Market that offer you the opportunity to buy that extra special Christmas gift.
Manchester was the first to bring a traditional German Christmas market to the UK and combined with the European and Crafts markets presents the largest festive market place in the country.
Opening hours:
European Christmas Market – Albert Square
16 Nov – 20 Dec 2006
10 am – 9 pm, daily
Traditional German Christmas Market – St. Ann’s Square
16 Nov – 20 Dec 2006
10 am – 8 pm, daily
Christmas Craft Markets – Exchange Street
16 Nov – 20 Dec 2006
10 am – 8 pm, daily
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/
Birmingham, UK
Back by popular demand, the Frankfurt Christmas market returns to Birmingham. With over 80 stalls the market is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria and is part of a tradition, which dates back to 1393.
As well as purchasing unusual gifts such as handmade toys, candles, glasswork and traditional, hand-painted Christmas decorations you can also sample the tempting treats offered by traders.
Hot food such as Bratwurst is available along with fresh bread, roasted chestnuts, ginger bread shapes, chocolate covered fruit and sweets, all of which are scrumptious, especially when accompanied by a glass of Glühwein.
As part of the Frankfurt Market there is a fairground carousel permanently in Victoria Square and every weekend there will be afternoon and evening concerts on a bandstand in the heart of the market.
Opening hours:
16 November – 23 December 2006
10 am – 8 pm, daily
http://www.christmasbirmingham.com/
Belgium
European Christmas Market
Christmas and New Year, tradition or celebration? Above all, these are festivities and atmospheres unlike any other. In the decorations, the lighting and the mood music, all the senses are charmed by the talents deployed for these occasions. The Grand-Place is decked with its majestic Nordic spruce. In the vicinity of the Vieux Marché aux Grains, place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons, everyone is keeping warm with the flavors of mulled wine and ‘croustillons’. And with your new-found ‘Belgian’ courage, you’re ready to take on the skating rink set up on the docks of the former Port of Brussels, or board the big wheel, which offers an unobstructed view over the twinkling city lights. Last-minute purchases and surprise presents are picked up without any problems: most of the shops are open on Sunday.
Brussels 2 December 2006 – 1 January 2006
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 11 am – 10 pm
24 + 31 December 2006, 11 am – 6 pm
25 December 2006 and 1 January 2007, 2 – 10 pm
http://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/
Liège 1 – 30 December 2006
Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 7 pm
Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
A nice Christmas market on place St. Lambert and Place du
Marché
Luxemburg
During the weeks before Christmas, markets flourish all over the country. From wooden huts that are set up on town and city squares, all sorts of Christmassy goods are on sale: locally produced arts and crafts (candles, Christmas trees and decorations, cribs, music, etc), and of course plenty of food and drink to warm you from the inside. The latter include the obligatory mulled wines, as well as the stronger stuff (e.g. Schnapps, known as “Drëpp”). Foods on sale include various soups (with or without Mettwurscht [a local sausage specialty]), pancakes, Thüringer, … , plus the unpronounceable: “Gromperekichelcher”. The bandstand in the centre of the square is also very much in use: A whole host of local bands, fanfares, choirs, etc, are performing, bringing to life the true Christmas atmosphere.
Opening hours:
Place d’Armes and Rue du Curé in Luxemburg city
December 1 – 24, 2006
10.30 am – 8 pm, daily
http://www.luxembourg.lu/
Medieval Christmas Market at Castle Vianden, Luxemburg
December 16 – 17, 2006
10 am – 7 pm
http://www.castle-vianden.lu/
WORTH VISITING !!!
France
Colmar Marché de Noel
25 Nov. - 31 Dec….. 06
Sunday – Thursday, 10 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm
24 and 31 December, 10 am – 5 pm
December 25, closed
Especially designed stalls offering selected Christmas items are
set up throughout the historical part of town.
Place des Dominicains, Place Jeanne d’Arc, Koifhus, Place de
l’Ancienne Douane and next to Petite Venise.
http://www.noel-colmar.com/
Worth seeing !!!
Thionville Marché de Noel
2 – 23 December 2006
Sunday-Thursday, 10 am – 7 pm
Friday + Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm
This traditional Christmas market is set up at the Place de Marche
in the historical part of town.
http://www.thionville.net/
Arras Marché de Noel
1 – 24 December 2006
A very traditional Christmas market with 60 wooden chalets set up
against the arcades of the Grand Plaza.
http://www.ot-arras.fr/
Strasbourg 436th Christkindlsmärik
25 Nov – 31 Dec 06
10 am – 8 pm, daily
Closed on December 25.
A very special Christmas market at a beautiful old city, lights and
magic unfolds particularly in the afternoon when darkness breaks.
Hundreds of booths are set up in front and around every church in
town.
Broglieplatz, Münsterplatz and Bahnhofsvorplatz
http://www.ot-strasbourg.fr/
Metz Weihnachtsmarkt
25 November – 31 December 2006
10 am – 8 pm, daily
Closed on December 25.
There are five Christmas markets in Metz.
Place Saint Louis
Traditional market with approx. 90 stalls decorated in the colors of
Norway and Tyrol.
Place de la Gare
Christmas magic at this small market with about 30 stalls offering
all the Christmas goodies.
Esplanade
This is the place to get active on the 800 sqm ice-skating rink there
is also a children park.
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, noon – 9 pm
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, 10 am – 9 pm
Forum Saint Jacques
The place for the children with many attractions from sweets to
miniature train rides.
Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm, daily
http://www.metz.fr/
Italy
Trento Weihnachtsmarkt, Piazza Fiera
25 November – 24 December 2006
Sunday – Thursday, 10 am – 7.30 pm
Friday + Saturday, 10 am – 9.30 pm
Christmas Eve 10 am – 5 pm
There are many Christmas markets in the Trentino region. In
Trento dozens of wooden stalls are set up in front of the medieval
city wall
Arco the traditional market is set up throughout the historic part of town.
17 November – 23 December 2006, Fri-Sat 10 am – 7 pm
Levico the Christmas market is set up inside the park on these days:
25 – 26 November 2006, 10 am – 7 pm
1-3, 7-10, 15-17, 22-24 December 2006, 10 am – 7 pm
26, 29-31 Dec 06 + 1 – 6 January 2007, 2-7 pm
Siror Small village with a has a traditional Christmas market
3, 8, 9, 10, 17 December 2005
http://www.trentino.to/
Worth seeing !!!
Sterzing Weihnachtsmarkt
30 November 2006 – 7 January 2007
A very special Christmas market at this mining town with many
wooden stalls set up throughout town in the middle of the
Rosskopf winter sports region.
http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-sterzing.com/
Worth visiting !!!
Meran Adventsmarkt
1 – 30 December 2006
Monday - Friday 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday 10 am – 7:30 pm; Sunday 9 am – 7:30 pm
24 Dec 9 am – 3 pm
25 Dec closed
A small very relaxing market is set up throughout town.
http://www.meraneradvent.it/
Brixen Weihnachtsmarkt
1 December 06 – 6 January 2007
Monday - Saturday 10 am – 7:30 pm
Sunday 9:30 am – 7 pm
Closed 25 Dec + 1 Jan
Many stalls are set up throughout this medieval town in the Alps.
The visitors can vote for the nicest stall which will be awarded with
a “golden spruce” and the voters can win a weekend trip to
Brixen.
http://www.weihnacht-brixen.com/
Worth visiting !!!
Austria
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
Dom und Residenzplatz
23 November – 24 December 2006
Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 8:30 pm
Friday, 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday, 9 am – 8:30 pm
The Christmas market is set up in front of the cathedral offering
everything one can think about when dreaming about Christmas in
Austria.
http://www.salzburg.info/
Christmas Market at castle Hellbrunn
23 November – 24 December 2006
Wednesday- Friday, 1 – 8 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
8 Dec, 10 am – 8 pm, Christmas Eve 10 am – 2 pm
A fairytale background for one of the prettiest Christmas markets
in Austria.
http://www.adventzauber.tv/
Worth seeing !!!
Bad Ischl Europa Advent
1 - 8 December 2006
Visitors from all over Europe will set up their stalls in the heart of
the historic town Bad Ischl.
http://www.badischl.at/
Worth visiting !!!
Christkindlmarket Chicago, U.S.A.
Uniting Old World Holiday Market Charm with Modern Architecture
Chicago’s popular winter signature event and travel destination, Christkindlmarket Chicago 2006, presented by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, returns for its tenth consecutive year to bring this unique and delightful German holiday tradition with international flair and local specialties to Chicagoans and visitors alike.
With over 1 million visitors every year, Christkindlmarket is Chicago’s largest, four-week long open air holiday festival. Inspired by the famous German Christmas Market in Nürnberg, which dates back to 1545, Christkindlmarket Chicago will take place in Downtown Chicago on Daley Center Plaza and on Block 37 (Washington, Dearborn & State Streets) from November 24 to December 22, 2005, uniting old world charm with modern architecture.
Heralding the start of the merriest season of the year, Christkindlmarket Chicago opens for a sneak preview on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, from 11 am to 4 pm following the State Street Thanksgiving Parade™ organized by the Chicago Festival Association. Mayor Daley will officiate the Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Grand Opening of the Christkindlmarket Chicago on Friday, November 24, 2006, at 4:00 pm (Christkindlmarket Chicago will open from 10 am to 9 pm). The joined festivities will feature live performances, city dignitaries and the holiday prologue by the official Christkindle, the original Christmas Fairy, from Nuremberg, Germany.
In over 65 charming traditional timber booths, walk-in cottages, and vendor pavilions, vendors from Germany, Europe and the Americas offer a broad variety of unique products and specialties. From German holiday delicacies and chocolates such as the famous Nürnberger Lebkuchen (ginger bread cookies) or the Christmas Stollen (fruit cake) to original German holiday ornaments, from artistic glass, pewter and straw decorations to wooden toys and nutcrackers, from cuckoo clocks to beer steins, from delicate lace products and hand-knit sweaters to candles, jewelry and music, Christkindlmarket Chicago’s vendors display high-quality craftsmanship and exceptional products.
Christkindlmarket Chicago offers a special little something for every one: families and children relish the soft pretzels, the merry-go-rounds and the annual Children’s Lantern Parade, date TBD (the parade is patterned after the German St. Martin parade celebrating Samaritan deeds). Chicagoans meet during their lunch hours sampling the enticing variety of German and American specialties or enjoy the inspiring live demonstrations of glassblowing, woodcarving and onsite baking of pretzels and bread in traditional ovens. Visitors coming from all over the USA and abroad alike unwind to musical performances by choirs and bands while shopping for unique gifts. On the weekends, the caroling Glen Sorgatz Brass Band and live performances by a German American band in the Wine & Beer Pavilion accentuate the festive atmosphere. Performances every Saturday & Sunday, 2-24 Dec 06, 1 – 4 pm
The popular and heated Timber House on Daley Plaza and the Wine & Beer Pavilion on Block 37 invite visitors to enjoy the famous German Gemütlichkeit. Tasty traditional European and American food, such as brats, potato pancakes, schnitzel, goulash, pork loin or hot dogs await the visitors, to be savored with the famous hot Glühwein, a spiced red wine, served in the signature Christkindlmarket Chicago mugs or a cold German beer. At the Welcome to Germany corner in the ‘Wine & Beer Pavilion visitors can learn more about Germany and its beautiful cities and landscapes. They will find diverse information to plan their next vacation. Companies or organization can also rent the special event area in the Wine & Beer Pavilion for special holiday receptions, incentive events or informal business meetings.
Admission to the Christkindlmarket is free: Open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, expanded opening hours Fri. & Sat. to 9:00 pm. Christkindlmarket Chicago is organized by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (http://www.gaccom.org/) and its subsidiary German American Services, Inc. in close cooperation with the City of Chicago and Chicago’s Mayor’s Office of Special Events. This year, 1.2 million visitors are expected to enjoy this charming, German holiday festival again.
Opening hours Christmas market:
23 November – 24 December 2006
Friday + Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 8 pm; 24 Dec 06, 11 am – 4 pm