[Travel] Christmas Markets

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Just got back from Vienna for my wife's birthday, and we timed going for the Christmas Markets starting. What a beautiful city...we both agreed its the most stunning place weve been to. Incredibly clean, very friendly, very safe...and the markets were great. Weve done them over here before, but Vienna blew them out the water. Definitely a place to go if you're looking for a weekend break.
Now shes experienced Austria, she wants to do more in the years ahead, so....

Which others have you been to, and can recommend?

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Been going to Bruges, apart from lockdown for years, going first weekend in December. Love it there and it's only an hour's drive from Calais.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Prague Christmas market is very atmospheric, and the Christmas tree is amazing.

Hopefully that squalid abomination in Valley Gardens that somebody described as looking like a Calais refugee camp won't be happening this year

 

[dolphins]

Been going to Bruges, apart from lockdown for years, going first weekend in December. Love it there and it's only an hour's drive from Calais.

Went there in mid December last year as part of a cruise of Northern Europe. I'd not been for many years to Bruge and loved it. The central square (which had a big Christmas tree in a large plastic bubble, which had loads of seating in it) had loads of tasty beers in different glasses (favourite was the local Brugse Zot - yum!) and IIRC you gave a euro deposit on the glass, and could keep it if you wished. Kept a couple, but my Brugse Zot glass was broken by accident by Mrs D when we got home. Thankfully I picked up a replacement on Amazon as it was a particularly decent glass for beer...

 

[Surf's Up]

Just got back from Vienna for my wife's birthday, and we timed going for the Christmas Markets starting. What a beautiful city...we both agreed its the most stunning place weve been to. Incredibly clean, very friendly, very safe...and the markets were great. Weve done them over here before, but Vienna blew them out the water. Definitely a place to go if you're looking for a weekend break.
Now shes experienced Austria, she wants to do more in the years ahead, so....

Which others have you been to, and can recommend?

So you're saying that the Viennese Christmas market is better than the pop-up Christmas market adjacent to St Peter's church

 

[Simonf93]

brussels xmas market is amazing, took longer to drive to dover than it did from dunkirk, so much to see and in the main square there is an incredible light display where the xmas tree is…

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Been going to Bruges, apart from lockdown for years, going first weekend in December. Love it there and it's only an hour's drive from Calais.

I love Bruges, having visited it quite a few times for day visits. I was disappointed with their Christmas market though.

 

[Simonf93]

brussels xmas market is amazing, took longer to drive to dover than it did from dunkirk, so much to see and in the main square there is an incredible light display where the xmas tree is…

here’s a link to the brussels market

we try to go every year for a long weekend but works got in the way this year

Home (en) - Plaisirs d'hiver 2022

The 22nd edition of Winter Wonders will take place from 25.11.2022 to 01.01.2023.

www.plaisirsdhiver.be

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

https://www.thebfcm.co.uk/

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is always excellent -

The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria​

 

[Official Old Man]

Off again to Europe for a real Christmas market. Leaving home at 8:00 we can be in Lille by 14:00 even with a 1 hour time difference. One night there and Cologne for 3 nights. Leave at 11:00 last day and back at home by 20:00 including two stops for duty free and hypermarket.
Also done Gwent as a stopover, wonderful town, and Antwerp for a night but not quite so impressed.
Yes, once you've done a 'real' Christmas Market in Europe nothing in this country comes close. Also costs less over there with no rip off prices.
As for Brighton. In reality it could be the biggest and best in the south but needs investment. Putting up a couple of flashing lights is no good.

 

[Guinness Boy]

https://www.thebfcm.co.uk/
View attachment 153743
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is always excellent -

The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria​

It's absolutely brilliant.

Unfortunately Birmingham is neither clean, safe nor friendly!

 

[PFW]

Just got back from Vienna for my wife's birthday, and we timed going for the Christmas Markets starting. What a beautiful city...we both agreed its the most stunning place weve been to. Incredibly clean, very friendly, very safe...and the markets were great. Weve done them over here before, but Vienna blew them out the water. Definitely a place to go if you're looking for a weekend break.
Now shes experienced Austria, she wants to do more in the years ahead, so....

Which others have you been to, and can recommend?

Going to Vienna on the 15/12/22 for four nights to visit the Christmas markets, can't wait, heard a lot of good things about Vienna. Been to the markets in Cologne a couple of times which I can highly recommend

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

It's absolutely brilliant.

Unfortunately Birmingham is neither clean, safe nor friendly!

The City centre certainly is. Top class restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and entertainment, fully pedestrianised . I take it you havent visited in the last few years?

The suburbs, admittedly, are shite.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Wouldn’t happen in Germany.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Going to Vienna on the 15/12/22 for four nights to visit the Christmas markets, can't wait, heard a lot of good things about Vienna. Been to the markets in Cologne a couple of times which I can highly recommend

District 1 (old town) is gorgeous. Quite a few markets were still being put up, but it should all be in full swing by the time you get there. Have a great time, and enjoy the Gluhwein at each!!

 

[wuntbedruv]

Been going to Bruges, apart from lockdown for years, going first weekend in December. Love it there and it's only an hour's drive from Calais.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

https://www.thebfcm.co.uk/
View attachment 153743
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is always excellent -

The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria​

I went to Lincoln German Christmas market about 20 years ago and that is well worth a visit, although there has to be a one way system, for crowd safety.

 

[Guinness Boy]

The City centre certainly is. Top class restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and entertainment, fully pedestrianised . I take it you havent visited in the last few years?

The suburbs, admittedly, are shite.

I have - hence the

It's FAR better than it used to be but I'm not sure the rat infested outdoor homeless centre between Colmore Circus and The Clayton counts as safe or clean - unless that's been tidied up since lockdown.

The Christmas Market is, of course, safe as houses. Pass the gluhwein.

 

[bluenitsuj]

Done a number of Xmas markets abroad with the most recent being Salzburg. Small city but a wonderful Xmas market spread throughout.

 

[Miximate]

I hear the Winchester Christmas Market is very good. Am spending a few days in the New Forest early next month and will definitely pay a visit.