There’s nothing like a Christmas market to set the mood for merriment – and we’re not talking about those holiday displays at the supermarket. There are dozens across the Continent, the highest concentration taking place in Germany where the tradition was born almost 590 years ago in Dresden.
Instead of jetting off to the big-name Christmas markets around Europe this year, consider a little seasonal sustainability and the fact that you can fill your bags without worrying about the weight of your luggage (you can bring back goods up to the value of £390 tax-free). Here are six markets that highlight regional producers and are reachable from London within six hours by train.
Arras Christmas Market, France
Taking over the impressive Grand Place for five weeks of cosiness and cheer, the Arras Christmas Market features 140 merchants, an ice skating rink and prettily painted carousels. You’ll find plenty of seasonal crafts and local culinary delights on offer, but take some time to admire the city’s Flemish-style architecture between mugs of mulled wine.
For a bird’s-eye view of Arras during its most enchanting time of year, take a spin on the big wheel or climb to the top of the belfry.
When: 24 November to 30 December, arras.fr
How to get there: Eurostar to Lille Europe, SNCF to Arras (fastest journey time 2 hrs 27 mins)
Where to stay: Grand Place Hotel has doubles from £110, grandplacehotel.fr
Liège Christmas Village, Belgium
The heart of this Wallonian city – the largest in Belgium’s French-speaking region – transforms into a festive village, lining the streets with snug market stalls and aromatic treats. While the Liège Christmas Village takes inspiration from traditional German markets, its own highlights make the visit worth the modest rail journey.
Satisfy your cheese cravings in the Gruyère Cabin, or enjoy the best of Belgian beer and charcuterie in the Chalet Châtel.
There’s also a popular ice skating rink – open for just five weeks a year in front of the city’s impressive cathedral.
When: 25 November to 30 December, villagedenoel.be/en
How to get there: Eurostar to Bruxelles-Midi, SNCB to Liège (fastest journey time 3 hrs 8 mins)
Where to stay: Van der Valk Hotel Sélys Liège has doubles from £83, hotelselys.be/en
Aachen Christmas Market, Germany
It’s no secret that Germany knows how to put on a Christmas market. The Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt will only celebrate its 50th anniversary this year – an infant compared to Dresden’s Striezelmarkt dating back to 1434 – but what Aachen’s market lacks in centuries of history it makes up for in unique specialities.
In addition to the local gingerbread – a soft, warmly spiced variety called Aachener Printen – the Aachen Christmas market is known for Oecher Glühwein. It’s the city’s first climate-neutral mulled wine stand, offering single-variety red and white mulled wines while compensating for the CO2 generated during the wine’s production.
While you’re in town, don’t miss the Unesco-designated Aachen Cathedral.
When: 24 November to 23 December, aachenweihnachtsmarkt.de/en
How to get there: Eurostar to Bruxelles-Midi, DB to Aachen Hauptbahnhof (fastest journey time 3 hrs 32 mins)
Where to stay: Motel One Aachen has doubles from £77, motel-one.com/en
The Hague Royal Christmas Fair, the Netherlands
Amsterdam may draw most of the Netherlands’ visitors, but come Christmas it’s all about The Hague. The Royal Christmas Fair is the country’s largest, taking place in The Hague’s Lange Voorhout right in the historic centre.
There’s no shortage of twinkling lights nor temping aromas (think roasted chestnuts and mulled wine) to set a cheery mood. In addition to the market stalls selling crafty wares and warm drinks, you’ll find performances on the Royal Christmas Stage throughout the 16-day festival.
When: 7 to 23 December, royalchristmasfair.nl/en
How to get there: Eurostar to Rotterdam, NS to Den Haag Centraal (fastest journey time 3 hrs 56 mins)
Where to stay: The Collector Hotel has doubles from £88, thecollectorhotel.com
Kaiserslautern Christmas Market, Germany
This one is likely to appeal if you’re a wine enthusiast, since Kaiserslautern is located in one of Germany’s great wine regions, Rheinland-Pfalz. There are all of the traditional gingerbreads, caramelised almonds, juicy wurst and handmade crafts you could hope for in a German Christmas market, too – all best enjoyed with a slow stroll along the warmly lit streets.
When: 27 November to 23 December, rlp-tourismus.com/en/
How to get there: Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, DB to Kaiserslautern (fastest journey time 5 hrs 4 mins)
Where to stay: Design Hotel Zollamt has doubles from £127, hotel-zollamt.de/en
Colmar Christmas Market, France
Colmar’s historic centre comes to life for Christmas like no other time of year. Stroll amid the soft, atmospheric lighting and shop for locally made decorations and crafts, or pop over to the gourmet market at the Colmar Cathedral for local specialities both sweet and savoury. The half-timbered houses and canals of “little Venice” make this city particularly picturesque when lit up with Christmas lights.
Colmar is a particularly great choice if you can’t decide where to go for the festivities – the Alsace region is a heady mix of French and German culture and architecture, and the blend is especially charming during this time of year.
When: 23 November to 29 December, noel-colmar.com/en
How to get there: Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, SNCF to Colmar (fastest journey time 5 hrs 56 mins)
Where to stay: Hotel Le Maréchal has doubles from £105, hotel-le-marechal.com/en
