5 must visit Christmas markets

Christmas shopping it can be crazy, manic, panic filled and it can be magical, especially when you take some time out and visit one of the Christmas markets that pop up across the globe. I have to admit to being a big fan of them, thanks to the atmosphere as well as sights and sounds, so I thought I would put together a few of the markets I fancy visiting myself.

Birmingham – England
Living in Lichfield this is one I have visited many times, it features over 180 stalls with many of the stall holders travelling from Frankfurt, Germany to sell their wares. If you ever go, make sure you sample some of the food and drink which is cooked up just the way they would have it in Germany so offers something really different. The Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Market 2015 is open from 12 November to 22 December from 10:00am till 9:00pm.

Belfast – Northern Ireland
Situated in the grounds of Belfast City Hall (Donegall Square), Belfast’s Christmas market offers a mix of stalls from local traders to those from across the globe. The market features a whole host of stalls, allowing you to buy a selection of mouth-watering foods, as well as offering you a chance to warm up in some traditional Irish bars as you make your way around. Also make sure you keep an eye for Santa, as he is known to visit the market. The Belfast Christmas Market runs from November 14th to December 20th, times are all to be confirmed.

Dublin – Eire
This new, free Christmas market, will see 60 stalls opening from noon till 8pm daily from November 13th till December 22nd. It is to be held in traditional wooden chalets along the outside of St Stephen’s Green Park and stalls will feature everything from hand crafted gift idea, to food and drink, as someone who would love to visit Dublin, this might just be the perfect extra reason to go at this time of year.

Paris – France
Paris doesn’t do things in halves and between 15th November and 4th January you will find multiple Christmas markets across this fine city.  For instance, you can visit Santa’s Village in Saint Germain des Prés, while St. Sulpice opens up a market that is just full of trinkets and regional food. For those that have money to splash or just don’t want to miss the sight, the Champs Elysées is a must visit, with it all decked out in lights – it definitely isn’t the same as you have seen before.

Amsterdam – Netherlands
Another beautiful city, that is full of markets at this time of year is Amsterdam, with many of the markets running on different dates it is best to check what it running when you can make it. But highlights include winter ice-rinks and the Festival of Lights which runs from 28th November to the 17th of January, it is well worth trying to book onto the Water Colors canal cruise to make the most of this spectacular event.

Where ever you end up going to get in the festive spirit, make sure you check out what is on and when before you head out.

Do you have a favourite Christmas market to visit?

*Couple at Christmas market photo from Shutterstock.
*Colourful Christmas stars photo from Shutterstock.
*Written in collaboration with Travel Supermarket.