Christmas Markets in the UK & Europe
Christmas Market Group tours in the UK and Europe have become increasingly popular in recent years. A wonderful experience for people of all ages to celabrate the charm and unique atmosphere this special time of year brings. Due to their popularity an increasing number of markets now operate, so here at GTS we decided to to give informartion on (in our opinion) the top 10 markets for Groups:
UK Christmas Markets
1. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - 21 November to 3 January
Back with more entertainment, festive refreshment and delightful Christmas chalets, the traditional German Christmas market is sure to be another big hit with Groups in search of seasonal fun. At the market you can sip a warming mulled gluhwein or enjoy a chilled Bavarian beer in amongst the beautifully 
decorated chalets. Offering a selection of seasonal culinary specialities including Bratwurst and a German hog roast stall, the delicious smell of the German Christmas market is sure to draw you in. For those with a sweet tooth there will be roasted nuts, gingerbread hearts, confectionary and crepes. For your Christmas gifts there are numerous wooden chalets with special illuminations circle the Hyde Park bandstand selling a wide range of unusual gifts and other refreshing alternatives to the typical high street fare. The stalls range from the traditional to the quirky and include delights such as hand crafted wooden and tin toys, delicate glass Christmas tree ornaments, candles in all shapes and sizes, hand made ceramics and jewellery, along with many other items, offering shopping for all in a magical winter atmosphere.
Candlelight and carols - The entire traditional German Christmas market is open seven days a week from 10am onwards, so you can enjoy shopping, eating and drinking in the midst of the choirs, whose carols by candlelight will surround the marketplace with the sounds of the Christmas season.
GTS Tours can organise a fantastic variety of Group Tours to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, with packages available in 2-5 star hotels in London City Centre. Combine a visit to the market with a West End Show, Christmas shopping in Oxford Street, ride the London Eye to see the city in Christmas lights or simply enjoy a night out in England's Capital City
2. Bath Christmas Market - 26 November to 6 December 2009
Each year, the beautiful area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally renowned visitor attraction, the Roman Baths, is transformed into a Christmas shopper's haven - the Bath Christmas Market. In the heart of Bath's main shopping district, 123 traditional wooden chalets adorn the streets; each one offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items - everything you will need for the perfect Christmas celebration. Bath Abbey, provides a stunning backdrop to the market site and hosts a full programme of Christmas services, including special, shorter ‘shoppers services’. The sound of carols echoing around the Abbey and drifting through the market creates an extra special atmosphere. This is complimented by a full programme of entertainment at the event – carol singers, children’s entertainers and musicians that add to the festive ambience. This year there are three performance areas where you can take a break from the bustling crowds to soak up the atmosphere. See local groups and performers who will add to the festive atmosphere and be sure to keep you entertained as you shop! With the market as the highlight, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath is fast becoming known as ‘the Christmas City’.
GTS Tours can arrange packages to Bath Christmas Market with accommodation in nearby Bristol. Combine your visit with a trip to Stonehenge, drive through the stunning Cotswolds or visit the beautful Gloucester Cathedral.
3. Lincoln Christmas Market - 3 to 6 December 2009
A contemporary cathedral city with over 2,000 years of history, Lincoln is the perfect place to visit over the festive period. Take a trip back through time and stroll along the cobbles the cultural quarter of the city. The medieval square between the impressive Norman castle and magnificent gothic cathedral is the perfect backdrop for the Christmas Market. Visitors are welcomed to this beautiful city and the traditional Christmas Market, where you will enjoy cultural entertainment and stroll around 300 stalls nestled with in the medieval square and surrounding area.
Lincoln Christmas Market has developed dramatically since it began as the UK’s first German-style traditional market with just 11 stalls. The Christmas Market gives visitors and residents a truly festive experience, with a traditional, high quality event for all the family.
4. Winchester Christmas Market - 27 November to 20 December
This December, for the fourth year running, the historic Inner Close of Winchester Cathedral will become alive with the excitement and thrill of another Christmas Market and outdoor ice-rink. The Christmas Market, which has already earned itself a reputation for being one of the best in the country, is organised by Winchester Cathedral and is inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets. It will be made up of 91 wooden chalets all festively decorated, some of them almost Tyrolean in style, selling all kinds of inspiring, tasteful and beautiful gifts to please even the most discerning shopper. The exhibitors, all of whom are very carefully selected, come from all over Britain as well as Europe and beyond, and represent some of the finest around. The Christmas Market stays open late on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when the pretty, twinkly pea- lights of the chalets, combined with the warm glow of the wood, the aroma of mulled wine and carol singers performing around the Christmas Tree, create the perfect image of Christmas.
5. Canterbury Christmas Market- 19 November to 23 December 2009
The centre of the medieval City of Canterbury will be transformed into a traditional German Christmas Market. Visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere of the yule-tide market, whilst relaxing with a glass of “Glühwein” (German Mulled Wine), listening to traditional Christmas music, eating a German Sausage “Bratwurst”, gingerbread hearts, roasted almonds, candies or a delicious crepe. The Canterbury Christmas Market is famous for unusual Christmas presents such as silver jewellery, hand crafted toys, fragile glass ornaments for your Christmas tree, tin toys, candles in all shapes and sizes or creative metal design. As the market is in the heart of this fantastic shopping city you will also have the chance to explore the designer shops and department stores, and pay a visit to the famous Canterbury Cathedral.
GTS Tours can arrange packages to the Canterbury Christmas Market with accommodation in 2-4* hotels in Canterbury and the surrounding areas. Combine your visit with a trip to Dover Castle or Leeds Castle, do some Christmas shopping in Bluewater or Lakeside or even a day trip to London.
European Christmas Markets
6. Brussels Winter Wonderland (European Christmas Market) - 27 November to 3 January 2009
Brussels' mammoth event, Winter Wonders, features one of Europe's best Christmas markets with 240 wooden chalets dotted around the Place Sainte Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons, an ice-skating rink, street entertainment, fun rides, live music and a big magic roundabout. During the Winter Wonders the famous Grand'Place is illuminated like a giant Christmas tree and there's also a sound and light itinerary, with lights coming up from the pavement or through coloured posts which lead the visitor from the Place Sainte Catherine to the Marché aux Poissons and back.
7. Valkenburg Christmas Market - 28 November to 14 December 2009
Valkenburg is a delightful little hill town built around a romantic ruined castle. The Christmas market takes place in beautifully lit old caves which run underneath the town. Twinkling lights and magic illuminations reflect off the soft marlstone walls breaking through the rustic darkness of the Velvet Cave. A tour of capricious passages will lead you past caverns, decorated niches, stalls with various quality Christmas items for sale, and a few stalls that demonstrate old Dutch trade & handicrafts. This year the caves will be decorated to provide a romantic and fairy-tale interpretation of the theme “Christmas Elves”.
8. Aachen Christmas Market - 20 November to 23 December 2009
In the Middle Ages Aachen was the seat of emperors and kings, and the scene of many coronations. Today much of this history can still be seen, especially at the cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the border to Belgium and Holland the Aachen Christmas Market is within easy drive from Calais and the nearest real German Christmas Market to the UK. The city is famous for its cobbled streets, thermal hot springs and stunning architecture.
The market is held in the area around the 14th century town hall with illuminated stalls selling mulled wine, wooden toys and local specialities such as Printen (spicy gingerbread), fruity Christmas cakes, potato fritters and marzipan bread.
9. Bruges Xmas Market - 20 November to 3 January 2009
In December the City of Bruges transforms into a magical Christmas Wonderland. Known as the 'Venice of the North' this stunning medieval city is one of the most beautiful settings in Europe for a Christmas market. Cobbled streets, historic buildings, canals criss-crossing the city and horse and carts offering rides to visitors all combine to make the city the perfect setting for a Xmas day out.
The market on the main square forms a ring around an open air ice rink, surrounded by Christmas trees and festive lights. Spend the afternoon shopping at the Market stalls selling Christmas gifts, world famous Belgian chocolates and a fantastic selection of hand made crafts, followed by a visit to one of the many bars and restaurants in this wonderful city.
10. Cologne Christmas Market - 27 November to 23 December 2009
The city of Cologne offers seven Christmas markets in total. Among them are four big Christmas markets - at the Cologne Cathedral, on the Alter Markt, on the Neumarkt and on the Rudolfplatz. Every year these four markets attract almost 2 million visitors. The market at the Cologne Cathedral is the most impressive one of Cologne's Christmas markets due to the backdrop of the imposing Cathedral. Beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland you can find 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. Here you can choose from numerous sweet delicacies, watch artisans at work and enjoy the “Original Christmas mulled wine” out of the festively decorated Christmas mugs.
The Christmas market on the Alter Markt takes place in front of narrow-gabled houses of the Old Town Hall. It has an especially idyllic atmosphere because of its half-timbered stalls, and is a particular favourite with families and children.
Cologne's oldest Christmas market is the market on the Neumarkt, in the shopping area against the backdrop of the Church St. Aposteln. There, several old stands still bear witness to the origins of the market back at the beginning of the 70s. A nostalgic flavour is provided by decorative plates with illustrations of the Christmas markets with their long traditions, which are sold there alongside many other artisans’ products.
The Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to the world of fairy tales. Against the historic backdrop of the mediaeval Hahnentorburg, large fairy tale figures and festive illumination provide a special eye-catcher.
In addition to the four big Christmas markets there is also a Medieval Christmas Market outside the Chocolate Museum and a Floating Christmas Market on board MS Wappen von Mainz (KD Riverboats) alongside the old quarter.
Finally and well worth seeing is the Stadtgarten Christmas Market, a new and fairly large Christmas Market, located on the edge of Cologne's oldest park. The Stadtgarten Christmas Market has a far more relaxed and village like atmosphere and it is, apart from the traditional local food, arts & crafts, a great choice for children's entertainment or any one young at heart.
GTS Tours can arrange packages to all of the above Christmas Markets with accommodation in 2-4* city centre hotels. Combine your visit with another Christmas Market. The markets in Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels, Aachen, Cologne or Valkenburg are all within driving distance.
If you would like GTS Tours to provide you and our group with a quote for any Christmas Markets Package then please send an e-mail to info@gtstours.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 1843 293399. Our experienced staff will be able to provide help and advice to help you arrange the ideal Christmas package for your group.
