Has anyone on Mumsnet ever been to a UK town or city Christmas Market and thought "that was great, so glad I went"?

[LindorDoubleChoc]

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Nope.

Agree. I live near one so it’s no hassle to nip down and meet friends after work for beer/gluhwine and bratwurst and a wander around. Often more than once a year. Not sure I’d be quite so impressed if I had to travel to get to it.

Honestly, no, and I actually like the idea of Christmas markets, but no I never actually enjoyed them. Been to London, Bath, Edinburgh and Winchester. Can’t say I’d go back in a hurry.

The Manchester Christmas market years and years ago, when it was much more contained and still a novelty.

We went last year too. So disappointing - travelled 4 hours to queue for a sausage and some wooden tat

I think Glasgow looks good this year tho but haven't been

We went to the Edinburgh one last week and had a very pleasant afternoon. It wasn't too crowded. Husband and son had delicious pie and mash. Stalls were slightly predictable but didn't feel too samey. Most stuff pretty expensive. On Saturdays there is a regular market in the Grassmarket, a few minutes walk away, very picturesque and great food at half the price.

We live nearby and well structured expectations.

From what I'm seeing on social media, they're like UK high streets - all the same.

I walk through one on my way to work, I wouldn't bother otherwise.

Like most attractions in the UK, they've become unbearably crowded.

The social media / 'making memories' effect.

I liked Manchester when it started.

Last time I went, I went on Market Street on a Saturday. Never again. It was actively dangerous due to the size of the crowds. DS was small at the time and the amount of pushing and lack of ability to get out of the flow of people was scary.

It needed proper crowd management. I would not be surprised by an incident at some point based on my last experience.

I am fine with crowds as I've been to a lot of gigs in the past. This was not ok.

The Edinburgh one used to be fabulous! But every year it's got bigger and busier and more expensive and you can barely even walk through it because it's so rammed.

We used to take the kids every year, and haven't bothered for ages now.

Winchester used to be great when they had the ice rink in the middle. Sadly that is no longer done so it is just a crowded overpriced market now. It also turns the whole town into a crowded nightmare every December.

I think the small town ones where independent crafters can afford stalls tend to be much better than the busy in-a-shed city ones.

UK one - never. Even the European ones - and I have been to many - can be unpleasantly overcrowded. Last time I went to Cologne - I was actually frightened in the main market near the cathedral. Too many people crushed together, live flames with people cooking - it was like a disaster just waiting to happen. I never recommend that people take small kids to these things at the weekend. I try to do a different one every year but normally try to do it on a weekday.

To try and recreate a Christmas market in my back garden. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/4091892-To-try-and-recreate-a-Christmas-market-in-my-back-garden

York, Shambles market is usually better than any of the visiting markets that come to Parliament St.

Then never go to any German one at a weekend.

i lived near Nürnberg for a couple of years and never went on a weekend.

Christmas markets are busy, they are a mix of overpriced food/drinks and proper gifts which are expensive.

But for me it’s the a part of December I do miss and try to go to every couple of years.

This

I liked the first one I ever went to about 20 years ago. I think it was maybe in Kingston upon Thames? It was a novelty to drink a hot gluhwein standing outside and kind of fun. But I think once was enough.

This.

No.

I'm local to York and can get nowhere near the centre with this thing cutting through the middle of its major thoroughfare.

York is magical at Christmas time, but I frankly wish the market would piss off. It's nothing but a nuisance.

I lived in Bath.. so no.
Not even Festive, just sheds selling overpriced candles mostly. Obstructing residents going about daily life

Went to Edinburgh last year and quite enjoyed it. Nice atmosphere and quite enjoyed it. There was a real mixture of stalls.

We had a lovely day out to York one year, a steam train trip to the Christmas markets. It was great. It was a long time ago though, about 10-15 years ago, and my children were still young so the found the whole thing really magical which I think contributed to my enjoyment.

Yes, Birmingham, but that was over 20 years ago.

Ludlow medieval Christmas Market in the castle was excellent
Bath last year was brilliant. I went on the Friday (daytime)
Birmingham has the same 6 stalls of tat repeated ad nauseum and is horribly crowded.
Kelham Island in Sheffield is a good one. It is always the first weekend of December.