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Christmas

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Original poster

What Christmas markets will you be attending this year?

36 replies

Window1 · 19/09/2021 18:13

Are Christmas markets on this year? What ones are you going to?

I don't usually like Christmas markets, not selling the stuff I'd ordinarily buy, but as last year was so flat, I may go along to soak up the atmosphere and have a mulled wine.

OP posts:
Helenluvsrob · 19/09/2021 18:14

None. The local one is expensive tat

Popetthetreehugger · 19/09/2021 18:15

South bank , bury , light show thing at Hyde hall x

ZenNudist · 19/09/2021 18:17

Awful awful awful. Or at least the Manchester one is. Very overpriced. Overcrowded. Overrated. Full of tat. Not as good as it used to be.

HandlebarLadyTash · 19/09/2021 18:17

None, they have got too expensive for me

APurpleSquirrel · 19/09/2021 18:25

I like the idea of them, but often find the reality a disappointment. Just heard the Bath Christmas Market is cancelled, so might find a lot won't be happening.

Sn0tnose · 19/09/2021 18:26

Hopefully, our localish one in the next town. They have some lovely little small businesses who do food stuffs so we go for a wander, buy some cheese and wrapping paper, have a hot sausage roll and a mulled cider then jump on the train home. It’s nothing to get too excited about but it’s a nice little town.

EcoCustard · 19/09/2021 19:46

We used to go to Lincoln (our closest one) but last time we went in 2019 it was a little flat. It has got progressively worse over recent years, the one way system is awful as it’s hard work to even stop and look at anything. It’s very expensive and the same stalls are repeated along the route. Not sure if it’s on this year but won’t be going, it’s up there with the National Trust Christmas light walks, overpriced and underwhelming.

IggyAce · 19/09/2021 20:20

Leeds have cancelled their Christmas market too, so I expect many won’t go ahead.
We are planning on going to York, we always visit late November early December.

Cherryrainbow · 19/09/2021 20:24

Apparently there's going to be one at mumbles pier this year, may be worth going cos its a nice area and beach walk anyway, and can grab some festive fish n chips and go in the arcade :p x

Yorkshireswithallroasts · 19/09/2021 20:27

@Cherryrainbow

Apparently there's going to be one at mumbles pier this year, may be worth going cos its a nice area and beach walk anyway, and can grab some festive fish n chips and go in the arcade :p x
Ooooh is there? I’m just up the road, will definitely check that out!
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 19/09/2021 20:29

I expect the same rustic effect decorations, scarves and candles get shipped out to many Christmas markets to be sold. Unless they have small independent sellers in the cabins its just more of the same tat at silly prices.

YouveBeenLittUp · 19/09/2021 20:32

We go to York every year and I really enjoy it. I like shopping in York too and the Christmas shop is always a winner. Although disappointed to see others have cancelled and hope they don't follow suit Sad

mum2jakie · 19/09/2021 20:34

Will be going to the Manchester markets this time. Overpriced, yes but a lovely day out and the kids enjoy the train ride as much as anything else!

purpledagger · 19/09/2021 21:01

I love the idea of Christmas Markets, but find they are disappointing. Lots of over priced items I wouldn't want to buy at any time of the year, let alone the most expensive!!

Randomness12 · 19/09/2021 21:36

I’ve done a few over the years but have found that a huge majority are now so focussed on foodie gifts which doesn’t suit me at all. The worst offender was Bath in 2019, lots of stalls with flavoured cream filled chocolates - which go off in 3 days so couldn’t even be used as a gift!

MrsLCSofLichfield · 19/09/2021 22:40

Birmingham German Market is supposedly going ahead this year, but I am doubtful about this tbh. Hadn't been for a few years pre-2020 as it's just too busy to be enjoyable.

Ninkanink · 19/09/2021 22:54

None. They’re never any good here and I can’t stand the crowds.

I’d love to go to the Tivoli Christmas market at home (Copenhagen).

Ronacorona · 19/09/2021 23:12

None, full of overpriced tat. Just shop local in your independent shops instead.

jugglingduty · 20/09/2021 06:06

Any I can physically get to! It's not about the stuff on sale, it's the ambiance and food and drink for me. And some semblance of life as it used to be. (Having said that I fully expect to be wearing masks and trying to keep more of a distance than usual.)

psbradio2 · 20/09/2021 06:08

York.

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 20/09/2021 12:11

Currently pregnant and due right at Christmas market time - so none for me.

But I do recommend Edinburgh - we enjoyed that a few years ago.

My local one (Newcastle, was rubbish last time I went, thankfully it's about 2mins from work, so nothing lost for me, but it was rubbish).

We went to York a couple of years ago as people said it was great...I'm glad we were passing through rather than making a special effort for it.

My boyfriend enjoyed the Manchester one a few years ago when he was working over there.

I've been to Germany for Christmas markets...Berlin was very much the tat we get at the markets here, but we also went to Dresden - as its not as touristy the markets there were brilliant. One of them (my fav) literally sold food and had a few traditional crafts (blacksmith) etc...I loved it as the atmosphere was so lovely.

mum2jakie · 20/09/2021 12:15

@jugglingduty

Any I can physically get to! It's not about the stuff on sale, it's the ambiance and food and drink for me. And some semblance of life as it used to be. (Having said that I fully expect to be wearing masks and trying to keep more of a distance than usual.)
I go for the food, drink and atmosphere too not to buy random crap. Most of the Manchester stalls are now food and drink anyway. I won't be going if we need to wear masks though - far too bloody depressing!
GreenClock · 20/09/2021 12:46

They’re all good for the ambience, if a bit crowded, but I never buy much.

The Mumbles pier one sounds good because if it’s disappointing, the area itself is fabulous so it won’t matter. Haven’t been to Mumbles for years.

Ninkanink · 20/09/2021 12:51

I have never found the ambience that great here tbh. But I guess it could be that I am just used to the way things are done/what they feel like in other countries. I’ve never found the food/drinks particularly nice, and I resent the ridiculous prices.

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 20/09/2021 17:06

Usually go to a German one, Nuremberg is a favourite but this year settling for Chester. I don't buy anything other than a decoration for the tree and mulled wine and sausages!