Can we have a Christmas Market thread? Where are you going?

[MissAmbrosia]

After avoiding them since before Covid/lots of cancellations I am planning a mammoth Xmas market season this year. Planned so far - Aachen, Lille and Arras, and Lyon, with the obligatory trip to the Brussels market and probably Leuven. Possibly Maastricht also.

Where have you been / are you going? Maybe we can share recommendations?

I've enjoyed in previous years:

Monschau,
Valkenburg (in the caves)
Bruges - small market but the city is always lovely to visit
Ghent - prefer to Bruges
Strasbourg - surprisingly lovely and very christmassy.
Cologne - lots of different markets. Very pretty. The main market near the Dom was packed though to the extent it frightened me.

@Spaghettisavesmysoul I was in Krakow last friday and it was the first day. I've not been to any others TBH but it was nice, small I thought and lots of food and drink. Some wooden toys and other items. Some repetition of stalls for sure.
I'm not sure I'd make a special visit there for it but it was nice enough!

We are meant to be going to Bruges in December. After moving our travel to London to the day before and booking a hotel to get around the train strikes, it has just been announced some Eurostar staff are striking on the day we are meant to go so who knows......

We were meant to be going to Lyon tomorrow but there is strike in France this weekend now so that is cancelled. 😭 Trying to see if we can still get any money back for the airbnb my friend booked. Has reminded me why I don't use them.

How bloody annoying. I hope you can still make it.

Came on to this thread for the photos but there aren't any. 🙁Come on people, let me live vicariously through your Christmas markets!!

I was supposed to be travelling to Salzburg today for the markets, but currently in a wheelchair due to a double ankle sprain. So disappointed not to be going. Looks like we will have to wait 12 months instead. Something to look forward to I guess.

Much closer to home- has anyone been to the one at Liverpool? I can't decide between that or Manchester.

Was at the Zürich market last night. V nice. Am going to the annecy market in 3 weeks. Local knowledge says it’s one of the best

Going to York Xmas markets next weekend. Go every year 🙂🎅🥂

Sorry to read this, it's just rubbish isn't it

This is the one for me!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/4091892-To-try-and-recreate-a-Christmas-market-in-my-back-garden?page=9&reply=102739938

(Having lived in Winchester and had lots of visitors over the years who wanted taking, I would have to be paid a lot of money to ever go to a Christmas Market again!)

I’m just back from the Montreux market on Lake Geneva. I usually go to a German one as we have in-laws there but this was a nice change. Plenty of good vin chaud and cheese fondue with the lake and the Alps in the background. Nice atmosphere too, not as good as the German ones but very nice all the same.

You can get the train to see Santa’s house at Rochers de Naye so that’s on the agenda for next year when our little one is old enough to appreciate it.

Off to Paris this year so will check out the Christmas markets.

The best place I have ever been to for markets/general festive cheer is Colmar in France. It's a beautiful town in the Alsace (fly to Basel and a quick bus then train). The town is Christmas on steroids and is so beautiful. I echo comments from previous poster about Freiburg being lovely and worth a visit. You can get the bus then pick up a train from Colmar too . . .

Vienna was beautiful. Especially the market outside the town hall. Bratislava also worth checking out and they have a free Christmas tram covered in lights that goes around the city. Berlin had so much variety although wasn't my favourite city.

I went to Bath this weekend with two friends. We really enjoyed it and I found it the best in the UK. Lots of stalls with gifts, and Christmas ornaments.

Very crowded but not still manageable. Bath was heaving everywhere and hotels are eyewatering expensive. But it was for a round birthday in lieu of a party.

Just back from Lille. We spent a nice weekend in the Aparthotel Adagio which is about 5 mins from the market and Grand Place - and was really lovely, so I'd recommend it. And free coffee, hot choc etc. The market in Lille these days is quite small, on Place Rihour, and enclosed so you have to queue up to get in after about lunchtime. Nice stalls, good selection of food etc. There is a big wheel on the Grand Place. The old town is nicely decorated, but due to economy measures the lights don't go on til it get's dark. And then it's really pretty. Lille as a weekend destination though is lovely. Great shops, lovely architecture, lots of bars and restaurants. Might be dull for children. We were going to Arras as well, but my friends got a bit carried away by the shops and we didn't manage it. I think that has more child friendly activities and roundabouts etc.

We’re (hopefully, UK at a standstill with a bit of weather 😆) leaving Vienna today - beautiful city, loads of markets. Main huge market was a bit rammed in the evening, but loads of other places to go. Thoroughly recommended.

@MissAmbrosia thank you for the Lille update. I'm planning on going next week. Can't wait.