Whether you want to binge on some gingerbread or buy some souvenirs or just go for a casual stroll, these markets ideally serve all your wishes and needs.
Here are some of the oldest and most popular Christmas Markets across the globe that can well be placed in your bucket list for this festive season.
Piazza Duomo Market, Italy
As with most piazzas, Piazza Duomo is bordered by historic buildings with stunning architecture. Charming stalls and small huts set in long rows underneath the Gothic-style cathedral of Duomo make the marketplace of Milan a popular tourist attraction.
Christmas Market Haarlem, Netherlands
With over 300 stalls and live performances to enliven your soul, Haarlem’s traditional Christmas Market is one of the largest of its kinds in entire Netherlands. Melodious Christmas carols and aroma of cakes, waffles and other delicacies fill the city air.
Dresden Striezelmarkt, Germany
The annual attractions of Dresden Striezelmarkt are the 45 ft. tall Christmas tree and the ‘stollen’- a creamy fruitcake made of candied and dried fruits and with sugar icing. During the festive season, visitors can feast on glazed apples and mulled wine.
Krakow, Poland
The city’s huge main square, Rynek Glowny turns hoary with a thick coat of snow during December rendering a magical look to the place. Trawling the stalls for spiced nuts, boiled candies and local bric-a-brac really makes one’s Christmas Eve special.
Fira de Santa Llucia, Spain
Fira de Santa Llucia started as a one-day event in 1786 to commemorate the feast day of Santa Llucia on December 13. 300 stalls selling everything from Christmas decorations to handmade jewelry and musical instruments.
Bryant Park, New York
This European-style open-air market in Bryant Park is one of the most well-known Christmas markets in New York. The park’s 17,000 sq. ft. outdoor rink is New York’s only free ice skating rink (although there’s a charge to hire skates).
Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland
Basel Christmas Market is divided into two sections- Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz. It consists around 180 meticulously decorated stalls selling culinary delights and goods. Children can indulge in gingerbread decoration at Münsterplatz’s fairytale forest.
Birmingham Christmas Market, England
One can get the essence of an authentic Christmas market in Birmingham. It is the largest German Christmas Market outside Germany to Austria. Over 80 stalls sell everything from handmade toys to jewelry.
