Christmas Markets around the world

Dublin, Ireland
Visitors and locals both revel and rave about the city's unique street lights, window displays and the all-round atmosphere. This year the first city centre Christmas Market is held in St.  Stephen’s Green from  13th November to 23rd December. More than 60 traditional wooden chalets are lined up along St Stephen’s Green Park, next to the famous shopping mecca of Grafton Street, selling everything from hand-crafted gifts, spices and chutneys as well as gourmet crepes, bratwurst, chocolate fountains, Glühwein and other seasonal non-alcoholic drinks. In Belfast, there’s the huge, lively Continental Market (November 13 to December 21) that transforms the City Hall lawns into a bustling and flavoursome village, where 100 European traders offer a wide selection of food such as ostrich burgers and eggnog, unique gifts, the best local and European brews, other drinks and entertainment. 

Lisbon, Portugal
At the Terreiro do Paço public square a huge Christmas tree is lit from 1st December to 5th January; in fact, Lisbon’s Christmas market is popular for its trees. Enjoy cherry liqueur, honey cakes and egg custard tarts. Another big market at Funchal in Madeira, hosts concerts, exhibitions, street animations and several folklore performances. The city centre’s streets are closed to traffic, but are abuzz with stalls offering a variety of flowers, fruits and wine as well as the famous Poncha,  Madeira’s local beverage. Try the traditional desserts–Bolo rei (King’s Cake), sonhos (deep-fried sweet soft pastry), rabanadas (a type of French toast) and filhós (deep-fried sweet pastry sprinkled with a mix of sugar and cinnamon). 

Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s Christmas markets go back to the 17th century. There are about 21 permanent Christmas markets with approximately 1,100 stalls. Traditionalists make a beeline for the large Advent markets such as the Old Viennese Christmas Market at Freyung square and the one on Rathausplatz, set against the imposing backdrop of City Hall and home to Vienna’s largest Christmas tree (usually 30m tall). The markets at Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere have a distinctly imperial feel, as does the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz. For lovely hand-crafted artworks there’s Spittelberg Christmas Market and Am Hof Advent Market. Foodies must head to Mahlerstrasse or the courtyard of specialist tea store Haas & Haas. Most markets are open from mid-November to the 23rd/24th of December, but a few are open till early January. As you explore the markets, try some mulled wine and punch, spiced teas, Christmas cookies, hot chestnuts and gingerbread. 

Strasbourg, France
Dating back to 1570, when the market was called the Christkindelsmärik (market of Infant Jesus), Strasbourg continues to have an authentic, warm and generous Alsatian Christmas. Around 300 chalets spread over 11 sites in the city centre, offer arts and crafts, food and typical Alsatian Christmas decorations, from 28th November to 31st December.  You can’t miss the great Christmas tree on Place Kléber, Strasbourg’s central square. Your kids will be delighted with the surprises at Children’s Village in Place St Thomas.