England's best Christmas Markets
Friday 05 December 2008
Christmas Markets have been a longstanding tradition in European countries like Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but over the past few years the UK has been catching on!
So if you're looking for a fun day out that will entertain the whole family this winter, why not check out what the English versions have got to offer?
Stroll through the market to buy Christmas presents, have some mulled wine and keep the kids amused with a visit to Father Christmas!
We promise it will truly get you into the spirit of Christmas! Closer has found two very different, but equally fantastic markets for you - whether you like it traditional or a bit more cutting edge, one of these Christmas Markets will be right for you!
Covent Garden Christmas Delight: The trendy one
Covent Garden is a gorgeous location for a day out in its' own right, but this winter the legendary London hotspot boasts a unique programme of events that add a glamorous and stylish edge to the traditional festive period.
The seasonal extravaganza moves away from the familiar sights of Carrot-nosed Snowmen, Rudolph and Santa and aims to focus on different crowd-pleasing spectacles.
Despite its unconventional approach to all things ‘Yuletide’, Christmas Delight looks set to be a hit amongst Christmas lovers!
Covent Garden’s iconic Market Building has been transformed into a winter palace with a difference. Famed for producing highly visual ground-breaking shows with artists such as Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx and U2, organisers have partnered with United Visual Artist to light up the dark winter nights in spectacular fashion.
With these fabulous light displays come some fabulous sounds – a live music line-up ranging between contemporary and classical performances are sure to be a big hit amongst visitors.
Among the line up are rising girl group The Saturdays, who supported Girls Aloud this year during their Tangled Up tour, cutting edge artists like Shlomo and the Modified Toy Orchestra and the more traditional London Contemporary Orchestra.
You will also have the chance to visit the ‘Shop of Delight’, a diverse pop-up store offering an amazing assortment of stylish solutions to have a spendthrift Christmas. The shop focuses on a different theme every week including how to make desirable presents from unwanted items…Very inspiring!
However, Christmas Delight does not lose sight of the traditional values that the Christmas holidays hold – a time for thinking of others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. In light of this, Covent Garden has partnered with Crisis – a national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
Crisis will open seven shelters across London to help homeless people over the festive period. Keep an eye out for Crisis collectors around the event – a small bit of change could help give someone a happier Christmas…
One more thing….You may as well ignore your ‘Credit Crunch’ woes - Christmas Delight’s innovative events are completely free. All you need is your hat, gloves and scarf, oh, and not forgetting your open mind….!
For more information visit www.coventgardenlondonuk.com
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market: The traditional one
If you are looking for something far more traditional, then Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market could be the trip for you. The world’s largest authentic German Christmas market (well, outside of Germany) has returned to Birmingham for the eighth year, with more than a whopping 90 stalls set to bring a truly festive experience to the city centre.
The Frankfurt Market is all about conventional celebration. The traditional stalls offer an usual array of items, including traditional handmade toys and beautiful jewellery.
This year the Frankfurt Market is joined by Birmingham’s Christmas Craft Fair, which constitute another 50 odd stalls at the event! These stalls offer an entirely different collection of stalls with local traders selling handcrafted items created locally and imported from all over the world.
And to keep the ‘young at heart’ entertained, there is a Helter Skelter and Carousel which are so-very traditional!
A German Market would not be German without the mulled wine, grilled sausages, pretzels and German beer! And not forgetting those with a sweet tooth - gingerbread, crepes and marzipan sweets are also available…. Yum!
At the heart of the market in Victoria Square there's a traditional bandstand where musicians perform every lunchtime and evening. Groups of local carol singers and school children will be in fine tune so you can get in the Christmas spirit and join along to your favourite carol songs!
Go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtchristmasmarket.bcc to find out more.
So whether you prefer the traditional side of Christmas, or fancy experiencing a different spin on the festive period, there are a great range of Christmas Markets that are sure to take your fancy across the UK.
Just be sure to wrap up warm!
Words by Tasha Usefnia