Fantastic Christmas Markets To Visit This Festive Season

Check out these must visit Christmas markets for 2010!

Dublin

12 Days of Christmas Market

The 12 days of Christmas market is bursting with food stalls, stocking fillers, bands, hot cocoa and rides for all of the family.

 

Opening dates: 10/12/10 – 23/12/10

 

Location: George's Dock, IFSC, Docklands, Dublin

 

Opening times: 12:00pm- 8:00pm

Prague

Prague Christmas Markets
Christmas markets (Vanocni trh) are a key ingredient of the Czech festive magic. The Prague Christmas markets light up the city centre at this time of year, bringing tourists and locals together to enjoy the holiday spirit, in a true 'winter wonderland' setting.

The Prague Christmas markets run daily throughout December. They take place at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones operating at Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky. All lie within 10 minutes walk of each other.

 

Opening dates: 01/12/10- 31/12/10

 

Location: Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky

 

 

Galway

Galway Christmas Market
The Galway Continental Christmas Market - the first of its kind in the west of Ireland - will transform Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City into a magical winter wonderland from 19th of November to the 19th of December this year.

 

Opening dates: 

19/11/10 - 19/12/10

 

Times:

Mon to Weds: 10am – 8pm

Thurs – Sat : 10am – 10pm

Sun : 1pm – 6pm

 

Location: Eyre Square, Galway

 

Leeds

 

Leeds Christkindelmarkt Traditional German Christmas Market
Christkindelmarkt, Leeds is one of the largest and most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel rides and twinkling colourful lights all creating a unique continental style festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre.

Opening dates: 12/11/10 – 19/12/10

 

Location: Millennium Square Leeds

 

Opening times: 10:30am- 9:00pm

 

Sheffield

Sheffield Christmas Market
Set in the heart of Sheffield’s main shopping district, over 70 picturesque Christmas Stalls adorn the streets offering a magical array of handmade gifts, decorations and food items - everything you need for the perfect Christmas celebration and a truly unique experience.

 

Visitors can also enjoy the delights of our real open-air Ice Rink and Santa’s Grotto, as well as an enchanting range of attractions including, carol singing, festive gifts, traditional Christmas food and much more…

 

Opening dates: 18/11/10- 23/12/10

 

Location: Sheffield City Centre

 

Contact number: 01706 624957

 

Birmingham

 

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market has become a huge favourite with both residents and visitors to the city from all over the UK and Europe. Combined with the city’s own Christmas Craft Fair of local traders, it offers a total of over 180 stalls to browse and enjoy.

 

Opening dates: 18/11/10- 23/12/10

 

Times: 10am- 9pm

 

Location: Victoria Square, New Street and Chamberlain Square

 

Contact number: 0121 464 2012

 

Edinburgh

 

Traditional German Christmas party

Traditional German market, in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre. Stalls with hand made decorations, toys and gifts and enjoy German snacks.

 

Opening dates: 25/11/10 – to be confirmed

 

Location: Mound Precinct

 

Highland Village Christmas Market

Find unique Christmas presents from a selection of locally produced food, jewellery and crafts.

 

Opening dates: 25/11/10 – to be confirmed

 

Location: East Princes Street Gardens

 

 

Southampton

Festival of Christmas in Southampton

The Mayor will be turning on the Christmas lights on the opening day of the Christmas market. Christmas panto characters will be there, free face painting and an orchestra.

 

Opening dates: 18/11/10- 24/12/10

 

Location: Above Bar Street

 

Contact number: 023 8020 6167

Exeter

 

Exeter Christmas Market

Exeter will once again be hosting Christmas Craft, Gift, Produce and Charities markets in 2010 with an array of treasures on offer.

 

Opening dates: 26/11/10- 22/12/10

 

Location: Fore Street / Castle Street

 

Times: 9am- 5pm

 

Contact number: 01392 665840

 

Nottingham

 

German Christmas Market

Experience the magic of Christmas in Nottingham. Enjoy a glass of Gluhwein at the German Christmas Market as you soak up the sights, sounds and smells that add festive flavour to the Square.

 

Opening dates: 19/12/10- 23/12/10

 

Location: Old Market Square

 

Times: 5:30pm- 10pm

 

Manchester

 

Manchester Christmas Markets

No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of Manchester's famous Christmas market.

The perfect place to get your evening started, pick up some fabulous Christmas gifts, or relax after a hard day's Christmas shopping, the markets really have become a very firm fixture of everybody's yuletide countdown.

 

Opening dates: 18/11/10- 21/12/10

 

Location: King Street, Albert Square, Brazennose Street, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, The Triangle (Exchange Square)