THEY have become as much as sign of forthcoming festive joy as the first sight of the John Lewis or
Coca-Cola TV ads.
Christmas markets are a great day out and a chance to find that little something you haven’t come across elsewhere.
And they are steeped in history.
Their origins can be traced back to parts of Germany, Austria and France in the Middle Ages.
Vienna’s very earliest dates back to the late 1200s and the forerunner of Munich’s was just a few years later.
That one was in full flow by the 17th Century and people came from all over to sample the Bavarian fare.
These days it’s held on the Marienplatz, right in the middle of the city.
And it’s far from just big cities that have markets. Small towns and regional centres all across the continent have ones that bring a real festive flavour.
They have become a huge tourist draw, with tempting deals making them an appealing pre-Christmas shopping expedition-cum-mini break.
But increasingly there’s no need to leave our shores.
Just like abroad, UK Christmas markets date back hundreds of years.
They were hugely popular until Scrooge-like Oliver Cromwell instigated a ban on Christmas celebrations that saw them consigned to history.
The Victorians did have markets where people could buy their festive essentials but they weren’t the same.
From tentative beginnings a few decades ago, though, the tradition has been reborn with a vengeance.
The ever-growing commercialisation of Christmas has led to markets being established and flourishing in towns and cities the length and breadth of the country.
Manchester, for example, has gone Christmas market mad, with hundreds of stalls spread across eight city locations, each with a different theme.
Like elsewhere they are heavily continental flavoured with traders from Germany in particular finding the UK a more lucrative place to spend the run-up to the big day.
But there’s homegrown fare, too.Edinburgh City Centre
The big wheel (PA)
Edinburgh’s European Christmas Market opened on Friday and will run right through until January 4.
And there’s really no missing it as it dominates the heart of the capital.
It has been held below the Mound for the past two decades.
This year, like last, it stretches along East Princes Street and right round the Scott Monument. Traditional and romantic, it’s a different shopping experience with a backdrop that’s hard to beat.
There is a range of craft stalls and gift shops, outdoor ice-skating, eateries and music as well as the gastronomic goodies that are a huge part of the whole experience.
They’re open 1 to 10pm each day and visitors and locals can enjoy the popular Children’s and Scottish Markets.Glasgow St Enoch Square
The city’s Christmas Market runs until the Sunday before Christmas (December 20).
St Enoch’s Square has been transformed with more than 50 arts and crafts gift stalls open from 10am daily.
There are also continental beers and wines to be sampled in the bars.Aberdeen Union Terrace
Aberdeen’s Christmas lights (SWNS)
A month-long Christmas village and a German-style market at Union Terrace looks sure to be a huge draw in the Granite City.
The street is a winter wonderland from this Wednesday with festive fairground rides, an entertainment marquee and an open-air ice rink.Gleneagles Hotel
Stalls offer a wide range of items (Helen Barrington)
The famous Perthshire hotel is staging their biggest-ever Christmas market on December 12 and 13.
Stalls will offer everything from handcrafted arts and crafts to ceramics and local artisan food.
There will also be old-fashioned animal balloon-making to keep the kids amused.The Alnwick Garden
The Gardens at the Castle in the buzzing Northumberland town is staging a spectacular Christmas market every weekend in the run up to Christmas, from 11am to 5pm.
As well as the stalls full of unusual gift possibilities there will be live seasonal music in a large marquee.Glamis Castle
The Castle is staging a Scottish Christmas Market from December 11 – 13, with a wide range of stalls full of festive goodies.
Visitors can also roll the clock back almost 100 years with castle tours given a 1920s Christmas makeover.
Open from 10am each day in the courtyard.Northumberland Square, North Shields
The Victorian Christmas Market is now in its 17th year.
There are more than 100 stalls with many of the stallholders getting into the spirit by dressing up in period costume.
Fairground rides and live music are also planned for the popular event on December 13 and 14.The Glenisle Hotel, Arran
The hotel and the green opposite is the setting for the island’s sixth Christmas Festival including the Christmas market on November 28.
The best local fare will be on offer including whiskies from the Isle of Arran Distillery and some of the famous island cheeses.Hyde Park, London
Visitors will be spoiled for choice as Hyde Park has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland until January 3.
One of the big attractions is the huge Christmas market with stalls full of jewellery and crafts trinkets.
The Angels and Yuletide market is held in charming wooden chalets.Keswick Town Centre
The popular Lake District town goes all-out festive with their Victorian Fayre and Market on December 6.
Those looking for that offbeat gift should have plenty to choose from with some 30 decorated stalls in the Market Place right in the centre.
There’s street entertainment, too.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe