sean.blunk Looking to get into the festive spirit? Look no further than the Christmas markets in the UK! These winter wonderlands are packed with delicious food, unique gifts, and enough cheer to make Buddy the Elf jealous. Let’s dive into the best Christmas markets in the UK and what you can expect.
Top 3 Markets
First up, we’ve got the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria. From handmade toys to schnitzel and glühwein, this market is a must-visit for any foodie or lover of German culture. To experience the authentic German market, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the place to be.
Next on the list is the Manchester Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city. This market offers a wide range of food, drinks, and gifts from around the world. You can munch on German sausages, French crepes, and even Spanish paella. Get ready for a trip around the world without leaving the UK!
And finally, we’ve got the Edinburgh Christmas Market, located in the historic Scottish capital. This market features traditional Scottish dishes like haggis, neeps, and tatties. You can also enjoy a hot toddy or some mulled wine to warm you up on a chilly Scottish day.
Food & Drink
Now, let’s talk about the real reason we’re all here: food and drink. Christmas markets offer a variety of festive treats like mince pies and gingerbread, as well as hot chocolate and mulled wine. My husband’s two favorite things at these markets are the brats/frankfurts & mulled wine. I am not a huge while drinker so I tend to veer to cider or hot chocolate. Most markets in the UK only sell the best, Cadbury Hot Chocolate, which let’s face it they would be a fool not to since Cadbury is headquartered in Birmingham.
Shopping
Don’t forget the shopping! Christmas markets are the perfect place to find unique and handmade gifts for your loved ones. We’ve made it a tradition to bring back a Christmas ornament from the places we’ve visited for the first time, but it tends to be extra special if we are actually there during the holiday season. Let’s chat real quick about the types of things you can find at a market:
- Hand-crafted ornaments (of course)
- Nut Crackers (especially if you are in one of the german markets)
- Scarves, hats, & mittens – various types of fabrics & textures (wool to cashmere)
- Jams, jellies, chutneys, & curds – The Cherry Tree is our favorite. -they offer a variety of different flavors (sweet & savory)
Just be sure to set a budget and bring cash as not all vendors may accept card payments.
Entertainment
But it’s not all about the food and shopping. Christmas markets also offer a range of entertainment, from live music to street performers to fun fairs with rides and games. And let’s not forget the people watching. You’ll see everything from couples on romantic dates to families with screaming children to groups of friends getting lit on mulled wine. It’s a real festive free-for-all.
Extras
If you are interested in our top 3 favorite markets in Great Britan, check out this blog post: Top 5 Christmas Highlights in the UK
In summary, the Christmas markets in the UK are the ultimate way to get into the holiday spirit. Dress warmly, bring cash, and arrive early to beat the crowds. Happy holidays, y’all!
