Sunday, December 11, 2016

10 enchanting Christmas markets across Europe

By Chaffin Mitchell , AccuWeather staff writer
December 9,2016, 10:47:42AM,EST
 
 Europe has amazing street markets with plenty of gifts, food and activities as the Christmas season unfolds.
Christmas markets are a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit. Visitors can wander through enchanting Christmas market stalls full of tempting treats while enjoying a festive atmosphere.
Here are 10 of the top markets across Europe:
Striezelmarkt, Dresden, Germany
Dresden’s Christmas market, traditionally known as the Striezelmarkt, is the oldest documented Christmas market in Germany, lasting over 580 years.
The market takes up Dresden's city centre with over 250 stands throughout the Advent season. A Ferris wheel, shimmering lights, Christmas carols, mulled wine and gingerbread can all found at this market.
dresden_christmas
(Photo/Instagram user stanmediq)

It’s a romantic experience at night, and enchanting during the day. Stallholders douse their stalls with elaborate decorations reflecting the goodies inside their stall.
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Frankfurt, Germany
The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany in terms of size and visitor number.
The Römerberg and St Paul's Square are transformed into a paradise for Christmas lovers with elaborate stand decorations.
Christmas Market Frankfurt
(Photo/Instagram user mannystylefoto)

This one is great for the Christmas market lovers. Dive into the holidays with activities from ice skating to a carousel.
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Belfast Christmas Market, Belfast, Ireland
The Belfast Christmas Market has continental food, decorations, hand-painted pottery and more.
It's packed with 90 charming stalls with traders from Spain, France, Germany and Italy.
Those who visit this market in Belfast City Hall will enjoy sampling food from around the world. Munch on crepes from France, Belgian chocolates and more.
Christmas Market Belfast
(Photo/Instagram user keithruffles)

Visitors are able to write Santa a letter, and he will reply.
Leeds Christkindelmarkt, Munich, Germany
Christkindelmarkt, also known as Leeds, attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
Christmas Market Leeds
(Photo/Instagram user _girlonthetrain)

Leeds contains over 40 festive wooden stalls to the breathtaking Millennium Square. At the market, people will find handcrafted toys, jewelry, Christmas decorations, specialty foods and traditional German delicacies.
Bath, U.K.
The award winning Bath Christmas Market is packed with 170 stalls full of Christmas sights and sounds.
Christmas Market Bath UK
(Photo/Instagram user donnalodge)

Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d'Hiver or Winterpret), Brussels, Belgium
Track on foot through the heart of Brussels for some Christmas spirit.
Colorful stalls gleam with lights and seasonal music. Filled with a Ferris wheel, ice-skating rink and attractions, the market has something fun for everyone.
Christmas Market Winter
(Photo/Instagram user vince_brussels)

Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt, Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart Christmas Market, known in German as the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt, is one of the biggest and oldest Christmas markets in Europe.
Christmas Markets
(Photo/Instagram user suyondesign)

The market holds about 200 stands and is visited by around 3.6 million people every year.
The market is unique with its decorated roof tops and events.
Copenhagen, Denmark
For a charming holiday experience, visit the dozens of stalls that fill Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen from mid-November to January.
Tivoli Copenhagen christmas market
(Flickr photo/Hans Hansson)

Fairy lights sprawl over the garden, illuminating stands filled with sweets and gifts.
Multiple light shows dazzle visitors throughout each evening.
London, U.K.
As Christmas season approaches, fairy lights and booths take over Hyde Park in London for the annual Winter Wonderland.
hyde park christmas market london
(Flickr photo/Christian Bortes)

For six weeks, Hyde Park transforms into a magical atmosphere filled with holiday spirit. The market started in 2007 and has been attracting thousands of visitors every year since.
For a variety of holiday sights, markets also open up on Regent Street and in Covent Garden.
Salzburg, Austria
salzburg austria christmas market
(Flickr photo/beta.robot)

With documentation of this market going back to the 15th century, it stands as one of the oldest in Europe.
Held in Cathedral Square, booths are set up under rows of lights in a picturesque setting. Nearly 100 vendors set up in the square.

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