On offer here are 50 stalls lined along the park’s pathways, along with a chance to meet Santa and his reindeers. The stalls here sell everything one could need around Christmas, from decorations to hot drinks to ornaments for your tree. For a true Nordic feel, there are wooden houses, magical bells and snow-covered trees. As a 2018 special, an Alpine village complete with skis and sledges will welcome visitors along with an Alpine express and a merry-go-round. While the stalls selling decor and nibbles excite visitors enough, there are three different light shows, in complement to a traditional Pixie Band playing festive songs, that provide a complete package. And just to be a little over the top, Tivoli Gardens holds firework displays on December 25, 26 and 31.
The market at Esplanade at Place des Arts takes inspiration for its theme and decor from some of the grandest festive events in Europe. Down the pedestrian boulevard of St. Catherine Street, the Esplanade has 60 stalls at your service selling all kinds of Christmas essentials like tree decor, lighting, souvenirs, food to gorge on and of course, bells and socks and stockings. A live DJ at midnight and a craft workshop for artisans for them to display their handiwork, join in on the scene for your entertainment. Special attention has been paid to provisions for kids with an elves’ workshop, Santa’s sleigh and even an igloo working hard to keep them busy while you shop.
The market at Cologne Cathedral, also called the Dom Cathedral market, attracts the most crowd in the city, due to its huge backdrop with the imposing and regal-looking Cologne Cathedral. Beneath the cathedral lies the largest Christmas tree on Rhineland and scattered beyond it are over 160 wood pavilions selling mulled wine, gingerbread, Christmas decorations, sweets and delicacies, gift items and handicrafts by artisans. Stalls brim with trinkets, crafts and are covered in fairy lights. All the stalls are red-roofed which makes for a breath-taking aerial view. Here, pewter pourers, wreath binders and glassblowers gather to demonstrate their art.
The largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Germany or Austria, brings Birmingham to life every Christmas. It is held at Victoria Square every year between November to December. Birmingham has 120 stalls set up in this market selling everything from handcrafted wooden decorations and delicate glass baubles to hand-crafted leatherwork, handmade toys, jewellery and much more! The biggest attraction and fun here is Chris the singing Moose. The neighbouring craft market, set up at the same time, is at a walking distance and combined with the Frankfurt Market to light up the whole area with enthusiasm.
For five weeks, Brussels turns itself into one huge winter land, a wonder of happiness with lots to look forward to. More than 200 chalets (they just look like them) sell festive fixes of glühwein, Belgian beers and waffles, while you bustle about and haggle over and splurge on all things Christmas. This carnival of-sorts holds something for everyone. You will find ice rink and Santa’s village to explore, all wrapped up together with a giant Christmas tree. The event is spread out across the Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Grand Place, Place Sainte Catherine and Marche aux Poissons. Just warm yourself up with a hot chocolate and stroll down the chalets, taking in the sights of happy faces glowing by fairy lights in frosty winds. Also, every other hour (after dark of course), there is a light and sound show projected onto the back of Saint Catherine Church.
One of New York’s most well-known Christmas markets, hosted at Bryant Park, Bank of America Winter Village goes all out in European-style as an open-air market. Around 125 custom-designed kiosks sell jewellery, handicrafts and Christmas decorations from all over the world. Nearby Josephine Shaw Lowell Fountain, absolutely frozen in the winters, and the Le Carrousel, add up to the festive enthusiasm. Bryant Park’s 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is New York’s only free ice skating rink. An exciting addition to look forward to this year will be The Lodge, a food hall operated by Urbanspace located rink-side near the Upper Terrace.