I dare say it, Where's best for Christmas markets in the UK?

Posted by Early-Dimension173@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 303 comments

I'm from Scotland and I find the Glasgow and Edinburgh market's are EXACTLY the same 4 stalls and it's quite disappointing. Is anywhere better (willing to travel) or are they all the same carbon copy of each other?

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VauxhallCityFarm@reddit

Vauxhall City Farm Christmas market, 6th and 7th Dec. We offer plenty of seasonal fun from our Winter Light Trail, to our festive 90’s throwback bar - covered in decorations - where you can enjoy Jingle Juice and festive food such as our Festive Feast Potato. Being a farm we also have animals 🐰Plus lots on for families such as Santas Grotto. We’d love to see you at Vauxhall City Farm. We are the GOAT 🐐

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Bella_Bambina123@reddit

In the UK, Birmingham has a large Christmas market, much bigger than other places. I find all the London ones underwhelming & terribly overpriced & the same stuff sold in each place. Don't even bother with Winter Wonderland! I went to Winchester's Christmas market last year & enjoyed it! Bath's market is good as well.

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Sebkl@reddit

The best ones that attract the most people are usually the ones that get a man yelling God is great while running over a few dozen people with a van or semi-truck so I’d avoid those

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AskUK-ModTeam@reddit

Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people. Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people. AskUK contains a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds - consider not everyone is operating on the same level or background as you. Listen to others before you respond, and be courteous when doing so.

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abstract_groove@reddit

They’re all the same. 20 years ago they had some interesting stuff but now it’s just a shite ripoff tat hive full of chavs, tourists and pickpockets.

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Illustrious-Dog6678@reddit

The "Christmas" Markets are the same crap up and down the country. And oddly enough if you visit another European city at the same time, they have the same crap markets too

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Worried-Penalty8744@reddit

Has anyone ever been to a Christmas market that doesn’t have the welded nuts-and-bolts sculpture stall, the salt lamp stall, nutcracker stall and chocolate dipped marshmallow stall? Every market I’ve been to always has these staples along with the Lidl mulled wine being sold for £10 a cup

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jm_19@reddit

Our rule is you can’t go and get a beer, mulled wine or some horrid hot cider until we have found a wooden duck for sale. Normally have a drink within 5 minutes of being there.

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mysilvermachine@reddit

The Exeter one is good, plenty of local and independent stalls and not just the same tat.

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jeffers_0@reddit

Plus normally they give free entry to the catherdral when the market is going on

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BramCeulemans@reddit

Agreed, the food is all really good (especially Oh Crêpe!), and there's a bunch of local vendors who sell knick-knacks.

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frafeeccino@reddit

The best ones are always going to be local arts and crafts fairs with local artisans selling their wares. Not necessarily Christmassy, but they usually hold some close to Christmas for gifts. At least there you’ll get unique pottery items or handmade jewellery.

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Calm-Bus7555@reddit

Birmingham’s rubbish these days. Stalls are all selling the same stuff and it’s tiny. Unless you want some mulled wine it’s not worth visiting

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Independent-Pay4229@reddit

Make your own, with hookers

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OriginalGarbage6605@reddit

On that has a lot of bollards and far away from any roads. Who’s ready for the yearly maniac driving cars in to them and killing folk. How many do you think we will see this year? My bet is at least 4

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Peter-DC@reddit

Most of these Christmas markets are money spinners. Everything triple priced. And basically a rip off. And a piss take. I avoid at all cost

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exkingzog@reddit

The Birmingham Christmas market in Frankfurt is world renowned. Traditional balti, Mr Egg…..

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Dans77b@reddit

I went there, its the same stalls they have everywhere. I prefer the Liverpool one because its big, but concentrated into one space outside St George's Hall.

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exkingzog@reddit

r/whoosh

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Dans77b@reddit

Haha ya got me!

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Minimum_Possibility6@reddit

It used to be it's shit now, same three stalls repeated over and over. Used to have a great craft section, European Christmas things, now there is maybe one temu place and the rest is mulled cider/beer and candies nuts

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exkingzog@reddit

r/whoosh

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DHighmore@reddit

Good to see Mr. Egg's still going. Can you still eat like a king for £2.50?

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Hey OP. Newcastle Upon Tyne here. Our “Christmas” Market is exactly the same: tinselled-up bullshit stalls selling Nutella pancakes at £15. Avoid making a trip for that. ***Absolutely*** make a trip to see The Toon however - the festive period is brilliant here, we’re Geordies first, English second so you won’t have a massive culture shock (ha!) and you’re a quick rail journey away!

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soulmanjam87@reddit

The food stalls (typically in Old Eldon Square) are not bad and tend to be actual local businesses. The rest (particularly around Monument) are just the usual generic stuff.

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fussyfella@reddit

The one in Bury St Edmunds used to be really good, but some of the miserable locals campaigned against it and now is a shadow of itself. I just fly (or take the train) to Cologne for the biggest/best selection of Christmas markets in Europe.

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annoyingpanda9704@reddit

Its not been on for a couple of years. Meant to be coming back this year at end of November.

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nathan155@reddit

Bury Christmas market was brilliant pre-covid but it had gotten too big for the town. The last one in 2019 had 100,000 people in attendance on the Saturday alone. So it basically tripled the population of the town and it had become dangerous and unmanageable. It’s a shame cus it was one of the best in the uk!

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fussyfella@reddit

It was not more unmanageable than any of the markets you encounter in Germany. While I agree it needed some thought in how it was managed (compulsory park and ride being the main thing) I found the attitude of many of the locals about it very short-sighted. Now there might as well not be a Christmas market there. For the record, I lived in Bury at the time and thought the market was a highlight of the year.

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RaymondBumcheese@reddit

They are all basically the same. Drop shipped Temu shite with a few mulled wine stalls

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AdministrativeLaugh2@reddit

Loads of food stalls, too. Can’t move for overpriced burgers and hot dogs

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cavershamox@reddit

More German sausages than I have seen anywhere outside of pornhub

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Judy__McJudgerson@reddit

"German" sausages.

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Significant-Key-762@reddit

“sausages”

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Qabbalah@reddit

""

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tmr89@reddit

£12 for a hot dog in winter wonderland

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DragonFeller@reddit

That's why it's all outside, so they can see you coming

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Eborcurean@reddit

York last year did £12 for a steak pie from a michelin restaurant, with mash and gravy. Also £12-13 (i forget which) for decent steak chips and sauce (chimichurti, bearnaise etc). If you're paying £12 for a hot dog at your 'winter wonderland' you're definitely being ripped off.

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dmmjrb@reddit

"Hot dog in a winter wonderland" Don't give that LadBaby guy any more ideas

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

Not to mention the gigantic pan of increasingly overcooked paella

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50_61S-----165_97E@reddit

No food safety standards either, by the time they've been inspected and served an enforcement notice they've fucked off until next year.

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reachisown@reddit

Taste so mid as well, might as well pop into Tesco express right next door for better food.

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SmugglersParadise@reddit

Don't forget the hot chocolate, with deposit mugs

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blood__drunk@reddit

Drop shipped? That's the act of basically forwarding on shite from retailers like temu without first stocking it yourself, no? So selling it at a physical market place is NOT drop shipping. We've been selling cheap tat at markets for years. Long before the internet.

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RaymondBumcheese@reddit

Drop shipped to the people on the stalls but I’m not pedantic enough to argue about it on the internet so, whatever. Consider my phraseology corrected.

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luke-uk@reddit

It’s going to be mass produced AI tat now isn’t it ?

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OrangeOfRetreat@reddit

Overpriced landfill slop smelling of piss and mulled wine. Birmingham dedicates a quarter of the year for this shit

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Jack070293@reddit

I only go for the bovril and Christmas spirit

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imnotabotimafreeman@reddit

York is great unless you live there, which i do and i avoid it like the plague.

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Rhubarb-Eater@reddit

We went a couple of years ago and the Christmas market is the same five stalls repeated ad infinitum. We thought it was a total waste of time.

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imnotabotimafreeman@reddit

i tried walking through it once but came to a standstill,ao walk around or avoid altogether. I think most people do that in rgeir hometown xmas markets after tge first time though

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yellowflux@reddit

I wonder if this is the same everywhere. Anywhere but my city! Haha.

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imnotabotimafreeman@reddit

well its always nice to visit other cities, but its just one corner of the center so its pretty easy to avoid. The rest of town isnt really affected and we have the rest of the year. Its pretty quiet after new year anyway

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catschimeras@reddit

York is great at everything. I love York.

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imnotabotimafreeman@reddit

it is a nice place to live,but because its touristy it can be a bit pricey for everything. Was great for a stroll round during lockdown

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indigo263@reddit

Out of the city markets that I've been to, I found that Harrogate and Durham were probably two of the better ones that I've been to. Been to Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and they're fine for a first visit but they feel a bit soulless and lacking in atmosphere imo. I try to seek out the smaller independent/one off markets that are only on for a day or one weekend, in smaller towns or villages. They can be a hit or miss but they usually have more variety of stalls and less repetition.

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MATE_AS_IN_SHIPMATE@reddit

Europe.

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gottaloveteatime@reddit

Agreed. Ghent in Belgium usually has a nice Christmas market. Bruges is also lovely to visit at Christmas time (small market, but the city is really nice). You can also easily drive to these markets, if flying isn't your thing (ferry to Dunkirk, then you join the motorway all the way to the cities).

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Fattydog@reddit

I went to Bruges in Dec 23. The Christmas market was absolutely awful. Just full of nasty tat.

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Intelligent-Bee-839@reddit

That’s depressing. I’m going there at the end of November.

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Fattydog@reddit

Bruges is glorious at Christmas. The big main market is just not what it used to be. There are some smaller markets though. And whatever you do, do not miss Winter Glow, a 2.5 mile walking trail with amazing light installations. Utterly magical.

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aezy01@reddit

Tallinn was awesome about 15 years ago. No idea of its the same now.

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Apprehensive-Risk542@reddit

I was there a few years ago for work around Xmas and it was mostly similar tat as you see in England.

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aezy01@reddit

That’s a shame. It was very Christmassy when I was there, snow, mulled wine, reindeer furs, roasted nuts, the old hansa, cosy fires, street food and a good range of crafts to buy.

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kylehyde84@reddit

I don't wanna be that guy but... This is the way. Do one most years and money wise there's not much difference to me travelling to one of the overpriced UK ones. 3 nights in Austria 2 years ago cost us 70 quid each on flights and 80 a night in an airbnb

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jimyjesuscheesypenis@reddit

That’s good to know, I found Berlins to be pretty shite when I went a couple of years back. Tat and shit currywurst

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palmerama@reddit

Colmar, and go out from there

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andyone100@reddit

Yes, I went to the Munich one as it’s supposed to be really good. Pretty similar to Birmingham’s really, which is meh at the best of times.😕

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Choice-Demand-3884@reddit

That's a shame. I lived in Munich about 20 years ago and the market in Marienplatz was properly magical back then, especially if it had recently snowed. Lots of quirky wooden toys and locally made decorations.

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TannoyVoice92@reddit

I went to the Nuremberg one last year. That was very good. Not the usual tat that you’d see in any big city across Europe.

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MerlinOfRed@reddit

Yeah don't go to big German cities. Smaller cities and large towns are probably the best. It'll still be 90% overpriced food and cheap tat, but you'll have the occasional independent stalls and the atmosphere is much better.

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Eborcurean@reddit

Albeit I don't have a load of experience with them in Europe outside Germany. But i'd say Poland and Switzerland were better than Germany. Poland on the prices but also just enthusiasm for the whole thing, people wanted to be there if that makes sense. Switzerland had great entertainment around the market.

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Fit_Peanut_8801@reddit

The best one I've been to in recent years is actually in Seoul, Gwanghwamun Square. It's still a relatively new concept in Korea so it hasn't being commercialised to shit and the stalls are actually all independent selling handmade products. It does kinda miss the European Xmas vibes though.

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Jonny_rhodes@reddit

Not much difference money wise ? How are you spending nearly 400 at a Christmas market

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Kirstemis@reddit

Four burgers, two mulled wines, two hot chocolates, two kids' ice-skating sessions, a bag of gingerbread people and some cheese

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Jonny_rhodes@reddit

If that’s costing anywhere near 400 they saw you coming

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misterdominic@reddit

BA just launched flights to Graz from LGW - one of my favourite cities in the world and multiple great Xmas markets

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Pristine_Speech4719@reddit

Very convenient for Croatia and Slovenia too - the flights can be oddly cheap to Graz and car rentals not expensive

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Biggityboppityboppit@reddit

Beautiful surroundings too. Train to klagenfurt is quick, another picturesque town. I have nt been in 5 years though. Have you been there recntly?

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misterdominic@reddit

Yes the surrounding areas are also beautiful! Yeah I go regularly as we have family close by, just got back a couple of weeks ago - can confirm it’s as gorgeous as ever. :)

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No_Teach_8214@reddit

Right? Plus, European markets have that cozy vibe and unique treats you just can’t find in the UK.

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epiDXB@reddit

> European markets have that cozy vibe and unique treats you just can’t find in the UK. No, they are the same as the ones in the UK. You are just romanticising them to justify the money and time you have spent travelling there.

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Pencil_Queen@reddit

There’s stalls selling organic donkey milk soap in the UK?

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epiDXB@reddit

There are stalls selling all kinds of useless crap that no one sensible wants, including weird soap, yes.

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

I found the markets in Lisbon to be exactly like ours, so I suspect it's those in Germanic countries that offer the more authentic experience

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epiDXB@reddit

> Do one most years and money wise there's not much difference to me travelling to one of the overpriced UK ones. For most Brits, they can travel to one in UK for the price of a bus fare, so ~£3. Most people are not spending £70 + hotel to go to their local city centre. I assume you live on a remote Scottish island or something.

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Pencil_Queen@reddit

Clearly not for the OP though

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Sibs_@reddit

I have done a trip every December for many years (except 2020 for obvious reasons) and always look forward to it. I don’t think the cost is much different from a trip within the UK. Austria is stunning at that time of year, Vienna has been my favourite city at Christmas time by a mile and Salzburg was nice too.

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kylehyde84@reddit

I've done both Vienna and Salzburg. Loved them both. Went to Bratislava while in Vienna as its only about an hour on the train. Want to go back to Salzburg but head up into the mountains around Lake Wolfgangsee as it looks great at Christmastime

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Sibs_@reddit

I did that day trip to Bratislava too. Had enough time to see everything. I liked their markets in the square, which were mostly food/drink!

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rabbithole-xyz@reddit

Lol, the ONLY times we went to the Vienna ones was when we had visitors from the UK. The smaller places are so much nicer.

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slimboyslim9@reddit

You’ve just broken down £370 costs before spending anything at the market itself. It does sound nice but it’s not quite ‘not much difference’, money wise.

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PixelBrother@reddit

Any specific recommendations? I’m planning a Xmas trip but have t settled on a location. Hitting up some great Xmas markets sounds fun!

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MATE_AS_IN_SHIPMATE@reddit

Salzburg or Copenhagen.

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readitornothereicome@reddit

I went to Vienna and Salzburg a few years ago. Magical. Salzburg even has a Christmas museum haaaa. Tried Christmas markets in the UK and nothing has ever come close.

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justbiteme2k@reddit

Not in my experience, they're all the same. I was in Germany for work last December and the local guys were really excited about their famous German Christmas markets. We were dragged along one evening, and it was identical to the one found in my local town. Same stalls, selling the same stuff, at similarly outrageous prices. They were really disappointed when I showed them the pictures of our Christmas markets and it was as if I'd just taken them in Germany. Globalisation of these markets, plus cheap drop shipped items from AliExpress or Temu, has ruined any originality or uniqueness sadly.

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epiDXB@reddit

Go to the continent for the sights, for sure, but do not go for the Christmas markets. They are tacky af, especially the ones in Germany.

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cogsworth1313@reddit

Berlin or Prague

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ObiSvenKenobi@reddit

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is absolute superb. Very atmospheric with lots of lovely stores and food outlets. I went to Riga years ago and that was good too.

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ColinismyCat@reddit

They’re just the same as in the UK. Only further away.

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PaintSniffer1@reddit

nah. they’re all full of shite

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Fattydog@reddit

I disagree. I’ve been to a few in recent years and it’s pretty much the same shite everywhere.

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Loquis@reddit

Went to Bremen several years ago for the Xmas market, it was fantastic, better than anything in this country I've been to. I've been to Lincoln and York markets and enjoyed both, but still not as good.

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paperandcard@reddit

The best one I’ve been to (in England) is Winchester.

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hermit_tortoise@reddit

Lincoln until it got mega busy, poorly managed and ultimately cancelled.

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Minimum_Possibility6@reddit

Used to walk down everywhere year to it, was great. But before I left Lincoln you could start to see the problems emerging. The bail and castle and lawn areas are confined spaces, only so many people you can push through there and very little ways to release pressure if to much. They started to stretch the stalls out so they went around the cathedral as well and this helped for a bit but then you got crowding at the Exchequer gate getting into the bail. Steep hill for crowded as well with traffic going two ways Then you add in so many companies literally bussing in people over the three days but at peak time way mayhem even back then. what they needed to do was to stretch the market out in the upper town area more, so have stalls in the streets so that you could slow down crowd movement and spread out the pressure, the also needed to limit the number of companies bussing people in to avoid over crowding. Maybe make it so coaches rather the. Dropping off had to go to a certain area to disembark and only licensed companies could bring people in and have strict caps on timings and numbers

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HT2_i0@reddit

A huge loss to the city. I used to love the xmas market, it was part of xmas for me as a kid. Any legit event inside a beautiful castle is great, i used to be enthralled by the annual jousting events!

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Minimum_Possibility6@reddit

Lincoln

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Melonpan78@reddit

Winchester in Hampshire (nearest airport is Southampton). It's located in the grounds of the famous cathedral, so it's a really nice backdrop and Winchester itself is a cute town. Also near the New Forest and south coast, if you're exploring the area. The downside is that it gets insanely busy and horribly cramped on weekends- if you can visit on a weekday, it's a much more enjoyable experience.

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TremendousCustard@reddit

There is one disappointing thing with Winchester... They close at 6pm on weekdays. Maybe 5/6 days before Xmas 2 years ago, me and my other half finished work at 5pm and decided to go down there from the next town. 30-40 minute drive. We wanted to see all the lights of an evening get overpriced gluhwein and just have a nice time. We very literally walked into the main area and as we were working out which direction to start, a voice came over the tannoy "WINCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET IS NOW CLOSED". Granted, should have checked but I'd been down on a weekday evening several years before and it was good. Good number of people about but not too much. It's such a disappointment when the ones on the continent are open til 9 or 10pm each day. The lights are only effective after dark, I work M-F 9-5 like most, was up for spending and... nope. Went down last year to see the lights on a weekend - it was claustrophobically crowded. We did not stay long as you couldn't enjoy it. There was nowhere to stand to take in the atmosphere, you could barely move and being squished against so many people is just miserable. We didn't look at the stalls or buy anything as it was impossible. We're going to Berlin this year instead.

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markvauxhall@reddit

The setting is great and the market itself is good - but it's relatively small, only 30-40 stalls or so. In contrast Vienna has markets like that dotted all over the city.

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ideonode@reddit

Used to be much more atmospheric when they had the ice rink. Don't seem to do it any more.

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AngkorBosh@reddit

I went last year and it was rubbish unfortunately. Although I had been to Salzburg and a few in Munich literally 3 days before this. Food was nasty and overpriced and seemed to have a bit of an attitude. Georgian bloke sold some gluwein from his hometown which was very nice though.

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AvatarIII@reddit

If you're flying to Southampton, might as well go to the Portsmouth harbour one which is also excellent.

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Melonpan78@reddit

I live in Portsmouth- are you referring to the Dockyard Victorian Christmas thing?

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AvatarIII@reddit

Yes

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uhhseriously@reddit

Agree, Winchester market was lovely. Many independent sellers with lovely goods. Nice food, beautiful back drop.

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fixitmonkey@reddit

How does it compare to the Bath Christmas market? Ive been to Winchester a few times and couldn't move at the weekends.

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Lost_Elk7089@reddit

Bath Christmas market is better and bigger

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ICantSpayk@reddit

Bath Christmas market is insanely busy. At least the two times I've been in the last two years. It was that busy that I just couldn't enjoy it properly. Bath is fucking gorgeous though so would never begrudge someone for visiting.

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Lost_Elk7089@reddit

Last year it was absolutely rubbish in Winchester

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duditsu@reddit

Yeah went last year, definitely the best I've been to in three south of England.

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LobsterMountain4036@reddit

Bath Christmas market is a bit like this.

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Geezer-McGeezer@reddit

The problem with Winchester, is that it is £10 to get into a place, for a family of 3 or 4 wanting to visit Winchester attractions for the day it quickly adds up to over £100. They should do a day pass that gets you into them all.

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Help_1987@reddit

Well and more importantly I don’t think that one really classes as a Christmas market takes 10-15 mins to walk around, however Winchester is a nice place to visit at Christmas

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Princes_Slayer@reddit

Yes we were disappointed by its size and luckily we were visiting family not far so we’re just killing time one evening, but the setting was lovely. I certainly would travel to specifically visit this one though

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Help_1987@reddit

Yeah completely agree with this, it’s actually lovely to explore

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TwistedPsycho@reddit

I would not quite say that it is **that** small. I generally spend an hour to 90 minutes there on my annual visit. One thing I like about Winchester though is they have an annual ballot for local and indepedent stalls. One i know got a space last year for the first time and has also been succesful this year.

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Help_1987@reddit

We go every year but if you’re there for an hour & a half … what are you doing 😂, but through the tiny market we fell in love with Winchester and go every Xmas

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fleurmadelaine@reddit

Second this. I make it a mission to go there every year!

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UtterlyRedditculous@reddit

Lived in Winchester fir many years and can absolutely second this, especially the weekday bit!

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Competitive_Cap2411@reddit

Don’t come to Edinburgh it is awful.

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Agitated-Equal-8162@reddit

Birmingham.

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lpind@reddit

Unless things have changed recently they're all run by the same company. Same pre-fab log cabin facades, same products, same everything. The larger ones (Birmingham was one of the biggest) have more variety, but it's going to be mainly the same overpriced tat whenever you go.

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holdingtea@reddit

Bath is the only mildly good one I've been too. But it ends on like December the 2nd.

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moipwd@reddit

Edinburgh for its location and York for the food

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BarryBadrinath82@reddit

As a resident, the Edinburgh one is hell on earth these days. Felt like I was getting out of the trenches in the war upon leaving last time I went (years ago) and still get PTSD when I see the queue in snaking up Prince's street.

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moipwd@reddit

oh depending on what day and what day it is horrible indeed, we travel from Newcastle for a daytrip usually

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ldn-ldn@reddit

Hop on a flight to Riga or Vilnius and spend a few days there. Just make sure to wear some proper winter clothes.

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geoakey@reddit

Birmingham’s is the largest outside Germany and Austria, I find it consistently the best in Britain with a bit more variation than the generic ones in other cities

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CapnAfab@reddit

It's not a Christmas market exactly, but I humbly suggest PotFest in Glasgow on the 28th, 29th and 30th of November. There was one at Scone Palace in the summer and it was a great day out.

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SamantherPantha@reddit

We were in Barnard Castle last year and went to the Bowes Museum Christmas market. It was lovely, lots of genuine local makers and artists spread out over multiple floors, food trucks outside, and not a single duplicated stand in sight. We spent a small fortune.

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ToePsychological8709@reddit

Helsinki

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SaltyName8341@reddit

Manchester has a large one spread across the city

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JRH_678@reddit

I was in Manchester November last year for work, and I was shocked at the sheer scale of the Christmas market. its a bit much t.b.h. bit of an assault-on-the-senses. I would add to the other posts that yes: it is 90% the usual rubbish, duplicated stalls etc. But there are a few decent stalls. I did buy some things there.

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Perfect_Pudding8900@reddit

The only thing going for Manchester is it's big, it's not particularly good. Same tat as everywhere else. If you're going for a weekend it's a nice way to absorb an afternoon I guess.

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gowfage@reddit

Used to be decent but now massively overpriced and commercialized. Used to have proper food stalls and European foods etc but I gather they can’t afford the stalls anymore because they’re so outrageously expensive to hire

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Pandora_Puddleduck@reddit

Yup here in West Yorkshire I know of 3 and the one nearest me used to be brilliant, but the organisers are constantly criticised for giving preferential treatment to mates and regulars so that there's a waiting list for stall holders now, and if you DO get a stall you'll be stuck at the back end of beyond until "you work your way up by regular attendance". The local council used to provide all the stalls at a really cheap price from the now defunct market, but that's gone and everyone has to bring their own stall/gazebo and then the organisers decided that it would be a really good bloody idea to charge food vendors more AND take 45% of their takings!! They have 3 markets a year and they are all the damn same stalls every single time and slowly dying a death. Just why people do this when they have such a popular good thing going is beyond me!

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0ttoChriek@reddit

The food is good at the Manchester one, with several local restaurants having stalls so it's not just bratwursts and hog roasts. But a lot of the products are the same as elsewhere - mass produced stuff being sold as handmade.

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SkomerIsland@reddit

The foods good but the stalls are mostly dry fudge, wood burns with live laugh love etc, soap (not to be confused with dry fudge) & candles (not to be confused with soap)

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catschimeras@reddit

forgot "is it cake", they should have an "is it candle / soap / dry fudge" mystery show where hapless tourists in overpriced christmas markets have to run the gauntlet of "not edible / technically edible but still pretty bad"

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BeatificBanana@reddit

It's big, but it's the same mass produced crap as every other Christmas market, just more of it.

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R8_M3_SXC@reddit

Manchester is decent. Planning on going again this year.

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AhoyWilliam@reddit

The best English Christmas markets happen [in Germany!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6m9tvs3PhU)

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5ubredhit@reddit

Birmingham's [Frankfurt Christmas Market](https://www.google.com/search?q=Frankfurt+Christmas+Market&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari&mstk=AUtExfDh0TlgqGD_V8zqN84leZP9QrJd98qkiVsJXcrP7Dg3LtxtBc4vgCoKkIb6hJdtTzJypZvZ8VYDg0WOyxfYND99kpNsEsV0Mh33ZrssFVA95KlTHYLus0-gVI4C6_xltL4QUbaM1dwv1k5Z4LLm2LcY50KooX4BIxTJRr_MkSrT998&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjjv_y8gsCQAxX1VEEAHexTKakQgK4QegQIARAE) is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria.

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Coffeeninja1603@reddit

Same everywhere. Same Alibaba specials from stall to stall. We went to Manchester last year, I swear they are run by the same company with the stalls/stuff.

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riwalk55@reddit

Tbf I was in Poland and it just seemed a replica of the UK ones.

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PastorParcel@reddit

Birmingham's is the biggest and most famous, but it's not as good as it used to be. Now it is pretty much copy-and-paste the same ten stalls multiple times. One of my favourites is Chester, a lovely mix of local craft stalls, and right next door to Chester Cathedral which has a wonderful Christmas Tree festival. Also, Chester itself is beautiful.

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Diligent_Craft_1165@reddit

So many people come here to Bath and it’s become pretty shit. I’m guessing most other uk ones have gone the same way.

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Jimoiseau@reddit

Literally the only thing Bristol's Christmas market has over Bath's is that it's relatively quiet because everyone has gone to Bath for the much better market there. If you think Bath's has gone to shit just pop over and see how bad it could be. The only ones I've been to that are remotely elevated from the copy-paste generic ones are Bath and Birmingham, and Birmingham's is really only better because of it's size giving a bit more variety.

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Purrtymeow04@reddit

Really, I was planning to go to Bath this year for that lol

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Diligent_Craft_1165@reddit

Bristol’s is more of a food, booze and coffee float. I don’t think you can even call that a market.

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w-anchor-emoji@reddit

Bristol's Christmas market is in Broadmead, and that tells you everything you need to know about it. It's loud and shitty and people do blow in the loos. Festive as fuck.

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affogatohoe@reddit

How does it work when you get a train in terms of passports and what not to another country? Obviously you need to have one with you but when and how do they check it on international trains? I've always been curious about this as I've only flown between locations

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Diligent_Craft_1165@reddit

Wasn’t checked once as all in Schengen area. Didn’t even get our tickets checked so could have got on the train for nothing.

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affogatohoe@reddit

Oh thats good to know, thanks for replying! Sods law if you didn't have a ticket it would have been checked and then charged an insane fine haha

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Captlard@reddit

How do you get a £20 Vienna to Munich train ticket?

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Diligent_Craft_1165@reddit

Trainline last year booked in advance. A Quick Look now shows £32 is doable at shorter notice. https://ibb.co/ZzCm1WtR

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Captlard@reddit

Cool. Munich has some decent UK flights, and over the winter, there are low-cost carriers into Salzburg, which is a great little airport and just a few hours from Munich.

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Purrtymeow04@reddit

UK looks just all the same tbh. I mean I’ve only been to Liverpool and Bristol. lol. I want to experience a proper Christmas Market maybe in Europe.

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Scrombolo@reddit

I'd say the one in Canterbury is pretty good. I've been a few times. I'm not really into them but wife loves them. Nice German hotdog stall, mulled wine, hog roast, the usual.

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Crusty_White_Baton@reddit

York is nice

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MobiusNaked@reddit

The best mulled wine is sold from The Exhibition pub in my opinion. So do your market and then pop there

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Crusty_White_Baton@reddit

Or pop to the Viking pub for a glass of mead

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MobiusNaked@reddit

VALHALLA!!!!

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catschimeras@reddit

always.

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MobiusNaked@reddit

[list of York vendors- at least they are mainly local](https://visityork.org/christmas/york-christmas-market-traders)

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Nannyhirer@reddit

I tried Gridlocked traffic and insane queues are not worth some mulled wine and a waffle

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AirConEngineer@reddit

Just go to Aldi and buy some cheap hot dogs, cook them and throw £40 out the window. That's pretty much the same experience. For added realism, get some cheap wine, heat it up and then rip a £20 note up.

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Jayatthemoment@reddit

Manchester is 24-carat bollocks.

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Garconavecunreve@reddit

Not in the UK - kind of oxymoronic but that’s the way it is…

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Adelucas@reddit

I went to the one in Birmingham a few years ago and it was basically lots of beer and sausage stalls. With a few oompah bands dotted around. They are all a scam. Overpriced beer and a lot of expensive undercooked sausage.

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Mazza_the_Panda@reddit

Manchester is the best Christmas market I’ve been to in the UK, though that was many years ago so I can’t speak for how it is now. But when I went, the food was good, the stalls were varied and I nabbed a few gifts for people that they’ve actually kept around and display.

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piggybibble@reddit

Chatsworth is lovely, parking there is £25 but if you’re early you can park for free in the village and walk in (not sure exactly where - I just learnt this!)

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yepyep5678@reddit

Winchester, Manchester (it's a bit pish now the town hall is getting repaired)

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SageEleri@reddit

The Birmingham one used to be quite good but last year it was appalling - no originality at all, the 3 temu stands (Pikachu hats on repeat with other drivel), one roasted nut stand and some sausages and glüwein) but they used to have independent coffee beans, shells, toys, Christmas scenes and so on and it used to feel at least Christmassy. I went to Exeter last year and thought it had more variety - local ciders and gins, jewellery, some clothing. So a nice place to pick up a gift or two, but still not enormously Christmassy. This year I intend to go to Bath as that is meant to be good. Exeter and Bath are close enough together that if you're coming down from Scotland it's worth trying both. Alternatively, definitely Europe as others have said. I can personally vouch for Antwerp's market. And again, if you're going that far you could easily check out surrounding cities: Amsterdam, Brussels etc.

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raskalUbend@reddit

Manchester's was recently named 2nd best in europe https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/the-atmospheric-british-festive-fair-that-is-officially-the-second-best-christmas-market-in-europe-101425#:~:text=Manchester%20Christmas%20Market%20Is%20Officially%20the%20Second%20Best%20Festive%20Fair%20in%20Europe&text=The%20best%20things%20in%20life,you're%20feeling%20flush).

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Pendle235@reddit

Like everything we try to import: tapas, Xmas markets, beerfests they are crap and overpriced.

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dibblah@reddit

Look for local ones that aren't just "generic city" Christmas Market. For instance last year I went to one at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, was lovely and full of local stalls. You'll often find ones at stately homes and attractions like that, maybe national trust places, that are less mass produced.

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orange_lighthouse@reddit

These, and things described as 'makers markets'. Local craft fairs.

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Western_Sort501@reddit

Chatsworth Christmas market is really nice

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fezzuk@reddit

Chatsworth is now permanently pedestrianed as well. If you can face the crowds Broadway of course.

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Wise-Independence487@reddit

I loved it last year, really enjoyed it and got some lovely local seller presents for people. Only downside is it is on a slow and if it’s wet can be slippy

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Anathemachiavellian@reddit

Great advice. Our local one is the Hampton Court Palace one and it usually has loads of local producers and makers there, and only a tiny amount of mass produced rubbish.

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TMI2020@reddit

Good shout. Went to one last Christmas near Caerdydd in St Donat’s Castle. It’s a medieval castle that’s now home to a university for international students. Really nice setting and had a good variety of local traders!

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Simple_Rest7563@reddit

Lincoln’s is a favourite due to the proximity of farmland, it’s when they whack out all of the local produce and the pricing is quite good.

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fezzuk@reddit

Don't look for a Christmas market. Look for a really good market at Christmas. Personally, Broadway hackney. Best butchers/cheese produce in general, amazing fashion and crafts. Not cheap but you do actually get the quality you pay for instead of expensive tat. If you want a winter wonderland thing then that's a different thing althougher. And a day out with the kids. Idk about that, I work markets lol.

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Northwindlowlander@reddit

Bottom line is do you like a british christmas market, or should you be thinking about europe? Everyone'll tell you european markets are better and sure, they are but I quite like a british christmas market even though they're shite. TBH Edinburgh is already one of the better ones. Winchester is better imo, Bath maybe (but was super crowded when we were there, really pretty unpleasant). York's isn't amazing but York itself is easy for us to get to and the whole town is pretty good at christmas (tbh the surroundings make a big difference to any of this, like Edinburgh and Winchester benefit hugely from the location) I'd actually say London is good. The markets are pretty much exactly the same as everywhere else but there's quite a few of them, a load of other christmas-specific stuff on, and the normal markets feel pretty festive too. Obviously busy though.

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griffaliff@reddit

I visited the one in Edinburgh, it was very much on the naff side I agree. I live in Manchester and used to go to that one every year without fail but I don't bother anymore. Just the same overpriced tatt every time.

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YourLittleRuth@reddit

The [Norwich Festive Gift and Food Show](https://www.norfolkfestiveshow.co.uk/#), which is actually taking place on 7-9 November, is held at the Showground, and appears to have burgeoned this year. If you would like to purchase some candles, this is the place for you! Also Norfolk gin and/or vodka. Nowhere near as picturesque as Bath, but plenty of parking. I have been a couple of times, and it's okay. I quite enjoy being tempted to purchase unnecessary decorative objects, and fudge, but usually manage to resist the decorative objects. Then again, Norfolk is miles from anywhere. But it is a city worth visiting, so if you do feel a purchasing opportunity calling you, come for the weekend and you can also enjoy a day in A Fine City.

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Suspicious_Hotel_908@reddit

Microwaved cheap wine for £12.No thanks. Lol

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Unworthy-Snapper@reddit

I had a work-funded trip to Bath in December a few years ago. I thought great, I can see the fabled Christmas market. But they shut it down the first or second weekend of the month and I missed it. WTF?

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BringBackFatMac@reddit

People need to understand that when they ask this question on this subreddit, the replies are 1% people suggesting good markets, and 99% people trashing bad ones. OP didn’t ask for which markets to avoid, they asked for which ones to go to!

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Seal-island-girl@reddit

Wowcher has a load of Christmas market offers. [Holiday expert ](https://holidayexpert.com/best-christmas-markets-in-europe-2023/) has a great guide to them all

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GnaphaliumUliginosum@reddit

Why would anyone think something marketed as a 'Christmas Market' be worth visiting? The Edinburgh region in particular has a great scene for local artists and craftspeople, I'm sure there are some great makers' markets amongst the ubiquitous trashy ones, do some research and find those that are based around proper local makers who care about their products.

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Wellidrivea190e@reddit

Winchester used to be decent

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Hopeful_Outcome_6816@reddit

Christmas markets are pretty much all the same. I went to Copenhagen for their Christmas markets and most of the stalls and tat were the same, but I still had fun and got to do some sightseeing as well. If you can go to the continent, if not just find where the UK Christmas markets are and go to the place you like. Don't make the market the main reason for hour visit but as an added extra for a city break.

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Mclarenrob2@reddit

Somewhere with strong bollards

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Massive-Television85@reddit

Cardiff still has a relatively large number of local craft stalls for what is a pretty small footprint, and whilst overpriced this isn't as bad as the markets I've been to elsewhere ( Bristol/Birmingham/London) Can't say I've ever actually found anything I want to buy there though

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Wise-Independence487@reddit

I’ve a week away with work in December (and one in November) I’m looking forward to see Cardiff at Christmas

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Kitchen_Coach9025@reddit

Visited Edinburgh around Christmas time a few years ago. The stalls outside the 'christmas market' were far more varied, handmade and nicer to browse than anything inside (beer, sausage, shit games, sausage, beer)

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RunawayPenguin89@reddit

Where abouts in Scotland? Dunkeld Santa Day is on the 6th December and is amazing (I'll have a stall, shameless self promo) Santa Parade over from Birnam with The Cairngorm Reindeer

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Mickleborough@reddit

Bath and Winchester.

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Adnams123@reddit

Bath?! Get out. Cheap tat and overcrowded. Why would anyone want that?

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Mickleborough@reddit

Because there are worse.

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Adnams123@reddit

Yet to find one personally. At least the other shit ones aren't overcrowded.

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Mickleborough@reddit

Try Winter Wonderland.

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Adnams123@reddit

I have. My god. Never again.

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Mickleborough@reddit

We can agree on that.

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CoolWeakness2025@reddit

Chester is a cracking little Christmas market. Lots of variety, not the "same shit, different shed" mentality that affects a lot of markets. And Chester itself is a lovely little city, well worth a visit

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Sea-Payment4951@reddit

They're all fairly poor, and they're expensive. I've been to the Liverpool one and Manchester one. They're not bad, just really expensive and most of them appear to be from out of town or under a business umbrella. The tourists like them though.

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CurvePuzzleheaded361@reddit

They all seem to be equally shite. Crap over priced food and the same choice of tat. European ones in my opinions arent much better, just more of the same, but i have family that adore Bruges at xmas

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AuADHDThoughts@reddit

None of them are! They all offer the same thing: Expensive hot dogs and burgers, even more expensive drink and stalls reselling temu products.

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Forte69@reddit

The airport, so you can get on a plane to Germany

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Scary-Spinach1955@reddit

There isn't one, they are all the same

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a_boy_called_sue@reddit

Go to Southampton and fly to Switzerland

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the-holy-one23@reddit

THEY SAID THE C WORD

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

fly to Cologne

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Xaphios@reddit

Bath can be pretty decent. Exeter is nice as a local one but not worth travelling for. Frankly if you're travelling then head to Germany. We went to Berlin a few years ago and it was awesome - the Christmas lights at the botanical Gardens are worth a visit at the same time.

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nationaltreasure313@reddit

Haven’t been to it in years but chatsworth has a lovely one with local made things and great food and drinks. Chester Christmas market is also nice- fairly small but mostly local and handmade

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catschimeras@reddit

in my experience, they're all pretty much interchangable. if you want to go to one, pick a close one for convenience or one at a nice location that you'd want to visit anyway

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alltorque1982@reddit

Lincoln used to be a fantastic market and my go to each year. Then it got stupidly busy and they did a one way system that didn't work, then it got even busier and was no longer safe. RIDICULOUS crowds made it so unenjoyable. The last time I went it was the same old stuff over and over, nothing like before. Then a couple of years back it was cancelled and hasn't returned. Think it was a victim of its own success.

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jordancr1@reddit

London or Edinburgh

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LuKat92@reddit

Leeds is pretty decent, a classic German Christmas market

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MyriColors@reddit

# Haworth

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xycm2012@reddit

All pop up “Christmas Markets” are basically the same. Better off going to an established street market over the Christmas period.

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jimmy90@reddit

i think there's a decent one in Greenwich covered market not been for years tho

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savagepika@reddit

Is cardiff one nice? I was planning on doing a little day trip there in December

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copypastespecialist@reddit

They’re all the same mate, save your cash

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DisorderOfLeitbur@reddit

I wouldn't travel long distance for it, but Leamington's Christmas market isn't the usual. It's largely the same art stalls and food stalls that are at other local markets through the year.

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El_Scot@reddit

I recall Birmingham had a pretty expansive one, but I visited before 2020 (probably 2019) so it could be rubbish now.

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Spottyjamie@reddit

Eschew the big cities and go monday to wednesday

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ARobertNotABob@reddit

Amsterdam has (perhaps had, been a few years since I was last there) a large Christmas shop. My ex-wife loved going there.

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cobweb1989@reddit

A couple of years ago we went to Dresden for the Christmas markets and it was on another level to any UK based market. There were 3 large markets, all with a different vibe, it snowed and the old town was beautiful. Other than Ryanair cancelling our return flight, ironically because of cold weather in the UK not in Germany (we ended up flying back via frankfurt the next morning, business class, and got the cost refunded), it was one of the best city breaks I've been on.

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metsco@reddit

Heard good things about York.

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jolittletime@reddit

Bergamo, Italy. Get the funicular to the old town - its a beautiful.place for a cold weather wander!

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WhyToHide@reddit

I’ve been to a several: Winchester - nice, in front of cathedral, less of a party vibe Southampton - nice, more party vibe - drink & eat sausage Salzburg, Austria - very big, lots to do/see/eat Munich, Germany - lovely, lots to do, OG Xmas markets

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A_b_b_o@reddit

I went to the one at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire last year. Best one I've EVER been to. It wasn't all the same shit, it was small businesses selling pretty unique stuff, proper cosy atmosphere. Can't recommend it enough.

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r_mutt69@reddit

We have them in Manchester but I just don’t get the appeal. We seem to get a lot of people come in from other towns just for them. Even work colleagues of mine have been super excited to come to our office when they are on just to visit. They only sell tat and overpriced food and drink. I can make a disappointing hotdog and a cup of hot wine at home and save myself the 30 quid you’d get charged there. It gets so busy too. Honestly they are shit

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nicefoodnstuff@reddit

Christmas markets are shit and designed for people who have low IQ.

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Early-Dimension173@reddit (OP)

Christ who shat in your cornflakes this morning

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Adnams123@reddit

Where do the high IQ people go? Asking for a friend

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paulywauly99@reddit

Lincoln is very good. Nice historic city with a look see at the Magna Carta too.

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ayeayefitlike@reddit

Don’t look for Christmas markets - look for ‘craft fairs’ in Nov/Dec, especially in stately homes or historic sites. That’s the proper homemade stuff.

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WolfColaCo2020@reddit

Worked on a stall during Xmas one year in uni. The answer is they’re all going to be exactly the same, because the vendors just tour each market, one after the other. The one I worked on was off to Liverpool once ours was said and done, for instance

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Snickerty@reddit

Chatsworth,, but it isnt cheap.

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damapplespider@reddit

Christmas markets are usually the same old tat because the set up fees and trading hour requirements mean that smaller businesses can’t afford the manpower to man/restock. I like looking for Open Studio type events or local weekend markets where you are more likely to find something different. You‘ll still get swamped by candles, jewellery and fudge but it has fighting chance of being locally produced.

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achillea4@reddit

They are all the same selling the same cheap overpriced crap. We just don't know how to do it well in this country. I'd head to Europe if you want something special - like Germany, Austria, Czech Republic.

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SinnerBon@reddit

The Hampton Court Palace winter market is pretty good. After going to Munich last year, I’m trying out Bath this year.

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DrHydeous@reddit

They're mostly a recent commercial import masquerading as culture, and are therefore crap.

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FunAd2968@reddit

Don't botherxwith Birmingham. They are a shadow of what they were 15 - 20 years ago

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Bulletsoul78@reddit

All of these great choices and I'll probably still end up going to Nottingham and being disappointed again this year.

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orange_lighthouse@reddit

Nottingham's is lousy. I'm treating myself to a trip to Bath this year.

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Bulletsoul78@reddit

That could be nice. I sometimes go to Birmingham but it's so busy and overwhelming for my daughter.

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Toothfairy29@reddit

Chatsworth is usually decent with loads of local stall holders

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BaldPleaser@reddit

Manchester is pretty big, spread across the prominent areas of the city centre - Townhall, St Anne’s Sq, King Street, Piccadilly Gardens.

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Familiar-Woodpecker5@reddit

Winchester

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funnytoenail@reddit

Chatsworth was pretty nice and “vibey”

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AdeptnessNo4060@reddit

I've been to loads of different Christmas markets and my favourite by far are the chester ones

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BarryIslandIdiot@reddit

All the good ones get 'too much traffic, and end up being shut down. Like Lincoln.

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hhfugrr3@reddit

Oxford is quite nice in the dark. Although I think you'll find the same 4 stalls just repeated half a dozen times.

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destria@reddit

I think you're better off finding smaller, local Christmas markets. The ones that are only on for a weekend or so, not a permanent city fixture. For example I really like the [Ely Cathedral ](https://www.elycathedral.org/plan-your-visit/christmas-fair) market which has loads of genuinely cool, artisan stalls.

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OptionalQuality789@reddit

They all suck. Turned into mass produced shite

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craigybacha@reddit

I have two I've done and enjoyed but they've gone downhill... Bath back in the day was brilliant. Now it's just a tourist trap with massively overpriced tat and food. Winter wonderland is just a huge avoid unless you enjoy being in large groups and spending lots of money - definitely a fun experience but it's so overpriced nowadays.

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Sure-Present-3398@reddit

Birmingham isn't very good. It used to be lovely but like a lot them it's the same four or five things repeated. It uses to have a good variety of crafts and gifts now it's mostly food.

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Dash3017@reddit

Influencers seem to make Christmas markets so much more appealing then they are. Extremely over priced food and drink and all selling the same thing.

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No-Actuator-6245@reddit

We prefer the Rochester Christmas market, it seems more independent than others and is situated on/next to a good high street with many independent shops and various pubs and restaurants. They also have a Charles Dickens festival on a couple of days at the same time and while not really my thing it adds a different atmosphere and celebration. This said it’s not big enough that I would recommend travelling a long distance for and unfortunately it does seem to get smaller each year.

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Guiseppe_Martini@reddit

Glasgow markets are awful now. Edinburgh used to be great but I've heard past years aren't too good. I'm guessing it's Europe as others have said 😢

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xxx654@reddit

Edinburgh one was dangerous at points last year. Massively overcrowded. Teetering on the brink of a major incident. I wouldn’t take young children to it. Not safe enough.

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Naive_Reach2007@reddit

They all tend to sell the same cheap crap now. Birmingham used to be good but has trimmed down In all honesty treat yourself to a German or Belgium Market the pric8ng isn't too bad for some If you want to be blown away by how a Christmas Market should look Erfurt City Centre | Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt https://share.google/FGknsV5jDOgf4qWHY Erfurts a great one, smallish but good also Vienna is really good as they have 2 or 3 different places for markets and you can train in easily from other destinations

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Lazy-Letterhead-7203@reddit

Anywhere where you won't get rammed by a Mercedes Sprinter

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AmphibianFrog@reddit

Beat me too it. And it's called a "truck of peace" actually.

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GooseyDuckDuck@reddit

They are all carbon copies of each other, best would be to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in London, it’s massive.

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PARFT@reddit

I literally just asked about this as I have only ever walked passed it.

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Educational_Skirt_81@reddit

That was decent. The time I went they’d built these Bavarian tavern thing and it was really cool. Even had an upstairs bit. It was very high effort compared to the usual tents and stalls.

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GooseyDuckDuck@reddit

Yeah the Bavarian village was a blast.

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Exact-Put-6961@reddit

B&Q sheds full of stuff i dont want to buy. If there is a Christmas Market, i stay away until its over.

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PARFT@reddit

I was wondering what The Hyde Park winter wonderland is like. I’ve been to Winchester and that is well set out but it doesn’t look to be in the same scale as Hyde Park.

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Jay_CD@reddit

If you are going to travel...then why not go a bit further to Prague, Munich, Koln, Freiburg, Nuremberg etc which have big and well established Christmas markets? Plus you can do some other stuff - see museums, cathedrals etc in a place you might never have visited. The UK Christmas markets are all very similar - a couple of stalls selling mass produced stuff, a few admittedly with locally sourced but expensive stuff and a few stalls selling mulled snakebite etc.

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PlasticFannyTastic@reddit

I quite enjoyed the Liverpool one a few years back - it had lots of the usual shite but enough of the more interesting stuff too. I find the ones that stately homes have in their grounds tend to have the better quality, locally made items, but you still get tat. It seems unavoidable. Germany and Austria do it well as others have said. Barcelona is the place if you want to buy a model of man shitting in the manger (yes, it’s a Catalan thing - the ‘Caganer’)

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burnafterreading90@reddit

Not Liverpool ours are woeful.

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ghool-am@reddit

Birmingham and Manchester have really good and huge markets every year

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Severe-Plum-2393@reddit

North Pole

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Alternative_Try_5888@reddit

I’ve been to several. London has huge ones. Manchester has an absolutely massive one that spreads across multiple roads and areas. I’ve also been to Leeds, Birmingham, Norwich and…they’re 97% exactly the same as each other. Overpriced ornaments and gifts, with expensive food and drink

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ArcTan_Pete@reddit

Rochester, in kent, is nice. It's popular (so, very busy). Apart from the stalls (which are pretty much the same everywhere) when I was there, they had Dickensian characters walking around (Rochester is associated with Charles Dickens) a small petting zoo for the children, bagpipers and all set around rochester castle - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7sGhh6jf14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7sGhh6jf14)

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finH1@reddit

They’re literally all the same in every town in the ik

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B0-Katan@reddit

Ely cathedral has a really lovely one with lots of handmade stuff

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TheDawiWhisperer@reddit

Everyone I've been to as an adult has been the same. It's like seaside towns, they're all the same really

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PaulSpangle@reddit

Unfortunately, the blandest Christmas markets are the ones with the biggest marketing budgets. If you've been to one that did have some stalls you liked, then look up those producers online. They'll probably have a Facebook page listing what events they're going to. Eg. I know some people that go to food fairs in The Midlands, but they will only go if a company called Café Cannoli is going to be there.

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Eisenhorn_UK@reddit

I'd settle for one that wasn't just simply bloody awful.

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carumba1701@reddit

I’ve lived in Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham and they’re all pretty much the same!

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Educational_Skirt_81@reddit

The Edinburgh one is alright as it’s picturesque, nice area, all that. I liked the vibe when I last went, although I don’t think I bought anything other than food. The Glasgow one is proper rubbish though. Just feels so shallow and actually kind of sucks the mood away.

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