Christmas Markets are the perfect way to start feeling festive and to have lots of fun in the preparation for Christmas plus they often have lots of lovely foods and drinks to try but they often have lots of wonderful gifts to get the Xmas shopping started!
The first Christmas Markets were known as Vienna’s December Markets from medieval Germany it was where communities held krippenmarkt during advent. At these traditional markets they could purchase boots, homeware equipment, handcrafted jewellery, toys, wigs and wooden items.
The first German style Christmas markets in the UK started in Lincoln in 1982 and Birmingham in 1997. Many European countries saw the success of the Christmas Markets in Germany and began to host their own after seeing great success to the local businesses at the start of the festive season.
Fun Fact!
Mollie & Fred is based in Lincoln, so we are fortunate to experience an extraordinary Christmas Market every single year.
The Lincoln Christmas market has drastically changed over the years, originally it only hosted eleven stalls in total whereas now there are over two hundred stalls which consume the castle and the cathedral grounds, it is also expected to attract over 250,000 visitors to Lincoln.
The market is a family, fun, festive experience and has over 2,000 years of wonderful history, the medieval quarter and the cobbled streets take you through time as the original historical structures are still standing. The impressive Norman Castle and incredible cathedral is a magnificent backdrop for the Christmas Market.
Lincoln is a twin city with Neustadt an der Weinstrasse which is a town in Germany and has the largest wine-growing community. The relationship was formed in 1969, it has been beneficial as it meant that have experienced a traditional German Christmas market.
Here are the three best Christmas Market to visit in the UK
From 20th November 2021 to 4th January 2022
This is a huge celebration for the Scottish capital, Edinburgh which happens for a month and a half. There are lots of festive treats to taste like mulled Irn Bru and even vegan pigs in blankets plus many more handcrafted gift stalls. There’s a place within the market called Santa land with rides all ages can enjoy and if you’ve been good you might even get to visit Santa’s grotto which is super exciting!
From 19th November to 22nd December 2021
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is one of the best in Europe, with the beautiful shadow of Winchester Cathedral. It is inspired by traditional German Markets with 112 stalls fill with high quality gifts and seasonal treats. In the centre of the market there is a huge ice rink which is always fun and filled with laugher
From 12th November to 22nd December 2021
This is one of the biggest markets in the UK as it can attract up to nine million visitors each year, it all started in 1999 hosting a spectacular 300 stalls with some wonderful, handcrafted gifts or tasty international food and drink. The market has something for everyone as it provides fun rides and entertainment throughout the season, including LED light performers, magicians and street theatre - with spectacular views of the Manchester Cathedral and National Football Museum.
Understanding the Fun Foodie Lingo at Traditional German Christmas Markets
Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated prunes)
Gebranntemandeln (candied almonds)
Lebkuchen and magenbrot (soft gingerbread)
Christstollen (fruit bread)
Bethmännchen (pastry with marzipan)
Bratwurst (German sausage)
Knoblauchbrot (garlic bread)
Thuringian raclette (melted cheese sandwich)
Glühwein (mulled wine)
Eierpunsch (like egg nog)
Apfelwein (hot cider)
There are so many wonderful Christmas Markets in UK that you can experience all as early as the start of November and even the first week of January, we hope you enjoy whichever one you visit and have a fun time!
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