Seasonal shopping, an abundance of food stalls, endless mulled wine and gorgeous Christmas light displays await at this year’s German Christmas Markets! Guaranteed to leave you feeling fuzzy and warm inside, we’ve rounded up a selection of UK destinations ticking the boxes for a Christmas market paired with a weekend getaway. With so much magic and sparkle, it’s the perfect way to get into the festive spirit!
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham is the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Austria and Germany! Visitors can enjoy more than 80 market stalls in the city centre from 15 November to 23 December. Pretzels, Schnitzels, Bratwursts and roasted almonds are some of the most popular snacks at the market, all of which can be washed down with traditional beer; Gluhwein, Weissbeer (wheat beer) or a warming hot chocolate!
Enjoy live music in the beautiful Victoria Square and make time to visit the neighbouring Christmas Craft Market where you’ll be spoilt with the choices of Christmas presents available to buy.
With Christmas lights, Christmas markets and Christmas craft fairs, Birmingham is putting festive spirit centre-stage! To turn your visit into a night or two away, Birmingham is brimming with hotels to suit all budgets.
If you would like to stay close to the Christmas market fun, the Cobden Hotel Birmingham is just a short ten minute drive away. Stylish and comfortable, the hotel has fantastic facilities, including a 12 metre swimming pool and ample free parking.
Liverpool Christmas Market
Starting 16 November until 23 December, Liverpool Christmas Market returns to St George’s Plateau for another year of festive fun. Enjoy chestnuts roasting on an open fire and kissing under the mistletoe! Plus, with over 40 cabins decorated in garlands and three outdoor German style bars, there’s lots to keep you occupied!
New for this year is the Windmill Bar which will be serving traditional beers, mulled wine and other festive drinks. If you’re struggling for gift ideas for Christmas, there’s plenty of inspiration from the stalls selling items such as handmade jewellery and scarves!
And if that isn’t enough, Liverpool Ice Festival will transport you into a frozen winter wonderland! The UK’s largest ice slide, an ice skating rink and the UK’s only Ice Jet Ride are just some of the attractions you can enjoy!
Turn your visit into a break at the Richmond Liverpool, a Grade II listed building situated just four minutes away from St George’s Plateau. Their Atrium Restaurant has a new Brasserie menu offering honey roast ham, whitebait and much more!
Liverpool has a huge selection of hotels and serviced apartments so you can be sure of finding the right place for your budget.
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Nottingham Winter Wonderland is back from the 15 November to 31 December and as always, it’s going to be jam-packed with festive activities for the whole family to enjoy! There are over 70 traditional Bavarian-style stalls stocked with personalised tree decorations, woolly hats and gifts galore! Furthermore, once the gift buying is finished, enjoy festive fun at the ice rink and take in views of the city’s Christmas trees. If it gets too cold, warm up in the gorgeous heated snow topped cabins!
The Altitude Bar is a new addition this year. Made from glass, it has stunning views over the Christmas Market. Don’t forget to visit the UK’s biggest mobile Ice Bar! You can expect some impressive ice sculptures in this Narnia -esque setting!
After all of the festivities you will want to rest your feet! The Crowne Plaza Nottingham is just under two miles away and offers relaxing spa facilities and a well stocked bar! It’s a great option getting cosy after a day browsing the Christmas Market. Alternatively, you can discover more places to stay in Nottingham.
Manchester Christmas Market
Starting on the 9 November through to 22 December, the Manchester Christmas Market will light up the city’s streets! The main market stalls are located on Albert Square. We’re sure they will tempt you with gifts, such as handcrafted leather bags and crafts. Take a walk into the magical Ice Village too. Here you can admire the ice sculptured animals, elves and the Manchester Worker Bee emblem.
There is an ice rink, Santa’s Grotto and a Polar Bar, where you can enjoy mulled wine or a cup of cocoa with friends and family! You’ll find budget-friendly Manchester accommodation or stay at the Village Hotel Manchester Cheadle which is just nine miles from all the fun in Albert Square. If you’re looking to stay a few nights, this is a cost-effective option in a hotel with superb amenities.
Leeds Christkindelmarkt 2018
The Leeds Christkindelmarkt Traditional German Market runs from 9 November until 22 December in the Millennium Square! There will be more than 40 traditionally decorated wooden chalet stalls selling authentic German gifts. There is a fairground for the children which includes a traditional carousel. Try traditional German sausages next to a real log fire in the Kuh Stall Bar. Or alternatively, relax in The Ski Hutte, a unique alpine chalet with cosy blankets and sofas.
Every Saturday and Sunday morning, children will be able to join Santa for breakfast at Alp Chalet. Children’s shows on at the Market Square Stage and face painting, balloon modelling, sing alongs and costume characters will keep them entertained. There really is something for everyone!
After all of this fun, a comfortable stay at the Headingley Lodge Hotel is on the cards! Just under three miles from the German market, it is easily accessible. Before another day exploring, start the right way with the choice of a full English or a continental buffet breakfast.
You can find more city centre hotels in Leeds.
To turn a trip to the Christmas German markets into a few nights away, contact our friendly team! They will love to find your next stay! Call them on 01775 843417 from Monday to Friday, 9:00am until 5:30pm.