Shopping for Christmas is easy when you can find all the gifts together in one place. This year choose the Christmas fairs in Europe’s main cities and fill Santa’s bag with gifts for the loved ones.
Berlin – the capital of Christmas fairs
Berlin is known as the capital dedicated to Christmas fairs because about 60 events are held each year from November untill the end of December, in the city’s markets, in the historical center, museums and boulevards. Around Christmas, Berlin is enveloped in the aroma of baked apples, mulled wine, nuts and cinnamon biscuits and stalls full of gifts spread on the city. It is difficult to leave empty-handed after giving a tour at hundreds of stalls with sweets, toys and Christmas decorations. By far the most beautiful Christmas market is organized at Charlottenburg Palace. 150 merchants from all over Germany display the most beautiful art objects, antiques, jewelry and food delicacies. The atmosphere is maintained by baroque and classical music concerts and carols. For children, there is always more fun: a carousel, a mini zoo and pony riding courses.
German Traditions at Stuttgart’s Christmas Fair
You can feel the magic of winter holidays in the German cities long time before Christmas, especially since local fairs lack the commercial touch of major department stores. They are romantic and carry you back in time to your own childhood, as colorful crowded stalls sell handmade items from local craftsmen: wooden toys and figures, puppets, candles or small leather shoes. The air is full of fragrances: baked apples, spiced mulled wine, chestnuts and grilled sausages. Little ones can choose ginger bread, marzipan sweets or homemade cookies. The Christmas Fair in Stuttgart will open almost 250 chic stalls, decorated with the Christmas colors. Every year, the city officials, create Children’s World in the Palace Square (Schlossplatz). A giant ferris wheel is ready to present the aerial view of the city to the little ones, while, in the streets, they can meet fairy tale characters.
Copenhagen - the land of bed time stories
In the land of Hans Christian Andersen, Christmas is like a fairytale. In Copenhagen, the winter holiday atmosphere is everywhere: on the streets adorned with garlands of fir and in the squares turned into skating rinks. The main attraction is Tivoli Park, which lights up every year, around Christmas, with thousands of colored lights. From the stands of the Christmas market, you can buy handicrafts, souvenirs and Danish delicacies (gingerbread with nuts and cinnamon cookies). This year, Tivoli Park will be surrounded by the Russian atmosphere. A mini Trans Siberian railway was built in the park and will carry the tourists in the sound of Christmas carols. You can also visit the main shops in the town. At the Illume, one can find toys inspired by Andersen's stories.
Christmas Fairs in London
In the British capital, you will find not one, but dozens of fairs and exhibitions dedicated to Christmas season. You can shop in the famous Harrods store or on Oxford Street and Regent Street. In Hyde Park, fun is guaranteed for children, because this famous place turns into a fairytale land during winter holidays. A ride on the giant wheel offers spectacular views over London, and you can pamper the little ones with a ticket to the circus because "Christmas Circus" and "Cirque Extreme" will perform this year in Hyde Park. A giant ice rink is accessible for beginners and professionals. The day should end in the land of Santa Claus.
Christmas Fairs in Barcelona
The Christmas Fair in Barcelona has an old tradition. The first fair was held here in the winter of 1786. 300 stands will be waiting for customers with toys and handmade Christmas decorations, gifts, mistletoe and Christmas trees. Children will surely love to hit the "caga tio" - a decorated Christmas log that, according to the Catalan tradition, brings sweets and cakes to the children, after being hit with a stick while singing a song.
Vienna – Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace
Some of the most beautiful Christmas fairs are held in the Austrian capital. If you travel to Vienna in December, you shouldn’t miss the Christmas Market in front of the City Hall (Rathausplatz) and the stores on Mariahilferstrasse (the famous shopping street in Vienna). Among stalls selling mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and traditional cookies, you will find a lot of gifts. At Schönbrunn Palace, you will discover a fairytale land where you can buy original gifts, decorations, crafts, souvenirs or sweets, while listening live concerts and Christmas carols.
Christmas Fairs for the Whole Family
Big cities begin to celebrate Christmas a month before the start of the winter holidays. Pick a new destination this winter and go shopping with the whole family.
Alina Barbu - Radio journalist in Bucharest and freelance writer, interested in travel destinations, health, diet and nutrition topics, food and ...
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