AS CHRISTMAS draws near Christmas markets are being set up across Britain, in a bid to bring in the welcome cheer as much as a month early. One can go to the Birmigham, Manchester, Cologne, Bath and Edinburg markets which are among the most popular ones in Britain.
The concept of Christmas markets originated in the middle ages, from Germany and Austria. They generally have traditional Christmas treats, a nativity scene, handmade items, toys, books, decorations and ornaments for the Christmas tree and the like. Set up in the European style, the Christmas markets in UK last for varying times.
The Birmingham Christmas market, known as the Frankfurt Christmas market begins the earliest on November 12 and lasts till December 23. A 100 stalls are set up around Victoria square and the Upper New Street Stage, becoming the biggest German market outside Germany and Austria.
Visitors can find several knick knacks here, from hand-dipped candles and Christmas decorations to nativity scenes and puppets, while they munch on big, chewy pretzels, bratwurst and marzipan. Feeling thirsty? Certain stalls are also offering litre glasses of German beer or hot chocolate with rum. Apart from the giant Christmas tree, the most popular attraction here is a mechanical singing reindeer. Local artists also present their craft at the Craft Fair, from November 19 in the Chamberlain Square.
If visitors are troubled with choosing where to first in the Frankfurt Christmas market, they can decide through a top view of the skyline, in the 60 feet Birmingham Wheel in Centenary Square.
The Manchester Christmas market, starts four days later, from November 18 to December 21 and is set up next to the Town Hall in Albert square. Here, one should not miss the glühwein, a mulled wine, that is served here in china mugs. The mug can be even bought as a souvenir.
The Manchester Christmas market is one of the biggest markets in Britain, having a champagne bar and Porky's hog roasts, European delicacies and Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire cheeses. This year, it will include a craft fair, outside the Triangle shopping centre and on the two weekends before Christmas, the food market in Piccadilly Gardens. One can also leisurely spend time, ice skating in the outdoor rink.
The Cologne Christmas market, is being held on the southern bank of Thames, near the London eye. On from November 20 till December 23, this is the second time the market's being held. The market is known best for Kölsch, a mulled beer that is not found anywhere else.
Trying to be as authentically German as possible, one can find gingerbread hearts and Wurst sausages, apart from wooden toys and Christmas tree decorations. Even the mustard and curry ketchup are brought here from Germany. The only difference at the Cologne Christmas market is that the bread rolls come from a shop in London – a German bakery. Do not forget to order the original bratwurst, a smoky schinkenwurst or the cheese-stuffed käsekrakauer.
The Bath Christmas market is perhaps the most 'British' Christmas market, beginning on November 26 and lasting till December 6. It showcases the best of Bath and South West. The 123 vendors who selling their wares on the half mile portion of the market, between the Abbey and the Roman Baths, can go to Somerset Lavender for lavender Christmas wreaths, the Dorset Sweet Company for handmade chocolate Santas and Alex Pole, a metalsmith, for his unusual jewellery.
The atmosphere here is family-friendly, with circus performers and a stilt-walking Snow Queen milling about. There is also a dedicated stall to raise awareness, about a different charity everyday. However, due to the sheer amount of rush here, it would better to come on a weekday.
The Edinburgh Christmas market is easily the longest one, starting from November 26 and lasting till January 4. Having everything from carousels and a giant snowglobe to the Great Scottish Santa Run, it has stall owners from Frankfurt, who can offer an astounding amount of traditional food, drinks and handmade gifts.
Close to the Edinburgh wheel and the East Princes Street Gardens, the Traditional Highland Village Market, a second portion of this Christmas market features Scotland, with different varieties of whisky to cheese, among other things. The third part of the market is the Ethical Christmas fair, from Castle Street to Princes Street, with many innovative items on display.
