Christmas Markets **General/Annual Bumper Thread**

Hi all,

I'm looking to bring someone who is not good with crowds to a Christmas market. Where would people recommend? I was thinking Vienna but possibly go midweek rather than at the weekends?

Somebody in work mentioned plans for trip to Belfast as a budget Christmas market trip.
Anybody have any experience of neglect try Christmas over last few years? Worth a trip?

Obviously assuming Brexit doesn't make it a trip that requires visas and a bank loan

Louche Lad wrote: »

I pottered around the Belfast one, in the grounds of City Hall, last year. A bit on the small side I felt (but then I've not much experience of them other than the big Birmingham one, the biggish Manchester one, and some small ones elsewhere). Some semi-interesting craft stalls, but the same sort of stuff as in other small ones in other countries, and I didn't buy anything except two beers in the beer tent.

K, figure is probably similar enough to the ones that have been in Dublin. Might think about it just for the adventure of it for the kids. Train, or drive up and do an overnight.
Don't think we ready for the hassle or cost of European market trip just yet.
Cheers.
Actually, it looks like the market in Galway might be sane people, could also be worth a visit. I've been meaning to visit friends over there for a while too..

conor_ie wrote: »

I've booked a trip to Munich for December so any tips/tricks would be gratefully appreciated!

I'm sure its mentioned before, theres not one market like you might have at city hall belfast and all these other wonderful "traditional" markets in Ireland and UK

Munich has dozens of them, from the fairly well established a main market (with a history stretching back to 1310, somewhat more authentic than various copycat efforts) the nearby crib market (selling crib stuff), the medieval market, the market in the Royal Palace "Residenz", a slightly more arty farty market at Münchner Freiheit, a complete eco warriors winter festival at Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest grounds) called Tollwood which has the novelty of also having tents so good in bad weather, and it runs really late, or theres the pink market in the tradtionally gay Glockenback area and all those are supplimented by smaller traditional markets scattered over the city which are great to avoid the crowds at the weekend of the larger ones.

As for tips, really the important one is to know the magical powers of 8pm in the evening. An insane amount of people are really (mentally) lazy and just plan their outings or reservations at exactly 8pm, so during the market period it can be damn hard to get a seat in a restaurant or place in a pub.
So best idea is to have your dinner sometime over the afternoon rather than relying on powering through the day on an empty stomach and then encountering everywhere being packed at 8pm.
If you're installed in a pub/ bar / restaurant at 7.30 or 7.45 dont come up with the bright idea to vacate your seat and see if the grass is greener elsewhere, because it most likely isnt and you'll only end up stuck for somewhere to go

Also, most markets close surprisingly early, so keep an eye on the clock later in the evening and dont presume they'll be opened to midnight.

munchkin_utd wrote: »

I'm sure its mentioned before, theres not one market like you might have at city hall belfast and all these other wonderful "traditional" markets in Ireland and UK

Munich has dozens of them, from the fairly well established a main market (with a history stretching back to 1310, somewhat more authentic than various copycat efforts) the nearby crib market (selling crib stuff), the medieval market, the market in the Royal Palace "Residenz", a slightly more arty farty market at Münchner Freiheit, a complete eco warriors winter festival at Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest grounds) called Tollwood which has the novelty of also having tents so good in bad weather, and it runs really late, or theres the pink market in the tradtionally gay Glockenback area and all those are supplimented by smaller traditional markets scattered over the city which are great to avoid the crowds at the weekend of the larger ones.

As for tips, really the important one is to know the magical powers of 8pm in the evening. An insane amount of people are really (mentally) lazy and just plan their outings or reservations at exactly 8pm, so during the market period it can be damn hard to get a seat in a restaurant or place in a pub.
So best idea is to have your dinner sometime over the afternoon rather than relying on powering through the day on an empty stomach and then encountering everywhere being packed at 8pm.
If you're installed in a pub/ bar / restaurant at 7.30 or 7.45 dont come up with the bright idea to vacate your seat and see if the grass is greener elsewhere, because it most likely isnt and you'll only end up stuck for somewhere to go

Also, most markets close surprisingly early, so keep an eye on the clock later in the evening and dont presume they'll be opened to midnight.

To add to Munchkin's thorough review, the shops are all shut on Sunday so leave some markets until then. Munich is a brilliant city to see and almost a postcard perfect Christmas venue.

conor_ie wrote: »

I've booked a trip to Munich for December so any tips/tricks would be gratefully appreciated!

I loved the Munich markets, have been to a few around Europe but they were my fave so far (I think the Germans probably do them best!). Great tips from munchkin_utd but to add my own tips, one of my favourites were the markets at the English Garden. Seemed to be more seating and a little less busy, and it was also easier to get a cold beer here as the majority do mulled wine which ironically isn't really my thing despite the fact I love the Christmas markets in general.

I'd also recommend the area with the ice rink, about 10 minute walk from Rathaus (main town hall), they have a little 2 floor outdoor bar where you can get beers and watch the people ice skate. The glasses at these work on a deposit system, you pay €1 more for your first beer and you get a token and you return them both for each beer. I actually really liked the glasses they give you and rather than get my €1 back at the end I kept the glass as they are much nice than what you'd get for €1 here!

munchkin also mentioned the one at the Oktoberfest grounds which is good if you want to stay out a little later and have a few beers but keep the Christmas market atmosphere going when the rest have closed.

Anyone any tips for Amsterdam? Have been before but not for the markets. Have booked it for early December, looking forward to it!

grimm2005 wrote: »

Ryanair fly direct to Munich now, I flew with them a couple of years ago when I went to the Munich christmas markets although I think they may still operate a limited service to Memmingen

yep
you could even do a day trip to Munich for the markets as the early flight arrives in quite early and the late flight normally leaves abut 9.30 or 10pm.

The easiest and fastest option is the S1 S-Bahn which has its station underneath the terminals. The train to the city center (Hamburg Hauptbahnhof/ main railway station) runs pretty much every 10 minutes. It takes roughly 30 minutes and costs around 3.50 EUR.
Have a great time!

markl12000 wrote: »

i've read that a taxi will cost 20 - 30 euro into the city

30 quid sounds about right. But as I said it would be equally easy and a lot cheaper to use the S1 S-Bahn.

Acey10 wrote: »

Has anyone ever bought from groupon or living social for Christeas markets

why would you?
You can get a flight to Munich for €62 return and a hotel for €70 to €80 a night for a double room (weekend of Dec 13th, say Arthotel Olympiapark or any of the less central Motel One hotels), so not sure why you'd need groupon to organise it for you

grimm2005 wrote: »

Ryanair fly direct to Munich now, I flew with them a couple of years ago when I went to the Munich christmas markets although I think they may still operate a limited service to Memmingen

Oddly, there are no flights to Memmingen between Nov 5 and Dec 21. After that it's back to a weekly flight on Saturdays.

Trying to choose a city this year!

Anyone been to Tallinn? Any feedback welcome..

Edit to say, doesn't seem to be direct flights so that's ruled that out!

We've decided to try Brussels this year for our first Christmas market. Also thinking of heading to Bruges one of the evenings for a few hours.

Anything else to consider?