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Eight Great Christmas Markets in the U.S. and Europe

Subtitle: Festive street markets with lights, decorations, food and wine, gifts, entertainers and more

Christmas has a special sparkle at the world’s best Christkindlmarkts. Here are eight of my favorite traditional—and magical—yuletide picks from Chicago to the Czech Republic.

Cologne, Germany

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Web Site: www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk

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Europe
Germany
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Widely considered the world’s best Christmas market, Cologne in Germany actually offers seven separate markets scattered around the most historic and picturesque areas of this beautiful city. The four biggest ones are at the Cologne Cathedral, the Alter Markt, Neumarkt, and Rudolfplatz. The nicest by far is Alter Markt, which takes places in front of the City Hall, and has an especially idyllic atmosphere because of its half-timbered stalls. Expect wonderful old-fashioned tree and house decorations, as well as strolling entertainers, minstrels and craftsmen, and a very lively atmosphere as it gets closer to Christmas Day.

From November 23rd to December 23rd. 

Graz, Austria

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Web Site: www.christmas-markets.org

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Europe
Austria
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Not to be outdone, the delightful Graz in Austria also has six fabulous street markets—in the Hauptplatz, Eisernen Tor, Tummelplatz, Franciscan Quarter, Glockenspiel Platz and Faberplatz—each one brimming with traditional holiday arts and crafts. Wrapped up and comfortably seated, you can board a charming Advent Train in front of the Franciscan Church, and ride leisurely through the Old Town from street market to street market. There are monumental ice sculptures, made from 50 tons of crystal-clear ice in the Landhaushof, and Styrian choirs, brass bands, musical groups, and Alpine folk performances.

From November 28th to December 24th.

Prague, Czech Republic

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Web Site: www.pragueexperience.com

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Europe
Czech Republic
Prague
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There are few settings more fairy tale than Old Town Square, in the Czech capital of Prague, the venue for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. In what can only be described as a winter wonderland atmosphere, the two best markets in Old Town and Wenceslas Square spring to life with rows of brightly decorated wooden huts selling wonderful Czech arts and crafts, hot local food specialities, and cups of svarene vino – a delicious mulled wine. Shop to the sound of local and international choirs singing carols under the lights of a vast Christmas tree—it’s just magical.

From November 28th to January 1st.

Chicago, USA

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Web Site: www.christkindlmarket.com

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United States
Illinois
Chicago
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While the United States doesn’t have a tradition of Christkindlmarkt, street markets are sprouting up across the country during the holiday season from Denver to Baltimore, Tulsa, Leavenworth in Washington, and the aptly named Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. The biggest, and arguably best, is in Chicago’s Daley Plaza, which is a blaze of color and light from the vast Christmas tree to the Christkindlmarkt inspired by Germany’s historic and classic Nuremberg market. This terrific outdoor market offers nice handmade gifts, unique ornaments, rare European fabrics and textiles, and hot German delicacies like brats, goulash, potato pancakes and Gluhwein to ward off the Windy City chills.

From November 26th to December 24th.

Copenhagen, Denmark

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Web Site: www.visitcopenhagen.com

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Europe
Denmark
Copenhagen
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Copenhagen’s delightful Tivoli provides another magical setting for Denmark’s best Christkindlmarkt, where miniature villages are set up with shops full of holiday gifts and goodies. With lamps hanging from the trees, ice-skating on Tivoli Lake, and a large tent in the center—home to the charming village of Nissekobing, an exhibition of hundreds of mechanical pixies dressed in Danish costume—Copenhagen is a delight at Christmas. Stroget, the main shopping street in the city and the longest pedestrian mall in all of Europe, is trimmed with decorations and outdoor ice-rinks for the young (and young at heart). Another must-see is Copenhagen’s Crazy Christmas Cabaret, an annual tradition in Tivoli.

From November 20th to December 30th.

London, UK

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Web Site: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

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Europe
England
London
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This super festival has been growing steadily each year to become a major Christmas celebration which turns Hyde Park into a winter wonderland—huge fun guaranteed at Zippos Christmas Circus, on the Giant Observation Wheel with heated pods, and The Bavarian Village with its heart-warming festive food and drinks in a traditional European setting. The centerpiece is an authentic German Christmas Market brimming with goodies to decorate your tree and home. Entry is free, but rides, circus and ice rink cost from £7.50 each. Tip: Advance buy the Combination Ticket (circus, observation wheel and ice rink) for £23 adults, £15 children, £62 family … a significant saving.

From November 21st to January 3rd.

Brussels, Belgium

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Web Site: www.plaisirsdhiver.be

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Europe
Belgium
Brussels
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Every year, Brussels delights with its holiday festivities, complete with giant tree, ice-rink, illuminations, festive events and carousels. More than 200 wooden chalets sell all manner of gourmet delicacies, traditional and contemporary handicrafts, and other stocking-fillers—and during the three weeks leading up to Christmas Day, the shops remain open all weekend. The vast ice-rink in the Place Ste. Catherine claims to have the best ice in Europe (although you’ll fall just as hard!), and there will be a spectacular new sound and light show this year on the Grand-Place called The Electrabel Nights … venture into an enchanted forest filled with luminous trees, magical creatures, fire-flies and colorful birds. 

From November 28th to December 28th.

Rovaniemi, Finland

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Web Site: www.rovaniemi.fi

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Europe
Finland
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There is a place where the holidays last all year—not surprisingly home to Father Christmas, high up in the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. Head for Rovaniemi, where you can visit the Santa Claus Village Office which receives 600,000 letters from 150 countries every year. You’ll also be able to buy beautiful Lappish craftware – dolls, slippers, hats, gloves, cups, glassware, and knives with birch or moose-horn handles, among a host of other unique gifts. And if you want to meet the man himself, head for Santapark – a delight for children and the ultimate in crass commercialism for disbelieving adults.

All year. 

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Page Title: Eight Great Christmas Markets: lights, decorations, food, wine, gifts, entertainers and more | Spire

Keywords: Suzanne’s Files, Spire.com, Christmas, xmas, market, Christkindlmarkt, chalet, ice, rink, wheel, snow, tree, santa, claus, father, street, lights, children, carousel, decoration, food, wine, gifts, entertainers, Germany, austria, UK, finland, lapland, USA, czech republic, belgium, stalls, music, crafts, choirs, sing, winter, festive, holiday, season,

Description: Christmas has a special sparkle at the world’s best Christkindlmarkts. Here are eight of my favorite traditional yuletide picks from Chicago to the Czech Republic.

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