FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Build excitement for the season with a magical light trail, a festive market, tickets for a must-see show or a whiz around an ice rink. Here’s our guide to fab festivities across the UK…
MAGICAL MARKETS
Ambling around a festive market, glühwein in hand, is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. Here are some worth a visit…
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market
Younger children will love Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens, which has rides for all ages; follow up with a visit to Santa’s Grotto on Castle Street. With the impressive Scott Monument as a backdrop and crowd-pleasing food and drink, Christmassy Edinburgh takes some beating.
17 Nov – 6 Jan; edinburgh-christmas.com
Design & Craft Fair, London
Disclaimer: you will probably end up spending as much on yourself as loved ones, because this makers’ market has serious style credentials. Expect chic ceramics, homewares, textiles, jewellery and more at London’s Truman Brewery.
16 - 17 Dec; trumanbrewery.com
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
There are few prettier places to pick up Christmas presents than the surroundings of this cathedral that’s over 900 years old. If you’ve worked up a hunger after shopping, head to the Mac Shack to refuel with delicious macaroni and cheese or Hettie Hen for an award-winning scotch egg.
17 Nov – 21 Dec; winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Kirkgate Christmas Market, Leeds
Leeds’ city centre is home to one of Europe’s largest Christmas markets, with more than 150 stalls brimming with fresh, festive produce. There’s a packed programme of events, including a Christmas record fair and Santa walkabouts.
24 Nov – 22 Dec; visitleeds.co.uk
York Christmas Market
One of the big hitters on the Christmas market scene and rightly so – Alpine chalets scatter the streets of York, selling everything from local produce to traditional gifts, plus highly Instagrammable hot chocs.
16 Nov – 22 Dec; visityork.org
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
The biggest German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria (yes, really!), this is the place to head for traditional festive fare – we’re talking bratwursts, schnitzels, roasted almonds, glühwein, stollen and more. Plus there’s free live music.
2 Nov – 24 Dec; thebfcm.co.uk
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
It’s a Unesco World Heritage Site, the birthplace of Winston Churchill – and, for a month leading up to the Big Day, Blenheim Palace’s Great Court is also home to a fabulous market where you can pick up presents, traditional decorations and excellent food.
17 Nov – 17 Dec; blenheimpalace.com
