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Emma Crosby reviews some of the popular Christmas markets currently running, both at home and abroad. Photo: iStock

By Emma Crosby

With Christmas just around the corner, many families are getting into gear for the festive season. What better way to get revved up for the happy holidays than visiting a Christmas market? Setting the scene for the yuletide season, these popular hotspots provide sights, sounds and smells to send all our senses into a magical Christmas mood.

Christmas markets are big business too, with the Centre for Retail Research estimating a staggering £4.7 billion is spent at events in Europe and North America alone. Whilst some of the oldest markets have been running for over 400 years, visits to Christmas markets have increased dramatically in the last 15 years.

Markets across Europe now receive 427 million visitors annually, with many people taking in one or more market as part of a holiday. A wide choice of dedicated tours are available, with Christmas market stop-offs also now popular cruise ship excursions.

Award winning cruise agent, Iglu Cruise says, ‘Every year sees an increasing amount of people travel to these enchanted cities’ - so getting the chance to buy into the Christmas spirit is clearly top of Santa’s list for many families.

Here we look at popular Christmas markets close to hand and also those requiring a slightly longer sleigh ride.

WATERFORD WINTERVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Held as part of the wider Winterval Festival, now in its third year, Waterford Christmas market packs a really traditional punch. With 60 market cabins to choose from selling everything you could ever need to make Christmas special, Winterval sees the streets of Waterford transformed into a veritable winter wonderland.

Running between November 21st and December 23rd, Winterval also showcases a wide range of seasonal events. These include an impressive temporary ice rink with centrepiece by world renowned Waterford Crystal, a newly commissioned 3D light show featuring popular Christmas characters such as The Grinch and Father Christmas, and a free movie theatre with Disney’s icy blockbuster Frozen on a loop.

Last year over 250,000 people paid Winterval a visit, and with so much on offer, organisers hope to top that figure this year. One person who has already enjoyed this year’s market, Fiona McRitchie, said on social media - “Spent the whole day in there today and absolutely fantastic. Can’t wait to spend lots more days in town over the next few weeks. Well done Winterval.”

Full details of all events and attractions can be found at the official website.

GALWAY CONTINENTAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Galway is home to Ireland’s longest running Christmas market, which is located in Eyre Square and runs from 21st November to 22nd December. Over fifty traders from across Ireland and Europe set up shop in this popular location, offering a vast range of craft items, Christmas decorations, finger licking food such as churros, corn dogs and hog roasts, as well as gift ideas for the whole family.

Market-goers can eat, drink and be merry thanks to the popular traditional German Bierkeller open to the backdrop of a varied live entertainment programme.

A number of changes have been made to the layout of the market to improve the facilities on offer with the majority of stalls now on the hard surface plaza and the striking Windmill House repositioned on Eyre Square itself. Around 600,000 people visited the market last year and with many hotels already fully booked for the five weekends on which the market takes place, it looks like this year will equal this success.

The city expects to generate almost €20 million thanks to the Christmas market, now an established feature of Galway’s festive calendar. Local retailer and councillor Niall McNelis, believes that the economic boon which it offers reaches right into the heart of the city, “Research shows 90% of visitors do shopping in Galway. The average spend in the market is €32 and it is estimated that €81 is spent in the city centre.”

BELFAST CHRISTMAS MARKET

Heading north of the border, Belfast makes an early start with its Christmas market which has been running since 15th November. Held in the grounds of the iconic Belfast City Hall, this stunning market, which this year celebrates its tenth year of operations, continues to go from strength to strength.

The layout and appearance of the market hits traditional German style notes with its 90 hand crafted wooden chalets. Twinkling lights and the aroma of authentic German Gluhwein completes this seasonal showcase.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon summed up the market’s atmosphere saying, “The market creates an amazing buzz around the city centre. At all times of the day people are in and it’s very busy. The smell of food is amazing.”

New outlets and attractions are added each year. One highlight for younger visitors will be the opportunity to dress up and pose in a Disney Frozen large inflatable snow globe – a chance to capture images which will be treasured for many years to come.

Visitors can also post their letters to the big man in the red suit and will get a personalised response. The market runs until 21st December.

STRASBOURG CHRISTMAS MARKET

For those who want to venture further afield, many cities across Europe give visitors the chance to combine a short trip or holiday with a Christmas market visit. There are thought to be 100 main markets and 2,273 smaller markets to choose from and with so much selection on offer, it can be difficult to know where to start.

A surefire first in the Christmas market stakes is Strasbourg. Winner of the title, ‘Best Christmas Market in Europe last year, Strasbourg is far from a newcomer to delivering real yuletide magic. Founded in 1570, the market with its wonderful setting in front of Strasbourg Cathedral, is home to over 300 chalets and regularly attracts over 2 million visitors.

Executive director of European Best Destinations, Maximilien Lejeune, says that the three essential ingredients for an authentic Christmas market are, ‘handicrafts, food (sausages, pretzels, candy apples, roasted chestnuts, marzipan and mulled wine) and the soul.”

Strasbourg can offer all this and much more. With stalls selling every sort of product and produce imaginable spread over 11 areas of the city, there is so much to see and do – not least the majestic Christmas tree which reaches almost 100 feet.

Plan your trip around the market dates which run until 31st December.

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