[category]
[title]
The lights are on, the tinsel is up and the mince pies are on the shelves – the festive season has finally arrived. Over the coming weeks, streets across the UK and Europe will morph into wholesome winter wonderlands full of cute wooden huts, carousels, twinkling trees and the warm scent of glühwein. If you’re not in the festive spirit yet, a Christmas market will almost certainly get you in the mood.
Every year, Time Out shares its pick of best Christmas markets across Europe. Our favourites include a traditional fair in Estonia, a fairground ride-filled bazaar in Sweden, a colourful mart in Croatia and a classy affair in Italy. Nuremberg’s sprawling Weihnachtsmärkte took the top spot, but a market here in the UK came a close second.
The second-best festive fair in Europe, according to Time Out’s travel team, is the ‘epic’ Christmas market in Edinburgh. The Scottish market stretches all the way across East Princes Street Gardens and spills into West Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew Square and George Street.
This year’s market will open from Saturday November 14 until January 3. There’ll be around 80 chalets handing out eggnog, mulled wine, festive eats and selling a load of Christmassy trinkets, decorations and stocking fillers.
Between browsing, visitors can hop on fairground rides like the LNER Big Wheel, the 80m Around the World Starflyer and the Helter Skelter. From November 21, step inside the Valhalla-themed ice bar and enjoy a cocktail or mocktail in frosty temperatures of -8C.
Sadly, there’s no ice rink on George Street this year. It was axed due to high costs and uncertainty after a devastating fire on Princes Street earlier this year. If you want to get your skate on in the Scottish capital, you can go to the Winter Wonderland at The Gyle Shopping Centre or the Rink at Dalkeith Country Park WinterFest instead.
ICYMI: Three British vineyards are in the 100 best in the world.
Plus: This fairytale village in Wales is one of the most beautiful places in Britain.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.