Christmas is considered to be a season of richness and festivity and Christmas traditions involve decorating houses, setting up a Christmas tree and sitting down to a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Christmas is also one of the most important shopping seasons in the world and stores, malls and markets offer an array of goods at discounted prices in December. If you are looking to do some Christmas shopping, here is a list of the ten best Christmas markets around the world that sell Christmas decorations, cribs, statuettes, lights, Christmas paraphernalia, presents and delicious Christmas goodies.
1. The Cologne Christmas market draws over a million tourists each year to its six market sections, of which the largest and most impressive is the Cathedral market with its imposing backdrop of the Gothic cathedral. Visitors will find everything from lights to Christmas cookies here.
2. The Nuremberg market is yet another German market. The market at Nuremberg is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets you will ever find.
3. The Dresden market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. It is a few centuries old and this fact only adds to the richness of its product range.
4. The Vienna Christmas market is about seven hundred years old. Set amidst the square across the town hall, the park surrounding the market adds to its beauty. Visitors will find beautiful Christmas ornaments on sale here.
5. The Brussels market in the historic Grand Place offers excellent Christmas goodies. Belgian chocolate, steamed snails and hard gingerbread are popular with visitors.
6. The Prague Christmas market features concerts, folklore and a petting zoo where children can touch and pet farm animals. As per the local tradition, visitors are expected to taste mulled wine as they pass through the stalls. Traditional wares include Babushka dolls and Bohemian crystal.
7. The Copenhagen market in Tivoli Gardens is well decorated with plenty of Christmas trees. The lake in the city is turned into a skating rink during this season. This market features costumed characters like leprechauns and Father Christmas.
8. The Chicago market in Daley Plaza draws over a million visitors each year and is America's biggest and best Christmas market. The architectural beauty of Chicago adds to the charm of this market. Visitors will find that shopping in this market is relatively less expensive in comparison with some European markets.
9. The Christmas market in Quebec City, Canada ensures visitors a white Christmas with sledge rides, ice skating and mulled wine adding to the celebrations.
10. The Christmas market in the Piazza Navona in Rome brings in a medieval Roman flavour to the Christmas shopping experience. Seasonal Italian cakes like torrone, biscotti and pandoro are sold in this market.
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Christmas market accommodation and Prague market accommodation.
