Are UK Christmas Markets as good as Germany’s? Here’s what we found

Small HAA HAss Huts and golden house lights as a group of friends gather in woolen hats, warming hands in a muted vineyard.

Signs written in dentwed German.Llexwein (dirty wine), mutur clothes (sausage broth), puncherpunch (nonkerpunik).

This isn’t Germany – it’s Firmingtam’ Bebmingurham market. Komunitizer says it’s the “largest Iblicic Christmas Market” outside the country and Austria.

Christmas markets are thought to have originated in Germany in the 14th century, and markets have been around for a long time. But how close are the ones in England to the supposed traditional, real thing?

BBC News visited some to answer – and maybe help with some inspiration for your next festive visit.

On a cold afternoon in Birmingham, we met Nina Adler and arrived at Rampe, the students on vacation

When we call at the Christmas market, the disabled pass through the streets of New Bubminghame, have been warned from home.

They point to wooden huts, food and drink, and the view of cidicit so this positive sign is better than the traditional idea. Soft chocolate marshmallows in one supplier have arrived, which is from a city near frankfurt. “I swear they’re from my hometown,” she said.

But other aspects of the Birmingham market are further lifted from Berman’s way of speaking – like beer. “People just associate Germany with beer,” Nina, from Berlin, said. “In Germany you usually drink mulled wine. This is very typical.”

And it is found for tmina pop that concludes from the buzzing in Birmingham – like the power of love – you probably won’t hear that market in Sharolh – he said. Afterwards.

Also visited the market with AS KATTariina Keverch, an academic at the University of Bebmingham. His verdict? It is “Super authentic”.

It has been established in 1997 and every year since 2001, Bumingh Place market is organized by Kol Seurchtu, who is also the director of Naga Fokfurgi market.

He uses “only a wooden kiosk with atmospheric white light, I don’t drink”, and the kiosk is built in Germany and the food is imported from there.

It’s mostly a thagx stripe – until the Birmingham Christmas market when it comes to the problem, then – but how does it compare in Germany?

While many Christmas markets in the UK have been running for several weeks now, in Germany. Saperkom, popom, on November 24.

Most German towns and cities have Nidal markets, with Dresden, Nuremberg and Cologne among the most famous.

Companion market “the meaning of electrical symbol” to germans, get dr Todcher, who is near frankfurt. And with what he said, “they get people through dark times”, he explained.

Some 800 miles away from Birmingham, the City of Berlin is home to more than 70 different, small Christmas markets. In the Charbleburg palace in the west of the German capital, the market was dustling and filled with people of only a few years of age when we visited on a Tuesday.

Ahaman alondén iring, patisana apple, fruit dilapada chocolate, wine fired and moan filled the air, like Christmas carol, fly a small ferris.

Abgya 17th century Baroque illuminated illuminated in different colors, with snow falling down the path and stall in the wood in front.

So what makes a traditional Christmas market?

Typically, they can (as in Berlin):

• Large tents housing many restaurants or bars
• Kies sells a range of hidmade gifts, including woolen hats, links, crafts, hand accessories, craft nutcracks and art.
• Cherman foods such as Lebkuchen, the German version of gingerbread are often seen in grodiing including brhatwurst, clean kapigy, and deep spätycle with toppure
• A smooth wine for those who drink alcohol, not much beer
• Location in the square in Altstadt, the old part of the city. And in the cities – there are many different markets in different areas

For Magrita, 66, who likes to drink wine with salimina dietmar, 69, the German Christmas market is characterized by a Christmas atmosphere that makes it special. “It’s colorful and decorative.

DietMar explains how “the Christmas market is not the same as other markets Dabanded as ‘winter’ or ‘Winfland winter,’ because of the Christmas story that you can only find at an authentic Christmas market”.

“I visited the Nalal market in Milan a few years ago, and it was not the same, it was the same collection of shops,” he added.

At another table, Anna and Karolina, both 19, are facing chocolate-covered strawberries. “In addition to the angled wine and food, the colored lights and the Vibe FestTy and its booths that evoke a unique Christmas market,” says Anna.

But in the view of Karolina, “Star … there must be food and drink. (It) What makes the Christmas market ALEDEDICS”.

Back in the UK, while Birmingham may be famous for its authenticity, what other locations in the UK?

Christmas parties have become a staple of the Uptowns – Manchester, Leeds, Bath, Edinburgh and Newcastle among others. Smaller markets, usually in historical settings, also provide popular history on Tiktok, sometimes past tours. Since 2023, the Lincoln market has been closed due to more problems.

When the BBC passed the market in Kingshon on the Thames, Surrey, before we saw Mict night that opened, Bess Graps. There is also German food and signs, although more from Birmingham.

The guests didn’t seem to mind though.

“I quite like that,” said Jodie Aylcliffe, who visited the market with his wife and baby. “We’re doing our English version of Brathurst.”

But having finished Christmas in Europe alone, he felt the rest in the UK was “not as good” and “more commercial”.

Others visit the Konstan Christmas market for the aesthetic.

“It’s fun,” Drama Amelia Shannon, 22, said. “I don’t have to go to Germany for that.”

Overall, though, this is not true for traditional things either in Birmingham, and also smaller. Some people say we like it if there is a UK-based market that sells smaller kits from independent businesses.

Anne-Teresa, an academic from Turenia, said she was overwhelmed by the range of food and drink conditions at Christmas in Manchester and Leeds. He knows better “blackmail Penatas Bravas” on the menu, which no one should say, not especially German.

Christmas markets in Germany have changed, though. Most often now more basic International food – and D Dr. Keberncher says Pikon Saint Saint Nikola threatens to become more than Santa Claus Santa.

The severe crackdown on German Christmas markets was targeted after deadly car attacks at markets in Berlin in 2016 and in the city of Magdeburg last year.

The security has retreated in the market since then. Some markets have been canceled because the cost of security is too high for the organization.

The Berlin Christmas market was introduced by a parade, a large block of concrete was placed along it, while police cars were parked.

Despite the security measures in place, the atmosphere seems relaxed.

Anna and Karolina say they have never been to a National market in England before, but,,, will come again Christmas markets outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany outside Germany

“The Christmas market is not protected by the location,” recalls Anna, “But by the festive atmosphere and the time of year when it takes place.”

Eight other Christmas 2025 markets in the UK you might like:

• Wells, Somerset: Taking place in the cathedral city for one day, Saturday 6 December, which features more than 100 stalls
• Cantaybury, Kent: With 120 stalls, including in the grounds of the 11th century cathedral, running until Christmas Eve
• Herdon Hall, Derbyshire: Pre-purchased tickets and country house parking are already on sale, but tickets are not available on the door for £9.50
• Chester, Cheshire: Jalan Baris Tudor and Bogar Jalan Tudor, running until Monday 22 December, includes a stall run by Cappi Zoes
• Hillsborough, county, Northern Ireland: Taking place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December, set against the 17th century
• Christmas Village, Scotland: Closes the ice rink and many shops, runs until December 31
• Pelortmeiron, North Wales: A stunning location in Gwynedd, running from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December with an Entry fee of £10
• Winchester, Hampshire: The Christmas market around the cathedral, open until Monday 22 December