October 2019
Nabana no Sato Winter Light Festival Japan 2020
Nabana no Sato, a botanical garden in the Japanese prefecture of Mie, is home each year to one of the country’s best and biggest winter light festivals. During several months, magical light tunnels, animated light shows and millions of LED lights immerse Nabana no Sato into an endless sea of light. Nabana no Sato flower park and botanical gardens The popular Nabana no Sato flower park comprises of several sections each dedicated to flowers. Its impressive number of flower varieties…
Find out more »November 2019
Vienna Christmas Market 2019
It’s the season to be merry, but one Christmas Market stands out from the crowd – well it is the original one after all. Not that the Vienna Christmas Market is a single market, but rather a series of some 20 fares across the Austrian capital. Nor for that matter was the original market strictly a Christmassy affair, as the first December market held in Vienna was a meat market granted by Albrecht I in 1298. But we will let…
Find out more »Winchester Christmas Market 2019
A highlight of the festive season, Winchester Christmas Market opens on 17 November. Since 2006 the market has been recognised as one of the leading Christmas Festivals...
Find out more »Salzburg Christmas Market 2019
If you are planning to take a trip to a Christmas market this year, you could do far worse than travelling to Austria’s world-heritage city Salzburg, home of Mozart. Alongside the Vienna Christmas Market and stemming back to the 15th century, Salzburg Christkindlmarkt as they call it in Austria, is one of the oldest advent markets in the world. History of Salzburg Christmas Market In the 15th Century, the festive fare was called Tandlmarkt, but by the 17th century it had…
Find out more »Dresden Christmas Market 2019: Striezelmarkt
This year, once more the Dresden Christmas Market, or Striezelmarkt, will take over the Saxon Baroque city for the 585th time. Originating in 1434, Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, and alongside the Vienna Christmas Market, one of the must visit Christmas markets in Europe. Striezelmarkt and the Stollen Parade Meaning stollen market - striezel is another word for stollen - the Striezelmarkt will see a giant stollen sliced up and then paraded through town and offered to revellers. 2017's cake…
Find out more »Brno Christmas Market 2019, Czech Republic
Just like Christmas is not just about the Vienna Chritstmas Market, the Czech Republic is not all about Prague, especially at Christmas time. The Brno Christmas Market takes place in the country's second city from 29 November. The festival has two centres. The first is around Freedom Square which has a very modern vibe, focusing on virtual reality displays as well as live gigs and even a designer market. Sample special city drinks from a white cupola while resting at the Winter…
Find out more »Brussels Christmas Market 2019-2020
The Brussels Christmas Market is no doubt one of the best in Europe for food and atmosphere. Winter Wonders – as the market is dubbed – runs over two kilometres through the Belgian capital’s historic town centre. Think cobbled streets and medieval market squares home to snow-dusted market stalls, cosy brasseries, lively pop-up cafés and bars. A covered ice-skating rink, an illuminated Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, brass bands, free performances, ice sculptures, a fun Christmas parade and a magical light and…
Find out more »December 2019
Padstow Christmas Market & Festival 2019
Foodies should head to the Cornish coastal of Padstow this December for the 12th Padstow Christmas Market & Festival. Master chefs Rick Stein (they don't call is Pad-stein for no reason), Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw will fly the Cornish culinary flag from 5 to 8 December. Paul Ainsworth, one of the star chefs at the Padstow Christmas Market & Festival Padstow has long been regarded as the culinary capital of Cornwall, but Padstow food festival is much more than…
Find out more »Antwerp Christmas Market 2019, Belgium
The medieval city of Antwerp makes for a stunning background to its famous Christmas market. Expanded now into several of the city’s prime historical locations, the Antwerp Christmas Market guarantees a unique experience embellished with ancient buildings while offering contemporary fun, traditional food and soul-warming mulled wine. Antwerp’s medieval city centre will fill up with hundreds of Christmas stalls offering handicrafts, original trinkets and local winter delicacies – including small fried potatoes with bacon called “spekpatatjes” and hot Belgian chocolate,…
Find out more »Beverley Festival of Christmas 2019
The hugely popular Beverley Festival of Christmas, in East Yorkshire, has grown from a small market to one of the largest festive celebrations in England. Held on 8 December from 10am to 4pm, join in the festivities. Staged each year since 1995 around the town centre of the medieval Minster town of Beverley, at its heart will be three traditional Victorian Christmas Markets selling everything from festive food and drink to arts and crafts. The historic market town with its two…
Find out more »January 2020
Tsagaan Sar 2020 in Mongolia
Tsagaan Sar or Mongolia’s lunar new year is the most important festival for ethnic Mongols and the people of the Arctic where age-old rituals combine with eating local delicacies such as dumplings, sweets and plenty of vodka. While many travellers may be reluctant to visit the world’s coldest capital Ulaanbaatar in winter – temperatures can drop to -40C – Tsagaan Sar is a particularly favourable time for exploring Mongolia. This is when the country’s rich traditions come to life with…
Find out more »February 2020
Khövsgöl Ice Festival 2020, Mongolia
Each March, residents of Mongolia’s Khövsgöl Lake area celebrate the Khövsgöl Ice Festival with horse-drawn sleighs, elaborate ice sculptures, traditional food and vibrant competitions including ice skating, ice sumo wrestling, tug of war, ice ger building and dog sledding – all on the dark blue ice of the frozen lake. During the Khövsgöl Ice Festival, the lake after which the festival is named becomes a frozen playground for locals and visitors alike. For the occasion, participants dress up in their…
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