27 August 2026
When do Christmas markets open and close?
The dates move every year. Here are the patterns that hold, and the traps that catch people planning a trip.
All things Christmas
27 August 2026
The German Christmas markets, and how they differ from each other
Germany has hundreds of Weihnachtsmärkte and they are not variations on one theme. What distinguishes the famous ones.
27 August 2026
Doing a Christmas market on a budget
Where the money actually goes at a Christmas market, and which savings are real rather than false economies.
27 August 2026
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck: what actually happens at a stop
How the tour works, when the route gets announced, and what a stop is really like when you get there.
27 August 2026
Christmas lights switch-ons: how they work and how to find yours
They last one evening, they are usually free, and the dates are published in the most obscure places imaginable.
27 August 2026
Doing a European Christmas market trip by train
Christmas markets sit in old city centres, which is exactly where trains go. How to plan a multi-city trip that works.
27 August 2026
Christmas markets with children: a survival guide
Which markets work for children, what to do about the queues, and how to leave before it all falls apart.
27 August 2026
What to wear to a Christmas market
You will be standing still outdoors for hours in December. Dressing for that is different from dressing for a walk.
27 August 2026
The mug deposit explained: why your mulled wine costs more than the menu says
Pfand, the refundable mug deposit, catches out almost every first-time visitor. Here is exactly how it works.
27 August 2026
Which UK Christmas market should you actually visit?
The UK markets are not interchangeable. A guide to picking one that matches what you actually want from the day.