The city’s Christmas markets and baroque architecture will revive even a flagging festive spirit, while its steampunk street art is an edgy pick-me-up
December 2022
Dreaming of a green Christmas: an eco-friendly trip in festive Strasbourg
From sustainable gifts to energy-efficient fairy lights and hotels using only local products, here’s how to have yourself an eco-friendly Christmas in France
November 2022
Santa shops here: 10 of Europe’s coolest Christmas markets
Eerie caves, gorges and open-air theatres set the scene for this year’s festive shopping sprees, with plenty of ethical stocking fillers up for grabs
October 2022
Leeds is latest city to cancel Christmas market, citing budget pressures
Council cannot afford Bonfire Night events and German market hit by rising travel and visa costs
November 2021
German Christmas markets face second year of closures as Covid rates soar
Many markets have already announced they will not be going ahead amid record case numbers
October 2020
UK cities plan Covid-safe festivities as Christmas markets are cancelled
Many seasonal events have been axed, but light displays and trails will go ahead illuminating cityscapes, stately homes and gardens
November 2019
‘Tacky’ Christmas market inflames battle for the soul of Edinburgh
A huge festive market in genteel Princes Street Gardens has angered residents who feel their city is being lost to tourism
November 2018
A brief history of Christmas markets
Seasonal city breaks: 10 of the best pre-Christmas European getaways
December 2017
Tallinn, Estonia: a very Baltic Christmas
The best Christmas days out 2017
November 2017
10 of the best Christmas shopping cities in Europe
Readers' travel tips
Winter town and city breaks: readers’ travel tips
December 2016
Top 10 festive food traditions in Europe
Let's go to
Let’s go to … Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester
November 2016
Let's go to
Let’s go to … Beverley for the Christmas festival
The East Yorkshire market town hosts one of the most colourful festive events in the UK, with a market, street entertainers, rides and a Christmas parade
December 2015
Readers' travel tips
Boxing Day 2015: send us your tips and you could win a £200 hotel voucher
We want to hear about the best places to visit and things to do on Boxing Day, including family days out plus bars and restaurants
November 2015
Strong pound lures Brits to Christmas markets
Rise in sterling makes shopping trips to Russia, Hungary and Norway much cheaper than five years ago
December 2014
Britain’s best Christmas markets
Get into the present-giving spirit by picking out presents at a seasonal market, with food, crafts, clothes and jewellery from independent producers. Rhiannon Batten selects the cream of the festive crop
December 2013
Too many funfairs, not enough toys: Germany's Christmas markets backlash
Cities try to return to traditional stalls as critics say artisan gifts and wooden toys are being edged out by food and mulled wine
