Cultural & Enrichment Trips to a Christmas Market

Every year the centre of Cologne is touched by the magic of Christmas markets, attracting over four million visitors a year. With seven different markets open daily, and well into the evening, the city is a magical place to visit at this time of year. Beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, you can sample sweet delicacies, watch artisans at work or head to the old market to visit the nostalgic childrens roundabout.

The Christmas Market in Lille is the largest and oldest in Northern France. It is a great choice for a day trip or overnight stay due to the Eurostar link which gets you to this winter wonderland in less than 2 hours. The festival is held in the Place Rihour in the towns centre with over 50 stalls offering a vast range of local products and original gifts. A Ferris Wheel turns on the main square, which is transformed into a winter wonderland, dominated by an 18-meter high Christmas tree.

At Christmas the South Bank of the River is transformed into a wintry wonderland, where global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market come together in one sparkling location.  Amble past wooden chalets which line the banks of the Thames and pick up gorgeous stocking fillers from the Winter Market. Or, tuck into some Christmas fare underneath the glittering Christmas lights.

In Hyde Park, you can truly immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, one of the biggest Christmas markets in London.  Other locations for Christmas Markets in London include Leicester Square, London Bridge City and Greenwich.  Many of these pop-up London markets appear in mid-November and stay open until the New Year

The beauty of Brussels is intensified during December when the Christmas Market stalls takes over the city. With classic wooden chalets selling traditional arts and crafts, street entertainers, fairground attractions and the smell of sweet waffles in the air, a trip to Belgium offers a true Christmas holiday atmosphere your students will love.