The London Traveler

Christmas markets are traditional in Germany and Central Europe, where you’ll find all kinds of Christmas goodies on sale – gingerbread, gluhwein, marzipan stollen, Christmas decorations. There’s a huge Christmas markets in Nuremberg, for instance.

Greenwich Market will have a special Christmas  Market running from  December 10th. There will be mulled wine for adults and for the kids, Santa will be in his grotto (at a small charge of £3 per child) from 20th to 23rd December.

There will be a huge Christmas Market in Hyde Park, too. It’s open from 22nd November all the way to 4th Jauary 2009, 10 am till 10 pm each  day, and it’s modelled on the traditional German markets.  Refreshments will include bratwurst and a hog roast as well as gingerbread and mulled wine, and there will be choirs singing Christmas carols.

The Southbank Centre will have the Cologne Market,  with authentic wooden and tin toys, Christmas decorations, and Santa’s Secret Village. It’s open from 21st November to 23rd December, 10am till 10 pm.

Carry on along the South Bank to find the Bankside Winter Festival  -based on the famous Frost Fair which used to take place when the Thames froze over every winter.  Saturday 13th December will feature a procession of boats carrying the Frost Fair flags down the River Thames – after which the liverymen will be parading through the market in their traditional uniforms. That should be fun. The fair will be open from 12th to 21st December.

Being a foodie though I’ll probably head further along the south bank for the Christmas market at Borough Market,  with special expanded opening hours! Christmas carols are also promised.

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