School Christmas Market Trips to Northern Europe

Why not book your trip to the Christmas markets now and show your pupils how Christmas is celebrated in France, Belgium, Germany, Poland or even the Czech Republic.  Every city in France, Belgium and Germany offers a Christmas market that is worthwhile for your pupils to visit.
A great way to combine fun, culture and shopping!!

Here are just some of the most popular Christmas markets for your school trip:

Lille Christmas Market

Get into the festive spirit with Lille's Christmas market held at the Place Rihour, where the whole of the Place is taken over by more than 80 chalets selling arts, crafts and local cuisine. There's entertainment for children in the form of theatre, games and at the Grand Place you will find the 50 metre high Big Wheel, giving an incredible view of the city. At the base of the wheel is a reproduction of a snow covered village and an ice skating rink.

Paris Christmas Market

The Paris Christmas markets with their clusters of wooden chalets offer holiday treats such as gingerbread, sausages and specialities from the various regions of France. The most festive Christmas markets can be found at La Defense, and at the Trocadero, where you will find an ice skating rink and "snow village". Paris also offers superb sightseeing opportunities, with the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe.

Brussels Christmas Market

The Christmas markets of the Grand Place and Place St. Catherine are filled to the brim with activities for children and adults. Shopping chalets go up at the end of November and last for the entire month of December through to New Years. Activities include ice skating, a Big Wheel, roundabout, brass bands and ice sculptures. The 240 wooden chalets are decorated like gingerbread houses with twinkling fairy lights and 'snow top' roofs.

Cologne Christmas Market

The city of Cologne has seven Christmas markets, though the market at Cologne Cathedral is the most impressive due the the backdrop of the imposing cathedral.  Beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland you can find 160 wooden pavilions where you can chose from numerous sweet delicacies and watch artisans at work. Children inparticular will enjoy the Alter Markt with its nostalgic children's roundabout, puppet theatre, Santa Claus' Grotto and toy stands, while the market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to a world of fairy tales.

Berlin Christmas Market

Berlin offers a choice of 50 Christmas markets. The market in front of Charlottenburg Castle features the Biedermeier period, with historic carriage rides and themed exhibitions featuring the fascinating era between 1815 and 1848. The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, offering a world full of scrumptious treats and fairy lights, while the Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Centre offers 4,000 sq metres of area for festive celebrations.

Munich Christmas Market

Munich's main Christmas market is held on Marienplatz in the heart of the city. The market offers traditional Bavarian gifts, including wood carvings, gingerbread and exquisite glassware. Each day from the balcony of Munich's town hall, music lovers can enjoy the festive season celebration with a special alpine concert.  The Kripperlmarkt specialises in cribs and other nativity accessories. As well as 20 other Christmas markets you will find Munich's ethnic festival, with a spectacle of tents offering a mix of international musicians, drama groups, performances, live music and art.

Krakow Christmas Market

Christmas is one of the most colourful and interesting periods of the Polish calender and one of the key attractions is the market held at the Rynek (Market Square) in Krakow. Wooden stalls sell a wide range of Christmas decorations, sweets and other gastronomic distractions. Amongst the wooden stalls you will find all kinds of trinkets from woollen slippers to amber jewellery from the Baltic. Plus there are the traditional attractions such as shows, folk dances, concerts and carols. 

Prague Christmas Market

The Prague Christmas markets light up the city centre in December. The markets at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square consist of brightly decorated wooden huts selling traditional Czech handicrafts, hot food and warm drinks.  Wooden toys, scented candles, hand made jewellery, traditional puppets and Christmas tree ornaments make great stocking fillers. Most impressive of all is the Christmas tree erected in the Old Town Square. The tree is draped in a blaze of 100,00 lights, a spectacular sight against the dark Gothic skyline.

For more information on any of our trips to the Christmas markets or if you would like us to arrange a trip to a Christmas market not listed here, please don't hesitate to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it