The season for year end celebrations is finally here. From holiday baking to holiday decorating, the festive spirt seems to be in the air as people all around the world are preparing for hosting, feasting and celebrating with their friends and family. Along the same lines, decorating the Christmas tree seems to be a hot favorite for most people of all ages. There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than shopping at amazing local Christmas markets to explore some handcrafted treasures for your Christmas tree. Did you know that New Years is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world with Christmas a close second?

Last year we shared several Christmas traditions from countries around the world. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois has a wonderful exhibit every year where they showcase how different cultures and countries around the world celebrate Christmas by way of how they decorate their Christmas tree, the foods that they eat and the rituals that they participate in during the month of December and January.

The tradition of local Christmas markets originated in 14th century Germany, dating all the way back to 1434 at the Strielzmarket in Dresden. During the holiday season local artisans and farmers joined together to sell and exchange their goods just in time for Christmas and the winter months.

So here are some amazing Christmas markets from around the world that are worth a visit.

# Heidelberg, Germany

With scents of roasted chestnuts and other treats lingering in the air, the Heidelberg Christmas Market has over 140 stalls in six different areas around the city. Surrounded by historic castles, the skating rink in the Old Town is known for being one of the most beautiful in Germany. They also have a fairy-tale Advent stroll through the decorated woods at the Kornmart. This year the market runs from November 22nd through to December 22nd.

# Dordrecht, The Netherlands

The Dordrecht Christmas Market, the largest market in The Netherlands, brings the holiday spirit to row after row of stalls that are filled with handcrafted gifts, warm Christmas treats and live entertainment in the historic city center. For a traditional Christmas treat, snack on freshly baked kerstkranjes (Christmas wreath cookies), kerststos (Chrsitmas loaf) or the spiced speculaas cookies.

# Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is home to Sweden’s largest Christmas market set in the Liseberg Amusement Park. In the warm glow of millions of Christmas lights Liseberg is transformed into a sparklingly beautiful winter saga. There are also a number of smaller markets throughout the city in the Haga district or in the old artillery Kronhuset. Glögg a mulling red wine with local spices and nutmeg is a local favorite and is best had with a saffron bun or lussekatter.

# Wiesbaden, Germany

The Wiesbaden Christmas Market is a city wide effort to transforms into a winter wonderland as main buildings in the downtown center are decorated in the holiday spirit. The town’s Yuletide cheer has been preserved for centuries with merchants and vendors still sell handcrafted items like wooden ornaments and advent wreaths from wooden huts. Of course no German Christmas market would be complete without  roasted chestnuts, Christstollen cake and lebkuchen(gingerbread) from age old recipes and German traditions.

# Salzburg, Austria

Austria is home to some of the most romantic Christmas markets in the world. The Salzburg Christmas Market is tucked between the many churches and looming domes of century-old buildings. Underneath the snow-covered roofs at the market you’ll find a number of stalls filled with Nativity scenes, wooden ornaments and knitted gifts. The Salzburg’s Christmas market is said to have originated as far back as the 15th century, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg fortress and around the venerable cathedral of Salzburg. Aromatic smell of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts and freshly baked apples fills the air starting November 21 all the way through Dec 26th.

# Nottingham, England

Set in a city that has a long history with tales and legends, the Nottingham Winter Wonderland brings festivities to the Old Market Square that surrounds the town skating rink. The square is decorated with Victorian-style market cabins where guests can shop locally-made gifts and enjoy live music from the bandstand or a drink at the Ice Bar.

# Edinburgh, Scotland

The Edinburgh Christmas Market welcomes locals and visitors to St. Andrews Square to celebrate the holidays in true Scottish fashion. With a selection of one-of-a-kind gift items from Scottish artists and crafters, as well as from all over Europe, this market has over the years attracted more and more locals from around Scotland.

# Barcelona, Spain

Fira de Santa Llúcia is Barcelona’s oldest Christmas fair dating back to 1786. It began as a one-day event to celebrate the feast day of Santa Llúcia on December 13, but has since developed into a three-week Christmas fair. The market takes place in front of  Barcelona Cathedral and features around 300 stalls selling everything from Christmas decorations, trees and nativity figurines to musical instruments, handmade puppets and jewelry.

# Québec City, Canada

With its colorful lights, traditional wooden kiosks and free activities for the whole family, Québec City’s German Christmas Market offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. Traditional bratwurst, mulled wine, gingerbread and other locally-sourced dishes are served under twinkling lights in the Old Port. Every year carolers and choral singers grace the stage for nightly performances while you can shop for holiday goods and decorations. They also have a Kindermart for the little ones to have a visit with Santa Claus.

# Toronto, Canada

Taking place in the Historic Distillery District, the Toronto Christmas Market with its traditional wooden market stall huts and traditional German fare along with creative carnival eats transports you to the Christmas markers in Europe. The market is illuminated at dusk with strings of overhead lights and a huge white spruce Christmas tree decorated with thousands of lights.

# Chicago, Illinois

Christkindmarket in Chicago is the city’s ode to the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany and was first held in 1996. Since then this amazing Christmas market has grown with vendors from far and wide who sell handmade ornaments, food and imported mulled wine, called Glühwein that is served in commemorative mugs made specially for the market.

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