stalls

While the climate isn’t very Christmassy, that doesn’t stop the island from getting in the festive mood, with its Christmas Market running from the 10th December all the way to New Years Eve.

Brits looking for winter sun getaways don’t need to jet off to exotic long-haul destinations. The Canary Islands may be at their most popular during the summer months, but come winter they still offer balmy weather – and some surprising festive fun.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canaries, is about a four-hour flight from the UK, and boasts December temperatures ranging from 20 to 24 degrees, making it an ideal location if you want to escape the dreary British weather. It won’t be warm enough to lay out on a beach, but it will be ideal if you want to explore the scenic walks or just stop off and enjoy a pint outside.

The climate may not feel very Christmassy, but that doesn’t stop the island from getting in the festive mood, with its San Cristobal de La Laguna Christmas Market running from the 10th December all the way to New Year’s Eve.

The market has everything you’d expect, including a a myriad of artisan stalls that feature local crafts made of volcanic stone, banana fibre, and traditional Canarian embroidery. It’s the perfect spot for picking up a souvenir or two, or giving your Christmas decorations back home a unique twist.

In fact, if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas trinket to take home, keep your eyes peeled for belenes, which are nativity scenes that feature elements of the island’s spectacular landscape.

The market takes place within the island’s UNESCO recognised town-centre, made up of picturesque winding streets and featuring plenty of budget-friendly eateries where you can sample local fare. For foodies, the Christmas market itself serves up a variety of classic Canarian specialties, including bienmesabe (a sweet almond dessert), papas arrugadas with mojo sauce, and festive waffle ice cream. (Or of course you can opt for a cheeky mulled wine in the sunshine).

Plenty of airlines offer direct flights to Tenerife including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways, but if you’re after something a little different for the festive season, you can find a number of cruises with the likes of Marella Cruises that include a stop in the Canaries.

Chris Hackney, CEO of Marella Cruises, says that Tenerife is quietly becoming one of the most sought after destinations for those looking for a spot of sunshine during the winter.

“Tenerife is known to be the ultimate winter escape, especially near Christmas,” he explained. “As our most popular Cruise & Stay destination, Tenerife has seen a remarkable 29% year-on-year rise, with longer stays booming as 10-night holidays up by 69%, 11-night by 34%, and 14-night by 7%. Even back-to-back cruises in the Canaries are up 17%, proving that more guests than ever are choosing to celebrate the season in the Canarian sun.”

There is one warning for any travellers staying on the island in the wake of Christmas. 28th December is treated a bit like April Fools Day on the Island, with newspapers joining in with locals to prank each other and any gullible tourists, so don’t believe everything you hear and read!

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There are some well-known Christmas markets dotted across Europe, but there’s one fairytale location that boasts more than 200 stalls and is just two hours from the UK

It’s that time of the year when many of us are turning our attention to booking that famed Christmas market trip for the ultimate yuletide to wander around charming chalets while hugging a warming cup of mulled wine. With thousands dotted across Europe, there’s a catalogue to choose from, but there’s one that offers something rather unique for some festive merriment.

Italy might not spring to mind when you think of Christmas markets, but in fact, it has one of the most magical, nestled in Verona. While the Italian city is famed as the setting for Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, with its Roman ruins and Renaissance buildings, it welcomes just as much jollity as any other European city, if not more.

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From November 21 to December 28, the Verona Christmas market, located in Piazza dei Signori, graces and dazzles the city with festive charm. More than 200 stalls adorn the square offering traditional gift inspiration, artisan products and seasonal treats in one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.

Christmas trees and glittering lights decorate the market, while the aromas of gingerbread and mulled wine fill the air. Unlike many other European Christmas markets, in Verona, you can even ride a horse-drawn carriage in a truly magnificent experience as you pass illuminated palaces.

Expected to return this year is the incredible star installation at Piazza Bra, which has previously been one of the most iconic sights in the city, and is perfect for a festive snap! The Verona Christmas market takes inspiration from one of the oldest and most famous German markets in Nuremberg, which is said to be the “birthplace of this cherished tradition”.

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It’s the ideal spot for some Christmas shopping, with the charming cabins filled with handmade souvenirs, ceramics, jewellery, soaps, liqueurs, and wooden and wool items. There’s also plenty of flavours to taste, from steaming-hot pearà, creamy sauce served with pork sausage and rustic bread, to sausage sandwiches and German-style bretzels and bratwurst.

There is also an abundance of sweet treats from luxury chocolate, a warming cup of mulled wine, known as vin brulè in Italy, or a refreshing boccale of a craft ale. And a visit here isn’t complete without sampling Verona’s famous Christmas cake, pandoro – a fluffy sweet bread similar to panettone, known as ‘golden bread’, that was created in 1894 by patissier Domenico Melegatti.

In addition to the market, festive celebrations will be spread far and wide in the city with Christmas concerts, theatre and ballet shows, along with an International Exhibition called ‘Nativities from the World’ taking place. There will also be Verona’s Christmas run, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Piazza Bra, and a New Year’s concert, along with fun-packed activities for children, including the House of Santa Claus, the Enchanted Forest, and ice-skating rinks in Piazza Sacco e Vanzetti.

Visitors have praised the Verona Christmas market, as one wrote on TripAdvisor: “I say well hidden because all the tourist maps say it’s there but I eventually found it, and there was a Christmas market going on, and the buildings around it are beautiful – well worth a visit.”

Direct flights from London to Verona start from £20, with the flight duration just under two hours for a festive winter getaway.

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THE UK’s biggest one-day Christmas market is to return in just a few weeks after it was abruptly cancelled last year.

Thousands are expected to attend the event in a historic market town.

Shoppers will be able to choose from 120 stalls set up in the centre of Beverley in Yorkshire next month after council officials confirmed the event would be back in place this year.

Stalls at the Beverley Festival of Christmas will once again be brimming with seasonal gifts and local treats.

There will also be live entertainment, music and dancing – and, of course, an appearance from Santa and his reindeers – as well as birds of prey on display, and traditional brass bands.

The event had to be cancelled at the last-minute in 2024 after Storm Darragh caused chaos across the UK last year.

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Locals and visitors were left disappointed after council officials took the decision to cancel the market in the run up to the event after 34 flood warnings were issued across the country and a cold weather health alert was put in place.

At the time, a spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the event, which was established in 1995 by local shop owner John Bird, had involved six months of planning and the decision to cancel “had not been taken lightly”.

Announcing its return for 2025, councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure at the council, said the event is “the flagship tourism event for our region and is an important date in the calendar for businesses and traders”.

‘Hugely popular’

He added: “It is always a hugely popular event, with visitors from all over the UK coming to enjoy the festive stalls and entertainment. 

“The event will also provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy at such a wonderful time of the year.”

The council said that Beverley’s historic centre will be “transformed into a magical Christmas shopper’s wonderland” for the event.

News of its return has prompted an outpouring of support and excitement with hundreds of locals and visitors commenting on Facebook.

One person posted: “I cannot wait to stand in this market. So excited.”

Another person wrote: “We will be there.”

A third person said: “Can’t wait. This is one of our fave Christmas markets.”

A fourth person was equally excited at the news the market is to return, posting: “Love Beverley. Nice place.”

A fifth said: “Will defo have to go!”

The festival will again be sponsored by The Beverley Arms, part of hospitality company Thwaites.

Rick Bailey, chairman at Thwaites, said: “We’re so proud that The Beverley Arms is once again part of The Beverley Festival of Christmas, it’s such a special celebration that brings the whole town together, showcases the very best of Beverley, and captures the true spirit of the season.”

This year’s event will run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 14 December.

Also making a return to Beverly this year is the Reindeer Rampage Christmas Trail, which is running from 1 November to December 31.

This is a popular event in the town with locals and visitors asked to find Santa‘s reindeer, which are “hiding” in shop windows in Beverley.

You can pick up a free map and reindeer mask from the Tourist Information Centre on Cross Street and find out more details here.

The market itself will take place over several areas in the town, including Saturday Market, and will also feature a parade to mark the start of the festival.

The parade will leave from Wednesday Market when the event opens at 10am and it will move down Toll Gavel to Saturday Market.

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Taking part in the parade will be feature Santa Claus, Rudolph and the rest of his reindeer, live music, comedy acts, steam punks, Bernese mountain dogs and much more.

This year’s event will take place on 14 December in Beverley