If you love Christmas and all things festive then Christmas Markets will do it for you. There are many across the country and overseas in Europe but why travel when you can find great Christmas Markets closer to home. Leicester’s Christmas Markets are well worth a visit and run from 11th November until 8th January. The finest treats and gifts are on offer, along with unique handmade pieces. The stalls are housed in traditional Bavarian wooden huts and you can also enjoy hot food and mulled wine whilst exploring the goods on offer, including accessories and sweet treats. To get your Leicester Real Christmas Trees, visit http://www.welfordchristmastreefarm.co.uk/ .
From the 21st to the 23rd December you can also find the Christmas Farmer’s Market taking place and you know you’re in for a treat as Leicester Market has been voted as Britain’s Favourite Market. This really is the place to get fresh quality meat and fruit and veg. There is a huge selection of fresh food including some great seafood and the Market is proud to boats it’s title as 2015 winner of Britain’s Best Food Market.
To celebrate the Christmas Markets, Leicester also has a 110 ft ferris wheel called the Wheel of Light and this will be running until 8th January. There is a funfair too which is sure to please the children after all that Christmas shopping. Leicester really does pull out all the stops to make sure Christmas is special in the city. They are still on a high after winning the Football Premiership too!
At Highcross Shopping Centre, kids will be able to walk through a Winter Garden to find Santa’s log cabin, meet the man himself and receive a gift. If you still have shopping left after all this then pop along to the Haymarket to find 60 top high street retailers and independent stores too. The Lanes in Old Town is also home to some unique independent traders for classic and one off pieces that you won’t find anywhere else on the high street. Chocolate and jewellery both feature heavily here and Cocoa Amore on Silver Street is full of gorgeous luxury homemade choccies to delight your loved ones when they find them under your tree.
St Martin’s Square is the perfect spot for a coffee and some people watching. There are quaint shops and delis but you’ll also find Gelato Village (who says you can’t eat ice cream in December?) and a quirky vintage clothing store. Leicester is full of surprises and if you need a stiff drink before you carry on then head to The Real Ale Classroom which has a huge selection on tap and also pretty much any other drink you can think of, like a nice rhubarb gin.
For a touch of class, check out the Queens Road where you’ll find chic hairdressers, boutiques, bars and bakeries. There is a fashionable mix of trendy bars and student life all in close proximity to Victoria Park and it’s beautiful tree lined pathways.