Our experts recommend their favourite Christmas market destinations

Are you the type of teacher who has paper snowflakes hanging in their classroom? And some tinsel for good measure? Why not go one step further to spread the Christmas cheer this year and take your pupils on a school trip to the Christmas markets of Europe?

Christmas Markets have been a cherished tradition found all over Europe and continue to be popular highlight of the festive season. We aren't just talking about shopping (although that is a bonus). Students just love the atmospheric experience of a Christmas fair and a short trip is a fantastic way to immerse French and German learners in the local language and culture for a few days.

Voyager School Travel has been providing Christmas Market school trips to schools for many years and below our destination experts share their tips on which markets are the absolute best to visit!

Lille, Amiens, Arras & Boulogne-Sur-Mer Christmas Markets, France

With hundreds of traditional markets within an hour of Voyager School Travel's accommodation - Hotel Moulin aux Draps, these Christmas Market trips to the French Opal Coast offers the best combination of festivities and convenience. Students can practice speaking French with stall holders by day and be entertained by our French animateurs by night. 

Christmas Markets & Wintersports, Voyager's French residential centre

Take your students on a magical educational adventure to our Moulin aux Draps centre near Calais. With crackling fires, seasonal crafts and the chance to try real-snow skiing, fuelled by hearty homecooked dinners and the odd freshly toasted marshmallow. This escorted Christmas-themed trip to France is a great value option for schools.

Aachen and Monschau Christmas Markets, Germany

Aachen Christmas Market is the closest German Christmas fair to the UK and can be reached from Calais in just six hours by coach. Explore the city’s streets as they are transformed into a Christmas wonderland of lights, delicious treats and the famous gingerbread, Aachen Printe.  

Berlin Christmas Markets, Germany

Christmas markets are quintessentially German, so what better way to get the authentic Weihnachten experience than to take a Christmas market school trip to Berlin? Over 100 Christmas markets pop up across Berlin in the festive season offering beautiful backdrops, Christmas delicacies, unique crafts, hot chocolate and carnival rides.

Cologne Christmas Markets, Germany

Cologne Christmas markets are some of the most famous in Europe. Each year Cologne holds seven Christmas markets around the city, the four biggest ones are located around the cathedral, Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, ‘Market of Angels’ presents itself on the square Neumarkt under a magnificently shining star sky and near Rudolfplatz, every year, these markets attract about 2 million visitors. Each market provides great food and drinks but also shopping too from Christmas decorations to selling chocolate.

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

Strasbourg is home to one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Europe, taking place since 1570! This market is filled to the brim with talented craftsmanship, tasty treats, Christmas food and even Winter boat trips. What makes this Christmas trip unique is that it allows both German and French language learners to practice their skills whilst soaking up some wonderful history & atmosphere.

Brussels Christmas Market

There is plenty of choice when it comes to Christmas markets in Brussels, from traditional, artisanal to gastronomic. There is something for everyone; there are markets all over the city, from cobblestone of the Grand Place to the lanes of the green city quarters and the castle.

The markets are open late November until early January and features the usual delights of a Christmas market as well as an ice-rink.  

 

These are just some examples of the Christmas Markets we recommend. If you have another Christmas market destination in mind, get in touch with our school travel experts.

Check out these European Christmas market trips for schools