UK's Christmas Markets VS German Christmas: which one is the best?

Ever wondered if the real deal German Christmas markets are actually in any way similar to UK's "German Christmas"? Is it worth the trip to explore Dresden or Prague and their medieval Christmas Markets, or should you save your money and spend it on Edinburgh's £7 mulled wines instead?

In this video I have travelled across Europe to find out if continental markets are in fact cheaper, better and more magical, or if the same problems plague markets in every city and we should just... get used to it I guess.

Let me know which Christmas market is your favourite and if this video helped you decide where to go visit Christmas markets in 2025!

#christmasmarket #dresdenchristmas #praguechristmas

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MORE OF ME:

[simonmountney]

Always fun to get a bit festive with the markets! Which markets do you all think are worth a visit?

[KateLindsay_Kat]

Thanks for sharing these, so great to “visit” them with you!

[MaritaSynnestvedt]

A Medieval market at Grassmarket, perhaps?

[badfaithu]

These festive markets are always so wonderful. Thank you for showing these markets.
Your cat is so adorable.

[sandybutton]

Dresden is such a cute city! Glad you show it to your Youtube family, because there are more to see in Germany than Hamburg or Berlin 😂
Wish you and Simon a very Happy New Year! ❤

[franninchen]

Merry Christmas and all the best wishes for the new year. It is fun to see Dresden through your point of view as this isn't far off where I am from so I grew up with visiting the christmas markets there. 😊 Also yes the medieval market only has a entry fee on the weekend and the art scene is really interesting in Dresden. I prefer the national gallery there over the one in Edinburgh.

[FalcomScott]

Thanks for sharing this video Kakibot! No disrespect to the Christmas Markets I have here in the UK but the German Christmas market looks so wonderful and those delicious street foods 😋🎄💚🎅

[susanmance]

I'm really digging the idea of a Renaissance Faire Christmas market! They kind of have one here on the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. It is usually open for the regular festival in late summer. But in recent years they have opened it up to a Christmas event. I haven't been to it yet, so I can't tell you much about it.

[MsCindyb]

Christmas Ren Faire! Yes! Next year, please. I will be there!

[TheEmpressgoth]

Happy New Year may you have the very best in this coming year ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[cruel_brittania]

I didn't know you were a British sausage lover. As a vegetarian almost my whole life, I can't personally recommend this, but my ex and I used to take day trips from Newcastle to Rothbury to go walking and he always had to stop at Rothbury Butchers because they make gourmet sausages with often seasonal and herby flavours like I think I remember a rosemary and onion, and I think a bramley apple and pork one. So next time you are down our way again, you should stop in Rothbury for a gorgeous country walk and then pop in the butchers to get your fill of British sausages.

[eleanorlaurent]

I'm just one minute into the video, but I have to pause to say, dear Kakibot, even on my worst days, you bring such a smile to my face 😊🩷

Edited to add: Christmas RennFaire in Edinburgh??? Sign me up, please! I'm American and have never been tempted by modern UK or European Xmas markets, but that would get me across the pond again!

[bootsmith]

Very nice. I don’t have Christmas market plans but do have a Prague to Berlin trip planned with stops in Dresden and my Grandmother’s hometown on that train line between Prague and Dresden in Saxon Switzerland NP.

[aidanwilson]

There is so much charm and tradition with the continental markets but it may be overwhelming and too much for some, definitely worth a budget airline trip to get the festive mood. I think Edinburgh has a different offering which makes it just as special, the setting alone is so unique and there is such a great atmosphere, it made sense to split the activities to 4 sites as it was becoming too congested, i am surprised there is so much hate for other people (as in, large crowds !) surely that adds to the positive vibes with the collective experience !.

[laurag]

Edinburgh used to have a small Christmas market in Parliament square. It would be great if they could bring that back. I love the idea of a medieval/historical themed market away from the main market on Princes Street. And what about a nautical harbour themed market in Leith or the Shore? My favourite Christmas markets were in Cologne, Germany and there were 6 themed markets in different parts of the city.

[tearfulpandora]

I haven't been to Edinburgh christmas market for about 8 years. It's too crowded. It is seriously overpriced. The last time we went it was over the 3 levels of princess syreet gardens with the children's christmas market with santa and rides at the very bottom. It also had a more stalls at george square with an ice rink and and Queens street was closed to the public aswell, also had stalls and a huge silent disco. Obviously the biggest problem for me is the price and crowds but also that there is never anything new at all.

[MathiasFalkeborn]

Missing you kidness and preatti face❤thom from sueden

[davykelly]

The main and most important difference is that in European and UK markets is that the European markets are traditional and the UK ones are to make as much money as possible with no atmosphere.

[pamipandimonium]

I feel that no matter what Edinburgh does, it all ends up being too commercial, grubby and tacky. It gets over run by tourists - many lovely, respectful and polite but also some just out to get drunk and loud. Like you, I'm feeling that the Winter Fest is becoming unsustainable. I prefer to head out of town for more local markets or buy at the Leith Witches Market, the Collective or Tron market.

[michellemaine]

I love your idea of the different UK countries having markets based on their rich history and traditions. Why have these expensive, pale imitations of German markets? Was Edinburgh always this condensed? It seems like that happened after Covid?