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Seasonal trips.

Christmas markets, Lapland, the Northern Lights, the ski season and winter sun from the UK. Every guide compares the ways to get there and is checked for this season.

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Christmas markets 2026

Most European markets open in mid to late November and run until 23 or 24 December, with a few staying open into January. Our guides compare the train, flights and coach from the UK, with this year's market dates checked.

Basel
From the UKBasel Christmas Market26 Nov – 23 Dec · Basel Christmas market 2026
Bath
From the UKBath Christmas Market26 Nov – 13 Dec · Market dates 2026
Berlin
From the UKBerlin Christmas MarketsFrom 23 Nov · Most big markets open, 2026
Bruges
From the UKBruges Christmas Market20 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · Winter Glow dates
Brussels
From the UKBrussels Christmas Market27 Nov – 3 Jan · Winter Wonders 2026/27
Budapest
From the UKBudapest Christmas Markets13 Nov – 1 Jan · Basilica market 2026
Cologne
From the UKCologne Christmas Markets16 Nov – 23 Dec · Cathedral market 2026
Copenhagen
From the UKCopenhagen Christmas Markets13 Nov – 3 Jan · Christmas in Tivoli 2026/27
Edinburgh
From the UKEdinburgh's Christmas Market14 Nov – 3 Jan · Edinburgh's Christmas 2026/27
Gdańsk
From the UKGdańsk Christmas MarketLate Nov – 23 Dec · Usual market dates (2026 TBC)
Kraków
From the UKKraków Christmas MarketLate Nov – late Dec · Usual market dates (2026 TBC)
Manchester
From the UKManchester by Train (and the Christmas Markets)~2h 15m · Euston → Manchester Piccadilly
Munich
From the UKMunich: Direct Flights and Christmas Markets20 Nov – 24 Dec · Marienplatz market 2026
Nuremberg
From the UKNuremberg Christmas Market27 Nov – 24 Dec · Christkindlesmarkt 2026
Prague
From the UKPrague Christmas Markets28 Nov – 6 Jan · Wenceslas Sq market 2026/27
Salzburg
From the UKSalzburg Christmas Markets19 Nov – 1 Jan · Christkindlmarkt dates 2026/27
Strasbourg
From the UKStrasbourg Christmas Market27 Nov – 24 Dec · Market dates 2026
Tallinn
From the UKTallinn Christmas Market20 Nov – 6 Jan · Christmas market 2026/27
Vienna
From the UKVienna Christmas Markets13 Nov – 26 Dec · Rathausplatz market 2026
Hand-picked hotels · affiliate linkChristmas Markets: Best Stays ›Go by sea · affiliate linkGerman Christmas Markets cruise with Fred. Olsen ›UK breaks · affiliate linkChristmas lodges with hot tubs (Hoseasons) ›AdviceEurostar vs flying to the Christmas markets ›AdviceChristmas markets by train from London ›AdviceWhen to book a Christmas market break ›

Lapland and Santa

Santa Claus Village, husky rides and snow from late November to January. See how to get there from the UK and what a family trip really costs.

Levi
From the UKLevi, Lapland~3h 30m · Direct flight Manchester to Kittilä
Rovaniemi
From the UKLapland: Rovaniemi Flights and Santa Trips~3h 20m · Direct flight from Birmingham
Hand-picked hotels · affiliate linkLapland with Kids: Rovaniemi ›AdviceLapland with kids: what it costs ›

Northern Lights

The aurora season runs from about September to March, with the darkest skies from October to February. Sightings are never guaranteed, so plan a few nights.

Reykjavík
From the UKReykjavík for the Northern LightsSep – mid-Apr · Aurora season
Tromsø
From the UKTromsø for the Northern LightsSep – early Apr · Aurora season
Go by sea · affiliate linkNorthern Lights cruises from UK ports (Fred. Olsen) ›AdviceWhere to see the Northern Lights from the UK ›

Ski season

Most Alpine resorts open from December to April. Compare flights, the Eurostar and transfers to the slopes.

Chamonix
From the UKChamonix: Flights, Train and Transfers28 Nov – 2 May · Lift season 2026/27 (varies by area)
Innsbruck
From the UKInnsbruck for Skiing~2h 10m · Direct flight from Birmingham
Val Thorens
From the UKVal Thorens for Skiing21 Nov – 2 May · Lift season 2026/27

Winter sun

Warm days from November to March, most under five hours' flight from UK airports.

Cyprus
From the UKCyprus: Paphos Flights and Winter Sun16–17°C · Typical winter daytime highs in Paphos
Dubai
From the UKDubai for Winter Sun~7h · Direct flight, Birmingham to Dubai
Gran Canaria
From the UKGran Canaria for Winter Sun20–23°C · Typical winter daytime highs
Hurghada
From the UKHurghada for Winter Sun20–22°C · Typical January daytime highs
Lanzarote
From the UKLanzarote for Winter Sun~20°C · Typical January daytime highs
Madeira
From the UKLondon and UK to Madeira: Flights and Winter Sun19–20°C · Typical winter daytime highs in Funchal
Malta
From the UKMalta: Flights and Winter Sun15–17°C · Typical winter daytime highs
Marrakech
From the UKMarrakech for Winter Sun18–20°C · Typical winter daytime highs
Phuket
From the UKPhuket, Thailand~11–12h · Non-stop, Heathrow to Phuket (Virgin Atlantic)
Sal
From the UKCape Verde: Flights to Sal and Winter Sun24–25°C · Typical January daytime highs
Tenerife
From the UKTenerife for Winter Sun20–22°C · Typical winter daytime highs
Hand-picked hotels · affiliate linkWinter Sun Under 5 Hours ›Go by sea · affiliate linkCanary Islands & Madeira cruise (Fred. Olsen) ›AdviceBest winter sun under 5 hours from the UK ›

Dates and prices change, so check before you book. Links marked "affiliate link" may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Photos: Unsplash.