Tasting Christmas Magic: Our First Winter in Europe's Markets

Hi there! We are a foodie couple who just moved to Belgium in May 2023. Winter arrived, and with it, the excitement of experiencing our first-ever European Christmas markets. It's a whole new world for us, and we can't wait to share about our Christmasy adventures.

Christmas markets in Europe are festive, seasonal events that typically take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Picture it like a lively fair with twinkling lights and stalls selling yummy snacks, seasonal essentials and special gifts. People go there to feel the joy of Christmas, buy unique things, and make happy memories. It's like a magical winter wonderland where the whole community comes together to celebrate and have fun.

This year, we explored Christmas markets in Belgian cities like Brussels, Ghent and Leuven. Additionally, we crossed borders to experience the renowned markets in Cologne, Germany and Strasbourg, France.

1. Strasbourg, France: The Capital of Christmas

Strasbourg is like the superhero of Christmas – it's called the Capital of Christmas, and trust me, it totally lives up to the name! Every street sparkles with unique illuminations, buildings wear their festive best, and there's a whopping 30-meter Christmas tree at the Grand Sapin, stealing the show with dazzling musical performances. There's even a whole building decked out with adorable teddy bears. It looks super cute! We found ourselves enchanted by twinkling stars near the quayside at Terrasse Rohan, making the city feel like a real-life winter wonderland. Strasbourg during Christmas is a must visit. Check out the beautiful pictures from our trip.

Now, let's talk about the best part – the food! We started our culinary adventure on a sweet note with some heavenly French crepes topped with nutella. Then, we dove into the local Alsatian flavours with a treat called Mannele, a sweet bread loaded with nuts and chocolate – it was pure yumminess. Of course, a Christmas market feast isn't complete without sipping on Vin Chaud, and the Alsatian twist on white mulled wine was interesting. We also went for a plate of spatzel with curry wurst – seriously scrumptious stuff. Now, here's a delightful surprise – we stumbled upon Macaron de coco, tasting just like Bolinhas, a popular Christmas sweet back in our hometown of Goa, India. Instantly, a packet of these made its way into our bags to take a piece of the magic home. And we got some cute gingerbread goodies too. We also tried a cheesy, savoury bretzel and munched on warm roasted chestnuts as we strolled through the market.

2. Cologne, Germany: A German Extravaganza

Cologne's Christmas market in Germany is like stepping into a magical medieval world! The main market, right by the stunning Cologne Cathedral, is a Gothic beauty with a giant Christmas tree and live music stealing the show. But wait, there's more! We explored other markets, and each one felt like a different adventure. The old town market was like time travel with its wooden chalets, giving off this rustic vibe. There was an ice skating rink too! Then, we wandered into the Angel's Christmas Market, and guess what? You can spot few angels hanging out there, how cool is that! With its snowy white theme, it felt like a winter wonderland and totally different from the others. Cologne's Christmas market is a must-visit – it's like diving into a festive fairytale!

Okay, let's talk about the awesome food we discovered at Cologne's Christmas markets. The star of the show was the German Gluwein, this rich and flavourful warm wine served in the cool mugs. Seriously, each market had its own special mug – how awesome is that? We dug into more German treats like Curry wurst, Bretzels, Roasted almonds, and these heavenly potato pancakes called Frische Reibekuchen. Surprisingly, we found a stall serving up giant batter-fried fish in bread with garlic mayo on top, fulfilling our seafood cravings (Being originally from Goa, we are huge seafood fans). We also tried some grilled turkey on skewers which was delicious! We couldn't resist grabbing some hot chocolate with cream. 

3. Brussels, Belgium: Snowy Christmas vibes

Our first Christmas market adventure this year was in Brussels, and guess what? It snowed, making it super magical! The market's cozy stalls were all packed in the Vismet market area, right by a Giant wheel. We explored the stalls, and then, in the snowfall, we hopped on the Giant wheel for an incredible view. The city looked like a winter wonderland with lights and Christmas decorations everywhere. The Royal gallery of Saint Hubert looked so stunning and glamorous with the golden decor all over. We took a leisurely walk to Place de Brouckere, soaking in the cozy vibes of a mini village complete with an ice skating rink. We also caught a musical light show at Grand Place with a large Christmas tree, adding a nice touch to the festive atmosphere in Brussels.

The food at Brussels Christmas market was a delicious adventure with a mix of local Belgian treats and flavours from nearby countries. First, we warmed up with hot mulled wine to beat the snow chill. The standout for us was the slow-roasted salmon – a treat for both our eyes and taste buds. Seriously, if you see it, give it a try! Then, we indulged in some yummy waffles, churros, and raclette sandwiches. Additionally, we savoured warm hotdogs and hamburgers, noting a distinct Belgian twist with the addition of caramelised onions – a tasty touch absent in Cologne or Strasbourg, where wurst is typically served in plain bread or with just sauce topping. To wrap up our culinary exploration, we couldn't resist getting some chocolates from Godiva – because, let's face it, Belgian chocolates are a must!

4. Ghent, Belgium: Ghent Winter festival

Ghent's Christmas market is a must-visit gem in Belgium that seamlessly blends festive cheer with the city's cool and medieval vibes. What we really dig about Ghent's festivals is how everything is super organised, and the city just has this cool, laid-back vibe. There were around 150 cozy wooden chalets set up near Saint Bavo Cathedral, the Belfry tower, and the Saint Nicholas church. The city's medieval charm against these iconic landmarks is a sight to behold. What caught out eyes was a hip, illuminated sign featuring #GWF, standing out against the backdrop of Saint Nicholas Church and giving the surroundings a playful and quirky vibe. The giant Ferris wheel and a roller skating rink added to the fun. As we strolled around, we spotted some cleverly lit-up decorations made from traffic cones near Ghent University Aula – talk about getting creative with the holiday spirit!

The food scene at Ghent's Christmas market was awesome! We kicked things off with Gluwein – again! This time, they added a slice of orange, giving it this nice citrusy kick. We also gave the hot Xmas beer from Liefmans crafted collection a try – a bit lighter than Gluwein, but we loved it. Then, we satisfied our sweet tooth with brownies and hot chocolate from Mayana, a well-known chocolate bar in Ghent. And oh, we couldn't resist the cheesy and heavenly pasta served in a wheel. To mix things up, we chowed down on some scrumptious chicken wings topped with Andalouse sauce. The food adventure in Ghent was pure delight!

5. Leuven, Belgium: A Charming University Town's Celebration

Wrapping up our Christmas market tour, we explored the one in Leuven, our current hometown in Belgium, and it holds a special place in our hearts. Even though it's smaller compared to the ones we visited earlier, we couldn't resist going multiple times. This year, the chalets were setup at Ladeuzeplein, right in front of the central university library. The market had a cool vibe with live music and bars. The Town Hall was decked out beautifully, and there was this charming Christmas forest and Santa's cottage in the square nearby, making it a hit with the kiddos. Plus, the Grand Beguinage was all lit up with candle lights, giving off a magical feel.

Let's talk about the delicious eats at the Leuven Christmas market. We dove into local favourites like Smoutebollen and Brussels waffles with cream, tasting the true flavors of the town. We spiced things up by trying out bites from around the world – Italian Cannoli, Brazilian Coxinha, sipping on Irish coffee, and munching on Jamaican chicken wings. And here's a fun twist: we got some batter-fried seafood mix from a stall called "Fisherman's Wharf," which got us feeling all nostalgic since one of our favourite seafood spots back in Goa, India has the same name! 

As we wrap up our Christmas market journey through Europe, each market left its own special mark on our festive adventure. The joy of Christmas markets is best when shared! We'd love to hear about your own holiday escapades and cherished moments. Which markets top your must-visit list, or do you have a go-to festive treat that never fails to delight? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep the holiday spirit alive by exchanging stories, tips, and favourite memories.