Unique and magical Christmas markets to explore this year

Christmas lovers searching for festive magic and beautiful markets this winter are being told exactly where to head.

The holiday car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have researched the world’s weird, wonderful, traditional, and themed Christmas markets.

From the ‘Grinchmas’ wonderland in Orlando to the tradition of ‘Los Reyes Magos’ in Tenerife and Europe’s biggest underground market in the Netherlands, these Christmas events and celebrations are must-visits this season.

One of the best ways to celebrate at this time of year is to browse the Christmas markets and join in with the festive traditions different countries have to offer.

Whether it’s in the sun or snow, on top of a mountain or underground, Christmas markets come in all different sizes and traditions – but they all give those magical festive feelings to those that visit, wherever they are in the world.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “For many of us, exploring a Christmas market is one of the best winter activities for getting into the festive spirit. But instead of visiting your local market this year, why not check out some of the most decadent and unusual Christmas markets that countries all over the world have to offer.

“Whether you want to embrace Christmas by heading over to Orlando’s The Grinch-themed winter wonderland, or stay more traditional with Tenerife’s Three Kings Parade and the Santa Claus Village in Finland, there are so many different markets to wander around.

StressFreeCarRental.com rated these Christmas markets as the most magical spots to celebrate the festive season this year:

1. Orlando, Florida
Fans of the classic Christmas film, The Grinch need to travel to Universal Studios in Orlando this year to experience the magic of the ‘Grinchmas’ wonderland.

The life-size characters and extravagant displays transform the ‘Suss Landing’ Universal Park into the ultimate Grinchmas experience, topped off with a live stage show, Christmas lights, and food stalls.

2. Dresden, Germany
Dresden’s ‘Striezelmarkt’ is the longest-running Christmas market in the world and one of the largest, attracting millions of visitors each year – a definite trip for all Christmas lovers.

With over 200 stands Striezelmarkt features traditional foods, drinks and lots of handmade crafts, this famous Christmas market also hosts fairground rides and a giant wooden Advent calendar in the heart of the festive city.

3. Union Square, New York
Christmastime in New York is a guaranteed exciting and beautifully festive trip – and no visit to the Big Apple in December is complete without heading over to the Christmas market at Union Square.

The market has loads of food stalls as well as precious souvenirs and gifts to get in the festive spirit. And for true New York fans, a trip to see the massive Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree is just a short distance away, and visitors can ice skate on the rink below, after warming up with a hot chocolate from the market.

4. The Three Kings Parade (Los Reyes Magos), Tenerife
On the 5th of January every year, Tenerife celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men. The tradition goes that Los Reyes Magos bring sweets and small gifts for Spanish children overnight, and during the day families enjoy a festive feast together.

The parade is a wonderful festive tradition to enjoy in Tenerife over Christmastime with camels, floats, dancers and local bands and market stalls.

5. Santa Claus Village, Finland
One of the most famous Christmas destinations is the Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland, the home of Santa. The Village draws in thousands of visitors every Christmas, who can meet Santa, his elves, and his reindeer.

Santa Claus Village is also home to a large Christmas market featuring lots of traditional Finnish foods and crafts, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a reindeer ride or dog sledding. The classic Christmas village is also a great place to try and see the Northern Lights, which really adds to the festive magic.

6. Valkenburg, Netherlands
Valkenburg is home to the biggest underground Christmas market in Europe. This unique festive experience is in the heart of the city’s famous caves and turns into an extraordinary underground winter wonderland during Christmas time.

The caves are filled with captivating lights and decorations, market stalls from local vendors, life-size nativity sculptures and decadent Christmas trees hidden away in the caves settled under the Valkenburg castle ruins.

7. Mount Pilatus, Switzerland
The Christmas market on top of Mount Pilatus is officially the highest in Europe. At over 2000 metres visitors must ride up on the world’s steepest cogway railway to experience the Swiss Christmas magic.

The mountaintop Christmas market is set amongst the beautiful panoramic views and sells traditional gifts, handmade presents and tasty treats and is decked out in festive ornaments and lights.