City Breaks are back in 2021, and here’s where the best markets are to be had.
We all love the cosy feeling of a Christmas market. The scent of street food in the air, the myriad of confectionary on display, the occasional ice rink placed in the city centre specifically for the occasion… For those of you who don’t frequent Glasgow, however, there are hundreds of fantastic Christmas markets to be found in towns all over Britain – and beyond.
We scoured the internet to hunt down the best city break plus Christmas Market deals we could, so that our worthy readers have the best choices in what to do this Christmas. If you’ve never thought of going away for a short break at Christmas time, believe us when we tell you that this is the year you should start. God knows we all need a holiday or six.
As ever, Lilly Likes are the kings, queens, and others, of the city break. You can find lots of information on our pages, browse for Afternoon Tea for other times of the year, and even learn about what there is to do in Amsterdam this season. Otherwise sit back, buckle up, and get ready to have your Christmas socks knocked off.
Christmas Market City Breaks 2021
Let’s review these awesome Christmas market deals that will have you enjoying eggnog before you know it…
1 – Birmingham City Christmas Market – From £49 For 2 People
This Birmingham city Christmas break lets you stay for 1, 2, or 3 nights, depending on price. It contains a welcoming bottle of prosecco or wine to your hotel room, where you will be staying in luxurious comfort at Aloft Birmingham East Side. Breakfast is included in the deal, as is a late checkout option at 2 pm.
Birmingham itself is famous for the Christmas Market you can usually find in the main street. It is home to the Bullring shopping centre – which is the big building that looks like it’s coated in bubble wrap. There are also the Birmingham Botanic Gardens to enjoy and the Museum and Art Gallery. You will have to buy your own tickets for these as they are not included in the price.
You will stay in either a standard double or twin room, with Wi-Fi on demand and room service on tap. The offer is valid until July 2022, so you can skip Christmas and go for Easter, if you’d prefer. Aloft Birmingham East side is a 4 star hotel with heaps of character and modern charm. You’ll have a blast.
2 – The Manchester Christmas Market Break – From £69 For 2 People
With this deal you will be invited to stay at the luxurious 4 star Holiday Inn within Manchester town. The deal includes that special welcome bottle of prosecco which we all can’t live without. You can stay for either one or two nights, depending on what you can afford. The deal runs valid until 28th February 2022. Although, of course, the market isn’t on past December.
The Manchester Christmas Markets are well known to be a place you buy especially handmade gifts. The hotel is the winner of the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award, meaning you know it is more luxurious than it lets on. The room comes with Wi-Fi, Air Con, a flat screen TV, blackout blinds, and hot drinks facilities. It will be a double room and an opulent breakfast will be provided.
Manchester has many different attractions outside of the Christmas market. There is the Barton Arcade, ideal for shopping outside of December time. There is the Manchester Museum which demands attention, and the fabulous Whitworth Art Gallery which is well established with master artworks.
3 – An Ancient Christmas Market in York – From £59 For 2 People
York Christmas Market has been running for years now and is set to run from the 18th of November right up until Dec 23rd of 2021. Forbidding further lockdowns, it is set to be cram packed with handmade produce, international delicacies, and good old York knitwear.
This deal is for two people to attend the market, including breakfast for their overnight stay. The hotel is the Holiday Inn Express in York, which gets a good rating overall. It is for a one or two night stay depending on your price, and it comes with breakfast and a standard double room. This deal is available right up until March 2022, when you will miss the markets but can still take advantage of this beautiful ancient town.
York is a Roman town, which means we can trace it back to about 43 AD. That’s Hella old. You can take a tour of it, visit the Shambles, a Diagon Alleyway, you can shop till you drop, and you can even walk the largely complete town walls. It’s a great place for history lovers, with plenty of galleries and museums around. It’s also a good place if you fancy a little metal detecting. Romans were known to bury their treasures.
4 – A German Christmas Market – From £89pp
What if you don’t want to go to another city break in the UK? What if the 2020/21 holiday season has seen you hit your limit on bad weather and crowded towns? In that case, we present to you the German Christmas Market break. This deal flies from four airports and covers several German market locations. You should be able to find your favourite from the list.
There are nine destination cities on offer, including Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Dresden, Frankfurt, Bremen, and Hamburg. The deal includes 9 different hotels, all of which are picked for their outstanding performance. Each of these cities has some excellent Christmas Markets, but we would highlight both Berlin and Bavaria (Munich) as the ones with the biggest stall attendance.
This deal gives you the choice of one to four nights, in differing hotels, differing sites, and with differing markets. The room will be a double, the flights are included, and you get to enjoy the likes of the Brandenburg gate, the Hamburger Kunsthalle Museum, or the Bavarian national dress… which is hilarious. This deal lets you get lost in a winter wonderland; the only downside is that you must travel to a London airport to partake. It does tell us there’s a choice of four airports but then later confirms all four are in London.
5 – London Christmas Market Break – From £79 For 2 People
This five star stay in a gorgeous Georgian house allows you to choose between multiple options. You can have a classic Victorian style room, stick with the Georgian, or indulge in their Enchanted Double room. Each room includes a late checkout and breakfast as standard.
This 5 star Georgian House Hotel is in London and is the former winner of the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice award. The rooms come with plush beds, Wi-Fi access, tea, and coffee, and plenty of space. You can upgrade to a Wizard Themed room which is the enchanted option. Kids and Potter fans love it.
"The UK’s largest outdoor rink is part of the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in Hyde Park, set around the park’s Victorian bandstand with lights sparkling above the open-air rink." The best ice rinks in London with kids https://t.co/Z4crzHlYqk pic.twitter.com/OFI9ZCVztU
— Cathy Winston (@Mummytravels) November 8, 2019
The dates for this deal run up until March 2022, when the Christmas markets will be finished but when you still have a plethora of London based attractions to choose from. The owners of this place are Harry Potter fans and, while they can’t outright use the franchise, it’s written all over this listing. Use the stay here to catch a show on the West End, shop on Oxford Street, or go for a stroll in Hyde Park. The opportunities are endless.
6 – A Polish Christmas market – From £99pp
Ever wanted to go to the home of the Christmas market and find out how the Polish do things? Well now you can, with this awesome money off offer. This trip covers you for 1-4 nights in Krakow, Poland, over the festive period. You have a choice of two 4 star hotels to stay in, and your return flights are included in the price.
This deal lets you fly from Manchester, London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow. It runs until the 29th of December and allows you to visit the Basilica, the central Square, the Cloth Hall, and the Krakow Planty, although tickets for these are not included.
This deal gives you plenty of opportunity to scoff delicious street food, indulge in Christmas shopping, and warm your belly with their beverages. Shop soon though because it is flying off the shelf.
7 – A Liverpool Christmas Market Break – From £59 For 2 People
This fantastic Christmas Market break lets you stay in Liverpool in a four star hotel. The Heywood House Hotel, to be specific. It includes one bottle of wine on arrival and a late 1pm checkout so you’re not rushed in the morning with a hangover.
This is an overnight break for two in a superior double room and you can upgrade to include a continental breakfast. It comes with en-suite, Wi-Fi access, flat screen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. This deal runs until February 28th, 2022. The Heywood House is another winner of the TA Traveller’s Choice award.
What are you waiting for?
Book now for Christmas 2021 and check Lilly Likes for more deals on breaks, entertainment, and entry tickets.
