Europe may be experiencing a wave of heatwaves this summer, but in three months, things will feel very different as the nights draw in and thoughts turn to festivities and family gatherings… it pays to plan ahead, so here’s a quick guide to some of the season’s famous markets as we look forward to year’s end and with it our 12 Days of Karma programme.
KARMA SALFORD HALL, VALE OF EVESHAM – United Kingdom
Karma Salford Hall puts the Cotswolds’ Christmas markets on the doorstep: Cheltenham, Cirencester and Chipping Campden all within easy reach, plus Blenheim Palace’s grand market running 14 November to 03 January. Todenham Manor’s Christmas Cotswold Fair kicks off earliest of all, from 09 November. Then you have the Tudor Mansion’s 12 Days of Karma programme to look forward to, from seasonal feasts to wellness days to darts competitions!
KARMA BAVARIA, SCHLIERSEE – Germany
Karma Bavaria sits closest to the action: Munich’s markets run 20 November to 06 January, Nuremberg’s historic Christkindlesmarkt is an hour and a half away, and Regensburg and Rothenburg make easy add-ons. Bavaria alone counts two dozen markets, opening from 23 November – reason enough to build a proper circuit.
KARMA CHÂTEAU DE SAMARY, CARCASSONNE – France
At Karma Château de Samary, La Magie de Noël returns to Carcassonne’s medieval walls for its 22nd edition, running from early December into early January. Avignon, Montpellier and Narbonne markets sit within striking distance, and the coast road opens onto Aix-en-Provence, Nice and Menton for those who fancy sunshine with their vin chaud.
KARMA LAKE OF MENTEITH, STIRLING – Scotland
From Karma Lake of Menteith, Edinburgh’s East Princes Street Gardens market is 45 minutes away and runs 14 November to 04 January, with Glasgow closer still at 35 minutes and Stirling on the way to both. Scotland does Christmas markets with proper conviction, mulled wine included.
KARMA SANCTUM SOHO, LONDON – United Kingdom
Karma Sanctum Soho needs no directions: Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, South Bank’s riverside stalls, Covent Garden’s lights and Leicester Square are all a short walk from the door. No trains, no timings to plan around, just proof that sometimes the best market is the one on your own patch.
