Copyright manchestereveningnews
Christmas markets are one of the most magical parts of the festive season. They transform cities into glittering winter wonderlands filled with twinkling lights, festive music, and the warming scent of gingerbread, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. Across Europe, these markets have become a beloved tradition, drawing visitors who come to browse handmade gifts, sample sweet treats, and soak up the magical atmosphere against the backdrop of historic landmarks. This year, one enchanting European market is just three hours from Manchester, making it the perfect festive escape. With flights from just £30, travellers can wander through charming wooden stalls, admire a giant Advent calendar at the heart of the celebrations, and even meet Santa Claus. Whether you’re looking for a family adventure or simply a taste of Christmas magic, this destination offers everything you need to kick off the holiday season in style. Named one of the best Christmas markets to visit in 2025, Budapest, Hungary, is your go-to winter escape this year, according to Get Your Guide . The travel experts explained why holidaymakers should visit Budapest and said: "(There are) two Christmas markets just a few minutes’ walk from each other in Budapest, so all tastes are easily catered for. "Advent Bazilika takes place on St Stephen’s Square, where festive scenes are projected onto the magnificent basilica every evening of Advent, above 160 stalls peddling festive fare in a market so good it’s been crowned the best in Europe for 2023. Or for a dose of tradition and history, the Budapest Christmas Fair is the city’s oldest and biggest Christmas market, held in the gorgeous Vörösmarty Square." They continued: "Both markets are perfect for picking up handmade gifts, trying delicious Hungarian winter dishes — don’t miss the chimney cake and plenty of fun activities. There’s a schedule of Christmas and classical concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica, and skate rental and entry are free at the ice rink under the Christmas tree." The Christmas Market by St. Stephen’s Basilica runs from November 15 2025, through January 1, 2026. Visitors can enjoy free entry to browse food stalls and handicraft shops, and watch the spectacular Christmas light show. The market also offers ice skating, a traditional Advent candle lighting ceremony and opportunities to support local charities. The Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Square is also free to enter but offers slightly different events. The large Budapest market has been enchanting visitors since 1998, and this year it will run from November 15 2025, to January 1, 2026. Expect handicraft shops (open November 18–December 28) that offer beautiful gifts, and Santa Claus will make a special appearance on December 6. "What makes many of the Christmas markets really enticing and outstanding in Budapest is that there is a real focus on trying to preserve authentic Hungarian folk art, traditions and offer really good quality handcrafts rather than commercialised kitchy Christmas gifts," shared writers at the official Budapest Christmas site. Also, naming Budapest as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, a blogger called the Travel Expert shared their experience: "Gerbeaud House is transformed into a giant Advent Calendar, and each day, a new window opens at 5pm . "There are many street performances and Santa Claus programs, and lots of places to chill out and watch them. At night time visit the market at St Stephen’s Basilica, the whole area is lit up like something from a Disney movie." The festive season in Budapest is exceptionally important and special, as the city conducts a charity event to raise money for children in need. People dress up as Santa and commit to a long-distance run, including a 5km, 2.3km, and 1km (for families). The event takes place on December 7 this year, and anyone can participate. Budapest is one of the most affordable cities to visit this year for Christmas. As stated above, all Christmas markets are free to enter, but the best part is that you can get direct flights from Manchester Airport to Budapest for £29.99 via Ryanai r (at the time of writing) For those wanting to catch Santa Claus on December 6, your most affordable flight date is December 1, or you can fly out on December 4 for £45.95. For those looking for hotels, Expedia is offering rooms for £32 per night; click here to discover more.
