From markets inside caves
to people embracing ghosts and
witches, we bring you quirky
Christmas fairs to visit this year.
By Girik Gupta
On a
Festive
Spree
Illustrated by Namrata Singh
BASSENGE | BELGIUM
One of the most popular
Christmas fairs in the
country takes place
in Bessenge, a small
commune in Liege,
Belgium, and features
food and art stalls put
together by people from
around the country.
Les Grottes de Wonck
(the caves of Wonck) is
a long network of stalls
set up inside the caves.
Ongoing till December 31.
christmasmarkets.comDEVENTER | THE NETHERLANDS
Deventer plays host to one of the most
unusual Christmas festivals in the
world. With streets filled with over
950 Charles Dickens fiction characters
along with Christmas goodies
displayed for passersby, this fair
is a must-attend for literature buffs.
Between December 16 and 17.
dickensfestijn.nlBOLZANO | ITALY
At the foothills of the Dolomites,
Bolzano hosts the Bolzano Christmas
Market that aims at rediscovering old
traditions and rituals. Here, instead of
Santa Claus, La Befana—an old lady—
goes around town handing candies
to ‘good children’ and to the kids who
misbehaved in the year past, she
offers coals. Ongoing till January 6,- bolzano-bozen.it
BEYOND
ROROS | NORWAY
The place that inspired the animation set for
Disney’s Frozen will give you a unique experience
in its snow-covered landscapes. The Christmas
fair features gingerbread baking classes, puppet
shows, woodcarving sessions, Christmas card
photography among others, along with pop-up
shops selling a variety of local wares. Take a ride on
a horse-drawn sleigh through the illuminated streets
of this old town that looks straight out of a fairy tale.
Between December 7 and 10. trondelag.comChristmas Specials