'Magical' lesser-known Christmas market most likely to get snow this winter

10 November 2023 , 17:05

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A lesser-known Christmas market has been named the most likely to get snow this festive season (Image: Getty Images)

Christmas markets can be pretty magical with the festive lights, music, stalls and rides - but there's something extra special about enjoying one when it's got a dusting of snow.

If you are picturing yourself sipping on mulled wine, browsing along some gift stalls and enjoying some picture-perfect snowfall, then you may want to consider a trip to Montbéliard in France.

That's because the French destination has been named the market tipped to be the most likely to get snow, according to new research from European Waterways. The study looked at average snowfalls across November and December in Christmas market hotspots.

With 39% of the days across the festive season having snowfall and with an average of 24.4 cm of snow landing across this period, Montbeliard took the top spot.

The market will be running from November 25 to December 24 this year (Getty Images)

While Montbeliard isn't a classic destination for festive breaks, it's definitely got everything you could want for an idyllic break. This year it will run from the 25th November through to 24th December, and will boast 120 stalls serving up mulled wine, hot chocolate, tasty pastries and snacks, as well as everything from gifts to gorgeous handmade decorations. It's been running since 1986 and it's been a long-running firm favourite with French locals - in fact, it boasts over 400,000 visitors.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Getting there doesn't have to be a bank-breaking trip either. On Expedia we found flights from £40 each way, while on Tripadvisor there are hotels from £42 a night in the region.

It boasts over 120 stalls as well as heaps of twinkling lights and decorations (Getty Images)

If you're after more inspiration for a festive getaway, then you may want to check out a new ranking of the world's best Christmas markets, which included two UK hotspots. Blenheim Palace came in sixth overall - and this year the royal residence is showcasing a brand new illuminated light trail and themed Palace interior - while Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park closely followed in seventh place.

However the accolade of being the world's best market went to Bryant Park in New York City which boasts over 180 stalls in a festive village, a 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, and gorgeous twinkling lights and decorations that will make you feel like you've stepped into a real-life winter wonderland.

Top 20 Christmas markets likely to get snow

1. Montbéliard, France
2. Salzburg, Austria
3. Metz, France
4. Basel, Switzerland
5. Strasbourg, France
6. Valkenburg, Netherlands
7. Edinburgh, Scotland
8. Riga, Latvia
9. Haguenau, France
10. Essen, Germany
11. Brussels, Belgium
12. Tallinn, Estonia
13. Nuremberg, Germany
14. Helsinki, Finland
15. Gothenburg, Sweden
16. Colmar, France
17. Gdansk, Poland
18. Krakow, Poland
19. Berlin, Germany
20. Copenhagen, Denmark

You can find out more on europeanwaterways.com.

This year could already be proving positive for destinations hoping for snowfall. Ski resorts in France and Italy have already reported seeing their first snowfalls. A hefty amount of powder started to form in resort across the Alps last week after a major storm saw rain freeze and build up on the slopes over the weekend, with some of the higher resorts reporting around 40 to 60cm of new snow.

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Julie Delahaye