December is now upon us and Christmas celebrations are starting to begin in earnest with many countries seeing traditional Christmas fairs and markets springing up in their towns and villages.

The Christmas fair tradition is possibly strongest in Germany where the festive Weihnachtsmarkt is a feature of almost every major town and city. Two of the largest markets are found in Munich, where the city's Marienplatz hosts the event that has over 700 years worth of history behind it. Berlin has not one, but 50 separate Christmas markets, but the Gedachtniskirche event is one of the best with entertainment, children's attractions and an ice skating rink adding to the traditional gluhwein, eierpunsch, gingerbread and bratwurst.

One of the oldest is the Nuremberg Christmas Market that attracts over 2 million visitors to the town every year. This market has the additional title of Nurnberg Christkindlesmark or Christ Child Market and just like a Carnival Queen, the markets chosen child opens the event as part of an impressive ceremony.

Over in the Balearic Islands Christmas markets are also very popular, finding their place in the many town squares across the island group. Spanish Christmas markets have more of a focus on local crafts and opportunities to purchase gifts as well as festive food and drink.

Roast chestnuts and sugared almonds are two items to be found in most Spanish fairs. In Mallorca, Palma hosts Christmas markets in the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de Espana, while the town of Manacor in the east of the island also stages a large fair.

In Menorca, you will find Christmas markets in the capital of Mahon and also in Ciutadella, Sant Lluis, and Ferreries. Just like the Berlin Fair, Mahon's event also features an ice rink, although how this remains frozen in the mild Menorcan weather is a tribute to technology.

On Ibiza, the Christmas market on Paseo de Vara del Rey is very popular as are the alternative choices at Sant Antoni, where on 12th December the lights will be turned on, or at Sant Josep where festivities begin with a carol service on 13th December and include all kinds of events including many for children.

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