Every Christmas, retail outlets get busier, queues grow longer and shopping becomes more and more of an arduous task. However, there is one saving grace in festive retail trends over the last number of years – and that is the advent of Christmas markets. A haven for unique gifts and a great place to experience a quaint festive atmosphere, everyone should visit at least one Christmas market this December.

Galway

Galway’s Continental Christmas Market is one of Ireland’s premier festive events and attracted over 350,000 visitors last year.

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Each Christmas, Eyre Square is flanked with wooden chalets selling an assortment of items and the whole area is brought to life with Santa’s grotto, the German bierkeller and numerous other theatrical delights throughout the four-week fair, which runs until 22 December.

The City of the Tribes is also a great destination for foodies this Christmas, as a whole host of tasty treats from across the globe is cooked up at the market.

Kilkenny

There is something for the whole family at Yulefest, taking place in Kilkenny City throughout the month of December. The highlight of the festival will see the Parade Plaza brought to life with ice skating, slides, stalls, food and a jam-packed programme of entertainment. The Plaza will play host to Seo Linn, Thunder Action Sports, the Coca Cola Truck and more. Yulefest is a must-visit for anyone in the south east this Christmas. For a full programme of events, see

www.yulefestkilkenny.ie.

Cork

One of the highlights of Glow, Cork’s Christmas celebration, is the giant Ferris wheel that will undoubtedly catch your eye on the skyline. There is so much to see and do in Cork this Christmas, from visiting the free festive installation in Bishop Lucey Park to indulging in the food market’s produce and plenty of entertainment; the whole family will be amused. For a full line-up events and dates, see www.corkchristmascelebration.ie.

Belfast

Running until 23 December, Belfast Christmas Market transforms the grounds of City Hall into a winter wonderland with festive food, twinkling lights and – most importantly – plenty of seasonal cheer. The stalls at Belfast Christmas Market are made from cheery alpine wood and decorated with garlands, giving the collection of goods on sale an extra festive feel. Children can visit Santa Claus at the gingerbread-themed grotto and tell him what they would like for Christmas. All in all, Belfast Christmas Market is really festive experience. CL