The weirdest Christmas markets to visit this winter

GERMANY-CHRISTMAS-TOYS
GERMANY-CHRISTMAS-TOYS



Those looking for unconventional ways to celebrate the festive period can go beyond the traditional and visit an unusual Christmas market. Whether you fancy browsing erotic treats in Germany or picking up quirky gifts in Barcelona, these are the most unusual markets to visit this winter...

SEE ALSO: Europe's top Christmas markets 2017

SEE ALSO:The best cities to visit for a Christmas market break

Santa Pauli, Hamburg

Cool, modern and ironic, Hamburg's adults-only erotic Christmas market is a colourful event celebrated against the backdrop of the city's Dancing Towers. Drag queen Olivia Jones traditionally opens Santa Pauli, which takes place from 17 November to 23 December. Christmas time and a party atmosphere go hand in hand here, with nightly strip shows included. The repertoire of Christmas items on sale ranges from hand-crafted artisan pieces and naughty Christmas decorations, all the way to wooden dildos.

Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona

Set around Barcelona Cathedral, this Christmas fair offers the most peculiar traditional gifts for Christmas shoppers: tió logs. From 24 November to 23 December, visitors to Fira de Santa Llúcia can pick up the unusual souvenirs which sport smiley faces and typical Catalan cap, the barretina. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children make the tió log poop presents, sweets and nougat by beating him with a stick. As well as this fun gift, shoppers at Barcelona's Christmas market can buy decorations for the tree, mistletoe and nativity figurines.



Christmas Market for Dogs, Berlin

Looking, sniffing, shopping: Berlin's Christmas Market for Dogs takes place from 9 to 10 December in the garden of the beautiful Forsthaus Paulsborn within the Grunewald forest. Dog lovers and their four-legged friends will find everything at this unique market, including festive dog biscuits and colourful dog collars. Owners can enjoy treats of their own, with food and drinks in the Forsthaus. After completing the stately experience at Forsthaus Paulsborn, you and your pooch can walk back through the forest to the bright lights of the city.

Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Powys

From judging livestock and horses, to a young cattle handler's competition, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Royal Welsh Showground provides a variety of sights and sounds. The highlight of the event is watching leading stockmen from all over the UK show off the best of British farming. Taking place from 27 to 28 November, the fair features late night shopping with the best of Welsh produce available and a Christmas Shopping Pavilion to pick up woolly hats, wooden sheep and porcelain cows among an array of festive treats. Don't miss the Monday night fireworks after late night shopping.

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