WINNING TIP: The Fortune of War, Brighton
Cosmopolitan? Yes. Funky? Yes. Atmospheric? Definitely. Under the Victorian arches on Brighton beach, the Fortune of War bar is hip at any time – but give it a whirl on the longest night of the year (this Wednesday). Buy a mulled wine or two and walk down to Madeira Drive to watch Brighton's annual Burning the Clocks. Paper and willow lanterns are paraded through the city, and then burnt on the beach.
157 Kings Road Arches, 01273 205065; burningtheclocks.co.uk
PMartini
UK
Snape Maltings Christmas farmers' market, Suffolk
Set beside the river Alde, Snape Maltings is so picturesque and has lots of shops and things to do for the whole family. On the Friday before Christmas they have a farmers' market, with lots of Suffolk producers, and they often hand out free mulled cider.
23 December, 01728 688303, snapemaltings.co.uk
fifi07
Albert Square Christmas market, Manchester
Sprawling beneath the Gothic grandeur of Manchester town hall, Albert Square's city Christmas market is packed full of food stalls selling all kinds of delicious wintery goodness. Head first to the central bratwurst stall, where you can wolf down a mammoth German sausage cooked on a huge smoking swing grill. If you're lucky you can eat while listening to carols performed by students from the nearby Royal Northern College of Music. For those who want to remain faithful to the region, a neighbouring stall will happily serve up a hearty portion of Lancashire hotpot. Flat caps optional.
Until 21 December, 0161-234 7356, tinyurl.com/albertsquaremarket
jonny007
The Marine, Eastbourne
In December this pub's crazy and flamboyant Christmas decorations have to be seen to be believed. Wash down its tasty fish and chips (£9.50)with one of its fab selection of wines by the glass or even a banana beer.
61 Seaside, 01323 720464, themarinepub.co.uk
Raich
Austria
Salzburg Christmas market
At Salzburg's Christmas market, every stall is packed with festive treats, from soft and chewy iced gingerbread and hundreds of varieties of marzipan to Amaretto-flavoured mulled wine. The air smells of Christmas trees, so wrap up warm, listen to the choir singing carols and treat yourself as you wander through the fairy light-decked streets of this magical place.
Until 26 December, Hofhaymer Allee 42, tinyurl.com/salzburgmarket
Jaynemoobs
Germany
Berlin
Berlin is a great place to spend Christmas. Wrap up warm and track down an alternative Christmas dinner – the Berlin classic currywurst and a beer, then join a million people for the famous New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate complete with fairground, live music, glühwein from the numerous stalls and the midnight fireworks – Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Jaynemoobs
Czech Republic
Street corner carp sellers, Prague
We might enjoy turkey on Christmas Day but Bohemians have carp on Christmas Eve. From early December big tanks of carp appear on busy street corners. Fish scales glistening in the snow are evidence of festive fishmongers prepping their fish. But traditionalists like it fresh. Travelling on the tube, suddenly you'll notice the carrier bag next to you wriggle with a live carp. I asked my friend Jirí how he keeps his fresh: "In the bath, of course, and when that's in use, I transfer it to the basin."
Any busy street corner in Prague during December
HuwJen
Belgium
Le Cap Sablon restaurant, Brussels
Here they serve delicious French/Belgian cuisine at reasonable prices. In the Christmas season you can stop for a glass of champagne and oysters from the restaurant's stall outside, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Rue Lebeau 75, +32 2 512 0170, tinyurl.com/capsablon
BarryRoss
