Will the Christmas markets go ahead in the UK in 2020?

A trip to the Christmas markets is usually as part and parcel of our annual festive build up as tucking into a seasonal mince pie or the festive playlist dominating the radio.

Hoards of crowds descend on city hotspots, which have been transformed into alpine-style villages, brimming with festive treats. Is it even December if you've not stood feeling slightly soggy with a lukewarm mulled wine in hand, a Bavarian brass band blaring out familiar tunes in the the background?

But 2020 is no usual year and, understandably, things are going to look very different this Christmas. We can still get into the festive spirit with some classic films at home and treating ourselves to an exciting beauty advent calendar or gin advent calendar, group events may still be off the cards, for now.

Will Christmas Markets in the UK be cancelled?

Right now, the fate of many Christmas Markets in the UK for the 2020 festive season remains undecided. There are a handful of destinations that are still set to go ahead, while some are definitely cancelled, such as Winter Wonderland in London.

“It is highly unlikely that Christmas markets will be allowed to go ahead this year, especially since other events similar to these have already been cancelled such as Winter Wonderland based in central London," Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and medical advisor at Prescription Doctor, told us.

"However, it may depend on the area and size of the market, with smaller more localised markets being allowed to go ahead providing social distancing measures are in place."

Many small businesses are disappointed that they won't be able to take part in Christmas Markets in the UK this year. Summerton Whiskey Club were planning to hold a festive market in St Albans this year, but have had to pull out. "We were looking to run a whisky themed Christmas market but have put those plans on hold until we can safely have a crowd attending," they told woman&home.

These are the UK Christmas markets going ahead in 2020

These are the Christmas markets that are still going ahead, at the time of writing:

• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• London
• York
• Skipton
• Darlington

London's big festive extravaganzas, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the more recent Winterville, which is usually held on Clapham Common, will not be taking place this year. Organisers of Winter Wonderland confirmed the news last month that they would not be able to go ahead with the annual event and ensure social distancing is adhered to.

"The layout of Christmas markets is often quite cramped and packed in, and you often find you are rubbing shoulders with strangers, whether that be walking round the market or queuing at a stall or for a ride. Social distancing would be incredibly difficult, and it would mean that the organisers would have to limit the amount of people who head into the area at one time, as well of course changing up the layout to fit with the 6 person rule, and then this may take away the magic of a Christmas market," Dr Giuseppe told us.

MORE:The best homes and fashion advent calendars 2020, from jewellery to stationery

"It simply would be far too difficult to distance yourself from other people in the tight lanes of a market, as well as being safe when eating, shopping, heading on rides or going into grottos. Further-more, we already know that the cold weather could increase the transmission of the disease, so walking around a packed outdoor or indoor bar, or grotto area with others who may be coughing and sneezing could promote a number of transmissions should someone have Covid-19."

Will Manchester Christmas markets take place this year?

There was some speculation that the markets would go ahead, but hopes of having even three small mini-markets have been dashed. Councillor Pat Karney said it was a "very disappointing" since the markets had brought "great joy and enjoyment over the past 25 years".

He added, "We kept it under review but commercially and public healthwise they didn't pass the test."

How can we keep safe if we do attend the UK Christmas Markets?

Like with any social situation in the current climate, social distancing should be adhered to at all times and a mask should be worn wherever possible.

MORE:Classic films to curl up with on a rainy day

"I highly doubt markets will go ahead, as they are a great risk to the general public," Dr Giuseppe told us.

"However, local towns may still be able to hold markets as they can monitor them more easily, as long as they limit the amount of people who go in, ensure everyone is wearing a mask and add hand sanitiser stations around the areas to limit the risk.”