With their twinkling lights, chalet-style stalls and the aroma in the air of mulled wine and bratwurst, Christmas Markets capture the festive atmosphere and offer plenty opportunities not just to tick off your gift shopping but to treat yourself at the same time.

Newcastle Christmas Market and the Moosenwirt alpine-style pop-up bar are now in full swing in the city centre and have been enjoying a busy first few days. There are Christmas Markets similarly under way around the UK and many people plan an annual trip to explore the festive attractions of other cities.

There's plenty of festive spirit to go round after all. Some have added extras such as fairground rides while nearly all offer a chance to sample some top local produce or unique hand-crafted gifts.

• Read more: Newcastle Christmas Market gift guide -a pick of some unique present ideas and prices

• Get all the latest North East updates with our free What’s On newsletter

For those keen to enjoy a spell of me-time away from the daily routine, or a festive day away with friends, we have rounded up some Christmas Markets which are within easy reach of Newcastle by train or car. We've included another option that's further afield for those with more time to enjoy - here are our five ideas of where you can go for a thoroughly festive day out.

Edinburgh

With the Scottish capital being just an hour and a half's journey by train from Newcastle Central Station, its famous Christmas market is within easy reach and in fact spreads out from Waverley station's very doorstep. Running until January 6, the market in East Princes Street Gardens - with more than 80 stalls between there and George Street - is the place to be, while market attractions spill out into other streets.

Here are some of Edinburgh's highlights:

Food and drink - expect everything from award-winning Pad Thai by Ting Thai to hot pies from Jarvis Pickle Kitchen alongside churros, crepes, waffles and hot chocolate.

Forth 1 Big Wheel - the high flier of a ride is back again this year for those with an adventurous spirit. You can book tickets online here. Other rides set to get the pulse racing are Star Flyer, Helter Skelter and Techno Power.

The Christmas Nutcracker Shop - this popular business will be among the returning favourites

Ice skating - the city's famous George Street will be hosting a pop-ice rink if you fancy a whirl after your market shopping.

Santa Stories - tucked away in St Andrew's Square, Santa - accompanied by his elves - will be hosting group sessions with children but each also will have an opportunity to meet him and receive a gift. Book here.

For more information about the market see here. And, to add even more reason to visit if you've young ones in tow, there's also a Polar Express train ride experience on offer at Waverley Station. Find out more about that here.

York

York Christmas Festival - another easy option from Newcastle Central Station - is running in the medieval city until December 22 and visitors can expect to smell that aroma of mulled wine and food almost as soon as they step off the train. A previous event - full name St Nicholas Fair - won the best large speciality market at the Great British Market Awards and York is also a previous winner of the UK's Most Festive City.

Its highlights include:

Food and drink - look out for the likes of York Cocoa House whose 'chocolate manufactory' transforms cocoa into delicious treats; seasonal food from Shambles Kitchen - a staple of the historic heart of York - and Barn, York’s longest-serving Christmas bar, where you can enjoy festive tipples like mulled wine and mulled cider.

Alpine chalets - when you arrive you'll be able to browse more than 75 alpine chalets around Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square. Gift-wise, those who are fans of the York Cat Trail might like to check out the little felines made by local artist which will be on sale at the York Lucky Cats stall. There's an Indie York stall, which will feature changing local businesses, or how about a gift with a difference from York Terrariums which makes little self-sustaining ecosystems that offer 'a piece of gardening art for any indoor setting'.

A Very Georgian Christmas - visitors are invited to step back in time at York Mansion House where four floors will be given over to festive attraction until December 23, including some cooking demonstrations of 'weird and wonderful delicacies': see here.

Another central attraction - for those looking for something a little different - is the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience next to Jorvik while one for children is the Northwood Trail which lies 20 minutes from York and is apparently a fairy sanctuary in a fairy wood which has existed for generations but only now is unveiling its secrets. See here.

Find out more here about Christmas in York.

Leeds

The city says its festive market will be bigger and better this Christmas, making use of different spaces across the city and - for the first time - this means all its central streets and spaces will be filled with traditional wooden stalls decked out in festive lighting - and besides local Yorkshire traders there will be international ones too.

In the place of the city's original German market, which was cancelled following Covid, the new one promises a huge range of stalls and will be running until December 22. Its highlights include:

Outdoor bars - a Windmill bar, in Briggate, and Apres at Sally’s, in Quebec Street, will be offering a Christmas-theme environment for a mic-shop stop-off.

Nutcracker Trail - adding to the fun will be a chance to track down nutcrackers which have been tucked away in various locations around the city centre. Apparently, if you find them all and solve the puzzle involved you can win a voucher to spend at the market. Find out how here.

Ice Cube skating - another attraction making a return to Leeds this Christmas will be the outdoor skating rink in Millennium Square.

For more about Leeds' winter season plans see here.

Manchester

Once you arrive in the city, head to Piccadilly Gardens, which is being transformed into a Winter Gardens until December 21 with ski chalet market stalls. And there will be more - around 225 in all - spread throughout the city centre. Highlights will include:

Scandi-style tipi - with lights and log fires.

Food and drink - festive fare will include cocktails, churros, Korean corndogs and gyros.

Christmas Windmill - a four-metre high attraction.

Manchester Christmas Parade - if you're there on December 3, this will be a highlight attraction.

Christmas lights trail - this will include a walk-through a trail with giant baubles and Santa Claus.

Skate Manchester - if you've time after all that you may want to slide along to the ice rink which will be in Cathedral Gardens where you will be able to glide - or stumble - your way around a Christmas tree amid twinkling lights while Christmas songs and the smell of gingerbread adds to the atmosphere.

Find out more about Manchester's Christmas plans here.

Liverpool - if you're planning a longer trip

If you've more than a day to spare and are thinking about exploring further afield then Liverpool Christmas Market is offering new attractions this year. Its lay-out forms a 'U' around St George’s Hall in the heart of the city and you won't be able to miss it as there's a giant Ferris wheel at the heart. The market runs until Christmas Eve and highlights include:

Food and drink - new additions include traditional Scouse; Mexican food and chocolate fountains.

Fairground rides - as well as the Ferris Wheel, look out for a vintage carousel, a snow slide and a Santa Land attraction.

Crafts and gifts - additions this year will include new stalls selling jewellery, glass-blown tree ornaments, hand-crafted leather journals, woollens and art.

Tipi Bar - this cosy option with fires will feature alongside a Windmill Bar; Alpine Bar and Bavarian Bar. There will be smaller 'barrel' and chalet bars too dotted throughout the market.

See here for details and for more information, including about train station luggage storage if you're planning to travel by rail, see here.