21 h. ago Six of the best Christmas markets to visit this festive season

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it's time to plan a visit to a traditional Christmas market. Here are seven options, some in the UK and some a little bit further, to inspire your seasonal shopping plans.

Politics

35 h. ago Nepal's festival season starts with a parade for a living goddess

Tens of thousands of devotees celebrated the start of Nepal's festival season by gathering in Kathmandu

Politics

67 h. ago ‘True flavours and honest hospitality’: readers’ favourite food experiences in Europe

From a herring festival in The Hague to the best pizza in Rome, our tipsters share their perfect foodie travel moments• Tell us about a community travel experience – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucherDespite its name, Flag Day (Vlaggetjesdag) in Scheveningen – a seaside resort close to The Hague – is actually more about fresh herring. Fishmongers bring in the first catch of the year in June, the hollandse nieuwe, and mark the start of the herring season with festivities, marching bands, wearing traditional costumes, and even an auction of the first vat of fish to raise money for charity. Don’t miss the chance to share a jenever (gin) with a Scheveninger, who will tell you how this year’s herring compares with last year’s.Olivia Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Major UK retailer to hire more than 13,000 workers for Christmas

The retailer is expecting around 30 million visitors to its shops ahead of the festive season

Politics

4 d. ago Beauty fans rush to Boots as No7 beauty advent calendar with 'highest ever value' launches

Boots has launched two No7 beauty advent calendars full of anti-ageing products and makeup treats ahead of the festive season

Politics

5 d. ago Dram roll, please: The best whisky advent calendars to count down to Christmas 2025

We’ve got the measure of the best Scotch and world whiskey advent calendars for the festive season

Politics

5 d. ago Photos show highlights from week 2 of the Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival is in full swing with a starry batch of awards season hopefuls arriving in Italy for glamorous premieres and discussions about their films. Emily Blunt, Amanda Seyfried and Dwayne Johnson are just some of the stars who have new films premiering at the Venice festival, which runs through Sept. 6.

Culture

5 d. ago Dates shops are slashing prices on kids toys ahead of Christmas – and it's soon

The ongoing cost of living crisis means many mums and dads will have to get Christmas presents as and when they can, and to help out, many supermarkets and shops are having a toy sale ahead of the festive season

Economics

5 d. ago AD FEATURE: Find Santa and rescue the festive season at Meadows Wildlife Park

Operation Save Christmas invites families to solve puzzles, explore a trail, and locate Santa before the big day

Events

7 d. ago With 115 sleeps left until Christmas, what's top of the Xmas wish list?

Argos has already produced its rundown of 2025's top toys well ahead of the festive season - with Bluey the cartoon puppy expected to top children's lists this year.

Politics

9 d. ago Two popular UK caravan parks to open over Christmas and New Year for first time ever

Families have the chance to celebrate a 'magical' Christmas this year as popular caravan site Haven has announced two parks will open their doors for the festive season this year

Politics

1 week ago These will be the 4 most popular kids toys this Christmas according to experts

If you’re looking for ideas for Christmas presents for kids this year, Selfridges has shared some of its predicted most popular toys for the festive season to suit all budgets

Science

1 week ago Tickets for Europe’s largest indoor funfair in Glasgow go on sale this week

The carnival is celebrating its 106th year this festive season.

Politics

2 w. ago Festival lover tells of 'horrifying' sex acts after working Glastonbury

Summer means one thing - festival season - and super festival fan Marina Vassilopoulos says whilst navigating hook ups is par for the course for lots of partyers, some things are just "too much"

Politics

2 w. ago Mother branded 'ridiculous' after decorating her house for Christmas in AUGUST

Janet, who is from the UK, has decided to fully decorate her home for the festive season in August, even putting her Christmas tree up in the living room of her home.

Politics

2 w. ago People can't wait to try KitKat's 'yum' new flavour but there's huge catch

Halloween is on the horizon and it seems many companies are already getting ready for spooky season, with a range of festive products set to hit the shelves. KitKat's new flavour is already making waves

Politics