European Christmas markets and illuminations are scaling back due to the energy crisis and climate breakdown – ditching seasonal ice-rinks for roller-skating and switching on lights for shorter hours.
When the traditional end-of-year markets and Christmas lights launch in France and Germany this week, many cities, such as Paris, will go dark hours earlier than usual.
But local politicians insisted they must still offer some kind of “festive spirit” to lift what they called the glum mood amid the war in Ukraine and the rising cost of living.
