The Best Christmas Markets in UK for 2024
Bath Christmas Market – A Georgian Gem
28 November – 15 December
Bath’s Christmas Markets boasts a beautiful Georgian backdrop, with over 170 twinkling chalets offering handmade gifts, crafts, and food. With its charming atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot to find unique, local presents for family and friends. Don’t forget to sample the mulled wine!
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market – Festive Splendour
15 November 2024 – 1 January 2025
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire transforms into a Christmas wonderland. Stroll through wooden chalets in the Great Court, pick up festive gifts, and enjoy the Illuminated Light Trail that winds through the palace’s gardens. Book your tickets early for a magical Christmas experience.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market – A Taste of Germany
November – 24 December
Birmingham hosts the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany. Enjoy pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzels, and traditional German beer as you browse stalls offering a range of festive treats. A family-friendly event in Victoria Square.
Bristol Christmas Market
1November – 24 December
Broadmead piazza in Bristol hosts a Bavarian-style Christmas market. Pop into the rustic Jäger Barn Bar for glühwein and bratwurst, and rent a ski gondola or igloo for a cosy gathering with friends. Browse handmade crafts and festive treats in the heart of the city.
Cardiff Christmas Market – Crafty Creations
14 November – 23 December 2024
Cardiff’s pedestrianised city centre Christmas Markets welcomes a rotating selection of 70 stalls. With over 200 artisans showcasing their handmade crafts, visitors can enjoy festive shopping, delicious local food, and try new taster stalls along Trinity Street. Ideal for unique gifts.
Chester Christmas Market – A Magical Experience
15 November – 22 December 2024
Set against the backdrop of the medieval cathedral and the Victorian town hall, Chester’s Christmas market features 70 traders around the square. Browse festive gifts and fill up on local delicacies like hog roasts while enjoying the magic of the season.
Dundee WinterFest at Slessor Gardens – Family Wonderland
25 November 2024 – 1 January 2025
Dundee WinterFest offers festive fun for all ages. Hop on the Big Wheel, glide on the ice rink, or enjoy the funfair rides. Adults can relax at the Bavarian bar with a drink in hand, while Christmas stalls offer plenty of treats and gift options. Find out more at Dundee WinterFest.
Durham Christmas Festival – Seasonal Celebrations
6 December – 8 December 2024
Durham’s three-day Christmas Festival is filled with festive markets, live entertainment, and seasonal treats. The Children’s Lantern Parade on Saturday, 7 December is a highlight, making it an event for the whole family to enjoy.
Edinburgh Christmas Markets – A Scottish Delight
17 November – 5 January
The Edinburgh Christmas market is a favourite, nestled in East Princes Street Gardens. Shop for contemporary and traditional gifts, and indulge in Scottish festive foods. The views of Edinburgh Castle create a stunning backdrop for this festive market.
Exeter Christmas Market – Cathedral Christmas Charm
15 November – 15 December 2024
Set in front of Exeter’s stunning 12th-century cathedral, over 100 stalls selling handmade gifts, crafts, and West Country food. Entry to the cathedral is free, and visitors can marvel at the wonderful building. Exeter Christmas Market
Glastonbury Frost Fayre – A Somerset Winter Wonderland
30 November 2024
Get into the festive spirit at Glastonbury’s Frost Fayre, complete with outdoor stalls, a farmer’s market, and street performances. Enjoy live music, buskers, and morris dancers as you browse locally-made crafts and seasonal goodies.
Harrogate Christmas Fayre – North Yorkshire’s Festive Favourite
29 November – 15 December 2024
Harrogate’s 17-day Christmas Fayre Christmas in the heart of Yorkshire this December. Harrogate’s famous Christmas Market returns to the town centre for 17 days of festive shopping opportunities from an eclectic mix of local traders and traditional European Christmas stalls this charming market town.
Holkham Hall Christmas Market – Norfolk’s Festive Showcase
13 December – 15 December 2024
At Holkham Hall, Norfolk’s 60 finest producers offer delicious food, drink, and crafts in this Christmas markets. Stroll through the festive stalls in the Lady Elizabeth Wing and live music in the stunning country estate.
Leeds Christmas Market
22 November – 22 December 2024
Leeds Christmas Markets that transforms the city centre with seasonal stalls. This year’s market will be bigger and better, new and improved, covering just two prime locations in the city centre: Millennium Square and City Square. With an additional weekend market on Bond Court
Liverpool Christmas Market – A Grand Festive Affair
18 November – 24 December 2024
Set against St George’s Hall, Liverpool’s Christmas markets has a regal charm. A variety of stalls selling food, drinks, gifts, crafts, and more. Live entertainment, rides, and a giant Ferris wheel. There is something for everyone: such as the Santa Land for little ones, and much loved Karaoke Ski Lifts at the Alpine Bar, a beautiful carousel, and so much more
London Winter Wonderland – Hyde Park’s Festive Extravaganza
21 November – 5 January
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland offers Londoners an unforgettable Christmas experience. From thrilling rides to ice skating and festive food stalls, this festive fair has something for everyone. Even an apres ski theme area.
Manchester Christmas Markets – A Northern Festive Treat
8 November – 22 December 2024
Manchester’s city centre is transformed into a Christmas paradise, with more than 225 stalls across eight markets. From Albert Square to Piccadilly Gardens, you’ll find pan-European gifts and food, perfect for a festive family day out.
Nottingham Christmas Markets – Festivities in the Heart of England
15 November – 31 December 2024
With a giant Christmas tree, observation wheel, and carousel, Nottingham’s Old Market Square offers a magical setting for festive fun. Wooden chalets line the streets, selling gifts and local food, while the Christmas Village is packed with seasonal treats.
Southampton Christmas Market
15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Southampton Christmas Market also features a variety of thrilling rides and attractions. Get onboard the vintage carousel, see a bird’s eye view from the UK’s tallest Ferris wheel, or test your nerve on the thrilling AtmosFear whirling riders up to 80ft into the sky
Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market – Shakespearean Festivities
7 December – 8 December 2024, 14 December – 15 December 2024
Stratford-upon-Avon’s historic streets come alive with twinkling lights and over 200 stalls. Street entertainers add to the festive spirit as you browse seasonal snacks and gifts in this Shakespearean town. The market remains one of the largest in the West Midlands
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market – A European Favourite
22 November – 22 December 2024
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors, which attracts visitors from around the world each year who come to shop at the pretty wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds.
York Christmas Market With 75 alpine chalets
14th November – 22nd December 2024
Enjoy the Christmas cheer on offer in one of the UK’s most festive cities as York’s restaurants, shops and attractions are beautifully decorated and provide a wonderful winter experience, with an incredible range of festive events! For the perfect York Christmas, stay in York hotels, B&Bs or self catering and give yourself a luxurious amount of time to soak up the festive atmosphere.
York’s award-winning Christmas Market is back from 14th November to 22nd December 2024, bringing festive cheer to the heart of the city. With 75 alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, the market offers a magical array of local crafts, artisan products, and delicious seasonal treats. The vintage carousel on King’s Square adds to the festive atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for families and visitors alike. With 80% of the traders hailing from Yorkshire, this is a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying the best of what the region has to offer.
The Take A Seat Initiative ensures that everyone, including those with reduced mobility, can comfortably enjoy the festivities around the city, while the Safe Space Scheme offers peace of mind for those who might need it. And with public transport options like York Park & Ride making it easy to get into the city centre, it’s never been easier to experience the magic of Christmas in York.