Which? has revealed nine of the UK’s best Christmas markets, with festive fun pinpointed in spots all over the country.
The selection comes from high-scoring destinations in the Which? best cities survey.
From 200 decorated chalets lining Bath’s Georgian streets to a Dickensian-inspired affair in Belfast, read on to find out which market you’d most like to visit.
Go on, treat your elf!
Bath
Myrrh-vellous: The team at Which? Travel have named the UK’s best Christmas markets for 2024. Pictured above is Bath Christmas market
Date: 28 November to 15 December
Which? says the Somerset city has ‘one of the UK’s biggest and most established Christmas markets’, with more than ‘200 chalets lining the Georgian streets’ at the free event.
Which? adds: ‘Most stallholders are local, hailing from the South West, with a pretty staggering selection of goods – from garden sculptures to handmade wooden furniture, Bristolian knitwear to indie fragrances, and gifts for your furry companions.’
Chester
Chester’s Christmas market is laid out around its Victorian Gothic town hall (above)
Date: 15 November to 22 December 2024
This Christmas market offers a ‘peaceful festive day out’, with around 70 stalls ‘spiralled around [the] Victorian Gothic town hall and medieval cathedral’.
Which? adds: ‘Visitors to Chester market will find scented candles, upcycled cutlery, artisan liqueurs and much more, all underneath a sparkling Christmas tree.’
Durham
Date: 6 December to 8 December
Running across just one weekend in early December, Durham’s Christmas Market is ‘a quiet, yet lovely affair’, says Which?.
The consumer champion adds: ‘You’ll find gift wrapping, sweet treats, hobby supplies and imaginative gifts, including locally made hot sauce, reworked vintage clothing and handcrafted home decorations.’
Visitors will need to pay £4.50 to access the arts and crafts marquee, but can explore 70 other stalls for free.
Winchester
Winchester’s ‘charming’ Christmas Market is held in the grounds of its cathedral
Date: 22 November to 22 December
Which? says: ‘Winchester’s most famous landmark is its cathedral, which hosts this ancient city’s charming market on its grounds.
‘Wares range from handmade scotch eggs to hand-painted buttons and silk scarves, and visitors are serenaded by local choirs and musicians as they shop.’
The market is aiming to become more ‘climate-friendly’ this year and will only use LED lights and promote green vendors.
Wells
Date: 14 December
Held on just one Saturday in December, Wells’ Christmas market is ‘short but very sweet’, according to Which?.
The mini-city will host over 100 stalls on Bishops Palace Green for the event.
Which? adds: ‘Rather than the sprawling, brightly lit markets of larger cities, expect something a little more intimate and community-focused from Wells.’
Liverpool
Liverpool’s Christmas Market takes place with the ‘dramatic backdrop of a fairy-lit St George’s Hall’
Date: 16 November to 24 December
Liverpool’s free Christmas market is held ‘against the dramatic backdrop of a fairy-lit St George’s Hall’ with stalls ‘taking the shape of gingerbread houses and grottos’.
Which? explains: ‘Visitors say it’s not such a nostalgic affair: less choral music, artisan crafts and mince pies; more 80’s Christmas pop, fairground rides and down-to-earth menus – like roast ham baps and mac and cheese.’
Edinburgh
‘Nowhere embraces festive season quite so wholeheartedly as Edinburgh,’ says Which? Travel
Date: 15 November to 4 January
‘You could argue that nowhere embraces the festive season quite so wholeheartedly as Edinburgh, with the smell of mulled wine (and the sound of delighted screams from fairground rides) present from the East to the West of the city centre, giving it a uniquely Christmassy feel,’ says Which? Travel.
It recommends heading to East Princes Street for ‘iconic Edinburgh Christmas markets’ with ‘wooden chalets selling all the usual wintry fare and cosy stocking fillers’, a helter-skelter, swing carousel and big wheel.
York
York’s Christmas Market is described as a ‘great place to find gifts’
Date: 14 November to 22 December
York’s Christmas Market has been running for over 30 years and forms part of the city’s Christmas Festival.
Which? describes it as ‘a great place to find gifts’.
The team adds: ‘Dozens of alpine chalets with twinkling lights pop up in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, selling art prints and Christmas decorations – as well as hot chocolate, and sweet and savoury snacks.’
Belfast
Date: 16 November to 22 December
Belfast’s Christmas market, by City Hall, will ‘take on a Dickensian twist’ this year, says Which?, with ‘Victorian-era inspired performances taking place on the first and third weekends’.
Visitors feeling peckish are ‘well catered for’, meanwhile, with ‘global and regional flavours’ including ‘ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers’ on offer, ‘as well as the standard sausages and beer’.
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘From picturesque market towns to historic cities, the UK boasts more than its fair share of charming Christmas market destinations – and you’re unlikely to need to travel far to soak up some festive atmosphere.
‘If you are looking for something a little different though, there are plenty of excellent options that will allow you to combine a visit to a market with a festive weekend away.
‘Bath, for example, is renowned for its Christmas market, but also has plenty to keep you entertained once you’ve had your fill of mulled wine – with famous sites like the Roman Baths to explore, an excellent culinary scene, and a great range of shops for Christmas gift buying.
‘The markets at Durham and Chester are another great option for a more laid-back experience, while those seeking the bright city lights might want to consider Liverpool, Edinburgh, or Belfast, all of which were highly rated in our recent city survey.’
For the full Which? Travel story visit www.which.co.uk/news/article/best-uk-cities-christmas-markets.
