Whether wrapping up for bratwurst and steins in chalet pop-ups or supporting local artisans with some stocking filler shopping, Christmas markets are a staple on the UK’s festive calendar.
While Europe has often stolen the spotlight with its festive spectacles in cities like Bruges, Berlin, Lille and Zagreb, there’s plenty of Christmas cheer to be found at home, with high streets and squares across the country transforming into twinkly winter wonderlands with ice skating, indulgent eating and traditional trips to Santa’s grotto.
From London’s big and boozy mulled wine hotspots to York’s cobbled, cosy offerings, there’s a cinnamon-scented fair for merriment setting up in most corners of the UK. Markets tend to kick off in November (with some starting as early as the first of the month) and continue through December until the big day itself.
To help navigate the mass of markets, here are the cathedrals, palaces and historic city centres with stalls set to sleigh this Christmas.
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Bath Christmas Market, Bath
Bath bottles the spirit of Christmas into its historic heart with 230 traders in twinkling chalets highlighting the best of South West produce, from scented candles to gin and jewellery. The festive fairytale comes complete with the Bath on Ice rink and immersive “12 Tales of a Georgian Christmas” of No 1 Royal Crescent – all best enjoyed with a winter warmer from one of 20 food and beverage stalls.
When: 28 November-15 December
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Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham
The biggest German market outside Germany and Austria, Birmingham’s festive fixture is the place for bratwurst, stollen and gluhwein. Stalls on Victoria Square and along New Street sell handcrafted wooden decorations, glass baubles and crystal lamps to tick gifts from your Christmas shopping list as live music falalalalalas from the bandstand.
When: 1 November-24 December
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Cardiff Christmas Market, Cardiff
Weave through St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street in the Welsh capital this Christmas to find top-notch arts and crafts, from bespoke silver jewellery to hand-thrown ceramics. Cardiff’s buzzing market has been run by Craft Folk for 30 years with a commitment to helping new makers get started. Better still, the seasonal food and mugs of mulled wine are a well-deserved reward for those brave enough to embrace bitter December temperatures in Wales.
When: 14 November-23 December
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Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Winchester
With over 1,000 years of history, Advent and Christmas carol services, Winchester Cathedral undeniably has one of the UK’s most magical markets. There’s gifting galore in the wreath-adorned wooden chalets while the Makers Market is a hit for shoppers seeking unique, authentically handcrafted and locally sourced gifts. On the menu, hog roast rolls and artisan crumble pots fuel evenings spent watching the city’s concerts and lantern parades.
When: 22 November-22 December
winchester-cathedral.org.uk/christmas
Edinburgh Christmas Market, Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital sparkles under a festive big wheel from November until January with funfair rides, a polar ice bar, a Christmas tree maze, Santa’s grotto and an ice rink making up its winter wonderland. If that isn’t enough, around 70 stalls also offer gifts, games and crafts. Of course, all best discovered with – Scottish speciality – a hand-warming hot toddy.
When: 15 November-4 January
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York Christmas Market, York
With 75 alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, York’s market is a Christmas tradition not to be missed. A vintage carousel spins on King’s Square for that nostalgic Christmas feeling, and with 80 per cent of the traders hailing from Yorkshire, there are plenty of local artisan products to bag some stocking fillers.
When: 14 November-22 December
Belfast Christmas Market, Belfast
Back for its 20th Christmas, the Dickensian-themed Belfast Christmas market features Victorian-era characters for two weekends this winter. Aside from family-friendly magic in Santa’s grotto and thrills on the helter-skelter, the festive village hosts over 100 international and local traders in front of Belfast City Hall – think chocolates from Italy, artisan cheeses and goblets of gluhwein.
When: 16 November-22 December
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Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
The stately home of the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace sparkles come Christmas with festive gift stalls, an illuminated trail and a trip to Neverland to light up the historic gardens. For 2024, a brand-new ice skating rink allows a glide around the Great Court before tucking into a ringside hot chocolate or some seasonal street food.
When: 15 November-22 December
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Spitalfields Christmas Market, London
One of London’s finest markets for Christmas shopping, Spitalfields traders will twinkle to the backdrop of live festive music, mulled wines and mince pies come December. This year, the usual stocking stuffer stalls meet late-night shopping and The Overcoat performance by the Wildefolk Theatre.
When: 29 November-24 December
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Holkham Hall, Norfolk
In Holkham Hall’s Lady Elizabeth Wing, over 60 producers in festive chalets will sell trinkets and treats for just three days in December. Homemade candles, locally produced wine and award-winning handmade fudge join stallholders selling everything from Norfolk oyster shells to original oil paintings at the Christmas shopping extravaganza.
When: 13-15 December
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Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, Exeter
Exeter has an excellent Christmas market beneath the city’s gothic cathedral. Here, over a hundred twinkling festive chalets, global street food and themed bars showcase the best of West Country produce and handcrafted gifts. Alongside the stands, an “entry by donation” offer during the market welcomes shoppers into the cathedral – it’s host to a carol concert by the cathedral choir and the free-to-attend Exeter Nativity this winter.
When: 15 November-15 December
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Bristol Christmas Market, Bristol
In addition to over 35 unique stalls selling a selection of stocking fillers, arts, crafts, food and drink, Bristol’s Christmas market features a range of live music, from singers to bands and DJs. Bubble-blowing fairies, balloon artists and even Father Christmas himself will be on hand to bring some festive cheer, while a Christmas Express children’s train ride will keep little ones entertained. Adults can warm up in the Jäger Barn Bar, where ski gondolas and igloos are also available for exclusive hire for up to six people.
When: 1 November-23 December
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Leicester Christmas Market, Leicester
Leicester’s first ever Christmas market kicks off this November, with over 20 stalls selling a selection of food, arts, crafts and gifts, such as wood carvings, toys, soft furnishings, clothing and accessories. Located on the city’s central Galloway Gate, visitors can also look forward to a host of food and drink offerings, including a hog roast, German sausages, donuts and Christmas kisses (chocolate-coated marshmallows). Elsewhere in the city, little ones can also enjoy a funfair on the Humberstone Gate, while a 35-metre Wheel of Light in Jubilee Square offers aerial views during the festive season.
When: 14 November-29 December
leicesterchristmasmarket.co.uk
Liverpool Christmas Market, Liverpool
Liverpool’s Christmas Market will once more be lit up against the picturesque backdrop of the neoclassical St George’s Hall. Visitors can find a range of Christmas treats among the vendors, from fashion to jewellery, homeware to arts and crafts. Younger children can enjoy a range of attractions and rides at Santa Land, while a traditional carousel will appeal to older children. Whether your preferred tippled is a traditional mulled wine, bubble tea or beer, there are plenty of drinking holes to choose from, including the Windmill Bar, the Alpine Bar, Bavarian Bar and Tipi Bar. After filling up on food, cuddle up to your loved ones on the giant ferris wheel for views across the city.
When: 16 November-24 December
liverpoolchristmasmarket.co.uk
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Canterbury Christmas Market, Canterbury
Now in its sixteenth year, Canterbury Christmas market returns with 150 stallholders in 96 huts and space over three areas. Expect a new 30ft Christmas tree, a Christmas carousel and even festive mini golf alongside the usual offerings of bratwurst, mulled wine and cider and schnapps. Kids can take a ride on Santa’s magical VR sleigh, toast marshmallows, visit a grotto with a talking letter box, see singing reindeer and even have breakfast with the big man himself.
When: 15 November-24 December
canterburychristmasmarket.co.uk
Sheffield Christmas Market, Sheffield
The Steel City’s Christmas market aims to celebrate local, independent traders this festive season, with 80 per cent of them based locally. Over 60 log cabins feature all the clothing, trinkets, crafts and stocking fillers you can lay your hands on, while three Alpine Bars, a traditional German sausage grill and many other food and drink experiences mean you won’t go hungry while browsing. Visitors can also meet Santa in his grotto, take a ride on the traditional carousel or go for a slide on the new-for-2024 illuminated helter skelter.
When: November 14-24 December
sheffieldchristmasmarkets.co.uk
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Worcester Christmas Fayre sees the narrow and historic streets of this cathedral city come to life. In 2024, visitors can look forward to almost 200 stalls scattered across the city centre, selling a selection of local arts, crafts, gifts and street food. A busy programme of entertainment includes a host of Victorian characters roaming the city, from the Temperance Lady who may pressure you to sign a pledge denouncing the demon drink, Scrooge, stilt walkers, street urchins, musicians and more. The opening ceremony begins at 4.45pm on Thursday 28 November with a community carol service in Worcester Cathedral, followed by a traditional procession to the Cornmarket where the fayre will be officially opened by the Mayor of Worcester.
When: 28 November-1 December
Chester Christmas Market, Chester
Situated in the heart of picturesque Chester, this year’s Christmas market plays host to 70 traders in the square around the gothic town hall. A range of artisan handicrafts are available to peruse including crafts, jewellery, food, drink, beauty products and homeware. Little ones can find out if they’ve been naughty or nice with a trip to Santa’s grotto, while grown-ups can warm up with a hot chocolate or something stronger at the North Pole bar, or tuck into a hot beef brisket bap, followed by a churro chaser. There’s also a community Christmas tree festival in the medieval Chester cathedral, which has been transformed by 80 decorated trees.
When: 15 November-22 December
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