Seasons greetings: the best Christmas markets in the UK

Address: Various venues, including Albert Square, Manchester M2 6LW

Dates 2025: TBC

Manchester is home to one of the UK’s oldest and best Christmas markets. The first modern Christmas market in the UK started here in 1999. Now, the market gets over nine million visitors every year.

Manchester Christmas Market is right in the city centre, with a Victorian Town Hall standing guard, and features 300+ stalls selling anything and everything Christmas-related. There is also usually a designated family area with rides and entertainment, with a backdrop of Manchester Cathedral for added ambiance.

Address: Victoria Square and New Street, Birmingham, Midlands B1 1BD

Dates 2025: November 1 to December 24, Mon – Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri 11am – 9.30pm, Sat 10am – 9.30pm, Sun 10am – 9pm

You would never guess that the largest and most authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria is found in Birmingham. Yep, this northern metropolis with very humble beginnings receives over 5.5 million visitors a year.

If you’re fond of German festive food, head for the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market which is usually spread across New Street, Victoria Square and Centenary Square. It’s the best place to purchase your Christmas gifts while getting into the spirit of the season.

Over 180 stalls sell crafts made by local artisans, including handmade soaps and candles. There are also joyful Christmas carols to listen to courtesy of the Christmas Moose, fondly nicknamed Chris Moose.

Must try: Sample the authentic Bratwurst from the Frankfurt Christmas Market area

Address: Hyde Park, London W1K 7AN

Dates 2025: November 14 to January 1, 2026

London doesn’t do things by halves – and it doesn’t hold back when it comes to Christmas markets. Winter Wonderland has over 100 rides and attractions and is home to one of the largest open-air ice rinks in town. Located across Hyde Park, there are over 200 chalets to browse too, plus countless dining, drinking and entertainment venues.

Don’t miss the Angels Market section: a row of stalls exhibiting the most unusual handmade gifts, including ceramics and jewellery. It’s the best place to go if you want a hand-crafted nativity scene.

Must try: Venture into the market’s Magical Ice Kingdom to admire various ice sculptures and tunnels

Address: Covent Garden Market, London W2C 7QH

Dates 2025: Early December to early January, specific dates TBC

For a magical foodie experience in London, visit the picture-perfect Covent Garden Christmas Market. This is as Dickensian as you can get but with a modern twist.

The Victorian market is usually decked out with garlands by a top designer, while a giant Christmas tree with over 300,000 lights adorns the centre of the square. You’ll find plenty of places to buy Christmas gifts, as well as gourmet food stalls.

Must try: Dine and drink in your very own wintery igloo

Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

Dates 2025: Early November to late December, specific dates TBC

The Thames never looks as enchanting as it does at Christmas. From late November, the twinkling lights of the Southbank Winter Festival markets add to the sparkling effect on the river’s surface. You’ll find them spread between the Southbank Centre and the London Eye. They offer plenty of Christmas cheer and heaps of tasty food. Look forward to tucking into gourmet cheese toasties, truffle burgers, fondue, and an eggnog (or two).

Must try: Go after dark to see the Thames lit up like a Christmas tree

Address: Blenheim Park, Woodstock OX20 1PP

Dates 2025: November 14 to January 3 2026, daily 10am – 8pm

This quaint corner of Oxfordshire is not only home to the Duke of Marlborough’s lavish home (and Sir Winston Churchill’s former playground). It’s also the setting of the Blenheim Christmas Market. One of the highlights in the UK calendar, the Great Court transforms into a fairy tale scene with dozens of wooden chalets selling craft vodka, cheeses and lots of other goodies.

The manor house’s picture-perfect gardens transform into a twinkling nirvana, while the lakeside is lit up with colourful cascades. You can also enter Blenheim Palace itself to explore its fairytale rooms, including the stunning Great Hall with its huge Christmas tree.

Address: The streets around Bath Abbey, Bath BA1 1LT

Dates 2025: November 27 to December 14, Mon-Wed 10am to 7pm, Thu-Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun 10am to 6pm

Bath is perhaps the most romantic of settings and the home to one of the best Christmas Markets in the UK. It’s set among the city’s cobbled Georgian streets and close to its world-famous Roman baths.

Bath Christmas Market is easily one of the biggest markets in the Southwest of England and is often voted the best event in the UK. It typically hosts up to 170 twinkling wooden chalets, with high-quality products from exhibitors from across the region. It’s a fabulous place to grab authentic, locally made and produced products.

Address: Town Hall Square, Northgate Street , Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HQ

Dates 2025: November 19 to December 22

For a festive journey back in time, head to Chester Christmas Market. This authentic Christmas market hasn’t been bitten by the commercial bug yet, so it really is a bit of a hidden gem. There, you’ll find about 70 wooden chalets wrapped around a large Christmas tree in front of Chester‘s Victorian Town Hall.

Almost everything sold at Chester Christmas Market is handmade or locally produced. This includes everything from jewellery to clothing and scented candles. It’s the perfect place to get your stocking fillers! Once you’ve exhausted your shopping, grab a festive cocktail or pint of regional cask ale from one of the cosy bars. Chester Market (a permanent fixture in the city) is also just a stone’s throw away if you fancy a bite to eat indoors.

Address: Winchester Cathedral, 9 The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS

Dates 2025: November 21 to December 22

Down in Jane Austen country, in the heart of Hampshire, is perhaps one of the best Christmas markets in the UK. As far as settings go, Winchester Christmas Market is pretty special. The market is held in the inner close of Winchester Cathedral, once part of Winchester Castle. The landmark venue features a Round Table that’s believed to be where the legendary King Arthur held court with his knights.

Inspired by German markets, Winchester’s was started in 2006 with only 40 stalls. Today, it’s home to over 112 chalets showcasing hand-crafted wares and food to keep you sated for your shopping spree. The market has won several accolades for its festive atmosphere, so you’re almost guaranteed a good time.

Must try: Visit the ice rink where you can test your skating skills before grabbing a hot chocolate

Address: Various venues, including the Whitefriars Shopping Centre, 14 Gravel Walk, CT1 2TF

Dates 2025: Opening on November 12, specific dates TBC

With some of the finest medieval architecture in England and a UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, Canterbury is a stunning setting for a UK Christmas market. It’s set within its award-winning shopping centre, the Whitefriars, and spreads out onto St George Street.

Expect to see colourful wooden huts displaying a range of gifts and food. There’s also live music to keep you entertained and lots of Christmassy distractions to keep the little ones occupied, including a Santa’s grotto.

Must try: Stop off at one of the market bars to sample some local Kentish ale or gin

Address: Parkside, Cambridge CB2 1AA

Dates 2025: TBC

Bursting with history, tradition and the world’s most prestigious university, Cambridge is worth visiting at any time of year. Adding to its awesome history are the Christmas markets and fairs dotted around Cambridgeshire from mid-November to December.

In Cambridge, Christmas cheer comes in the form of a charming (and ever-growing) market on historic Parker’s Piece. This large open green space in the city centre transforms into a large ice rink with different types of festive rides for the young and old alike. There are speciality food nights too, plus a Big Wheel offering spectacular views over Cambridge.

Must try: Head to the Ice Bar for a festive tipple, including warming mulled wine

Address: Various venues, including George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3BV

Dates 2025: November 15 – January 4 2026

Spread out across one of Edinburgh‘s famous gardens is where you’ll find one of the best UK Christmas markets. It’s Scotland’s answer to London’s Winter Wonderland and can be found at East Princess Street Gardens (also known as the First New Town).

The market comes complete with rides for all ages and a Santa’s grotto. You’ll even find some charming Harry Potter-themed gifts, plus vegan pigs in blankets for non-meat eaters craving some festive food. Since opening in 2003, it’s become part and parcel of Edinburgh, attracting people from all over. Why not sample the market’s unique mulled IrnBru (Scotland’s answer to mulled wine)?

Must try: Soak up sweeping vistas of the city from the market’s Big Wheel

Address: George Square, Glasgow G2 1DH

Dates 2025: TBC

The second-largest Christmas market in Scotland is the perfect place to finish off your shopping. Glasgow‘s market in George Square offers lovely live music, heaps of hand-crafted gifts and an authentic German bar serving Glühwein.

The stalls host food and gifts from over 30 different nationalities, so there’s lots to choose between. Kids will love the market’s giant advent calendar that’s opened daily to reveal special treats. George Square is also ideally located next door to Queen Street Station for easy access.

Must try: Check out Santa’s Snow Globe for some festive photo ops

Address: Various venues, including St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street and Trinity Street, Cardiff

Dates 2025: November 13 to December 23

The Welsh capital is no stranger to hosting a brilliant Christmas market. In late November, Cardiff‘s best-known streets become a festive playground filled with tempting food stalls, beer tents and other seasonal allures. A major highlight of Cardiff Christmas Market is the collection of traditional craft stalls where you can pick up all sorts of homemade gifts and original artwork for the family.

Must try: Have a chilling (yet festive) drink at the market’s Ice Bar

Address: Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast BT1 5GS

Dates 2025: November 15 to December 23

Heading across the water to Northern Ireland this Christmas? Check out Belfast‘s beautiful winter market. It takes place within the lovely grounds of Belfast City Hall, with food stalls, craft workshops and cosy pop-up bars galore.

Belfast Christmas Market is one of the longest-running markets in the country, with the first event hosted in 2004.

You’ll also find over 100 vendors selling their wares at the market, from those serving seasonal treats to others selling arts and crafts. There are often some great activities for kids too – think snow slides, a helter-skelter and classic carousels.