Ellie Hutchings
Christmas markets in the UK are a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit and provide festive fun for all the family.
When the festive period kicks off, a family Christmas tradition for many is to visit some of the best Christmas markets in the UK, and we've rounded up 28 favourites below from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A festive family day out, it's a fab chance to get some of your shopping done whilst tucking into a mince pie and a glass (or two) of mulled wine.
So much more than just shopping and Christmas food, these markets have ice rinks, fun fares and entertainers galore to keep the kids happy. Plus beer tents are set up for adults to enjoy live music and a cheeky Stein after stocking up on top Christmas toys and treats. If you're a real Christmas markets fan, why not take a look at our list of the best European Christmas markets for a festive mini-break.
Best Christmas markets in England 2022
1. Winter Wonderland - London
Dates: 18 November 2022 - 02 January 2023
One of the best UK Christmas markets is the infamous Winter Wonderland. Hyde Park is usually transformed into Winter Wonderland with festive themed stalls, rides and an ice rink. A celeb favourite right in the centre of London, visitors can indulge in a mulled wine in the Bavarian village and sample German sausage delicacies. There are even rides (including a ferris wheel) and pop-up pubs!
Book your tickets for Winter Wonderland 2022 now
2. Christmas by the River - London
Dates: 15 November 2022 – 1 January 2023
Returning for it’s ninth year in 2022, explore the twinkling wooden cabins at this traditional Christmas market which stretches along The Queen’s Walk. Your view will overlook iconic London landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the City of London.
Find out more at Tudor Markets
3. Bath Christmas Market
Dates: 24 November 2022 - 11 December 2022
Bath’s yuletide market has taken on a worldwide reputation over the last 20 years, and with 200 stalls you can see why. The wooden chalets that line up outside the stunning Bath Abbey sell everything from festive foods and bespoke jewellery to handmade Christmas decorations and cosy knitwear. The surrounding streets are filled with a constant stream of atmospheric music and carols while the smell of winter spices and mulled wine makes this the perfect winter paradise.
Find out more at Bath Christmas Market
4. Manchester Christmas market
Dates: 10 November 2022 - 22 December 2022
There are over 300 stalls to browse in nine different locations throughout the city, as Manchester is transformed into a chalet-lined city of Christmas dreams! Food-wise, there’s everything from French Profiteroles to Hungarian goulash and Spanish Paella, so even the fussiest of eaters will find something to sink their teeth into.
Find out more at Visit Manchester
5. Nottingham Christmas market
Dates: 15 November 2022 - 31 December 2022
Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is one of the largest festive events in the Midlands and rolls into town every year complete with an ice rink, rides, Narnia themed bars and an epic food hall. A perfect destination for a festive family day out, there is also a great night life and entertainment scene in the evenings. Just don’t drink and skate!
Find out more at Visit Nottinghamshire
6. Leeds Christkindelmarkt
Dates: 5 November 2022 - 17 December 2022
Over 40 wooden chalet stalls take over Leeds’ Millennium Square for their annual Christkindelmarkt each festive season. With traditional handcrafted toys, jewellery and cards, you’ll be crossing things off that ‘to buy’ list in no time. If you can find a sitter for the kids, head to the infamous beer tent at the centre of the market for a giant stein of beer and some live entertainment.
Find out more at Christkindelmarkt Leeds
7. Chester Christmas market
Dates: 18 November 2022 - 21 December 2022
Located in the city's beautiful Town Hall Square (just opposite the cathedral) is where you'll find Chester's cracking Christmas market in 2022. A huge sparkling Christmas tree centrepiece is surrounded by 70 traditional wooden chalets boasting handmade crafts, jewellery and sweet treats galore. Finish your trip with a hearty hog roast and a warming mulled wine. This is Christmas come early.
Find out more at Visit Cheshire
8. Birmingham Christmas market
Dates: 3 November 2022 - 23 December 2022
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market is the largest outdoor Christmas market in the UK (and the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany). The annual event practically takes over the centre of the city! Mulled wine, live music and traditional German foods are on offer while you roam the stalls for artisan goods, arts and crafts. Bratwurst anyone?
Find out more at Birmingham Christmas Market
9. York Christmas Festival
Dates: 17 November 2022 - 23 December 2022
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped straight into a Dicken’s novel when you stroll around this quintessentially British magical Christmas market. With local produce, arts and crafts sold on the Victorian stalls - accompanied by the sounds of carol singers - it will get even the family Scrooge in the festive mood. In fact, a few years ago York was voted the UK’s most festive city - so where better to celebrate the special season?
Find out more at Visit York
10. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Dates: 18 November 2022 - 22 December 2022
Winchester’s lovely market and ice rink has been running every Christmas for 14 years. There’s over 100 stalls to choose from selling Christmas goodies and seasonal food and drink. The bustling market in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral is all set to go ahead this year for 2022.
Find out more at Winchester Cathedral
11. Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Dates: 18 November 2022 - 18 December 2022
This quaint market is held in the heart of Exeter on the Cathedral Green. With just 50 stalls, it’s a little more intimate than the rest, but that just means there’s a great selection of local food and produce on offer alongside the usual Christmas market essentials.
Find out more at Exeter Cathedral
12. Skipton Christmas Market
Dates: 4 December 2022 - 11 December 2022
Sample seasonal delights and do a spot of Christmas shopping during at this famous Christmas market in the Yorkshire Dales. The whole town has a Christmassy feel and as well as stalls selling local crafts and products, there’s a whole host of live music on offer as well. Plus, Santa’s Reindeer normally put in an appearance too!
Find out more at Skipton Christmas Market
13. Brighton Christmas Festival
Dates: 18 November 2022 - 24 December 2022
This Christmas market by the sea was new for Christmas 2021 and it looks like it was a success, because it's back for another year - promising to be the biggest and brightest winter attraction in Sussex this year. With over 150 festive stalls, the festival includes entertainment, live shows, a fairground and a unique opportunity to visit Santa’s Workshop. Plus, we can't wait to take a trip to the Apres Ski zone, and enjoy a mulled wine or two.
Find out more at Brighton Christmas Festival
14. Liverpool Christmas market
Dates: 19 November 2022 - 24 December 2022
When 2020's Christmas market in Liverpool was cancelled due to the pandemic, Mayor Wendy Simon promised that a "substantially expanded" market for 2021. And she's wasn't wrong, with Liverpool's market moving to a brand new location at St Johns Gardens and William Brown Street with the same festive fun as previous years - mulled wine, karaoke cable cars and Ferris Wheel.
Find out more at St George's Hall
15. Bristol Christmas market
Dates: 4 November 2022 - 23 December 2022
Head to Bristol for all the fun and festivities this Christmas. Located in the heart of the City Centre, the market returns with over 50 unique stalls, plus a sighting or two of Santa and his reindeer. Visitors can also enjoy heated seating, delicious drinks and live music in the extra-special Jäger Barn Bar. The perfect end to your trip no doubt.
Find out more at Bristol Christmas Market
16. Lincoln Christmas market
Dates: 1 December 2022 - 4 December 2022
You'll have to be quick if you want to indulge in the best of Lincoln and their Christmas market this December, which runs exclusively over one 4-day weekend. Think festive food, a HUGE ferris wheel and the chance to take in all the fun of the fair. It's one not to be missed.
Find out more at Lincoln Christmas Market
17. Chatsworth Estate Christmas market
Dates: 5 November 2021 - 23 November 2022
The beautiful country estate is transformed every year into a winter wonderland. With a different theme each year, there is always live music from string quartets and brass bands filling the airwaves while you browse for Christmas goodies in over 100 different stalls. With the sprawling Chatsworth grounds around you too, there’s plenty to make a fun filled family day out.
Find out more at Chatsworth Estate
18. Rochester Christmas market
Dates: Sat 26 and Sun 27 November, Sat 3, Sun 4, Fri 9, Sat 10, Sun 11 December 2022
Explore a stunning winter wonderland set within Rochester's beautiful castle gardens. Back for 2022, you can expect a funfair, plenty of stalls with one-of-a-kind treasures, plus a Bavarian food village with live music.
Find out more at Medway Council
19. Redbourn Christmas Market
Dates: 27 November 2022
Kick off the festive season with a visit to the pretty, historic village of Redbourn which will be transformed into the annual Christmas Market in November. Indulge in a wealth of local crafts, fabulous food and entertainment, as well as a festive raffle with amazing prizes kindly donated by local businesses, including a luxury Christmas Hamper worth £250!
Find out more at Enjoy St Albans
20. Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle
Dates: 25 November 2022 - 1 January 2023
Brand-new for 2022, enjoy a festive day out with the family at Kent's picturesque Leeds Castle featuring enchanting illuminations and Christmas music. There will also be independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer. Complete your walk under the stars with a toasted marshmallow, spiced winter warmer or hot chocolate shared with someone special.
Find out more at Leeds Castle
21. Cirencester Christmas Market
Dates: 26 November 2022
Christmas in the Cotswolds couldn’t be more fun with Cirencester’s annual Advent Festival. With market stalls, music and live entertainment getting everyone into the Christmas spirit, the evening culminates in the turning on of the Christmas lights by a special celeb. Cirencester always run various different markets throughout December too, including an arts and crafts market, and a farmer’s market for all your delicious food needs.
Find out more at Cirencester Council
22. Harrogate Christmas Fayre
Dates: 2 December 2022 - 11 December 2022
A new Christmas market is set to take over Harrogate for 9 days this December and you won't want to miss it. Operated by Market Place Europe (who also put on Belfast and Glasgows festive markets), the new event will feature up to 45 traders from countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, Spain and Italy, plus local businesses.
Find out more at Visit Harrogate
24. North Shields Christmas market
Dates: 10 December 2022 - 11 December 2022
Named as one of the ‘most popular events in the North of England’, this North Tyneside market is home to hundreds of different stalls, selling seasonal crafts and gifts, as well as the classic Christmas food, and fairground rides for the kids – so there’s something for the whole family.
Find out more at Visit North Tyneside
23. Plymouth Christmas Market
Dates: 1 December 2022 - 18 December 2022
Be enchanted by Plymouth's beautifully lit and jam packed Christmas market 2022 - taking over the city for 17 days in December. Situated in the city centre piazza, there's plenty of opportunity for Christmas shopping. And you're sure to snap up something special from one of the many artisan gift stalls. After you've shopped till you drop - rest those weary legs with a festive tipple or two at the cosy open-air bar.
Find out more at VisitPlymouth
Best UK Christmas markets in Scotland 2022
24. Edinburgh Christmas Market
Dates: 19 November 2022 - 3 January 2023
There’s more than one market to choose from in the Scottish capital, from East Princes Street Gardens to George Street. With traditional Scottish, European and special children’s markets all taking place throughout the city over the festive season, even the wee ones will have a market to be excited about.
Find out more at Visit Scotland
25. Aberdeen Christmas Village
Dates: 17 November 2022 - 31 December 2022
Aberdeen Christmas Village traditionally takes place in the Broad Street area of the city. It’s got shed-loads of activities on offer, including an open-air ice rink, a silent disco, a Santa’s grotto, and of course, the all-important festive food and drink.
Find out more at Aberdeen City Council
Best UK Christmas markets in Wales 2022
26. Swansea Christmas Market
Dates: 25 November 2022 - 21 December 2022
Pop down to Swansea’s Oxford Street for your festive shopping fix this year. Browse the stalls and enjoy some fabulous festive entertainment throughout the season with lots going on at Museum Park too. Plus there’s artisan cheese to try and specialities from local food sellers. You can even stop and watch the art of glass blowing! Santa will be stopping by at his grotto too, on Portland Street.
Find out more at Swansea City Centre
27. Cardiff Christmas market
Dates: 10 November 2022 - 23 December 2022
Cardiff’s Christmas market will be taking over the city’s pedestrian area again this year, with tons of exhibitors lining the streets. Organisers have promised ‘another exciting and eclectic mix of both new and returning exhibitors’ so there will be something for everyone. With over 90 per cent of the stall holders being small Welsh businesses, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re shopping local. Pop down for a glass of wine and hot welsh cake – you know you want to.
Find out more at Cardiff Christmas Market
Best UK Christmas markets in Northern Ireland 2022
28. Belfast Continental Christmas Market
Dates: 19 November 2022 - 22 December 2022
The grounds of Belfast City Hall are transformed annually into a magical Christmas shopping destination. The Belfast Christmas market is famous for offering food and wares from all over Europe. You’re sure to find (and taste!) something special – such as Dutch pancakes and French crepes – as you shop under the city’s magical Christmas lights. Even Santa makes an appearance to visit the little ones too.
Find out more at Belfast Continental Christmas Market
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