Image credit: GettyImages/JasonBatterham
It's the most wonderful time of the year – when Christmas markets sparkle into life in towns across Britain. They warm the cockles of our hearts with hot spiced drinks, seasonal tunes and beautifully crafted gifts.
There are Christmas markets across the UK in November and December, and some even last into January, but we've got the best 15 Christmas markets in perfect locations, to really get you into the festive spirit.
November 1 – December 24 2024
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is said to be the largest German-style Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria.
Stroll the decorated stalls on Victoria Square and New Street with their handmade gifts and decorations, just don't forget to leave plenty of time to sample the Glühwein, bratwurst and pretzels.
Nottingham Winter Wonderland takes over Old Market Square for 2024, with its ferris wheel, helter skelter, ice rink and Christmas tree.
Festive market stalls line Long Row and Smithy Row full of gifts and treats. But be sure to check before you commit to a date as there's a calendar of entertainment – including vocalists, DJs, magic, stilt walkers, and a brass quartet.
More than 200 traditional wooden chalets packed full of Christmas presents will fill the area surrounding the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey for Bath Christmas Market.
All the stallholders have been carefully selected, with more than 80% coming from Bath and the Southwest, while 99% of the goods available are handmade in the UK, or abroad with Fairtrade certification.
The traditional chalets sprawl through the Georgian streets of Bath and you can find handmade gifts and Christmas decorations or just enjoy the atmosphere in one of the UK's most beautiful cities.
The picturesque city of York makes for an atmospheric visit at any time of year, but when the Christmas market sets up shop, you can feel the holiday spirit in the air.
Central to York’s festive celebrations, with 75 alpine stalls lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, York’s Christmas Market – the St Nicholas Fair – has an olde worlde sensibility about it, just like the city itself.
Expect wooden chalets, festooned with twinkling lights, alongside roasting chestnuts and mulled wine.
You can also enjoy authentic Yorkshire produce from crafters and makers at the Yorkshire Yuletide Village, at The Guildhall.
This well-established market in the heart of Cardiff city centre features original artworks and prints, ceramics, glassworks and all the festive treats you could want.
The organisers endeavour to introduce new stall holders each year to keep it fresh, with many of the artists providing demonstrations off their skills.
Wander the pedestrianised streets of St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes to see Cardiff Christmas Market in all its glory.
Salisbury's Christmas market aka Christmas in the Square will feature special performances, carol singers, the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and more than 30 local makers offering products at the Gift Fayre.
This is a Christmas market on a grand scale, boasting more than 200 stalls, with the majority of stallholders coming from within a 30-mile radius of the city. The festivities will start with a carol service in Worcester Cathedral.
Costumed characters from the Victorian era will wander the streets during the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre, including singers, buskers, stilt walkers and jugglers.
It's worth a trip just to see the transformation of Belfast’s City Hall gardens into a Christmas village. This year, in 2024, organisers have chosen a Dickensian-themed Christmas market experience at Belfast Christmas Market.
As well as plenty of gifts, crafts and decorations, you can enjoy tasting food from across Europe as you wander through the lanes of Alpine lodges.
Pop-up performances will be taking places over the festive season so look out for music, theatre and circus acts.
Winchester Christmas Market boasts more than 100 attractive wooden chalets. Traders are all selected for the quality of their products and there's a wide range of Christmas goods, including seasonal food and drink, handmade British crafts, gifts and decorations.
With the historic Close’s dramatic medieval architecture as a backdrop, the Cathedral's grounds are an atmospheric setting at any time of day, but they really come into their own in the evening when the cathedral is lit up and the market stalls glow.
It's regarded by many as one of the best Christmas markets in the UK, and even Europe.
A trip to Edinburgh offers a range of festive fun for all the family with plenty to keep every shopper happy, so it's no surprise that Edinburgh's Christmas market is one of the most popular in the UK. Enjoy local crafts, festive food and drink and Scottish brewed craft beer.
There are also lots of activities to keep the family entertained, including a Christmas tree maze, ferris wheel, Santa's Grotto and ice skating.
This year's Newcastle Christmas Market sees a brand new Christmas village in Old Eldon Square, with family-friendly activities like Santa’s Stories tipi, an Elf Workshop, and the Rockin’ Reindeer stage.
The square's winter wonderland comes complete with a traditional carousel, Christmas tree, and a mix of local food stands.
Then when you need a break head off to one of the North Pole igloo pods for food and drink, while enjoying a seasonal view over the market.
Join in the festive spirit at the spectacular Chatsworth. With more than 100 stalls to browse, as well as Chatsworth's own Stables gift shop, you're bound to make good progress on your shopping list.
Take time to enjoy some food and a German beer or mulled wine, while listening to live music at Chatsworth Christmas Market.
The market is part of Chatsworth House's wider annual offering of Christmas at Chatsworth - it's worth visiting the house too, for the festive festive decorations in more than 20 rooms.
When it comes to Christmas markets Glasgow has plenty to offer.
Visit St Enoch Square for food from around the world and plenty of activities for children. Try German beers, Greek gyros and Dutch pancakes and children can meet Father Christmas at the George Square Christmas Market.
Smaller independent markets are dotted around the city with more gifts for sale.
Manchester’s award-winning Christmas markets return this winter, with 240 stalls and chalets offering international food, drinks and Yuletide gifts in the heart of the city.
Soak up the festive feel by following the market trail through the city centre. European and local producers offer everything from jewellery and bags, to kitchenware and soaps.
They are famous for traditional bratwurst, but there's a host of different food on offer, including Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella and a good old-fashioned hog roast.
Last but not least, how could we forget the UK's capital? Let's just say that London does not let us down. The city lays on a dazzling array of markets in a variety of famous locations.
Some of the best-loved are at Leicester Square, South Bank and Greenwich Market, but don't miss Hyde Park Winter Wonderland where there are 200 stalls.
There are also plenty of other attractions including karaoke, an ice rink, fun fair rides and a wide range of festive food and drink.
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