Christmas markets are an excellent way to enjoy the festive season. Visitors can indulge in a warming glass of mulled wine under twinkling fairy lights and stock up on Christmas gifts for loved ones. Fortunately for Britons, there are plenty of Christmas markets to choose from up and down the UK.
Edinburgh
16 November - 5 January
Edinburgh celebrates Christmas at Princes Street Gardens with a plethora of bespoke and traditional Christmas stalls. There’s a festive atmosphere and a huge range of artisan gifts and traditional food and beverages.
Manchester
9 November – 23 December
Manchester Christmas market was ranked number one, according to research by travel website Booking.com. Famed for its shimmering Santa Claus, this year will be the last time the market graces Albert Square for at least the next four years.
Spread across the city, the stalls are bustling with gift ideas and culinary delicacies – guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. Once you’ve shopped for homemade crafts, toys, gifts and garments, treat yourself to a traditional bratwurst, Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella or a good old-fashioned hog roast.
Winchester
17 November – 20 December
Coming in at second place in Booking.com’s rankings and set next to Winchester’s breathtaking cathedral is the Winchester Christmas Markets.
This is the perfect event to take in the local architecture and history. Inspired by traditional German markets, the pretty wooden chalets, enchanting nativity scene and open-air ice rink make for the perfect family day out.
York
15 November - 23 December
With a beautiful medieval backdrop, York Christmas Festival boasts stalls bursting with local produce, ice skating and even festive pantomimes.
Check out the market stalls of St. Nicholas Fair, explore the alpine chalets on Parliament Street or sample food and drink at St Sampson’s Square with tasty treats such as hot chestnuts and warm mulled wine.
Lincoln
6 December - 9 December
Voted the third best Christmas market by Booking.com, Lincoln Christmas market is set in the heart of the medieval city.
The historic and enchanting gothic cathedral makes the perfect backdrop to the 200 stalls there are to explore – offering everything from handmade presents to hand-poured candles, hand-crafted wooden toys and locally created art, as well as excellent fresh produce from the local area.
London
22 November – 6 January
Although the capital offers numerous Christmas markets, the King of them all is undoubtedly Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
This Christmas extravaganza is a festive event not to be missed with market stalls, Santa Land, funfair rides and an ice kingdom. This year there are new attractions including Ice Sculpting Workshops and Peter Pan On Ice. The Magical Ice Kingdom is returning with a sparkling new theme – “The Secret Forest”.
Bath
22 November - 9 December
Bath’s Christmas Market is brimming with local designers showing off their artisan products making it the perfect place to find unique homeware, Christmas decorations and special gifts for your loved ones across 180 twinkling chalets.
There are sights and smells throughout to satisfy any appetite, including burgers, hog roasts and mulled wine.
Cardiff
15 November - 23 December
Cardiff Christmas Market has been around for over 20 years and offers an alternative shopping experience. Each year, there is an extensive rolling programme of over 200 individual businesses selling a wide variety of diverse arts and crafts interspersed with seasonal food and drink. Make a day of it, buy someone something special and enjoy some delicious and heart-warming Welsh cuisine.
Birmingham
15 November - 23 December
Birmingham German Christmas Market was ranked the fifth best Christmas market in the UK by travel website Booking.com.
Stalls can be found scattered around the Victoria Square and New Street areas. If you’re looking for the ultimate German market experience, this is the place to visit, due to its close ties with Frankfurt, with Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds as well as glühwein, weissbeer, or hot chocolate all there to tempt your taste buds.
Swansea
16 November to 20 December
At Swansea Christmas Market there are over 40 traders offering a fantastic selection of arts, crafts, fine foods, beautiful decorations and unique gifts. There’s also a selection of festive food to fuel you up and a Christmas Bar where you can relax with a mulled wine.
There’s also a Christmas Parade and Waterfront Wonderland. Fill your day with ice-skating, Santa’s Grotto, a fun fair, and scrumptious food from the Alpine dining cabins. The Swansea Christmas Express and Father Christmas himself are just some of the many exciting things to see during the parade.