12 unmissable UK Christmas markets to visit before the festive season’s over

As the festive season sparkles back into life, town squares, cities and stately homes across the UK are once again transforming into winter wonderlands, complete with twinkling lights, alpine-style chalets and the unmistakable aroma of mulled wine. With bustling food stalls and unique artisan crafts on display, an afternoon spent moseying round some of the nation's best Christmas markets is sure to bring some festive cheer.

So why not grab your bobble hat and set off on a wintry weekend getaway? As with all things Christmas, markets seem to start earlier in the season each year, so we've put together our favourite UK city breaks for making the most of this shopping opportunity. Foodies are well catered for, with stalls specialising in festive treats from around the world, plus plenty of local produce.

Pick up some artisan cheese or mince pies along with your handcrafted gifts and tree decorations – and, of course, a warming mug of spiced mulled wine. You can almost smell roasted chestnuts in the air...

City centre markets are popular and easily accessible, and the UK has many to choose from, including multiple events in London along with Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester, or visit the historical centres of Chester, York and Winchester. If you want to make more of a day trip then try one of the UK's spectacular stately homes for the perfect winter wonderland backdrop, including Blenheim Palace Market and Chatsworth House.

Of course, you could do your Christmas shopping from home, if you prefer, with our ultimate foodie gift list, featuring exciting edible presents, kitchen gadgets and stylish homeware. Or, recreate some of the tastiest festive treats from the comfort of your own kitchen with our collection of Christmas market recipes.

For more festive inspiration, see the best Christmas crackers, including eco-friendly options, and countdown to the big day with the best advent calendars.

When do the Christmas markets open this year?

Opening dates vary, with some of the earliest already available to visit from 1 November such as Birmingham's Frankfurt market, while others will open a week or two later. Most markets will run up until Christmas Day and then close or open on reduced hours. A small number will then reopen until the first week of January, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The UK's best Christmas markets to visit in 2025

Winchester Cathedral

Hampshire’s county town more than lives up to its title of ‘England’s Christmas capital’ with the Winchester Cathedral Christmas market a riot of festive food and gifts. Organisers ensure local businesses are given a fair crack at representation by rotating the traders year on year and keeping a strong emphasis on British artisan goods. With over 100 hand-picked quality exhibitors, selling clothing, crafts, homewares and mores, this is the perfect place to get a spot of Christmas shopping done.

21 November - 22 December, Winchester Cathedral

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

Looking for a fun-fuelled family evening out? Returning for its 18th year and occupying a large area of Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland puts on a dazzling display of lights, activities and entertainment, not to mention an extensive offering of food and drink stalls. Book ahead for a spot at Bar Ice, where everything from the glasses to the chairs are carved from ice, then head to The Fire Pit for a warming winter cocktail. Feeling continental? Check out the giant Bavarian beer hall. Alongside the usual offerings of sausages, waffles and doughnuts, you’ll find burgers, kebabs and every kind of caramelised nut imaginable, plus more adventurous dishes such as salmon fillets grilled on wooden planks.

Thrill-seekers will enjoy a range of rollercoaster rides, or you can opt for a more gentle excursion aboard the Giant Wheel, offering panoramic views over the park. There's plenty of to keep the family entertained too, from skating across the large, open-air ice rink to circus shows and live music in a concert area.

14 November - 1 January, book tickets and entry time slots via the Winter Wonderland website, with standard times starting from £5.

Cardiff

This is a well established market into its 31st year and many of the stalls change throughout the season, making them more sustainable for the makers. Wooden huts replete with ciders, cakes, chocolates, pastries and mulled wine line the city centre streets around St John’s church, while Trinity Street is where ‘taster’ stalls available to newer or smaller makers reside. Make sure to try warm Welsh cakes and bara brith while you're there.

There is also an excellent selection of stalls for shopping, featuring artisan products curated by Craft Folk. Meanwhile, Christmas lights and decorations up the ante at Cardiff’s beautiful castle and arcades so we recommend making the time to wander around the city while you are there.

13 November - 23 December, Cardiff Christmas Market

Birmingham

Birmingham plays host to the Frankfurt Market which claims to be the most authentic German market in the UK. If bratwurst, pretzels, waffles, gingerbread and glühwein are what you’re after, this is your venue. There’s also a host of musical entertainment from community choirs and local and German bands, an ice rink and ferris wheel and a singing moose – you’ll know it when you see it. Come by train and use the glass deposit scheme for drinks for a low carbon footprint.

1 November - 24 December, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market

South Bank, London

This atmospheric riverside market offers a more relaxed alternative to the better-known Santa-thon in Hyde Park. The Southbank Centre's Winter Market puts on seasonal performances plus arty street theatre, quirky crafts and festive food and drink. Don’t miss the purely food-focused Southbank Centre Food Market, open Friday to Sunday every weekend.

3 November - 4 January, Southbank Winter Market

Edinburgh

Edinburgh has no shortage of innovative festive spirit, with craft stalls and food markets alongside funfair rides, wacky circus acts and street performers. The European-style Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens offers a wide range of continental fare alongside local crafts and produce. Looking for an adrenaline rush? Take a ride on the world's largest transportable Starflyer with views of the city centre skyline (if you can bear to open your eyes!). If you are a whisky fan, then head over to the Johnnie Walker 1820 rooftop bar for an extensive range of warming cocktails.

15 November - 4 January, Edinburgh Christmas Market

York

Top marks for prettiness go to York St Nicholas Fair, which also scores highly for accessibility with its ‘take a seat’ scheme, and for sustainability with stallholders committed to eco-friendly materials. Eighty per cent of the stalls are run by local craftspeople, so you should be able to find plenty of unique gifts. Work your way along the alpine-style stalls lining Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square, or discover more of the best local producers at Shambles Market and the Food Court.

14 November - 21 December, York Christmas Market

Chester

With its Roman walls, Tudor shopping arcade and the lovely red sandstone cathedral from which to view the River Dee, Chester is a pretty setting for a festive break. Set in Town Hall square, the Christmas market is looking to focus more on local crafts this year, so you can pick up Cheshire cheese, local gins and planet-friendly stocking fillers from stalls flagged with ‘green Chester’. There are around 70 traditional chalets offering festive nibbles and gifts, plus local produce from Taste Cheshire farmers’ market.

19 November - 22 December, Chester Christmas Market

Manchester

Now in their 27th year, Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets have been going from strength to strength, sprawling outwards from Albert Square and stretching further into side streets and nearby squares with each passing year – there are now nine official sites in all. Visitors can browse more than 200 wooden chalets offering a tempting array of festive foods, including hog roasts, bratwurst and mince pies. You can find their exactly locations on the markets' website.

Take a break from market browsing to ride on the festive wheel, glide across Skate Manchester's ice rink, or you can even watch a Christmas parade taking place through the city streets on Sunday, 7 December.

7 November - 22 December, Manchester Christmas Markets

Glasgow

This year's Glasgow's Winter Wonderland will be opening across two sites – the traditional market will be returning to St Enoch Square while a new market will also set up on Glasgow Green. Visitors can expect the usual range of exciting independent food vendors, unique crafts from local sellers and a charming children's carousel and, in terms of the food offering, traditional continental bites, beer and mulled wine are intermixed with stalls selling anything from noodles and arepas to local dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties. Furthermore, the first fully licensed Festive Bar will be opening in Scotland, offering live music throughout the event.

The new location will boast the world's first solar-powered observation wheel offering views across the city, alongside live theatre performances in the Festive Big Top Live, and an ice rink. Fancy exploring the city further afield? There's a festive light trail taking place this year which you can follow to discover installations from local artists.

6 November - 4 January, Glasgow's Winter Wonderland

Blenheim Palace Market

Nestled within the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, this enchanting Christmas market really pulls out all the stops. As well as over 60 stalls for shopping in the Great Court and eating and drinking in the East Court – free to enter – there’s a showstopping illuminated light trail (allow 90 minutes), an ice rink and a Wizard of Stately homes Oz-themed trail through the state rooms that are ticketed.

14 November - 3 January, book tickets via the Blenheim Palace website.

Chatsworth Christmas Market

Treat yourself to a festive getaway in the historic Peak District town of Chatsworth. Set against the grand backdrop of Chatsworth House, this Christmas market has over 100 stalls with food, drink and gifts and is part of the larger ‘Christmas at Chatsworth’ offering – a ticket to one of the events gets you entry to the market as well.

8 November - 14 December, book tickets via Chatsworth at Christmas.

Many National Trust properties also have Christmas fairs and markets; check the National Trust Christmas events page for venue information.

Take a trip around our travel hub for more holiday inspiration, or get more ideas for a cosy winter break.

Which is your favourite Christmas market? Leave a comment below...