Top UK Christmas Markets 2024
Nothing captures the Christmas spirit quite like a festive market, with independent stalls offering unique treats and the aroma of mulled wine filling the air. As November arrives, the UK’s most magical Christmas markets come alive, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Here are our top picks for 2024, in no particular order…
Here are some of our favourites in alphabetical order:
Bath Christmas Market
Bath’s Christmas Market transforms the historic city into a festive wonderland each year. Set against the stunning backdrop of Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, this market features over 170 chalets selling a range of unique gifts, crafts, and delicious seasonal treats. The market is renowned for its high-quality, handmade products and its charming, historic setting. Enjoy live music, seasonal food and drink, and the magical atmosphere as you wander through the beautifully decorated streets.
Opening dates: 28th November 2024 – 15th December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest and most authentic German Christmas market in the UK. Located in Victoria Square, this market offers a vast array of traditional gifts and German cuisine, from bratwursts to pretzels. Live music, an ice rink, and the big wheel complete the festive experience.
Opening dates: 1st November 2024 – 24th December 2024
Tickets: Free entry, though some activities require booking and payment.
Bristol Christmas Market
Located in the heart of Bristol, this Christmas market offers over 50 stalls filled with handmade gifts and delicious treats. Keep an eye out for Santa and his reindeer making special appearances throughout December. For those looking to relax, the heated Jäger Barn Bar and cosy igloos offer the perfect festive retreat.
Opening dates: 1st November 2024 – 22nd December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Canterbury Christmas Market
Canterbury’s Christmas Market brings festive cheer to the historic city with its picturesque setting and charming stalls. Held in the city’s central location, the market offers a wide selection of handmade gifts, seasonal foods, and traditional Christmas treats. Enjoy the festive lights, live music, and the atmosphere of this beautiful city during the holiday season.
Opening dates: 15th November 2024 – 24th December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Cheltenham Christmas Market
Cheltenham’s Christmas Market is set in the Promenade. Featuring a mix of local artisans and traditional stalls, this market offers unique gifts, crafts, and delicious festive food. The beautiful surroundings and lively entertainment make it a delightful destination for holiday shopping and celebrations.
Opening dates: 12th December2024 – 22nd December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Chester Christmas Market
Chester’s Christmas Market, set in the historic city centre, is a charming event that offers a festive atmosphere with its traditional wooden chalets and twinkling lights. The market features a wide range of stalls selling unique gifts, crafts, and seasonal foods. With its picturesque setting near Chester’s medieval architecture, including the iconic Chester Rows, it’s the perfect place to enjoy holiday shopping and festive cheer.
Opening dates: Friday November 15th until Sunday December 22nd 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Kingston Christmas Market
Kingston’s Christmas Market offers a festive experience in the heart of Kingston upon Thames. The market features a range of stalls selling handmade gifts, crafts, and delicious seasonal foods. With its lively atmosphere and beautiful Christmas decorations, it’s a great place to enjoy holiday shopping and celebrations with family and friends.
Opening dates: 14th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Tickets: Free entry
Lichfield Christmas Fayre
Lichfield’s Christmas Fayre is a delightful event set in the city’s historic surroundings. Featuring a selection of unique gifts, crafts, and festive foods, the market offers a traditional Christmas experience with its charming wooden stalls and twinkling lights. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and live entertainment as you explore this lovely market.
Opening dates: 17th November 2024
Tickets: Free entry
London’s Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
As one of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in London, Winter Wonderland returns to Hyde Park in 2024 with all its beloved attractions. From thrilling rides and rollercoasters to the iconic giant wheel offering stunning city views, there’s something for everyone.
Spanning over 350 acres, you can spend an entire day exploring the market’s hundreds of wooden cabins, filled with handmade gifts, festive foods, and more. Don’t miss the outdoor ice rink, Christmas shows, and live music!
Manchester Christmas Markets
Why experience just one market when you can explore six? Manchester’s Christmas Markets are spread across the city, each offering its own unique vibe and attractions. Highlights include an ice rink at Cathedral Gardens, live entertainment, and a plethora of food and drink stalls in Winter Gardens, Piccadilly, and beyond.
Opening dates: 9th November 2024 – 22nd December 2024 (unconfirmed)
Tickets: Free entry.
Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Victorian Christmas Market offers a unique festive experience, set in the historic streets of Shakespeare’s birthplace. This award-winning market captures the charm of the Victorian era, with stallholders dressed in period costumes and traditional Christmas music filling the air. The market features a wide variety of stalls selling handmade gifts, crafts, and festive foods, alongside street performers, a traditional funfair, and a carousel. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the Christmas spirit in a town steeped in history.
Opening dates: 7th & 8th and 14th & 15th December
Tickets: Free entry
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is a must-visit, held within the historic grounds of the Cathedral. This market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, featuring hundreds of wooden chalets offering unique gifts and festive treats. With over 400,000 visitors each year, it’s a beloved spot to soak in the holiday atmosphere.
Opening dates: 22nd November 2024 – 22nd December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Worcester Christmas Market
Worcester’s Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city, is a festive treat with its traditional wooden stalls and charming atmosphere. The market offers a variety of gifts, crafts, and seasonal foods. Highlights include a festive fairground and live music performances, all set against the historic backdrop of Worcester’s beautiful city center.
Opening dates: 28th November 2024 1st December 2024.
Tickets: Free entry
York’s St Nicholas Fair
York’s St Nicholas Fair is a Christmas market like no other, set against the historic streets of this beautiful city. Wooden chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, while Kings Square hosts a charming vintage carousel. Don’t miss Shambles Food Court, where you can sample delicious international street food.
Opening dates: 14th November 2024 – 22nd December 2024
Tickets: Free entry
Enjoy Christmas with Howden
We’re gearing up for the festive season here at Howden! That means we’ll be hosting competitions, family fun days, donation stations and much more. We can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you in the community! Pop into your local branch and see what’s on at Howden this Christmas.
