Best Christmas markets to visit in the UK: from London to Nottingham

As someone who’s been to more Christmas markets than I can count (or remember), let me share my insights on how to make the most of these festive wonderlands without breaking the bank.

This Christmas promises a wealth of exciting events. Whether you enjoy cozying up to watch seasonal TV programs or prefer attending Christmas plays, there’s no incorrect way to celebrate the occasion.

If you’re up for facing the winter chill, you might find delight in the popular holiday tradition of Christmas markets. Therefore, let us extend a warm greeting and say, you’re now part of our festive Christmas market guide! We appreciate your presence.

As the weather grows chillier, there’s no greater pleasure than meandering through festive market stalls while enjoying steaming mugs of mulled wine and delicious churros drizzled with melted chocolate.

At Christmas markets, you’ll find a variety of offerings that cater to everyone. You can browse through decorations and gift shops, participate in fun activities like ice skating, and indulge in a wide array of food and beverages.

We’ve included the top Christmas markets in the UK and given them ‘best for’ ratings. So, if you’re looking for amazing food, for example, or the best ice skating rink, you’ll know where to go.

Additionally, we’ve given thoughtful attention to the top holiday destinations as suggested by Forbes Advisor, including locations offering ample Christmas shopping opportunities, budget-friendly Christmas light and decoration expenditures, comprehensive reviews of local Christmas markets, and a high chance of experiencing a traditional white Christmas.

If you’re looking for additional holiday fun, don’t forget to check out some of the top pantomimes, unique Christmas gift experiences, and popular West End performances happening this winter!

Jump to:

Best Christmas markets at a glance
The best Christmas markets in the UK
How to travel to Christmas markets on a budget

Best Christmas markets at a glance:

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market | Best for traditional German food
Edinburgh Christmas market | Best for a white Christmas
Nottingham Winter Wonderland | Best for date night
London Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | Best for ice skating
Manchester Christmas markets | Best for variety
Bath Christmas market | Best for stepping back in time
Newcastle Christmas market | Best for atmosphere
Belfast Continental Christmas market | Best for the whole family
Cardiff Christmas market | Best for size

The best Christmas markets in the UK

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for traditional German food

Birmingham Christmas market dates: 1st Nov to 24th Dec 2024

If you’re unable to visit Germany or Austria this winter, don’t worry! Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market is an excellent alternative. It’s the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of these countries, offering a taste of the real thing. You can savor traditional foods like pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds, all paired with a warm mug of Glühwein. Enjoy!

Find out more about Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market at The BFCM

Fancy making your own Glühwein? Check out this Good Food Glühwein recipe.

Edinburgh Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for a white Christmas

Edinburgh Christmas market dates: 15th Nov 2024 to 4th Jan 2025

This holiday season, Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market returns, boasting an even larger scale this time around. Instead of being confined to its traditional spots in Princes Street Gardens and The Mound, it’s expanding into various other areas within the city center as well. This year’s edition promises a variety of arts, crafts, food, and drink stalls showcasing local Scottish products. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a snowy Christmas in this northern city!

Book an Edinburgh Christmas stay from £139 at Wowcher

Read what people have said about Edinburgh Christmas Market on Tripadvisor

Nottingham Winter Wonderland

Best UK Christmas market for date night

Nottingham Christmas market dates: 13th Nov 2024 to 31st Dec 2025

If you’re seeking something to take the place of Goose Fair once it departs (for those in the know), venture into Nottingham’s heart for the Winter Wonderland. Nestled within Old Market Square, this festive market offers a variety of attractions including thrilling fairground rides, cozy bars, delightful food vendors, and stalls selling Christmas decorations.

Read what people have said about Nottingham Winter Wonderland on Tripadvisor

Want to know what John Heffernan said about Notts legend James Graham? Read our The Lehman Trilogy’s John Heffernan interview.

London Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Best UK Christmas market for ice skating

London Christmas market dates: 21st Nov 2024 to 5th Jan 2025

Before long, it’s time to belt out “Happy Holidays” (as summer has come to an end)! Once the flood of wintery pictures starts pouring onto social media from loved ones at London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, that means Christmas is just around the bend.

At this massive holiday market, you’ll find an ice-skating area, a large ice palace, a colossal Ferris wheel among various amusement rides, an ice chute for sliding, an ice carving studio, and numerous eateries and beverage stands offering delicious treats.

This Christmas, there are numerous thrilling activities to enjoy in London. Don’t forget to check out the outstanding West End performances, exceptional London experience gifts, and top-notch children’s theater shows.

Manchester Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for variety

Manchester Christmas market dates: 8th Nov 2024 to 22nd Dec 2024

I must say, exploring the heart of Manchester during Christmas time is nothing short of enchanting! From Victoria to Deansgate, the city center transforms into a magical winter wonderland, with The Winter Gardens in Piccadilly Gardens as its vibrant heart. If you’ve ever wandered through this bustling city, you know that it’s a delightfully walkable place. With a succulent German hotdog and a steaming mug of mulled wine in hand, you’ll find the motivation to traverse every corner, taking in all the sights, sounds, and scents of Manchester at its most festive!

Book a Manchester Christmas stay from £51.35 at Wowcher

Bath Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for stepping back in time

Bath Christmas market dates: 28th Nov to 15th Dec 2024

This winter, the city of Bath unfolds a magical tale reminiscent of a fairy tale as it marks its 21st year of hosting a captivating Christmas market. Renowned for its enchanting Abbey, breathtaking architectural wonders, and timeless charm, Bath transforms into a bygone era during the festive season, offering a truly transportive experience.

Find out more about Bath Christmas market at Bath Christmas Market

To keep yourself informed about the newest ticket launches, including those for Michael Bublé, Sam Fender, and Sugababes concerts, make sure to check out our latest updates in the ‘Going Out’ section.

Newcastle Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for atmosphere

Newcastle Christmas market dates: 16th Nov 2024 to 22nd Dec 2024

The Newcastle Christmas market offers something for everyone in the family! It combines local merchants, breweries, and farmers’ markets, creating a delightful atmosphere. And let’s not forget about Santa’s Grotto – Santa Claus will be there after his long journey from the North Pole, ready to make some magical memories with your loved ones!

Book a Newcastle Christmas stay from £69 at Wowcher

Belfast Continental Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for the whole family

Belfast Christmas market dates: 16th Nov 2024 to 22nd Dec 2024

Situated in Belfast’s Donegall Square, this global Christmas market caters to everyone, truly everyone! The food court showcases dishes from an impressive 32 countries worldwide, so you can indulge in a variety of treats ranging from classic crepes and pancakes to more exotic options like ostrich, wild boar, and crocodile burgers.

Additionally, there are numerous activities to amuse the children, such as a classic slide, a Santa express train, an Olaf-themed ride, among others.

Book a Belfast Christmas stay from £89 at Wowcher

Fancy making your own crêpes? Here’s a brilliant Good Food crêpe recipe.

Cardiff Christmas market

Best UK Christmas market for size

How to travel to Christmas markets on a budget

As a film enthusiast captivated by the allure of the perfect winter wonderland Christmas market I’ve chosen from the list above, I find myself pondering over the best means of transportation to reach my desired destination. While driving may seem like an appealing choice, the escalating fuel costs and potential traffic congestion could make the journey less than ideal. Instead, I might opt for public transport, a hassle-free and cost-effective solution that promises a smoother ride to my festive haven.

How to get cheap train tickets

Instead of following Chris Rea’s preference for sitting in traffic, we’ve opted for a different route this year – using public transportation. Our main mode will be trains when visiting the Christmas markets.

It’s advisable to reserve train tickets about 12 weeks before the travel date, since the operators usually provide schedules that far ahead.

Train cards offer a terrific method to cut down on train ticket expenses; they can help you save as much as one-third of the price, with an average savings of £142 annually. There are various types of these cards available catering to diverse groups such as the 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together Railcard, and Disabled Persons Railcard.

How to get cheap coach tickets

Based on our observations, Megabus stands out as the most affordable coach service available, particularly when it comes to purchasing tickets at the last minute. This company offers travel between more than 90 major cities across the United Kingdom, and you can even reserve your seat, similar to how you would on a train.

Christmas market breaks

If you’re hopping from one city to another during the Christmas season for market visits, it might be beneficial to plan for an overnight stay. And if you’re new to the city, it offers a fantastic opportunity to fit in some exploration and sightseeing as well.

When seeking accommodations in a specific city, both Wowcher and Airbnb are excellent platforms to consider. Wowcher often provides a 4-star hotel stay that includes breakfast, while Airbnb allows you to select the type of residence that suits your preferences for an overnight stay.

Check out Christmas market breaks 2024 at Wowcher
Book an overnight stay at Airbnb

If you’re planning on venturing further afield, for example to somewhere in Europe, lastminute.com and EasyJet offer Christmas market packages, too.

Shop Christmas market breaks at lastminute.com
Shop Christmas market breaks at EasyJet

To make your winter even more enjoyable, keep an eye on our “Going Out” segment as it features the top Christmas light trails and the finest pantomimes in the United Kingdom.

2024-10-24 18:08