Top 9 Christmas Markets in the UK

The best Christmas Markets from across the UK. All the markets have a variety of different food, drink and gifts from handcrafted decorations to craft beer. There is also a range of activities from a large ice rink, to live entertainment and light shows. But which one is your favourite?

Photo taken by Giles Smith

1 Winter Wonderland – Hyde Park, London

There are a lot of different activities to do at winter wonderland like ice skating, ice sculpting workshops, bar ice but the most amazing part of winter wonderland is the Christmas market. There are plenty of different stalls to pick out the perfect gift. The market is full of different things like handmade Christmas decorations and unique gifts. It goes on from the 19th of November to the 3rd of January. There is a lot of live music and food venues which you can explore. To top it all of it is located in the heart of London, Hyde Park.

Photo taken by Artur Lesniak

2 Bath Christmas market – Abbey Churchyard, Bath

Surrounded by a historic ambience that meets the festive style. The Christmas market is set up around the city’s Georgian street.  This year’s market will be a bit smaller due to the lack of staff but you can still get your favourite little gifts like jewellery, homewares and loads of different decorations. The majority of the stalls are going to be local suppliers from bath and south-west England. There is also a festive fairground and lots of street entertainment. They have also set up a virtual market where you can get all the goodies online if you can’t attend the market in person.

Photo taken by Daily Record

3 Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market – Victoria Square, Birmingham

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the biggest authentic German market outside of Germany. There is a range of gifts which include traditional and personalised gifts. there are 80 stalls. There will be live music and carol singers to create a festive atmosphere. Thursday 4th November to Thursday 23rd December. The markets are open daily between 10 am and 9 pm. There Is a lot to do at the market like eating a range of German festive food, tyring alcoholic Christmas drinks, singing along with the singing moose, listening to live traditional carol and Christmas songs, drinking crisp German beer. Why not take a ride on the carousel.

Photo taken by Mark Waugh Photography Ltd

4 Manchester Christmas Markets – Albert Square, Manchester

The Christmas market takes overloads of locations over the city from mid-November meaning where ever you go within Manchester you won’t be far for festive gifts and tasty food and drink stalls. There will be more than 300 stalls and chalets across the city. With the main markets being found in Albert square. You can follow the trail to pick up jewellery, toys, bags and more fun and a quirkier gift from different market stalls which could include French markets, German markets and a world market and the art and crafts market. You can also check out the winter Funland which is an indoor venue that includes fairground attractions, an ice rink and live music.

Image taken by Hibibure Rahman

5 The Victorian Christmas Festival – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Travelling back in time for a few days at the Victorian Christmas festival which is held in the Portsmouth historic dockyard. This year’s festival will mark the 20th year, this year there will be 120 markets and there will be a variety of Victorian street performers, there will be a range of festive treats. Open 29th, 30th November and 1st December 10 am – 6 pm. As a treat why not go to the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower which hosts not one but two Christmas Cocktail Parties and you can go and visit the traditional green Father Christmas at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Image taken by Joe Low

6 Winchester Christmas Market – Winchester Cathedral

The Winchester Cathedral Christmas market is widely known as one of Europe’s best which more than 100 stalls that showcase all the handpicked and crafted gifts which offer the best gifts that you can’t find on the high street. From handcrafted decoration and festive treats to craft beer and mulled wine. You can also check out the ice rink and the glittering Christmas tree in the centre. 19 Nov 2021 – 22 Dec 2021. The market will be open from 10 am to 6.30 pm on Sunday to Wednesday and from Thursday to Saturday the market will be open from 10 am – 8 pm. It attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year.

Photo taken by Scenic Norfolk

7 Norwich Christmas Markets and Events – Norwich, Norfolk

Not only do they have one Norwich host several Christmas markets. Taking place across the same weekend in December three fairs are open for business across the city. The largest market is the Norwich global village Christmas market, with indoor stalls selling the regions finest crafts and paintings. Over the weekend you can get French crepes, mulled wine and tasty hot dogs. The cathedral Norwich Christmas Fayre is full of more festive joy. There is a vegan Christmas market that will have a range of cruelty-free and tasty vegan festive food. There will also be the tunnel of light which is one of Norwich’s most visited Christmas attractions.

8 Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market – Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Stratford-upon Avon’s market returns for the third year of its award-winning Victorian market which takes place in the town centre, with more than 100,000 visitors. The popular event spreads the Christmas cheer with loads of shopping, food and entertainment as you walk around. With around 300 stalls complete with the staff dressed in Victorian outfit-clad. It will be selling a wide range of gifts and festive products. You can meet Father Christmas at the Jacobean halls croft. Thursday 9 December: 11:00 – 20:00, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th: 10:00 – 20:00 and Sunday 12 December: 10:00 – 17:00.

9 Winter Gardens Wonderland – Blackpool, Lancashire

Alongside the annual light show, the seaside town of Blackpool has added a few more surprises for festive visitors in the winter. Jampacked with charming wooden stalls selling their finest ware. The market is full of food and drinks stalls alongside fairground rides, live music and entertainment. The Blackpool illuminations will stay lit until the new year, the festive village will be complete with an ice rink. Open from the 26th of November to the 2nd of January. With simulated snow to warm log cabins. At the headland, there is an outdoor ice rink free to use between 19th November and the 3rd of January.

Image courtesy of Cheshire Live

10 Chester Christmas Market – Chester, Cheshire

Chester city centre a magical experience is waiting for you this festive season. You will find the sparking Christmas tree which is surrounded by 70 stalls discover unique, locally made produce. Selling everything from handmade gifts to fudge, alcohol and stocking fillers. You can tuck into various foods within the market. From the 18th November – 22 December Monday – Wednesday 10:30 – 18:30. Thursday – Saturday 10:30 – 20:00 and Sunday 10:30 – 18:30. You can also visit the Bolesworth which will be transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland this December, the 1.2-mile trail will have a dazing night experience for all of the family.

Written by Sophie Martyn