Everyone has their own Christmas traditions and activities. However, one thing we may all have in common is a love of watching the Christmas lights turn on, admiring the vibrant colours, drinking hot chocolate, munching on hot, freshly cooked market foods, shopping for gifts in the wooden stalls, or simply taking in the festive scenery and atmosphere. Whatever you enjoy doing at the Christmas markets, we have a destination that will get you in the festive mood.
We have selected a list that you can hop in your car and drive to, and we want you to enjoy your winter trip to the fullest. Just a reminder that roads are hazardous during the winter months, so make sure you’ve completed a winter check on your vehicle before your trip and keep an eye on the weather forecast in the days leading up to your break.
Bath Christmas Market
Date: Thursday 24th November to Sunday 11th December
Opening Hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sundays: 10am to 6pm
Cost: Free to look around
Location: Bath Christmas Market takes up the entire city centre, with market stalls located within or around some of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. The Market is in Bath’s central shopping district, near local amenities, high street stores, and public transportation.
Bath’s Christmas Market guarantees a memorable experience; with the city’s rich history and picturesque scenery, we hope this selection gets you in the holiday spirit. Bath Markets is home to over 150 twinkling chalets where you can discover some of the best festive foods, drinks and crafters in the Southwest, including Adam’s Chocolates, Alpaca Sol, and even support a good cause with Alzheimer’s Support.
Find out about Bath’s Christmas Market, and you can even download a map to help you explore!
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
Date: Thursday 3rd November to Friday 23rd December
Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm daily
Location: New Street, Victoria Square, Birmingham
Cost: Free to look around
The Birmingham Christmas Market is well-known across the city and even the country because the market booths on Victoria Square and New Street provide something for everyone. From beautiful market stall designs to offering a large variety of traditional souvenirs and gifts, as well as a fantastic range of German food and drink. Pretzels, schnitzels, and bratwursts may all be washed down with gluhwein, weissbeer, or delicious hot chocolate. The Market strives for and achieves a genuine German Christmas experience.
This Christmas Market also offers excellent live music performed by various artists from their bandstand. Find out all about this event here.
Bristol Christmas Market
Date: Friday 4th November to Friday 23rd December
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Location: Broadmead, Bristol
Cost: Free to look around
At the very heart of Bristol this Christmas season, you will find what the locals describe as a cosy atmosphere. When you visit Bristol’s Christmas Market or do a round of Christmas shopping, it is best enjoyed with your loved ones.
Bristol’s Christmas Markets provide excellent food, beverages, heart-warming scenery and exciting activities such as Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole. This renowned cave site has a lot of Christmas decorations. Over 100,000 lights transform the caves into an enchanting underground adventure zone for all visitors.
Read their website to find out more about the Bristol Christmas Market.
Cardiff Christmas Market
Date: Thursday 10th November to Friday 23rd December
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm
Sundays 10am to 5pm
Location: St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes
Cost: Free to look around
This Welsh Christmas Market is not only going to get you excited for the holidays, but it will excite history lovers too. This Market has been proudly running every year for 30 years. Cardiff’s Christmas Market is one to attend as it features many stalls with new and returning exhibitors.
Because this is one of the country’s most popular markets, the organisers have detailed everything you may need to know about the Christmas Market. From the best time to visit getting around Cardiff, the city council’s free City Centre Mobility Service is available.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Date: Friday 25th November to Tuesday 3rd January
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am – 10pm
Location: East Princes Street Gardens
Cost: Free to look around
Edinburgh attracts visitors all year to see the city’s incredible sights, so why not visit during the holidays? While this Christmas market promises traditional stalls showcasing the best holiday goods and crafts from local makers. They also have some of the best street food vendors, who bring a selection of the best Bavarian produce and Scottish delicacies and bars that serve lovely winter nibbles, craft beers, and hot chocolates. These offerings will surely get your mind racing and your taste buds tingling.
Other must-see attractions are Lidl on Ice, a covered ice rink on George Street, and Santa Land, which features an incredible Christmas Tree Maze in West Princes Street Gardens. When The Forth 1 Big Wheel returns to East Princes Street Gardens, you can also get a great perspective of some of Edinburgh’s most well-known landmarks. Find out all you need to know about Edinburgh Winter Festival.
Liverpool Christmas Market
Date: Saturday 19th November to Saturday 24th December
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm from Thursday to Sunday. Closes at 9pm from Monday to Wednesday
Location: St George’s Plateau and William Brown Street
Cost: Free to look around
Many people consider Liverpool one of England’s best cities, and there is never a shortage of things to do in this city. And one of their highlights is their yearly Christmas Markets, which are located in the centre of this historic district and allow you to experience celebrations while seeing iconic landmarks.
Liverpool’s Christmas Market has a variety of Christmas-themed stalls where you can shop, dine, and drink hot chocolate until you’re happy and content. You may enjoy these stalls while listening to the live musicians performing over the weekend. In addition, there are fantastic family-friendly attractions to enjoy if you travel with your family, such as The Big Wheel, Snow Slide, and Santa Land. Please visit the Liverpool Christmas Market website for additional information.
London Leicester Square Market
Date: Wednesday 9th November till Sunday 8th January
Opening Hours:
12pm (midday) to 10pm, Monday – Friday
10am to 10pm, Saturday & Sunday
Location: Leicester Square, London
Cost: Free to look around
What can only be described as a magical atmosphere in the country’s capital is enough to pique your interest. There’s a lot to try, with many European-inspired foods and drinks. This Christmas Market in Leicester Square, London, is known for its award-winning shows. This Market is home to the multi-award-winning show La Clique. La Clique, the fun show that has won the Best Entertainment Olivier Award for a decade, is returning to the West End this Christmas.
Read about this great Christmas Market on their website, where they have kindly written blogs and answered all your questions about the event.
Do you want to find out about 6 more amazing Christmas Markets? Read more about these markets here and really get into the Christmas Spirit!
