Events

Christmas Markets UK

by Harry Williams

Contents
Christmas Markets UK

Our article is a kind of rating that will help you choose the best Christmas Market. We will review the most interesting and popular fairs in Great Britain dedicated to the winter holidays. We will tell you about their dates, locations and entertainment available to visitors.

Name

Address

Dates

Details

Edinburgh Christmas Market

East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland

15 November to 4 January 2026

A classic fair with wooden chalets, festive treats and attractions. Admission is free, tickets only need to be purchased for the attractions. Open daily.

Winchester Christmas Market

Winchester Cathedral Courtyard, Winchester, England

21 November to 22 December 2025

Located in the historic cathedral courtyard, this is one of the most atmospheric markets in England.

Glasgow Christmas Market

Glasgow city centre (St Enoch Square)

from 22 November to 5 January 2026

A large city market with a festive atmosphere, wooden stalls and New Year's attractions

Bath Christmas Market

Historic city centre of Bath, from Abbeygate Street to Milsom Street

27 November to 14 December 2025

A fair held among picturesque Georgian streets, with over 250 retail outlets, an atmospheric place to stroll.

Leeds Christmas Market

City Square (Leeds), Leeds, England

from 21 November to 21 December 2025

The city centre is transformed into a festive space, with a strong focus on arts and crafts

Birmingham Christmas Market

Victoria Square (Birmingham) and New Street, Birmingham

from 1 November to 24 December 2025

The largest German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria, featuring German delicacies and traditional goods. It attracts large crowds

London Christmas Market

Several locations (e.g. Southbank, Leicester Square, Covent Garden)

From early November to late December or early January (depending on location)

Several themed markets scattered throughout the city, varying in size, location and focus (family, souvenirs, food).

Belfast Christmas Market

Around Belfast City Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland

from 15 November to 22 December

Wooden chalets, hot drinks, family entertainment, free admission.

Liverpool Christmas Market

St George's Plateau, next to St George's Hall

from 15 November to 24 December

A cosy city fair with a focus on gifts, food and festive atmosphere in the centre of Liverpool

Manchester Christmas Market

Manchester city centre: several venues (Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens, Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, etc.)

from 7 November to 22 December 2025 (main period) with an extension at some locations until 4 January 2026

One of the largest Christmas markets in England, with over 200 wooden stalls. A variety of food and drinks, attractions (e.g., a 50-metre Ferris wheel in Albert Square)

Edinburgh Christmas Market

edinburgh christmas market

Edinburgh Christmas Market

The Edinburgh Christmas Market has long been one of Edinburgh's main winter attractions. The fair offers unique handmade gifts and a wide selection of food, from traditional German sausages to mulled wine and gingerbread.

The Xmas market will run from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, every day from 10:00 to 22:00. The main locations for the fair are East and West Princes Street Gardens, George Street (ice rink), and St. Andrew's Square.

Visitors can expect a wide range of entertainment, including a Christmas maze, meetings with Santa Claus, and concerts by street performers. There will also be an ice rink at the Christmas market.

Christmas Markets near me sparkles with festive lights and music playing everywhere, creating a magical impression that the city has turned into a fairy tale. The market will be located in the central part of the city, so it will be easy to get there. Edinburgh Waverley Station is a 3-minute walk from the gardens. Those who choose to take the tram should get off at Princes Street and then walk a short distance. Transfer by private car is also possible. The nearest car parks are Waverley Station Car Park and Q-Park OMNI Centre, but you will need to book in advance.

Winchester Christmas Market

winchester christmas market

Winchester Christmas Market

Winchester Christmas Market is a winter wonderland that is hugely popular with visitors, including tourists. It has been held since 2006. Its organisers were inspired by the traditions and characteristics of German markets.

The main location is the grounds of Winchester Cathedral in Winchester, United Kingdom, built in 1079 and considered one of the longest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. In 2025, the event will take place from 21 November to 22 December.

Visitors are offered a variety of festive dishes, from mulled wine to brauwart, pies and stollen. Entertainment will include concerts, choir performances and other performers. The fair will feature an interactive area and a stage with a Christmas story, and master classes are planned.

The festive atmosphere at the market is created by bright lights, New Year's melodies, and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon. A total of 120 German-style chalets will open their doors, offering jewellery, knitwear, body care products, ceramics, art, spirits and local food products. There will also be an ice rink suitable for skaters of all ages.

Glasgow Christmas Market

glasgow christmas market

Glasgow Christmas Market

Glasgow Christmas Market is a festive event in the centre of Glasgow, which began in 2006. In 2025, there are plans for two markets:

  • George Square — from 22 November to 5 January 2026;
  • St Enoch Square — from 18 November to 5 January 2026.

This is one of the largest Christmas markets in the UK, featuring dishes from various countries: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Visitors will be able to taste traditional Scottish pies, German sausages, and mulled wine.

The Glasgow Christmas Market, which starts in November, offers entertainment for all ages. For children, there are carousels and Santa's grotto, where you can meet him and have a photo session. The organisers have announced concerts by local choirs, brass bands and musicians.

The winter market in Glasgow has a lively and festive atmosphere with twinkling lights, New Year decorations and music. It is an interesting place where you can chat with vendors, performers and other visitors.

Bath Christmas Market

bath christmas market

Bath Christmas Market

Bath Christmas Market is a traditional Christmas market held annually in the historic city of Bath (England). It has been operating since 2001. Initially, it was a small gathering of local businesses and artisans celebrating the start of the festive season.

The market covers the central part of the city, stretching from Abbeygate Street in the south to Milsom Street in the north. Its centre is Stall Street. The event runs from 27 November to 14 December 2025.

Visitors will have the opportunity to taste mulled wine, hot chocolate, filled pies and other sweets. They will be entertained by choirs, Christmas carol singers and street performers.

Thanks to the market, the city is transformed into a sparkling fairy-tale land with bright lights illuminating historic streets and iconic landmarks. Over 170 chalets are set up in the city centre, offering all kinds of goods, from jewellery, ceramics and candles to cheese, chocolate and gin.

Leeds Christmas Market

leeds christmas market

Leeds Christmas Market

Leeds Christmas Market is a traditional Christmas market that first opened its doors in 2002. Its history began with a German-themed market in Millennium Square. Since then, it has expanded significantly, becoming a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The event runs from 21 November to 21 December 2025. The market is located at two key points in the city centre:

  1. City Square is the main centre with shopping and food stalls.
  2. Millennium Square is the location of the Ice Cube ice rink and other major attractions and entertainment.

The market will offer an abundance of Christmas cuisine, hot mulled wine, roast suckling pig, Belgian chocolates, baklava, pancakes, several types of cheese and meat from different countries.

Visitors will be able to enjoy live performances, family shows, interactive workshops, and visit Santa Claus' grotto. Designated locations will be decorated with garlands and large balls for the holiday, and traditional wooden stalls, most often painted in gold and red, will begin operating. A large Christmas tree will be erected in the centre of Millennium Square, and the surrounding streets, including Briggate and Victoria Quarter, will be lit up with thousands of fairy lights, creating a magical atmosphere.

Birmingham Christmas Market

birmingham christmas market

Birmingham Christmas Market

Birmingham Christmas Market is one of the largest street markets in England. It was created in 1997 as a result of cooperation between Birmingham and Frankfurt.

The Buckingham Palace Christmas Market will run from 1 November to 24 December 2025. The main locations are Victoria Square and New Street in central Birmingham.

At the fair, you can sample traditional German sausages, pretzels, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and other dishes. The entertainment programme is also expected to be packed, including live performances such as free brass band concerts and choir singing in Victoria Square, visits to the Big Wheel and the ice rink.

This is a great place to spend a city break. For almost two months, the central part of the city will be transformed into a winter wonderland with bright lights, decorations and a festive atmosphere.

London Christmas Market

christmas markets london

London Christmas Market

London Christmas Markets are festive markets in the capital of Great Britain, held in the run-up to Christmas. The history of the very first of these is linked to Leicester Square, which opened in the mid-1800s. Over time, Christmas markets have become an integral part of London's festive traditions.

They are scattered throughout the city centre. Some of them are open for several weeks, while others, such as Covent Garden and Borough Market, are open all year round, but are decorated for Christmas in November.

Be sure to visit the Southbank Christmas Market. It will open on 13 November and run until 4 January 2026.

The market is located on the south bank of the River Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

Christmas at Covent Garden will run from 12 November 2025 until early January. There are hundreds of Christmas lights, and the festive atmosphere is created by decorations, street performers and a Christmas tree.

The Top 10 Christmas Markets in London

Dates of Christmas Markets at Winter Wonderland: from 14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026. The park features:

  • an ice rink;
  • a Christmas market;
  • a Bavarian village;
  • an ice bar;
  • attractions;
  • shows and a magical ice kingdom.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the markets, created with bright lights, delicious food and drinks (mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread) and a wide range of entertainment. Visitors can watch Christmas concerts, theatre performances and take part in other events.

Belfast Christmas Market

belfast christmas market

Belfast Christmas Market

Belfast Christmas Market is a festive market that first opened in 2004. It is held in Donegall Square from 15 November to 22 December 2025. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but otherwise it takes place every year.

Visitors will certainly not be bored, as they will be able to sample local and international cuisine, such as German sausages, Belgian waffles, Hungarian goulash and French crepes. It is the perfect location to spend your Christmas holidays.

Children can enjoy an old-fashioned carousel and a Helter-Skelter slide. The little ones will be able to visit Santa Claus' grotto, meet him in person and take a photo with him.

The market is decorated with garlands, sparkling lights and large balls. A tall Christmas tree is erected in the centre of the square.

Liverpool Christmas Market

liverpool christmas market

Liverpool Christmas Market

Liverpool Christmas Market is a Christmas fair that will open on 15 November and close on 24 December in 2025. It will be held on St. George's Plateau.

The selection of food at the fair will impress anyone. Don't miss the opportunity to taste festive mulled wine, hot chocolate and craft beer, as well as street food and sweets such as pancakes and fudge.

Liverpool Christmas Market is not limited to selling festive goods, reflecting cultural diversity through crafts and food. Entertainment highlights include a giant Ferris wheel with views of the city, a retro carousel and other fairground attractions, live music and performances by artists, including festive choirs.

Manchester Christmas Market

manchester christmas markets

Manchester Christmas Market

Manchester Christmas Market is a Christmas market that began in 1998 in Saint Anne's Square. In 2025, it will run from 7 November to 4 January 2026.

Main locations:

  1. Corn Exchange.
  2. Piccadilly Gardens.
  3. Cathedral Gardens.
  4. Exchange Street.
  5. St Ann's Square.
  6. Market Street.
  7. New Cathedral Street.
  8. Exchange Square.
  9. King Street.

The market will feature international cuisine: traditional German sausages, French crepes, Spanish paella, Dutch pancakes and Italian pizza. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate and spiced cider.

The entertainment programme is also extensive, including events such as Skate Manchester in Cathedral Gardens, where you can skate around a sparkling Christmas tree and festive music.

The market is decorated with garlands and huge balls, creating a stunning visual atmosphere. Visitors will be able to see the Manchester bee, a symbol of the city's resilience, and Santa Claus will be watching over Manchester from his spot in the Central Library on St. Peter's Square.

Ranking the UK's Most Popular Christmas Markets

Christmas markets in Great Britain are an event not to be missed. Reviews say that such events have a rich entertainment programme. Before visiting a particular festive location, pay attention to the opening hours and plan your route in advance.