Winchester Christmas Market

Winchester Christmas Market this is one of the Christmas Markets UK. The event is timed to coincide with the winter holidays and takes place annually. In this article, we will tell you about its history, dates, and entertainment available to visitors.

History of Winchester Christmas Market

Winchester Christmas Market is held every year. The event first took place in 2006. Initially, the market was modelled on traditional German Christmas fairs. Local artisans and traders were at the heart of the event, provided with a space to showcase their wares.

Over time, the market expanded, attracting sellers from all over the country and even from abroad. In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. In the early years, there was an ice rink at the market, which was replaced in 2021 by a stage for performances by artists. The reason for this decision was not the high cost of maintaining it, but the damage to the soil of the ancient cathedral courtyard, which contradicted the requirements for the preservation of monuments.

Winchester Cathedral is responsible for organising the event. Every year, the fair is visited by over 400,000 people.

The wooden chalets are handmade based on traditional Bavarian designs — they were specially ordered to recreate the atmosphere of the Nuremberg market.

It is also noteworthy that part of the market's lighting, despite it being winter, is powered by solar panels. This applies to garlands and decorative lights. LED lighting predominates in the market's design.

Entertainment

In 2025, there will be approximately 128 chalets selling gifts, handicrafts and delicacies at the market. In addition, live performances by choirs, brass bands and other entertainment events are planned. Seasonal melodies will be performed at the fair.

The entertainment programme also includes master classes on creating festive decorations for children. No one will be bored, regardless of their age.

Traditional foods and beverages will be available for purchase, including Brauswitz, a six-month-aged artisan cheese made from cow's milk, raclette (grilled cheese), churros with spicy chocolate, and, of course, mulled wine. Traditional treats enhance the festive atmosphere.

Elderly visitors to the fair are assisted by volunteer ‘angels’ who accompany them to rest areas and hot tea stations.

Winchester Christmas Market locations

This market, which ranks high among the best Christmas markets, is located in the vicinity of Winchester Cathedral (Cathedral Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS). The main area is the Inner & Outer Close of the cathedral. You can access the market via Curle's Passage, as well as from Colebrook Street and St Swithun's Street.

How to get there

There are various ways to get to the winter market. Choose the one that is most convenient for you.

By bus

Main P&R lines: St Catherine's, Barfield, Riverside. Buses run every 10-20 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs an average of £2-3. To visit Christmas Markets near me, get off at the Winchester Cathedral/City Centre stop.

By car

Getting to Winter Wonderland by car is more difficult than by public transport. This is due to traffic jams on public holidays and traffic restrictions on the city's central streets. During the fair, parking on the cathedral grounds is usually closed.

By train

The closest station to Winchester Christmas Market is Winchester Railway Station. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk to the market. When you exit the station, walk along Station Road towards High Street, then turn towards Cathedral Close.

It takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to get from London Waterloo to Winchester by train.

Information for visitors

The market will be open from 21 November to 22 December 2025, opening hours:

Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 18:00.

Thursday from 10:00 to 19:00.

Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00.

Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

It is recommended to plan your visit to the fair for the morning hours on weekdays. Towards the evening and on weekends, the market is usually very crowded. It is wiser to use public transport rather than travelling by car, otherwise you may get stuck in traffic.

When shopping at the chalets, it is recommended to have some cash with you. Bank cards are accepted for payment, but it is better to be on the safe side.

Hotels nearby

There are several good hotels located within the Winchester Christmas Market area:

1. Winchester Wessex Hotel by Sunday. Located in the central part of the city next to Winchester Cathedral, a 5-minute walk from the Winchester Christmas Market.
2. St John's Croft. A mini-hotel in the centre of Winchester. The distance to Winchester Town Hall is 0.5 km, and to the Winchester Christmas Market is 0.7 km.
3. Winchester Royal Hotel. An 81-room hotel located in historic Winchester, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
4. Esme's. A hotel offering free Wi-Fi, located within walking distance of Wolvesey Castle and Winchester Cathedral.

Food at Winchester Christmas Market

Food at Winchester Christmas Market is a story in itself, with visitors offered a variety of delicious treats. For example, roasted chestnuts. They are served hot straight from the stalls.

It is difficult to imagine a real Christmas market without mulled wine, and Winchester Market is no exception. This warming drink contains red wine, spices, lemon, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.

Few visitors can resist the opportunity to try German sausages. There is also a wide selection of sweet treats, including freshly baked gingerbread cookies and filled pies.

In addition, the kiosks sell Neapolitan-style pizza, vegetarian and vegan dishes, such as falafel (deep-fried balls of ground beans) and bean burgers. Pasta with cheese and pork rolls will help you quickly satisfy your hunger.

In addition to mulled wine, drinks include craft gin, liqueurs, cider, and herbal teas. They go well with pancakes and doughnuts.

Parking

The closest car parks to Winchester Christmas Market are:

1. Tower Street Car Park (5 minutes' walk).
2. Friarsgate Car Park.
3. Park & Ride is the most convenient option.

Parking costs range from £1 to £3 per hour. There are daily rates of £10-12.

Tickets

Admission to Winchester Christmas Market 2025 is free and open to everyone. Fees are charged only for attractions, goods in the chalets, and traditional treats, if you wish to try them.

If you wish, you can combine your visit to the fair with a visit to Winchester Cathedral. An adult ticket costs approximately £14 (£13 if purchased online), a student ticket costs £8, and admission for children aged 12-16 costs £6. Children under 11 accompanied by adults are admitted to the cathedral free of charge.

Reviews

George:

We had a wonderful time at the Winchester Christmas Market, which we visited at the end of November 2024. The whole family was delighted and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. We travelled from London especially for this event and brought home several memorable souvenirs.

Charlie:

There are over a hundred chalets selling all sorts of things, including traditional Christmas treats. The children had a great time riding the rides, while our adult group enjoyed the fragrant pastries and mulled wine. It's a shame they removed the ice rink, but otherwise we loved everything.

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