18 Best UK Christmas Markets To Explore In 2024
Looking for a festive activity with friends and family? Christmas markets should be top of your list.
We’ll be honest, one of the main reasons why we LOVE Christmas is because of all the festivities surrounding it. This includes exploring as MANY Christmas markets as we can squeeze in. Luckily, the UK is home to some of the best Christmas markets around, from Exeter all the way to Edinburgh. So check our list, check it twice… (sorry, not sorry) and get planning for your festive calendar.
We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK this year. If you want to get into the festive spirit or visit a new city to see what festivities are on offer, here’s everything you need to know about the best Christmas markets you need to check out and what’s on this year.
In this article:
- Bath Christmas Market
- Belfast Christmas Market
- Birmingham Christmas Market
- Bristol Christmas Market
- Cambridge Christmas Market
- Cardiff Christmas Market
- Chester Christmas Market
- Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Exeter Christmas Market
- Glasgow Christmas Market
- Leeds Christmas Market
- Liverpool Christmas Market
- London Christmas Market
- Manchester Christmas Market
- Newcastle Christmas Market
- Nottingham Christmas Market
- Winchester Christmas Market
- York Christmas Market
1. Bath Christmas Market
When: 28th November – 15th December 2024
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10am to 6pm
Bath is one of the best Christmas markets in the UK and boasts over 170 wooden chalets featuring a variety of festive stalls. You’ll be able to shop a range of high-quality products from homeware to Christmas decorations to luxury food, with the majority of stalls being businesses from Bath and 60% of which are handmade.
If you love the idea of wandering around the cobbled streets with the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey on your doorstep, it could be for you. Bath itself is a historic city with loads to visit at any time of year, so if you’re looking to visit a new city to explore a Christmas market this year add it to the top of your list.
2. Belfast Christmas market
When: 16th November – 22nd December 2024
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 10am to 8pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, Sundays 12 noon to 6pm
Located in the City Hall gardens, you’ll find all sorts of international food options as well as local treats to enjoy throughout the festive season. With some of the longest opening hours and dates of the market being open, there’s plenty of time to enjoy everything Belfast has to offer.
With fairground rides, including a vintage carousel, you can take in fabulous views across the city and make a weekend of it. Belfast is a brilliant city full of culture and history, so why not make a weekend of it?
3. Birmingham Christmas Market
When: 1st November – 24th December 2024
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday 11am to 9:30pm, Saturday 10am to 9:30pm and Sundays 10am to 9pm.
The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas market is the largest authentic German market in Europe outside of Germany and Austria, so it’s definitely one to add to your list! Located in Victoria Square, central Birmingham it’s close to New Street Station and the university and offers a wide range of authentic German food and drinks as well as crafts and homemade gifts.
Find out more about the Birmingham Christmas market here.
4. Bristol Christmas market
When: 1st November – 23rd December 2024
Opening times: Festival stalls: daily from 10am to 7pm. Food stalls & bars: daily 10am to 10pm. Market closes at 6pm on 23rd December.
In the heart of Bristol city centre, you’ll find it abuzz with the Christmas market that hosts over 35 unique stalls. With entertainment (and visits from Santa to boot), and a brilliant Jäger Barn Bar to escape to, it’s a great choice if you’re located in the south west. With private Iglus and Ski Gondolas available to book, it’s also a perfect location for either a romantic winter date night, or just a catch up with friends before you head home for Christmas.
5. Cambridge Christmas market
When: 14th November – 5th January 2025
Opening times: Opening night on the 14th: 6pm to 10pm. 15th November to 13th December: Monday to Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sundays 10am to 10pm. 14th December to 4th January (closed Christmas Day): Sunday to Thursday 10am to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 10am to 11pm. 5th January (final day): 10am to 10pm.
With potentially the longest Christmas market in our list, with the site open until the 5th January (although bear in mind that stalls are only open until 24th December), the Cambridge Christmas market is a brilliant one to add to your list.
Enjoy the bustling market full of chalet huts, Alpine Lodge bar offering authentic festive favourites (think mulled wine and steins of beer), and even an ice rink! There’s something for everyone and the whole family in Cambridge. Plus, as a truly stunning place to visit, you’ll get ALL the festive feels here.
6. Cardiff Christmas market
When: 14th November – 23rd December 2024
Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 10am to 6pm, Sundays: 10am to 5pm.
If you’re at uni in south Wales, or just fancy travelling to the capital, then Cardiff puts on a brilliant market that really showcases local independent sellers. The stalls rotate weekly, so you can visit several times and discover something new every time.
Plus, Cardiff are known for a wide array of foodie treats to delight your tastebuds, so come with your appetite and sample all that Cardiff has to offer.
7. Chester Christmas market
When: 15th November – 22nd December 2024
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday: 10:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10:30am to 8pm, Sunday: 10:30am to 6:30pm.
Looking for an atmospheric vibe to your Christmas market? Embrace your inner Christmas Carol with a trip to Chester Christmas market. Set in front of their Victorian gothic town hall and medieval cathedral, there’s a ghostly undertone reminiscent of Christmas past. With 70 fantastic market stalls full of unique trinkets from independent sellers, plus heavenly food and drink options, why not add Chester to your travel list?
8. Edinburgh Christmas market
When: 15th November – 4th January 2025.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm daily, except Christmas Eve: 10am to 8pm, Christmas Day: closed, Boxing Day: 12pm to 8pm and 1st January 12pm to 8pm. Individual events have different ticketing and opening hours, so check that out before you go.
Edinburgh takes Christmas VERY seriously. Not content with just a Christmas market, they put on a huge event every year to take the festive up a notch. With live comedy, a funfair, ice skating, grottos, Christmas tree maze and a Polar Ice Bar, to name just a few…
Enjoy a packed agenda of live shows, thrilling rides for the whole family and of course, delicious food and drink every which way you turn.
9. Exeter Christmas market
When: 15th November – 15th December 2024.
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm. Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm. Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
Every year, market stalls take over the greens of Exeter Cathedral, with a stunning display of independent sellers selling their unique gifts. The food is absolutely to die for, with a range of local produce as well as international options, and excellent vegetarian options too. With an indoor bar to hunker down with a warming bevvie after exploring the market, it’s an excellent accompaniment to your Christmas shopping.
What’s more, as it’s run by Exeter Cathedral, you can enjoy a historic trip into the 1000-year old cathedral and explore the brilliant architecture, with Entry by Donation in place.
10. Glasgow Christmas Market
When: 23rd November to 5th January 2025
Opening times: George Square: Monday to Friday: 11am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 10pm. St. Enoch Square: Monday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm, Sunday: 11am to 9pm.
There is loads on in Glasgow for Christmas including thrill rides at St Enoch Square and the ice rink at George Square. You’ll be able to enjoy festive rides and entertainment across the city centre as well as enjoying the stalls and tucking into festive treats, food and drinks. Singers, dancers and performers will also be in attendance to really bring the festive spirit to life.
11. Leeds Christmas market
When: 29th November to 22nd December 2024.
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm, Sunday: 10am to 6pm.
Leeds Christmas market takes over a big chunk of the city centre during December. Alongside the usual market delights with independent sellers, delicious food options, they also have a 400sqm real ice rink taking over the Millennium Square. Plus a really cool Christmas Tree Bar where you can take a rest from wandering around the market.
12. Liverpool Christmas market
When: 16th November to 24th December 2024.
Opening times: Daily 11am to 10pm.
For those local to Liverpool, you’ll find a brilliant Christmas market full of festive market stalls selling everything from crafts, gifts to food and drink. But not only that, you can enjoy live entertainment, fairground rides and even a giant Ferris wheel so you can capture beautiful views over the city.
If you need a rest from all your exploring, you can discover their Alpine bar to whet your whistle, or even take a stab at Karaoke Ski Lifts. Plus add Christmas shopping to your list, with Liverpool’s beautiful array of vintage and charity shops.
13. London Christmas Market: Winter Wonderland
When: 21st November to 5th January 2025
Opening times: Monday-Sunday 10am to 10pm
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is generally regarded as London’s best Christmas market as well as one of the best Christmas markets in the UK. With rides, stalls, ice skating, food and much more it’s a huge event that sees thousands of visitors each year.
Unfortunately, Winter Wonderland is infamous for not being the cheapest day out, as you’ll need to pay for entry (unless you’re visiting at an off-peak time) as well as for the majority of the attractions and rides. However, you can book in advance and purchase ticket packages to make the day more affordable and it’s well-known that Winterland is one of the best Christmas markets, so it’s not one to miss.
14. Manchester Christmas Market
When: 8th November – 22nd December 2024
Opening times: 10am-9pm
Located in Piccadilly Gardens and beyond there are loads of fun festive activities taking place in Manchester this year. The Winter gardens will host food and drink stalls, bars, live DJ entertainment and much more and the Cathedral Gardens will host the undercover MCR ice rink.
The markets are free to visit and extend across various locations in Manchester City Centre, so they’re easy to access from the universities and surrounding areas.
15. Newcastle Christmas Market
When: 16th November – 22nd December 2024
Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm
In the heart of the city centre around Grey’s Monument, Grainger Street and Old Eldon Square the Newcastle Christmas market will be packed with independent traders serving homemade Christmas gifts and festive food and drinks. It’s easy access from the university and is free to visit and browse, so you can pop in in-between lectures.
16. Nottingham Christmas Market
When: 13th November- 24th December 2024
Opening times: November – Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday: 10am to 8pm. December – Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
The Nottingham Christmas Market is located in the city centre and has loads of festive attractions which you can book online to plan out your trip. The star of the market is definitely the 200m ice rink but you can also book the ice bar, the observation wheel and sit-down drinks and dining packages. If you just want to browse there are over 70 bavarian stalls boasting homemade gifts and tasty food and drink.
Don’t forget to check out all of our student discounts at Student Beans across the festive season, for gifting inspo, food and more!
17. Winchester Christmas Market
When: 22nd November – 22nd December 2024
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday: 10am to 8pm.
The Winchester Cathedral Christmas market will be lined with 112 chalets inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. You’ll be able to enjoy mulled wine and spiced cider while browsing the stalls and hearing traditional carols.
One of the key features of Winchester’s Christmas market is the ice rink, where you can buy tickets either in advance or on the day. Entry to the market itself is free, so if ice skating isn’t your thing you can just have a browse and get some pictures for Instagram. The cathedral is in central Winchester, so it’s super close to the university so you can definitely visit during a lecture break.
18. York Christmas Market
When: 14th November- 22nd December 2024
Opening times: 10am to 7pm daily
The York St Nicholas fair is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is within close proximity to the university and city centre. You’ll be able to visit a wide range of stalls, grab a discount if you’re a York resident and enjoy hot chocolate, spiced cider and Bratwurst at the sit-down restaurant.
If you’re looking to take the edge of the cost of your Christmas shopping, then make sure you check our student discounts across Student Beans. Plus, check out all the fun festive things to do before you head home from uni.
