Few things can get you into the Christmas spirit like the Christmas markets that pop up in our cities each year, and in the UK we're spoilt for choice. Where better to pick up unusual, handmade gifts and make merry with friends, family and loved ones over some festive food and drink? Here's a round-up of the Christmas markets we're most looking forward to visiting in the UK. Road trip!
Which city has the best Christmas market in the UK?
You'll hear Bath, York, Edinburgh, Winchester and London bandied around a lot for their Christmas markets. Birmingham's ‘Frankfurt’ Christmas is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria, with stalls hauling traditional Bavarian dishes and drinks like schnitzels, bratwurts, glühwein and witbier (wheat beer).
The best Christmas markets in the UK for 2026
Edinburgh Christmas market
- Where: East Princes Street Gardens, Parliament Square and Castle Street
- When: November 14 2026 – January 3 2027
- Website: edinburgh-christmas.com
Edinburgh’s main street is always bustling, but during the festive period it comes alive even more as Princes Street Gardens are inhabited by rows of wooden huts and funfair rides. Sip on a mulled wine, fly through the crisp winter air on mechanical swings or simply enjoy seeing Princes Street festooned with twinkling lights – it’s magical. It's one of the biggest and longest running you can visit. Expect traditional Christmas Markets and classic funfair rides. Over on the West Princes Street Gardens, there's Santa Land – a Christmas pop up for kids that has Santa's grotto (and Santa Paws for dogs) plus a Christmas Tree Maze.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
- Where: St Johns Gardens; William Brown Street; the North Entrance of Georges Hall.
- When: November 13 – December 20 2026
- Website: blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/
In Blenheim's Great Court you'll discover treasurable gifts and enjoy some sweet indulgence as you browse wooden chalets filled with a wide range of arts, crafts and tempting treats for foodies. You'll also find ceramics, textiles, homewares and jewellery makers selling their wares. It's all part of a larger programme of events at the Palace which includes The Palace of Oz, a Christmas trail through the state rooms that sees them transformed into settings from The Wizard of Oz. This year there is also a magical after dark, illuminated trail through the grounds, plus an ice rink and a Ferris wheel where you can view the festivities from on high.
Manchester Christmas market
- Where: Albert Square
- When: November 6 2026 – January 3 2027
- Website: visitmanchester.com
Manchester will be filled with festive pockets of Christmas markets for the season and the main hub of activity will be at Albert Square, where gluhwein will flow in abundance from the wooden huts. Catherine Square will host the family fun, with a skating rink and ice village, which will be themed around mythical beasts and royal regalia. The market will be filled with traditional stalls selling everything from scented candles to decorated cakes, wooden ornaments and other delightful trinkets.
Bath Christmas market
- Where: Various streets throughout the centre
- When: November 26 – December 13 2026
- Website: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Over 150 twinkling chalets will return to Bath this winter, as the city's Christmas market celebrates its 25 year anniversary. Sip on mulled wine as you meander through the golden Somerset city's cobblestone streets, this year's market is spread throughout. From 10am everyday, there'll be homeware, handmade products on offer and plenty of festive food available as choirs and dance troupes perform.
MAY WE SUGGEST: The best Christmas trees and which variety to choose
Birmingham ‘Frankfurt’ Christmas market
- Where: Victoria Square and New Street
- When: November 5 – December 24 2026
- Website: thebfcm.co.uk
While many of the UK’s Christmas markets are in the image of the German model, Birmingham goes one step further and brings Frankfurt to its centre. The Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham is a genuine German market, with stallholders coming over from Germany for the duration, bringing with them a multitude of fairy light strings, which cover the whole space in a warming glow. From 10am – 9pm daily, the market will be abuzz with traders and locals, as well as people who travel far and wide for one of the UK’s best Christmas markets.
York Christmas market
- Where: Parliament Street
- When: November 12 – December 24 2026 (closed on Tuesdays)
- Website: visityork.org
York’s Christmas market, St Nicholas Fair, has previously won the award for ‘Best Large Speciality Market’ at the Great British Market Awards, which goes to prove its popularity. Parliament Street is filled with festive foods, strings of dried fruit decorations and local traders selling lovely gifts, while Kings Square is transformed into a winter funfair, complete with an old fashioned Helter Skelter. Fuel up on local Yorkshire fare and you’re good to go.
Southbank Winter Festival (London)
- Where: Southbank
- When: November 2 – January 4 2027
- Website: southbankcentre.co.uk
Few locations can rival the appeal of London’s winter market, which is set along the Thames. Once the sun sets, the lights from the market’s many Alpine chalets add to the lights on London’s buildings against an inky winter sky and it is truly magical. As always, there is gluhwein galore, hot apple cider and covered fire pits to warm up with after a spot of shopping – whether for yourself or others.
Chatsworth Christmas market
- Where: Lodge Hill
- When: November 7 – December 13 2026
- Website: chatsworth.org
Aside from Chatsworth House's much anticipated Christmas makeover each year, the Derbyshire estate also has a delightful (and very popular) festive market each year. Set against the backdrop of the historic house, expect all the trimmings of a traditional German-style market, including mulled cider, handmade trinkets and festive food. Once you've finished exploring there's also the estate's own shops including the Orangery in the garden and the stables shop in the stables courtyard – with lots of lovely stocking fillers and home gifts.
Winchester Christmas market
- Where: Winchester Cathedral, The Close Winchester SO23 9LS
- When: November 20 – December 22 2026
- Website: winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Traders travel from far and wide to take up residence in one of Winchester’s Christmas market stalls, set against the backdrop of the gothic cathedral (the longest in Europe). As well as the chalets of products, there is a food court and British Crafts Village, where locally produced artisan pieces are sold. It’s well worth a visit.
Liverpool Christmas Market
- Where: St Johns Gardens; William Brown Street; the North Entrance of Georges Hall.
- When: November 21 2026 – January 3 2027
- Website: clarkevents.co.uk/liverpool-christmas-market
Local artisan food and drink, cute and creative crafts and magical fairground rides are all on offer in Liverpool's annual Christmas Market which takes over St John's Gardens. This is a fantastic day (or evening) out for the family, with little wooden huts dotted around to sit and eat some of the delicious and inventive food sold in the countless stalls.
.jpg)
