Explore the 17 Best Christmas Markets in the UK for a Festive Break
Every year, when December approaches, you face the problem of where to find Christmas gifts and a festive experience. In shopping malls and online stores, there is no fun that we are looking for. Now you do not need to worry because we have made a detailed guide for you in which the best Christmas Markets in the UK 2025 are covered. At the Property Management Company, you will make your trip hassle-free and memorable.
Dates & Locations of Christmas Markets in the UK 2025
Christmas markets in the UK usually open in mid-November and run until just before Christmas or early January. Below is a quick look at dates and locations for some of the most popular markets in 2025:
| Christmas Market | Dates | Location |
| Cambridge Christmas Market | Mid-November-Early January 2025 | Parker’s Piece, Cambridge |
| Bath Christmas Market | 27 November-14 December 2025 | Bath City Centre |
| Edinburgh Christmas Markets in the UK | 15 November 2025-4 January 2026 | East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh |
| Manchester Christmas Market | 8 November-22 December 2025 | Albert Square & across Manchester City Centre |
| York St Nicholas Fair | 13 November-21 December 2025 | Parliament Street & St Sampson’s Square, York |
| Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market | 1 November-24 December 2025 | Victoria Square & New Street, Birmingham |
| London Winter Wonderland | 21 November 2025-5 January 2026 | Hyde Park, London |
| London Southbank Centre Winter Market | 1 November-26 December 2026 | Southbank Centre, London |
| London Leicester Square Christmas Market | 6 November 2025-5 January 2026 | Leicester Square, London |
| London Greenwich Christmas Market | From 20 November 2025 | Greenwich, London |
| London Tower Bridge Christmas Market | Late November 2025-Early January 2026 | Tower Bridge, London |
| Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market | 21 November-22 December 2025 | Winchester Cathedral, Winchester |
| Chester Christmas Market | 19 November-22 December 2025 | Town Hall Square, Chester |
| Glasgow Christmas Winterfest | 18 November 2025-5 January 2026 | George Square & St Enoch Square, Glasgow |
| Belfast Christmas Market | 15 November-22 December 2025 | Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square |
| Cardiff Christmas Market | 14 November-23 December 2025 | St John Street, Trinity Street & Working Street, Cardiff |
| Nottingham Christmas Market (Winter Wonderland) | 13 November-31 December 2025 | Old Market Square, Long Row & Smithy Row, Nottingham |
| Bristol Christmas Market | 7 November-23 December 2025 | Broadmead, Bristol City Centre |
| Liverpool Christmas Market | 15 November-23 December 2025 | St George’s Hall & St John’s Gardens, Liverpool |
| Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market | 29-30 November & 6-7 December 2025 | Stratford-upon-Avon Town Centre |
| Blenheim Palace Christmas Market | 14 November-3 January 2026 | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock,Oxfordshire |
Top Christmas Markets in the UK 2025
The UK is home to dozens of festive markets, but a few stand out for their size, history, and atmosphere. The details of these Christmas Markets in the UK provided by Property Management Service are given below.
1. Cambridge Christmas Market
The Cambridge Christmas Market is held in Cambridge and Parker’s Piece. Here you will find festive markets, ice skating, a big wheel, a maze, and, for attractions, also curling and heated domes. To give visitors a festive experience of entertainment and shopping, seasonal delights, local crafts, and food are also available.
Dates: Mid-November-Early January 2025
Location: Parker’s Piece, Cambridge
2. Bath Christmas Market
Bath Christmas is an award-winning market that takes place every year around Bath Abbey and the historic Georgian streets. In this market, more than 170 decorated chalets are set up, where most stallholders come from the West and South regions. Here you will find handmade gifts, crafts, and ornaments.
You can also enjoy local food and mulled wine here. The romantic atmosphere and charming settings make Bath Market one of the top Christmas Markets in the UK.
Dates: 27 November-14 December 2025
Location: Around Bath Abbey and Roman Baths
3. Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh Christmas is not only a market but a full festival that takes place in East Princes Street Gardens and the city centre locations. Here you will find international stalls, a Scottish ice rink with the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, and rides (Star Flyer, Atmosfear, Big Wheel).
Harry Potter gifts and festive food such as mulled Irn Bru and vegan pigs in blankets make this market unique and popular. Santa Land and Santa’s Grotto are also special attractions for families and children.
Dates: 15 November 2025-4 January 2026
Location: East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
4. Manchester Christmas Market
Manchester’s Christmas Markets in the UK is very large and the oldest one, which has been held since 1999. It attracts 9 million visitors and takes place in more than 10 locations, such as Albert Square, Piccadilly Gardens, and Exchange Square. There are more than 200 chalets where German bratwurst, mulled wine, hog roast, and unique European and handmade gifts are available.
Its party-like atmosphere, festive lights, and multiple food and gift stalls make it worth visiting.
Dates: 8 November-22 December 2025
Location: Albert Square & City Centre Spots, Manchester
5. York St Nicholas Fair
York’s St Nicholas Fair transforms Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square into a winter wonderland. This market has been running for more than 30 years. In this market, 80% of the stallholders are from Yorkshire, who promote local businesses.
The scents of mulled wine and seasonal food can be felt in the air, which makes this market even more special. Here, local crafts, baked goods, and entertainment are also showcased. In Shambles Market, there are street food stalls, and in King’s Square, there is a vintage carousel. Alpine Chalets decorated with lights can also be seen.
Dates: 13 November-21 December 2025
Location: Parliament Street & St Sampson’s Square, York
6. Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is considered the biggest and most authentic German market outside Europe. It is held at Victoria Square and New Street, where more than 100 stalls are set up. In these stalls, you can find German drinks like glühwein (mulled wine) and German food items like schnitzel, pretzels, stollen, and bratwurst.
Carol singing and live music are also arranged, which makes the fun even greater. An ice rink and big wheel are set up in Centenary Square, and the fun attraction “singing moose” called Chris Moose also adds more entertainment for visitors.
Dates: 1 November-24 December 2025
Location: Victoria Square & New Street, Birmingham
7. London Christmas Markets (Winter Wonderland, Southbank, Leicester Square, Greenwich, Tower Bridge)
There are many Christmas markets in London, each perfect for different visitors’ tastes:
- Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park): This is London’s biggest festive event, where there are rides, shows, and more than 100 stalls.
Dates: 21 November-5 January - Southbank Winter Market: This is a romantic Christmas spot on the banks of the River Thames, filled with mulled wine and street food.
Dates: 1 November-26 December - Leicester Square Christmas Market: Here, Alpine-style stalls are set up, filled with amusements for families.
Dates: 6 November-5 January - Trafalgar Square Christmas Market: Here, the city’s official Christmas tree is lit, and the whole square becomes festive with lights and stalls.
- Greenwich Christmas Market: Here, for culture lovers, carols are sung, which takes place near the Cutty Sark.
- Tower Bridge Christmas Market:
At Queen’s Walk, the Winter by the River market is set up. Here you will find handmade trinkets, unique gifts, and lots of food stalls to enjoy.
Dates: November-January
8. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is considered one of the best markets in Europe. It takes place in the Inner Close of the Cathedral, where more than 100 wooden chalets are set up. Here you can also enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate, and mince pies.
Every year, handpicked stalls are set up that showcase high-quality gifts and crafts. Choir singing and live performances make it even more charming and famous.
Dates: 21 November-22 December 2025
Location: Inner Close, Winchester Cathedral
9. Chester Christmas Market
Chester Christmas Markets in the UK is one of the finest markets. It takes place in Town Hall Square, where more than 70 traditional chalets are set up around the Christmas tree. Local crafts, handmade ornaments, jewellery, and food stalls are available here.
Mulled wine, hog roast, and local ale add more fun for the visitors. The market becomes even more special because of its location in front of the Cathedral and the Gothic-style Town Hall.
Dates: 19 November-22 December 2025
Location: Town Hall Square, Chester
10. Glasgow Christmas Winterfest
Glasgow Christmas Winterfest is held in George Square and St Enoch Centre. Here, international gifts, rustic stalls, food, and artisan products are available. Ice rink, choirs, and rides make this musical event more lively and charming.
Because of its charity and community focus, it looks very charming and unique.
Dates: 18 November 2025-5 January 2026
Location: George Square & St Enoch Square, Glasgow
11. Belfast Christmas Market
Belfast Christmas Market is located next to Belfast City and is the best place for a winter trip in Northern Ireland. Here, more than 100 wooden chalets are set up where local and international food items, handmade gifts, and festive things are also found. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, beer, and unique dishes here. The helter-skelter and vintage carousel add more fun for children.
Dates: 15 November-22 December 2025
Location: Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square
12. Cardiff Christmas Market
Cardiff Christmas Market has been running for more than 30 years and takes place in the pedestrian streets of the city centre. Here, more than 70 stalls are set up where more than 200 local artists and craftspeople showcase their work. There are taster stalls where new sellers introduce their products. Handmade jewellery, ceramics, quilts, and seasonal food and drinks are also found here.
Dates: 14 November-23 December 2025
Location: St John Street, Trinity Street & Working Street, Cardiff
13. Nottingham Christmas Market
Nottingham Winter Wonderland is one of the largest festive events in the East Midlands. Where more than 70 Bavarian-style stalls, rides, an ice rink, and festive bars are also found. Visitors can also enjoy the observation wheel and carousel rides around the Christmas tree.
In addition, in the food court, festive dishes, chutneys, chocolates, and artisan cheese are also available.
Dates: 13 November-31 December 2025
Location: Old Market Square, Long Row & Smithy Row, Nottingham
14. Bristol Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market is held in Broadmead Piazza, where more than 40 stalls are set up offering handmade gifts, crafts, and international food. Ski gondolas and igloos are also available for party bookings. Jäger Barn Bar and the beer garden with their rustic ski-style setup give visitors the chance to enjoy mulled wine, cider, and bratwurst.
Dates: 7 November-23 December 2025
Location: Broadmead, Bristol City Centre
15. Liverpool Christmas Market
Liverpool Christmas Market is set up in front of historic St George’s Hall, which makes it even more charming. Here, stalls decorated with fairy lights are set up where gifts, jewellery, and festive snacks are found. In the bars, German beer, cocktails, and cider are available.
The observation wheel and Santa’s Village are very enjoyable for children and families.
Dates: 15 November-23 December 2025
Location: St George’s Hall & St John’s Gardens, Liverpool
16. Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Victorian-style market is only held for 2 weekends in December. Here, more than 200 stalls are set up in the historic streets and roaming entertainers make the whole festive mood lively. Traditional gifts, snacks, and festive performances attract visitors.
Dates: 29-30 November & 6-7 December 2025
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon Town Centre
17. Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market is held in the Great Court of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, more than 50 decorated wooden chalets are set up, where visitors also find designer gifts and gourmet treats. In addition, the Great Skate Ice Rink, the palace’s famous Illuminated Light Trail, and themed State Rooms (2025 theme: Wizard of Oz) are also attractions for visitors.
Dates: 14 November-3 January 2026
Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Tips for Visiting Christmas Markets in the UK
Visiting Christmas markets is magical, but a few simple tips can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
- Go on weekdays or early evenings to avoid big crowds.
- Dress warmly with coats, hats, and gloves – most markets are outdoors.
- Carry some cash because not all stalls accept cards.
- Use public transport or park-and-ride in busy cities.
- Visit early in the season for the best gifts and less crowded stalls.
Why Visit a Christmas Market in the UK in 2025
Christmas markets in the UK are a magical mix of lights, food, music, and shopping that make the holidays memorable. From the charm of Bath and Edinburgh to the lively celebrations in Manchester and London, every market is famous for its unique food stalls and festive style. Whether you want handmade gifts, crafts, or just a romantic winter atmosphere, you can find it all in these markets.
Before visiting any market, make sure to check the dates and locations in advance and follow the simple tips from Property Management Service to make your trip more enjoyable.
