With every year, it seems that Christmas markets are growing in popularity across the UK. For a while now, the combination of mulled wine, bratwurst and handicrafts that Christmas markets provide has proved a winning formula in cities throughout the nation. However, not every one of the UK Christmas markets is equal to the next, with some cities more famous for the quality of their festive offerings than others. Certainly, this selection of markets is sure to provide a collection of the very best in the country.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 5 UK Christmas markets…
Chester Christmas Market
Featuring more than 70 beautiful traditional wood chalets, Chester Christmas market sits around the city Christmas tree, right at the heart of this beautiful former Roman settlement. With delectable mulled wine and sausages on offer, visitors love to browse and purchase locally crafted gifts and produce. With everything from jewellery to fashion to delicious local cheeses, chutneys and more, Chester is a real gem. One thing that this Christmas market is particularly famous for is the quality of real ale on offer, with Chester a regional powerhouse in the revival of what is one of England’s finest traditional beverages. Truly, Chester provides one of the best UK Christmas markets in the country. Moreover, this year marks its 10th Anniversary, so you can be confident that they will have something extra special on show.
Chester Christmas market runs from 18th Nov – 21st Dec and is open Monday – Wednesday 10:30am – 6:30pm, Thursday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, and Sunday 10:30am – 6:30pm.
Winchester Christmas Market
Located in the southern English city of Winchester, famous for its cathedral and Medieval heritage, the Winchester Christmas market brings an old-world feel to the festivities. Packed with traditional produce of all types, the Winchester Christmas market is centred on the sprawling ice rink at its heart as well as the famous cathedral. Featuring over 100 individual chalets, the Christmas market here sells some of the very best versions of mulled wine, cheese and meat products of any in the UK. Without a doubt, Winchester is up there with the very best in UK Christmas markets and perhaps even the world. There will also be an array of performances to entertain you as you shop.
Winchester Christmas market runs from 18th Nov – 22nd Dec and is open Sunday – Thursday 10am – 6pm, Friday & Saturday 10am – 8pm.
Bath Christmas Market
The boom in artisanal produce across the UK is perhaps no more visible than at the Bath Christmas market, where more than 170 individual chalets sell a range of local, national and international products including food, fashion, handicrafts, accessories and much more. Set in the centre of one of Europe’s best preserved Roman cities, the Bath Christmas market attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each and every year. In terms of sheer scale and variety of produce on offer, Bath provides one of the largest UK Christmas markets there is and is sure to provide Christmas cheer for the whole family. After two years of absence, now is the perfect time to visit.
Bath Christmas market runs from 24th Nov – 11th Dec and is open Monday – Wednesday 10am – 7pm, Thursday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, and Sunday 10am – 6pm.
Manchester Christmas Market
The original of the UK Christmas markets, the Manchester iteration has been around since 1999 and remains the largest in the country, dwarfing even that of Bath with a total of 300 individual stalls. The vendors here are renowned for offering free samples of their produce, with everything from local cheeses and jams sold next to handicrafts, fashion and the ubiquitous mulled wine and bratwurst. As one of the most popular Christmas markets of all, the Manchester market attracts people from across the north west of England and sits beautifully in front of the city’s centuries-old town hall.
The Manchester Christmas markets run from 13th Nov – 18th Dec. Please check the website for opening times as there are several locations in Manchester.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
The Scottish capital puts a distinctly Highland twist on the original UK Christmas markets, adding national products such as haggis, neeps and tatties and delectable Scotch whisky to the menu. What’s more, the usual suspects such as mulled wine and German sausages are available in many varieties here. For perhaps the younger members of the family, there is no shortage of Harry Potter themed produce on sale at the Edinburgh Christmas market, with the majority of action taking place close to the city’s de-facto centre, the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh Christmas markets run from 22nd Nov – 3rd Jan, but you should visit StayCity for exact locations, dates, and opening times.
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Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 25th November 2022 to reflect current information.
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