The Best UK Christmas Markets And Festive Attractions
What better way to celebrate the festive season than with a visit to one of the wonderful UK Christmas markets! Read on for a run down of the most popular Christmas Markets, whether for a day trip or for those visiting the UK!
London, England
From 22nd November 2019 to 6th January 2020
Located in the heart of London, get ready to fully immerse yourself in all things festive from 21st November 2019 to 5th January 2020. Open at 4pm on Thursday 21st November, Winter Wonderland is then open every day from 10am to 10pm. Offering an array of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages, its one of the best known UK Christmas markets, but its so much more than just a Christmas shopping day!
Winter Wonderland is free to enter and this year they reveal several new attractions including the world’s tallest transportable Observation Wheel, a new theme ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Magical Ice Kingdom, a Season Ride Pass, Paddington on Ice, Mr. Men & Little Miss and a fantastic new programme of comics at the Winter Wonderland Comedy Club. Let’s not forget our returning favourites including the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, an après ski experience at Bar Ice and edge of seat entertainment acts in the Circus MegaDome!
Mornings are great for families where you can enjoy Winter Wonderland at a leisurely pace. At night, Hyde Park is transformed by thousands of sparkling lights. Enjoy a romantic mulled wine or Bavarian beer and join in the festive atmosphere.
With over 100 rides and attractions, shows, London’s biggest Christmas Market, Santa Land, which is a whole area dedicated to little ones, restaurants, cafes and themed bars, this is a Christmas experience that is sure to keep you topped up with festive cheer!
Newcastle, England
From 16th November to 14th December 2019
Soak up the festive atmosphere whilst browsing stalls selling everything from artisan fashion and to traditional British Christmas cake and locally brewed beers, beautiful pottery and gorgeous handmade jewellery.
Santa will making a special appearance at the market and local choirs will add to the Christmas cheer.
Birmingham, England
From 15th November to 23rd December 2019
As well as the opportunity to browse and buy unique and quirky artisan items from around the world, visitors can also enjoy the popular festive ice rink and big wheel.
And then there’s the traditional German Christmas food! Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds will tempt your taste buds, all of which can be washed down with gluhwein, weissbeer (wheat beer), or a warming hot chocolate. A great place to meet up with family and friends and enjoy the live music programme on Victoria Square.
Manchester, England
From 9th November to 22nd December 2019
The original and biggest Christmas market in the UK, award winning Manchester Christmas Markets is the ideal destination for an outing positively stuffed with festive fun. Arriving in the city in 1999, the first Christmas market in the UK has grown every year since, now attracting more than nine millions visitors each year.
Over 300 beautifully crafted stalls offer mouth-watering international Christmas food, drinks and finely crafted Yuletide gifts in the heart of the buzzing city centre. Spread across 10 individual sites – each with distinctive own distinctive character – Manchester Christmas Markets could raise a smile in the biggest Scrooge! The markets are completely free and thought has been given to accessibility.
This year the market will also introduce a designated family site for the first time with fun rides and entertainment throughout the season, including: LED light performers, magicians and street theatre – with spectacular views of the Manchester Cathedral and National Football Museum.
Soak up the atmosphere and follow the market trail as it winds through the city centre, tempting you with gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes and toys. European and local producers offer everything from fine amber jewellery, top-quality bonsai trees, to handmade Belgian kitchenware, framed photo prints and French soaps.
Be sure not to miss the amazing array of food and drink! Manchester’s Christmas Markets are famous for traditional bratwurst, but visitors can also treat themselves to Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella as well as many good old-fashioned British Christmas food favourites.
Plenty of vegetarian options will be on offer, and for those with a sweet tooth the choices are almost never ending!
Manchester Christmas Market Locations:
Christmas Market – Cathedral Gardens
Christmas Market – Market Street
Christmas Market – Exchange Square
Christmas Market – Corn Exchange
Arts and Crafts Market – Exchange Street
Christmas Market – New Cathedral Street
French Christmas Market – King Street
German Christmas Market – St Ann’s Square
World Christmas Market – Brazennose Street
Albert Square openings 8 Nov 2019 – 22 Dec 2019
Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 21:00
Other site openings 8 Nov 2019 – 21 Dec 2019
Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 20:00
Leeds, England
From 8th November to 22nd December 2019
Millennium Square in Leeds city centre will be transformed into a spectacular scenic winter village Chritmas market, with over 40 traditional wooden chalet stalls individually decorated in with festive flair and twinkling lights. Multiple themed indoor venues and a traditional Christmas carousel ride add to the festive offerings.
This is a continental style Christmas shopping experience with a wide range of gifts to peruse including toys, jewellery, Christmas cards and unique festive decorations.
For those who enjoy seasonal food and drink as they shop, traditional German festive delicacies will be available including gluhwein, bratwurst sausages, schnitzels, goulash, stollen, gingerbread, roasted nuts and candied fruits.
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow has not one but two full scale Christmas markets, ensuring there’s no excuse not to savour a Christmas shopping experience in this beautiful Scottish city!
Glasgow is the perfect place to visit this Christmas – stylish shopping, superb eating and drinking and a jam-packed events programme against a city centre backdrop of glittering festive lights.
Both much loved markets encompass a variety of colourfully decorated stalls, offering a wide selection of gifts, artisan products and global cuisine set in a festive village of rustic cabins and stalls.
St Enoch Square Christmas Market
Fri 9 Nov – Sun 23 Dec
Mon – Wed, 10am – 9pm
Thu – Sun, 10am – 10pm (finish at 6pm on Sun 23 Dec)
St Enoch Square will be transformed into a beautifully dressed Christmas village of over 50 seasonal chalets featuring local foods and Christmas favorites as well as two German bars and a magnificent feature German windmill. There’s no better place to get your Christmas cheer on!
George Square Christmas Market
Sun 25 Nov – Mon 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day)
Mon – Wed, 10am – 9pm (finish at 6pm on Mon 24 Dec)
Thu – Sun, 10am – 10pm (finish at 6pm on Sun 31 Dec)
George Square comes alive this Christmas with over 50 traders from across the globe, as well as closer to home, selling artisan products and high quality crafts. Plus, a stunning 15 metre Christmas tree!
Take a slide down a vintage Helter Skelter, people watch from the traditional carousel or meet Santa at the advent calendar each day when he hands out treats to the children. After all your browsing take a well earned rest in beautifully crafted authentic German bars, serving traditional beers and Glühwein!
Bath, England
From 28th November to 15th December 2019
Voted one of the most popular Christmas events in the UK, this 18-day Christmas shopping experience is the biggest Christmas Shopping event in South West England and boast over 150 twinkling, individually decorated wooden chalets within the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, spanning picturesque Georgian streets. If you’re looking for a Christmas market experience with a generous sprinkling of Dickensian magic, Bath more than has you covered!
This year there will be lots of new and exciting stallholders from across the South West. In keeping with Bath Christmas Market’s tradition of being distinctively British, each chalet will be selling a variety of high-quality artisan products. Over 70% of stallholders are businesses from Bath and the surrounding region, and 60% of goods available at the market are handmade in the UK.
The city also boasts a unique mix of independents, designer boutiques and high street brands to cover all of your festive shopping needs!
From unique homeware to personalised presents, Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery and more, you’re guaranteed to find something special for your loved ones. With local makers and designers centre stage showcasing their artisan gifts, you can tick off everything on your Christmas list all in one place whilst supporting small businesses.
Throughout the Market, you’ll find tasty food to keep you toasty while you shop, including all the traditional British Christmas foods; caramelised nuts and aromatic mulled wine, minced pies, as well as heartier fare for bigger appetites.
To ensure that you feel at least 500% in the Christmas spirit, there is also a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink in Victoria Park ( a short walk from the city centre) which includes a cosy alpine bar with warm rugs and wood burners. Tickets to skate cost from £10 per person including skate hire.
Oxford, England
From 5th December to 21st December 2019
The city of dreaming spires will again be filled with festive joy as the Oxford Christmas Market returns to the heart of the city on beautiful and historic Broad Street.
With the sound of choirs singing Christmas carols, market traders offering unusual and handmade gifts, colourful decorations brightening wooden stalls and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon drifting in the air – a visit to Oxford ,with its famous beautiful historic architecture is always a treat but Oxford Christmas Market is a truly magical Christmas experience!
Think I’ve missed a UK Christmas market worth visiting? Let me know!