Best Christmas markets in the UK, 2024

Best UK Christmas markets to visit

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Winchester Cathedral Christmas market, 22 November – 22 December

Known for its historic college and cathedral, Winchester and its surrounding villages are becoming something of a culinary hotbed. The cathedral grounds are transformed over the Christmas season, with the Winchester Cathedral Christmas market running from Friday 22 November to Sunday 22 December. The cathedral provides the picturesque backdrop for the German-inspired market, with pretty wooden chalets serving mulled wine, street food and displaying crafts for Christmas presents.

Where to stay: Just a short walk from the house Jane Austen once lived in is The Wykeham Arms, an apparent favourite of Colin Firth and Robert Plant. It’s an 18th century coaching inn with beautiful curved, Georgian bow doors, a cosy but bright bar that’s managed to escape modernisation (we loved the tankards hanging from the ceiling) and a separate dining room decorated with wonky framed photos, Persian rugs, gnarled oak chairs and more tankards. It’s easy to imagine Austen in here, scribbling away by one of the original fireplaces.

There are rooms upstairs (including superior doubles with four-poster beds) and it’s a popular place for dinner – book in advance for prettily presented plates of ambitious seasonal food, including tempura oysters with wasabi ice cream; Hampshire ribeye steak; and chicken and pig’s trotter pie with mash and liquor.

Doubles from £152, check rates and availability at booking.com or wykehamarmswinchester.co.uk

Bath Christmas Market

Bath Christmas market, 28 November – 15 December

Shop the Bath Christmas market with more than 170 independent, sustainable retailers offering everything from baked goods to drinks and more. The market is nestled amongst the city's most famous sights – the spa, Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Don't miss the ice skating at Bath on Ice and 'Glow Golf' for mini golf lit up by fairy lights at night.

Make it a festive break: Hotel Indigo is a honey-hued Georgian terrace, a stone’s throw from the markets and city festivities. Unwind after a day out with barrel-aged negronis in The Elder’s cosy rooms, decked with plush red leather stools and panelled walls painted a deep-sea green.

Doubles from £107, check rates and availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk or bath.hotelindigo.com

Christmas by the River, London Bridge

London Bridge City Christmas by the River, 12 November – 5 January

Christmas by the River is perfect for iconic views of London. Featuring festive entertainment, shopping, a wide selection food and drink, plus support for local charities. Local vendors include Aroma – Steak and Chips serving Brazilian food, Burger & Fries providing gourmet street food, Chilli Cha Cha serving Punjabi fast food and Nicholas Pitta dishing up slow-cooked Greek souvlaki.

There is also a pop-up winter bar at The Riverside Lodge serving warming mulled wine and other festive cocktails. New for 2024 is also Swift Stone, a pop up curling experience.

Healeys Christmas Market

Healeys Christmas Market, 9 November – 15 December

In contrast to the bigger urban markets, Healeys Christmas Market is set on a working farm, in this case outside Perranporth in Cornwall. Weekends are dedicated to festive food and drink, expect a range of Cornish produce on offer including jams, juices and chutneys, all made on the farm.

Mince pies are being swapped for a cream tea, while the Spirit Master will be talking all things whisky and brandy in the Farm Shop. Don’t forget to select your own freshly cut Christmas tree, or join in with carol singing.

Make it a festive break: Stay a half hour drive away from Perranporth at The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth. Rooms, which are spread over five levels, come with their own outdoor space and open-plan bathrooms to ensure the connection with the stunning sea view is never broken. The goosebump-inducing outdoor pool is naturally filtered with reeds, while the indoor pool is heated by solar panels.

Doubles from £275, check availability at scarlethotel.co.uk

Manchester Christmas Market

Manchester Christmas Market, 8 November – 22 December

Spread across this dynamic city, Manchester’s Christmas Market is one of the country’s largest, with more than 200 stallholders set out between nine distinctive locations. Soak up the festive spirit as you wind through the city centre’s brimming streets, buying from a tempting choice of food and drink producers from both the local region and across Europe.

Choose from traditional German bratwursts, great British hog roasts and an array of vegetarian options while fluffy Dutch mini pancakes and French profiteroles are sure to satisfy sweet cravings as you make your way around this wintry wonderland.

Make it a festive break: When you’re finished, take a stroll to Manchester’s Northern Quarter and adjoining trendy Ancoats neighbourhood for cosy Victorian pubs, indie bars and top-quality restaurants. For dinner, Rudy’s is the local go-to for Neapolitan pizza and refreshing aperitivo with pals. Or if its drinks you’re after, Beermoth is jam-packed with local brews.

The Cow Hollow Hotel, a converted textile warehouse, features a reception which doubles as a cocktail bar, where guests can sip on complimentary prosecco and snacks. Rooms come kitted out with beautiful marble fireplaces, super comfy beds and a round of milk and cookies delivered to your room each night.

Doubles from £109 per night, check availability at booking.com

York Christmas Festival

York Christmas Market, 14 November – 22 December

The streets of York will be turned into a festive playground this winter. 75 wooden chalets will house food producers selling everything from spiced apple chutney to pecan and amaretto brownies along with local crafts and artisan products.

If you’re feeling chilly, cosy up by the fire inside Thor’s Tipi with a mulled wine and hot cocoa. Head to the Shambles Market food court for savoury galettes from the Krep Truck and arancini from Pizzaoli’.

Make it a festive break: Before the day is over, take a well-earned pit stop at Betty’s Tea Rooms in St. Helen’s Square for cake and creamy hot chocolates. Or if it’s dinner you’re after, the markets are not far from Skosh, an independent restaurant serving Indian-inspired small plates and seasonal cocktails on one of York’s most historic streets.

Within a few minutes from the market is Malmaison York, a boutique hotel on the corner of Rougier Street. Its impressive views over the famous cathedral from its rooftop bar marks a perfect close to a day of exploring.

Doubles from £118, check availability at booking.com

Canopy Christmas Market, London

Canopy Christmas Market, 29 November – 22 December

King’s Cross’ independent food, drink and crafts market is getting into the festive spirit with a series of special events. The market will trade daily and traders for this year include Bermondsey-based The Butchery offering nose-to-tail butchered meats. Little Bread Pedlar will be serving mince pies and you can stock up on charcuterie from Re Due Sicilie.

Make it a festive break: After perusing the stalls mooch down to The Drop, an intimate wine bar in a friendly corner of Coal Drop’s Yard. Order a bottle of European wine and relax under the low-arched ceilings and soft lighting, with great cheeses and meats to snack on. If you’re after a low-key dinner without the queue, visit Happy Face Pizza for its festive spins on wood-fired pizza.

Retro-chic hotel The Standard next to St Pancras station is the place for post-market unwinding. Book a King’s Terrace room and you’ll be rewarded with a large terrace complete with an outdoor bath overlooking the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and its terracotta-coloured clock tower.

Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com

Bowhouse December market, Fife

Bowhouse December market, 13 – 15th December

Taking place on 13-15th December, Bowhouse December market sees a roster of Scottish food and drink traders as well as a fantastic selection of Tea Green craft traders. Drop-in activities include wreath making sessions.

Make it a festive break

Just five minutes down the road is The Ship Inn, featuring impressive views over Elie Bay in Fife. A charming setting for a staycation weekend, guests can continue festivities with mulled wine, a hog roast and live music. The kitchen also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in its restaurant, pub and beer garden using seasonal Scottish dishes.

Doubles from £155, check availability at booking.com

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