Christmas markets in England, the best wonderful Christmas markets in London, and in Bath, Bristol, Chester, Winchester, York, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester
The festive period is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to a Christmas market in England? Christmas markets in England mean sparkling lights, gorgeous presents, carol-singers, ice rinks, and mugs of mulled wine, making the winter holiday season a delightful time of year. Every big city has a Christmas Market when the time is right. England’s Christmas Markets are fun, they’re festive and the fragrance of mulled wine on the airwaves keeps the punters coming.
Best Christmas markets in London
The locations below annually host some of the top Christmas markets in London, which usually stay open until the New Year.
Christmas by the River at London Bridge City
Christmas By The River at London Bridge City is set against stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, offering wooden huts packed with original presents, handmade crafts and plenty of delicious snacks. Indulge in mouthwatering food from an array of pop-up stalls and admire one of London’s most iconic skyline views with a steaming cup of mulled wine.
Selfridges Christmas Market
The Selfridges Christmas Market returns to Edwards Mews again this Christmas. Enjoy sizzling street food from vendors curated by the founder of Street Feast, Dominic Cools-Lartigue, including waffles dripping with chocolate, Filipino treats and pie and mash. This outdoor market brings fairground rides for kids and adults, personalised wreaths made in front of you and heaps of stalls selling Christmas goodies.
Winter Wonderland Christmas market
The annual Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is situated in one of the city’s most spectacular parks. You’ll find over 100 illuminated wooden chalets decorated in Bavarian style selling handicrafts and fantastic gifts from around the world, including handmade crafts and beautiful pieces of jewellery. You can also enjoy traditional German street food and mulled wine. Winter Follow the lights to Hyde Park and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, one of the biggest Christmas markets in London. You can also get your skates on at the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink, see London sparkle from the Giant Observation Wheel, or sit back and enjoy one of Winter Wonderland’s top Christmas shows.
Leicester Square Christmas market
Experience festive fun with Christmas in Leicester Square, which gives the home of blockbuster film premieres a yuletide makeover. Browse the traditional market filled with a wonderful array of crafts and tempting treats. Afterwards, head to the Belgian spiegeltent to enjoy a brilliant lineup of comedy, cabaret and magic shows.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
See the South Bank’s riverside transformed into a wintry wonderland, where global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market come together in one sparkling location for Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival. Amble past the traditional wooden chalets lining the banks of the Thames and pick up gorgeous stocking fillers from the Winter Market. Or, tuck into cheese-based food, cocktails and mulled wine surrounded by the glow of neon artworks, as part of the Winter Lights display.
Eccleston Yards Christmas Market
Explore the buzzy open-air mall which makes up this stunning courtyard. Browse stalls filled with trinkets and unique gifts at Eccleston Yards Christmas Market, which brings festive cheer, new traders and live music to this open space during the countdown to Christmas. Treat the special people in your life to London vouchers for top spots or browse luxury Christmas gifts and experiences in the city.
Borough Market
Tour the historical arches of Borough Market, decked out with lights, decorations and twinkling ornaments, as you source the finest seasonal foods while listening to choirs and buskers singing jolly tunes. Indulge in An Evening of Cheese (15 Dec), or pick up foodie tips and tricks during three days of Festive Kitchen demonstrations (7-9 Dec). From 16 Nov
Greenwich Christmas market
Tick items off your Christmas shopping list while browsing Greenwich Market’s 150 stalls and shops, selling a range of stocking fillers, fashion items, crafts and original artworks. Make sure to also wander around the ancient maritime neighbourhood of Greenwich, which is decked out with lights and festive goodies. Plus, watch as brightly coloured lanterns parade through the area during the Christmas lights switch on.
Cardiff Christmas Market
Cardiff Christmas Market has been populating the pedestrian areas of the city centre with stalls showcasing the original work of its craftspeople and artists. Visitors can expect 70 stalls that rotate weekly; over 200 individual businesses selling a wide variety of goods will set up stalls here over the winter months. Wander round the Hayes, Trinity Street, St John Street and Working Street to find the perfect handmade stocking and come with an appetite — there’s plenty of seasonal food and drink to dive into while you’re there. Check out the taster stalls on Trinity Street, where new arrivals showcase their products.
Christmas under the Canopy at King’s Cross
Get hands-on at craft workshops at Christmas under the Canopy, a covered market found in King’s Cross. Following your creative work, browse the array of stalls to find live jazz, carol singers, food tastings, mulled wine and masterclasses at Canopy Market, which welcomes a number of independent, ethical and sustainable vendors.
Kingston Christmas Market
Venture over to picturesque Kingston upon Thames, where you can search the riverside town’s Ancient Market Place for unique Christmas gifts at the Kingston Christmas Market. The cosy cabins are packed with a range of handmade arts and crafts, beautiful decorations and stocking fillers. Afterwards, enjoy seasonal entertainment while tucking into some specialist street food.
Other Best Christmas Markets in England
Manchester Christmas Markets
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Leeds Christkindelmarkt
Bath Christmas Market
York’s St Nicholas Christmas Fair
Bristol Christmas Market
Chester Christmas Market
Winchester Christmas Market
Manchester Christmas Markets
Manchester is home to some of the best Christmas markets in the country and is known as one of the best markets in Europe. There are more than nine of them scattered throughout the city centre, which makes it a true paradise for Christmas enthusiasts!
You’ll find a diverse range of food and drink stalls at all of them, each offering a unique experience. The largest market is in Albert Square, which features a German village packed with food and drink stalls. If you’re visiting Manchester in December, it’s a must do!
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
In Birmingham, you can find the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Germany. Anyone looking for some Christmas gifts will find beautiful decorations and handcrafted items to choose from, but the real reason to go is for the fab food and drink.
Victoria Square is filled with the most delicious smell of Christmas as stalls sell traditional German food. You can sample authentic bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzels, and hot chestnuts. You can even get half-metre sausages, if that sounds good to you – and if you’re thirsty there are four pint jugs of beer or sweet little mugs of flavoured gluhwein too.
Leeds Christkindelmarkt
Leeds Chrsitkindelmarkt is one of the oldest German Christmas markets in England. Throughout the square are wooden stalls selling beautiful toys, jewellery, crafts, decorations, and other items. A jingling carousel ride with lively music and vibrant coloured lights creates a festive mood throughout the entire Christmas village.
The fairground style rides for children and its ‘Breakfast with Santa’ experience are among its most popular attractions. This is a ticketed event that happens on Saturday and Sunday. The Bavarian style restaurant Alp Chalet is in the centre of Millennium Square, and during Christmas, families and kids are invited to enjoy a Christmas breakfast with Santa in traditional German style.
Bath Christmas Market
Bath hosts one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in England every year. During the winter months, Bath isn’t only wonderful due to its gorgeous architecture, but even more beautiful thanks to its festive atmosphere, and the excellent Bath Christmas Market. A day out in Bath is always a good idea, particularly in winter when it’s definitely one of the best festive days out in the Cotswolds.
“With over 130 twinkling chalets, soak up the sights and scents of Christmas as you meander through the cobbled streets surrounded by some of the South West’s most talented crafters. Enjoy a festive experience like no other, surrounded by some of Britain’s iconic architecture. Christmas Markets with stalls are spread all over Bath, on its streets and in small squares surrounding Bath Cathedral.
It’s possible to find independent producers selling their products on many stalls. It’s a great place to find all kinds of handcrafted gifts and decorations, as well as some of the best food and mulled wine. Festive streetlights are strung on the town’s most iconic buildings and streets. A major feature of Bath Christmas Market is the Victorian merry-go-round, suitable for children and adults on the horses or in carriages.
York’s St Nicholas Christmas Fair
York’s Christmas Market is one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in England. Wooden, alpine-style chalets border York’s pedestrianised city streets, selling locally manufactured crafts, art, food, and drink. Shoppers can enjoy a range of tantalising free samples to try as well as one-of-a-kind presents to purchase.
A big, decorated Christmas tree, live entertainment, and beautiful night time illuminations help to create a bright festive mood. Thor’s Tipi, a massive canvas tipi specially created for the Christmas season, is the show-stopper at the Christmas market. Foot-sore customers can relax on soft blankets in front of a roaring log fire and sip mulled wine or creamy hot chocolate and soak up the atmosphere. York Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas days out in Yorkshire!
Bristol Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market in England is more about spending time to appreciate the ambiance and allowing yourself the opportunity to relax or see friends. The Bristol Christmas Market takes place in Broadmead, the city’s Shopping Quarter. It’s a compact but well structured market with a well-planned assortment of booths offering something unique, ensuring you’ll discover the ideal one-of-a-kind Christmas gift.
The bar at the heart of the market attracts families with a singing reindeer at the entrance, and while they do serve alcoholic drinks, you can also get a reasonably priced hot chocolate to keep you warm while listening to your favourite festive tunes and watching the frantic last-minute shoppers running past.
“Located in the very heart of Bristol City Centre, the Christmas market is home to over 50 unique stalls, as well as entertainment from the likes of Santa and reindeer visits in December. Visitors can enjoy heated seating, delicious drinks and live music in our Jäger Barn Bar, and also try their hand at the much-loved sport of curling for some competitive fun.“
Chester Christmas Market
This mediaeval city in northwest England is notable for its Roman fortifications and walls, as well as Tudor-style timber houses. Then there’s the magical Chester Christmas Market. This is one of the greatest English Christmas markets to visit if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional. Over 70 traditional wooden chalets are situated on the city’s Town Hall Square, with the magnificent Chester Cathedral as a backdrop.
Visiting makes for a great day out in Cheshire. Pick up some mulled wine or a tasty hog roast bap after browsing the stalls for handmade crafts, clothing, jewellery, and local produce. Stop by the Real Ale Bar for a Christmas drink or a local cask ale and take a photo in front of the spectacular Christmas tree to really make your Chester Christmas Market experience.
Winchester Christmas Market
What better way to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit than at Winchester Cathedral? The monumental Gothic cathedral, in the centre of Britain’s former capital city, towers imposingly over the quaint English Christmas Market, which promises tidings of joy. Winchester has one of the best Christmas Markets in Hampshire, if not England.
Follow your nose to stalls touting fine food and drink. Mulled wine in hand, then follow your ears to join the gathered crowd singing along with the carolling choir. And, full of golden festive spirit, mooch around the stalls and support local craftspeople and traders whilst you do your Christmas shopping.
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Christmas markets in Italy and Germany ;
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Ella Gray A Christmas short story ;
Traditional Christmas Carols ;
An Essay on Christmas by Chesterton ;
