chloedickensonLast Updated on 12th August 2025
This post about the best Christmas markets in the UK contains affiliate links.
It’s no doubt that Christmas truly is the most wonderfully magical time of the year and with so much festive goodness to enjoy, it can be difficult to know whether you should be eating mince pies, listening to classic Christmas tunes, buying Christmas presents for your loved ones or inhaling mulled wine wherever possible.
Thankfully, due to the abundance of Christmas markets in the UK, you can do all the above in one go when you frequent some of the most fun Christmas events and markets in the UK!
A good old Christmas market is one of the best ways to enjoy the festive season and with more and more markets popping up around the UK just in time for Christmas, there’s never been a better time to add some of the best Christmas markets in the UK to your list!
If you’re feeling excited to get thoroughly stuck into the festive season this year, check out this list of the best Christmas markets in the UK for 2023 to get you in the Christmassy spirit!
P.S. Please note that not all these pictures accurately represent the locations stated.
1. Edinburgh – best Christmas markets in the UK
Edinburgh Christmas Market has long been one of my absolute favourites in the UK. I first visited Edinburgh at Christmas time in 2014 and ever since, I’ve loved making the journey up to Scotland to enjoy the festivities.
Located in East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh’s festive market boasts beautiful views of the observation wheel and the Scott Monument and there’s even an ice skating rink, a Santa’s Grotto and of course, dozens of amazing food and drink stalls to enjoy too.
- When: 17th November 2023 to 6th January 2024.
- Where: East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.
Read more: 26+ Top Things To Do In Edinburgh For A Magical Visit
2. York St Nicholas Christmas Fair
While York’s Christmas Market may very well be small and humble, it’s still mighty when it comes to festiveness and joyful Christmas spirit.
Also known as St Nicholas Fair, this wonderful festive experience right in the city centre of York has been a tradition of mine to enjoy for many years now and it’s a place that always feels like a big, warm hug whenever I walk through the city in November/December.
There are plenty of food stalls to enjoy delectable festive treats, plus plenty of places to sip a tipple of mulled wine or cider and there are numerous stalls dedicated to homemade delicacies and handmade ornaments so you can pick up a few gifts while you’re there.
- When: 16th November to 22nd December 2023.
- Where: Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
Read more: 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England
3. London Winter Wonderland
The highly coveted Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is undoubtedly one of the best and biggest Christmas markets in the UK and it’s a place that should be on your festive bucket list.
With stunning wooden chalets boasting a plethora of incredible gifts, food, treats and trinkets as well as magical light displays and giant Christmas trees and decorations, London’s Winter Wonderland is truly a beautiful place to be in the winter months. Be sure to take a spin around the ice rink while you’re there too for even more quintessentially festive fun!
You need to pre-book tickets for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and you can do so on their website. Entry is free during off-peak hours but you’ll have to pay for entry during peak times, tickets cost between £5 and £7.50, depending on the time of your visit.
- When: 17 November 2023 to 01 January 2024.
- Where: Hyde Park, London.
Read more: The Best London Day Trips By Train
4. Manchester – best Christmas markets in the UK
Manchester is a city that knows how to put on a good show at any time of the year and this year’s festivities in Manchester see a whopping seven “zones” in the city centre boasting a Christmas market of some kind!
The biggest and most notable Christmas market in Manchester for 2023 is the Winter Gardens at Picadilly which is set to be one of the best Christmas markets in the UK for foodies! Expect to see a plethora of awesome food and drinks stalls, with dishes and cuisines from all over the world, with plenty of festive favourites thrown into the mix as well.
There’s also a light trail where you can admire beautiful Christmas decorations and lavish light displays that will get you in a festive mood.
- When: 10th November to 21st December 2023.
- Where: Other Christmas market locations in Manchester include: Market Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Cathedral Gardens, St Ann’s Square and King Street.
5. Nottingham
Similarly to Manchester, Nottingham’s Christmas Market is spread out across two locations for 2023. You’ll find plenty of festivities in both Old Market Square and Trinity Square.
In Old Market Square, there’s a giant observation wheel, an Après Ski bar, a carousel and a helter-skelter and Trinity Square has been transformed into a wonderful winter village with gorgeous eating and drinking stalls and numerous alpine igloos.
There’s also a huge 60ft Christmas tree in Old Market Square that beckons visitors with its twinkly lights and glorious aesthetic that’s perfect for Insta-worthy pictures!
- When: 7th November to 31st December 2023.
- Where: Old Market Square, NG1 2DT and Trinity Square, NG1 4DB.
6. Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market should be your go-to UK Christmas Market for 2023 if you’re an avid foodie. With the focus clearly being on a German-inspired Christmas market, throughout the many stalls you’ll find delectable delicacies such as Bratwurst, Glühwein, Brezel, German beer and much more!
If you’re looking for a food-centric Christmas market experience in the UK, look no further than Birmingham’s brilliant offering; you won’t get much better this side of the channel!
- When: 2nd November – 24th December 2023.
- Where: Victoria Square, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 1BD.
7. Chester Christmas Market
I actually only visited Chester for the first time a couple of weeks ago, but after seeing and hearing all about its Christmas market, I already want to plan another trip back there!
Chester’s Christmas Market is located right in the heart of the city so you really can’t miss it! Home to more than 70 different stalls selling everything from gifts to Christmas cards to decorations to a whole range of sweet treats, desserts and alcoholic beverages, the Chester Christmas Market boasts a smorgasbord of wonderful stalls perfect for present-finding!
- When: 17th November – 21st December 2023.
- Where: Chester Christmas Market, Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HJ.
8. Oxford – best Christmas markets in the UK
Oxford’s Christmas Market in 2023 is one of the shortest-running festive markets in the UK this year, but that just means you need to make it a priority to head there before it finishes!
Running for only 10 days, this Christmas Market includes an abundance of wonderful stalls selling homemade and hand-crafted bespoke gifts that will make your Christmas shopping a truly enjoyable experience. With artisanal creations ranging from chocolate goodies to candles, cheese, pottery, Moonshine and more, Oxford’s market is an absolute delight, even though it’s only on for a short while.
- When: *CANCELLED FOR 2023*
- Where: Broad Street, Oxford City Centre, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AS.
9. Bristol Christmas Market
Located in the centre of Bristol, the city’s Christmas Market boasts over 40 stalls that are available for you to peruse at your leisure. It’s a great place to pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts or to begin your Christmas shopping if you haven’t started yet and you can also enjoy some delicious food and drink along the way.
There are also plenty of live music performances to enjoy, plus a Santa’s Grotto that’s perfect if you’re visiting with kids in tow. Don’t forget to check out the adorable igloo pods that make the perfect setting for catching up with friends during the festive period. Furthermore, the Jäger Barn Bar sells everything from festive Glühwein to mulled cider to seasonal hot chocolates; perfect for warming you up after a chilly afternoon in the city!
- When: 3rd November – 23rd December 2023.
- Where: Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 1UX.
10. Newcastle Christmas Market
Newcastle’s Christmas Market is slightly smaller than some of its counterparts on this list but that doesn’t mean to say that it’s any less exciting or worthy of a visit.
The city’s very own ‘Winter Wonderland’ boasts 30 stalls, with a strong focus on local vendors being welcomed to sell their homemade and bespoke products. Whether you’re a Geordie native or you’re travelling from further afield to experience Newcastle’s Christmas Market, be sure to enjoy every second of the festive goodness.
- When: 18th November to 23rd December 2023.
- Where: Grey’s Monument, Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Related posts:
- 25 Of The Very Best Things About Christmas
- Magical Moments That Happen At Christmas
- The Ultimate Winter/Christmas Bucket List Updated
- Christmas Traditions I’m Going To Miss This Year While Travelling
- Best Things To Do In York, UK At Christmas
Pin for later – best Christmas markets in the UK 2023
Do you have any other Christmas markets in the UK to add to this list? Which UK Christmas market is your favourite? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.
