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Lincoln Cathedral overlooking the Christmas market site
Christmas Markets UK

Christmas Markets 2025

Plan your festive getaway with hand-picked guides to the UK’s brightest markets, updated for 2025–26.

What’s new for 2025

  • Event dates from official organisers and VisitBritain
  • Interactive map to jump straight to each market guide
  • Quick planning checklist covering travel, stays and dining

Find your next festive getaway

Tap a marker to jump straight to a market guide, or browse the list to compare dates and highlights across the UK.

2025 Christmas market guides

Confirmed 2025 dates with highlights, travel pointers and official links so you can plan with confidence.

Sorted by opening date · Travel checklist

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

Birmingham, West Midlands · 1 Nov – 24 Dec 2025

The largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria returns to Victoria Square and New Street with bratwurst, pretzels, glühwein and live music.

Highlights

  • German crafts, glassware and wooden decorations
  • Daily sets on the bandstand from visiting musicians
  • Traditional food favourites including schnitzel and roasted almonds

Manchester Christmas Markets

Manchester, Greater Manchester · 7 Nov – 22 Dec 2025

More than 300 stalls return across the city centre, with Albert Square back in the mix alongside Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens.

Highlights

  • Giant snow globe and festive wheel in The Winter Gardens
  • Manchester Town Hall backdrop after restoration
  • International street food village plus local artisan makers

Nottingham Winter Wonderland

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire · 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2025

Old Market Square becomes a festive village with a 200m ice rink, Sur La Piste alpine bar, observation wheel, ice bar and over 60 market stalls.

Highlights

  • Sky Skate ice path wrapping around the rooftop bar
  • Toboggan slide and family rides for younger visitors
  • Ice bar experience with sculpted ice glasses and photo ops

Cardiff Christmas Market

Cardiff, Wales · 13 Nov – 23 Dec 2025

Craft Focus Wales curates more than 70 independent Welsh makers across St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes.

Highlights

  • Daily rolling programme of artisan makers and jewellers
  • Nearby Winter Wonderland ice rink and Big Wheel on City Hall Lawn
  • Local produce from Welsh distillers, chocolatiers and cheesemakers

York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair)

York, North Yorkshire · 13 Nov – 21 Dec 2025

Alpine chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square with Yorkshire traders, cosy tea huts and entertainment in the shadow of York Minster.

Highlights

  • Made in Yorkshire crafts, food and drink trail
  • Festive tipi bars and pop-up performances on Shambles Market
  • Seasonal lights across the historic city centre and Minster Quarter

Christmas at Blenheim Palace

Woodstock, Oxfordshire · 14 Nov 2025 – 3 Jan 2026

The Great Court hosts a traditional artisan market while the palace interior transforms into “The Palace of Oz” and the parkland glows with an illuminated trail.

Highlights

  • Great Court Christmas Market curated with British designers and street food
  • After-dark Illuminated Trail through Capability Brown parkland
  • Emerald City themed state rooms and festive afternoon tea in The Orangery

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

London · 14 Nov 2025 – 1 Jan 2026

A ticketed festive theme park featuring the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, 150+ attractions, circus shows, rides, alpine bars and the iconic Bavarian Village.

Highlights

  • Magical Ice Kingdom immersive sculptures
  • Bar Ice experience and Après-Ski party resort
  • Family entertainment including Zippos Christmas Circus and Santa Land

Edinburgh's Christmas Markets

Edinburgh, Scotland · 15 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026

Princes Street Gardens, George Street and St Andrew Square host Edinburgh’s festive extravaganza with a double-decker big wheel, ice rink and alpine food huts.

Highlights

  • Traditional market in East Princes Street Gardens under the castle
  • George Street ice rink loop and Polar Ice Bar
  • Santa Stories experience for young families

Newcastle Christmas Market

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear · 15 Nov – 23 Dec 2025

Grey Street, Grainger Street and Old Eldon Square host around 40 traders championing North East food, drink and crafts.

Highlights

  • Local street food from Geordie favourites to global flavours
  • Handmade gifts from regional makers and social enterprises
  • Festive entertainment on the Rockin’ Reindeer stage and Santa Stories

Chester Christmas Market

Chester, Cheshire · 19 Nov – 22 Dec 2025

Eighty wooden chalets circle the town hall and cathedral, blending artisan produce with Chester’s Roman-meets-medieval backdrop.

Highlights

  • Local food traders including mulled wine tavern and Cheshire cheeses
  • Handmade gifts, homewares and stocking fillers from regional artists
  • Festive lights, choir performances and nearby parades along the Rows

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Winchester, Hampshire · 21 Nov – 22 Dec 2025

Once voted one of Europe’s best, this atmospheric market surrounds Winchester Cathedral with handpicked exhibitors and a towering Christmas tree.

Highlights

  • Craft Village showcasing British designers and makers
  • Cathedral services, concerts and lantern parades throughout Advent
  • Gourmet chalets with mulled wine, bratwurst and sweet treats

Bath Christmas Market

Bath, Somerset · 27 Nov – 14 Dec 2025

Twinkling chalets fill the cobbled streets surrounding Bath Abbey, with more than 170 traders and a strong focus on local makers and sustainable gifting.

Highlights

  • 80% of chalets host businesses from Bath and the South West
  • Festive lighting and live performances around the Abbey
  • Sustainability initiatives including reusable cups and recycling hubs

Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire · 29 Nov – 7 Dec 2025

Victorian-costumed traders, live entertainment, a traditional funfair and nearly 300 stalls fill Stratford’s historic streets across two weekends.

Highlights

  • Actors, choirs and parades celebrating Stratford’s Victorian heritage
  • Local independent retailers trading outside their premises
  • Coach-friendly park & ride with accessibility planning

Festive trip planning checklist

Use this quick guide to lock in the essentials and make the most of your market visit.

Before you go

  • Book accommodation early—city-centre hotels fill fast for peak weekends.
  • Reserve train tickets 8–12 weeks out for the best Advance fares.
  • Check accessibility info (park & ride, step-free routes, accessible loos).
  • Plan backup indoor activities in case the weather turns.

On the ground

  • Arrive early for quieter shopping and photo-friendly light.
  • Bring a reusable cup for discounted mulled wine refills.
  • Carry contactless cards and some £1/£2 coins for indie stalls.
  • Wear layers, waterproof boots and touchscreen gloves for outdoor browsing.

Frequently asked questions

The earliest major markets open on 1 November (Birmingham) with the majority launching mid-November. Cathedral and city markets usually wrap up between 21 and 24 December, while Winter Wonderland and Edinburgh continue into early January.

Most markets are free to enter, but premium experiences—Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Blenheim’s light trail, York’s Santa events—may require timed tickets. Always check the official site for booking details and cancellation policies.

City-centre markets often recommend using park & ride or rail connections to avoid congestion. Compare train and coach fares early, and look for festive shuttle services (e.g. Stratford-upon-Avon, Winchester Cathedral).

Most have accessible routes, but surfaces can be uneven. Review organiser accessibility guides (linked above) for details on wheelchair access, quiet hours, accessible parking and toilet facilities.

The Lincoln Christmas Market - Cathedral backdrop
The best Xmas Market © thelincolnchristmasmarket.co.uk

When is the Lincoln Christmas Market 2025?

The Lincoln Christmas Market 2025 remains cancelled after City of Lincoln Council shelved the event. Traditionally it illuminated the first weekend of December, but the shutters stay down again this year.

Lincoln’s market ran for four decades, drawing more than a quarter of a million visitors with its mix of cathedral views, castle courtyards and independent makers. Its closure leaves a real gap for festive trips to the East Midlands.

We still believe the Lincoln experience deserves a place in every Christmas itinerary, so we’ve collected travel advice, park & ride details and stall memories to help you plan a festive visit even without the official market.