Halloween fans, avert your eyes. Even though it’s October, we’re already feeling festive and looking ahead to nights full of log-fires, hot chocolate, and getting a little bit too silly at work Christmas dos. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
If you’re as excited as we are, you’ll be starting to make Christmas-related plans which should definitely include at least one trip to a Christmas market. Whether it’s your local one, or you venture further afield to discover something new, it’s a non-negotiable for getting into the spirit.
We don’t have too long to wait for the markets to begin opening up – most will start popping up around mid November. Here’s when all of our favourite Christmas Markets in the UK will be open this year, in order of earliest to the latest start.
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Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Ask a Brummie about Christmas and they’ll excitedly tell you that their market is the biggest German market outside of Germany. That scale is pretty impressive in person, and means that there’s a huge array of bratwurst, beer, and crafts on offer. (Other food and drink options are also available).
Opening dates: November 1 to December 24
Manchester Christmas Market
Time Out’s pick for the second-best market in Europe is in Manchester. Although it was absent last year, the market is back for 2025 with hundreds of stalls, loads of food, and enough mulled cider to keep away the cold for an entire winters’ eve.
Opening dates: November 7 to December 22
Winter Wonderland Nottingham
To call this a market would be to undersell it. Yes, a market forms part of Nottingham’s wonderland, but so does an ice bar, fairground rides, live entertainment, and more. Entry is free, although you will need to pay to get on the ice rink or the big wheel.
Opening dates: November 12 to December 31
York St Nicholas Fair
If ever there was a city that felt Christmassy year-round, that’s York. Its cobbled streets and Victorian buildings are the perfect setting for a wooden market. Plus, all the traders selected to open stalls are ‘committed to ethical and eco-friendly practices’, making this a sustainable way to celebrate.
Opening dates: November 13 to December 21
Cardiff Christmas Market
The Welsh capital celebrates local artists and creators at Christmastime, with most stalls being manned by small businesses. Just a five minute stroll from the market is the city’s Winter Wonderland, where you can roast a marshmallow or enjoy being thrown around on the waltzers.
Opening dates: November 13 to December 23
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London is home to dozens of Christmas markets, but Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland amounts to the biggest. We named Hyde Park the seventh best market in Europe, and for good reason. In fact, Winter Wonderland, the biggest festive market in the UK, may be pricey, but nowhere else in the country has this selection of rides, food, drinks, fairground stalls, and general Christmassy vibes.
Opening dates: November 14 to January 1
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
For a slightly less chaotic experience, head out to this gorgeous 18th century Oxfordshire palace. As well as a market, Blenheim has a lights trail across its grounds, festive afternoon tea, and an ice rink.
Opening dates: November 14 to January 3
Belfast Christmas Market
Northern Irish Christmas fans flock to the country’s biggest market in the gardens of Belfast’s City Hall. Entry is free to this pretty German market, and the biggest draw is the outdoor food court, where you can enjoy a warm (or cold) drink and a bit to eat in the shadow of one of the city’s most incredible buildings.
Opening dates: November 15 to December 22
Liverpool Christmas Market
Liverpool’s market takes over the grounds outside of St George’s hall every year. The fairy-light-lined perimeter plus the cobbled floor makes it feel like a cozy step back in time, and there’s plenty of fun rides to keep your little ones entertained.
Opening dates: November 15 to December 24
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Few markets come with a view of a huge hilltop castle. That alone would be enough to make this worth visiting, but add in hundreds of food, drink, and gift stalls, some thrill rides, and a ferris wheel which offers unrivalled views of Scotland’s capital, and you’re onto a winner.
Opening dates: November 15 to January 4
Brighton Christmas Markets
Christmas on the beach isn’t just for the Aussies. There’s multiple markets across Brighton, each offering something slightly different, including in the Lanes, North Laine, the seafront arches, and the biggest of the lot, the Winter Fayre next to St Peter’s Church.
Opening dates: November 16 to December 24
Glasgow Christmas Markets
George Square, where the biggest of Glasgow’s markets is usually held, is closed this year for renovation works. The market at St Enoch’s centre will go ahead as normal, and several news outlets have reported that the George Square market will move to Glasgow Green, but the council is yet to confirm this change. Hopefully we’ll find out details for the displaced festivities on Glasgow Green soon.
Opening dates: November 18 to January 5
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market
On top of the local vendors selling everything from artwork to knitting to bath bombs, Winchester’s market comes with the added perk of access to carol singing and Christmas services inside its historic cathedral.
Opening dates: November 21 to December 22
Bath Christmas Market
Bath’s market is fleeting, only staying open for two weeks. During those weeks, though, the old winding streets come alive with twinkling lights, freshly-made food, and homemade gifts. This year is its 25th anniversary, so expect extra magic.
Opening dates: November 27 to December 14
Frost Fayre, Glastonbury
For one day only, Glastonbury comes together to ‘celebrate peace and goodwill to all’, and switch on the Christmas lights. It’s all a very cute, cosy affair, with buskers, Santa strolling up and down, arts and crafts for kids, and, of course, locals selling their work.
Open date: November 29
Victorian Christmas Market, Stratford-upon-Avon
The Victorians certainly knew how to make a fuss, and Stratford-upon-Avon’s Christmas market brings back that spirit in full force. It’s like a traditional market except vendors may come dressed in full 1800s garb, and traditional fairground rides are brought in for the kids. Sadly, 2025 prices apply.
Opening dates: November 29 and 30, December 6 and 7
Explore the best Christmas markets to visit in Europe.
And learn more about the best Christmas markets across the UK here.
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