As we near the end of 2024, Christmas markets and winter fairs begin to pop up across the UK. Appearing in our cities, market towns, villages and stately homes, each is a nostalgic blend of traditional ingredients.
Who can resist the aroma of mulled cider, roasted chestnuts and freshly baked mince pies? What about the gorgeous metallic tones of a local brass band as they play the opening bars of Silent Night, accompanied by the angelic voices of the local infant school choir? Add in twinkling lights and, if you're lucky, a few snowflakes dancing gently in the air and you'll feel as though you're in some sort of dreamland. You may even find the big man himself puts in an appearance to entertain the youngest members of your family.
Britain's very best winter fairs and Christmas markets celebrate rural customs, local produce, crafts, and ancient traditions. They’re a magical place to buy that special ingredient for your Christmas dinner, or a unique handcrafted gift for a loved one.
Wrap up in your warmest hats and gloves, and prepare to be romanced out of your petty cash by cheery wooden Nutcracker soldiers, artisan crafts and dangling candy canes.
Here, we take a look at some of the UK's very best traditional Christmas markets to visit in 2024, from York's hugely popular York Christmas Festival to Edinburgh's joyous celebration of the winter season.
Best Christmas markets to visit in 2024
Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
15th November 2024 - 1st January 2025
Warm up inside Blenheim Palace, taking in the splendour of the lavish rugs, priceless antique furniture and centuries-old oil paintings that take up entire walls. This year, the palace will be decorated all ready for a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland®, a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon.
Blenheim Palace is also showcasing a brand new ice skating experience, The Great Skate, on the Great Court. After your skating session, it’s time to get your hands around a mulled wine, and you can buy one (or a hot chocolate) from a vendor at the Christmas Market in The Great Court, where there will also be plenty of opportunities to gather Christmas gifts for loved ones
York Christmas Market, North Yorkshire
14th November - 22nd December 2024
The pretty medieval streets and cosy timbered buildings of York come into their own at Christmas, sprinkled with lights and decorations. 75 alpine chalets will line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square selling decorations, beautiful gifts and produce from the Yorkshire countryside such as heritage cheeses and bramble whisky.
Liverpool Christmas Market, Merseyside
16th November – 24th December 2024
Liverpool’s Christmas Market is returning once more to St George's Quarter. Alongside the usual local crafts and produce, there are food and drink stalls, live entertainment, rides, and a giant Ferris wheel.
If you're visiting, take a walk through its magical frosty parks, such as the 235-acre Sefton Park, or bronze age encampment Camp Hill – both of which have lovely cafes nearby to warm up in – before you head to the markets. Or, for something really memorable, hop on the train up to Freshfield to walk to Formby beach. Climb up the sand dunes and enjoy the views over Liverpool Bay, Snowdonia and the Lake District.
Conwy Medieval Christmas, Conwy
7th December 2024
On 7th December, at 5.45pm, the Conwy Medieval Torch Lit Parade will gather and process through the town. This gripping medieval pageant (free to spectators) will include hot chestnuts, Morris dancing, and music.
Edinburgh Winter Festival, Edinburgh
15th November 2024 - 5th January 2025
Alongside the usual wooden-stalled Christmas markers, you'll find a bonanza of fairground rides, ice-skating, Santa’s Grotto, light trails and a polar ice bar.
Looking for day out? Walk up to Arthur’s Seat or through Inverleith Park to admire the views, and finish at the markets with a hot toddy.
St Fagans’ Christmas Makers Market, Cardiff
23rd - 24th November 2024
30th November - 1st December 2024
7th - 8th December 2024
Nadolig Llawen! That’s ‘Merry Christmas’ in Welsh, and there’s no better place to learn about the history of winter celebrations in Wales than at St Fagans. And at Christmas time, St Fagans is at its most magical, festooned with fairy lights and with maker’s markets to explore, Welsh carols to trill out and Siôn Corn – ‘Father Chimneypot’, Wales’ answer to Santa – to say hello to.
Doing your Christmas shopping? Throughout November and December, St Fagans' buzzy open-air Christmas Makers Market takes over the museum, with craftspeople from across Wales offering handmade works of art. Or if you’d rather create something of beauty yourself, you can try your hand at weaving willow decorations or botanical illustrations at one of the weekend’s workshops.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas market, Devon
15th November - 15th December 2024
The impressive medieval Exeter Cathedral is the backdrop of this fairylit Christmas market, which is spread out on the green, surrounded by Tudor-esque houses and cobbled lanes. Festive concerts and services spill out from the cathedral, creating a classy choral soundtrack while you browse the stalls for West Country crafts and local produce, mulled cider in hand. Take a stroll through the historic town or, if you're staying in the area for a while, head to the east Devon coast for some bracing walks.
Grassington Christmas Market, North Yorkshire
30th November and 7th December 2024
The annual Christmas market in Grassington is scheduled over two Saturdays on 30th November and 7th December this year and makes a great focal point for a winter stomp with fabulous views. Grassington is Wharfedale’s main hub, a classic Yorkshire Dales village, huddled below the south-facing slopes of Kimpergill Hill and above the River Wharfe.
A glorious array of smells and sounds will draw you to the market square in the heart of Grassington where, as dusk falls, the Christmas lights that adorn the lovely old stone buildings are lit and buskers will be playing a medley of familiar Christmas songs.
A warming glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate will keep winter’s chill at bay as you stand alongside a roaring brazier contemplating the fair on offer, the scents of roasting chestnuts and mince pies, whetting the appetite for a range of local produce, either from the stalls or from the local pubs and tea rooms. You will be spoilt for choice!
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Fair, Hampshire
22nd November – 22nd December 2024
Hailed as one of the best in Europe, Winchester’s Christmas market is held in the quarters of its 900-year-old cathedral. The festive market champions British craftspeople, with an emphasis on local, fairly traded and sustainable businesses. A packed schedule of carol services and concerts will set the mood perfectly.
Oban Winter Festival, Argyll and Bute
15th - 24th November 2024
The capital of the Western Highlands, with its comely seaside setting, is the perfect place to get in the mood for Christmas. Here, the 10-day Oban Winter Festival, which runs from 15th - 24th November, has a choice of markets offering local produce and a wide range of activities and events.
Bath Christmas market, Somerset
28th November – 15th December 2024
Centred around Bath Abbey, Bath Christmas market 2024 is filled with musicians, street performers and choirs singing their hearts under the twinkling lights.
More than 170 chalets sell – and demonstrate – craftsmanship from the south-west of England, this year including handblown glass ornaments, leather shoes, jams and chutneys from foraged ingredients, Bath cheeses and traditional Christmas puddings. A range of local distillers bring you West Country cider, gin and rum, and naturally you’ll be able to buy a steaming winter warmer. If you want to make a day of it, start at Bradford-Upon-Avon and stroll 9.7 miles along the atmospheric Kennet & Avon canal, enjoying the wood smoke and bright colours of the barges.
Malton Christmas Festival, North Yorkshire
7th - 8th December 2024
Make a beeline for Yorkshire's food capital for this special festive market with a foodie twist. Tick everything off your Christmas list and stock up the pantry with seasonal treats, too, including figgy puddings, turkey and goose, award-winning macarons, mulled wine, gin and beers. With fairground rides, brass bands and choirs as well as top street food, this promises to be Malton's shopping event of the year.
Souter Lighthouse Christmas Craft Fair, Tyne & Wear
30th November and 1st December 2024
Head to the iconic beacon of Souter Lighthouse for its popular Christmas craft fair. Browse handmade crafts, gifts, cards, jewellery and much more, all made by local craftspeople.
Cirencester Advent Market, Gloucestershire
30th November and 1st December 2024
As in previous years, Cirencester's large market will be staged in the town’s streets with over 200 stalls across the two days. Other festive markets and activities will run across November and December, including live music and a Snowman trail - keep up to date on the town council's website.
Belfast Christmas Market, Belfast
16th November – 22nd December 2024
This year’s Belfast Christmas market will transport you to the Victorian era with a Dickensian-themed experience. Stroll through the market alongside iconic characters from his stories and enjoy enchanting storytelling and lively performances that bring his works to life.
Caerphilly Winter Fair, Glamorgan
30th November 2024
Caerphilly Castle provides the magnificent backdrop to this bustling food and craft fair, with more than 50 food, craft and gift stalls. A lantern parade and firework display is also planned for 5-6pm on the day. Why not make a day of it and book a visit to explore the castle as well?
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