Looking for the best UK Christmas markets this year. We’ve found everything from a hint of Bavaria to nine Christmas markets in one city. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Manchester Christmas Market
Manchester: pick of the UK Christmas markets for decades
7 November to 22 December 2025
Manchester’s greatest of all UK Christmas markets is 27 years old this November. Find the festivities spread across nine city-centre sites from Piccadilly Gardens to The Corn Exchange, opening with Manchester’s very own Festive Friday on 8 November.
Market Street is the place for gifts – and Manchester macaroons! St. Anne’s Square is where to go when you’re feeling hungry (although just about everywhere ticks that box this year). And for a turn round the ice, the covered rink is back at Cathedral Gardens.
RECOMMENDED STAY: Holiday Inn Manchester City (2 adults, 2 children) from £231pn
BOOK HOLIDAY INN MANCHESTER CITY
READ MORE: Track down the best Christmas markets in Europe to visit by train
Swansea Christmas Market
Swansea: best market for carols, crafters and great street food
29 November to 22 December 2025
Go hungry to Swansea Christmas Market. It’s back from 23 November in the city centre and as ever the focus is on feeding you like you’ve never been fed before. Local street food mixes with amazing local crafts here, and kids will love the cute Carollers’ Cabin. Plus, very family-friendly Swansea has plenty places to let you escape the winter chill.
RECOMMENDED STAY: Village Hotel Swansea (2 adults, 2 children) from £118pn
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READ MORE: The Santa Steam Express gave our family a magical start to Christmas
Cardiff Christmas Market ©Visit Britain
Cardiff: the best of UK Christmas markets for one of a kind gifts
13 November to 23 December 2025
We love Cardiff Christmas Market creativity. As always, hundreds of local artists, artisans and ‘craft folk’ are setting out their stalls around Cardiff city centre, so if you want completely original gifts, this is where to find them. Think vintage Welsh blankets recreated as baby blankets; handmade paper; felted bags; Welsh honey and beeswax; aged Celtic whisky; local cheese and even Anglesey pure cold brew coffee.
RECOMMENDED STAY: Cardiff Marriot Hotel (2 adults, 2 children) from £296pn
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READ MORE: Find me a fairy tale: spellbinding winter cities for easy family breaks
Belfast Christmas Market
Belfast: best for food stalls and vintage fairground fun
15 November to 22 December 2025
Belfast Christmas Market is always worth a look, not least for its cheerful stallholders and gorgeous City Hall setting. The vintage helter-skelter and carousel are a big hit with kids, but don’t miss the cuteness of Santa’s very own grotto. Local craft stalls are bringing it on the best-gifts-ever front, the city’s holding on to its rep as one of the feastiest UK Christmas markets dozens of international food stalls.
Where to stay: Crowne Plaza Belfast (2 adults, 2 children) from £204pn
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READ MORE: Cosy up and have a winter city break in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen
Bristol Christmas Market ©German Events
Bristol: best for new traditions, extra music and festive food
Bristol Christmas Market brings its mix of cosy traditions and traditions-in-the-making to the Shopping Quarter this year. So kids can look forward to bubble-blowing fairies and balloon artists, but Santa is visiting too.
There’s live music and DJs providing the festive sound track, food is a big feature – Yorkshire Pudding Wraps return by popular demand. And come ready to shop, craftworkers have been busy and stalls are laden, so if you haven’t sorted out all your Christmas presents yet, this is the place to fix that.
Where to stay: Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel, Deluxe Room (2 adults, 2 children) £243pn
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READ MORE: How to do the best days out in Bristol with your kids
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London ©Winter Wonderland/Joshua Atkins
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: best for last minute gifts
14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is back this November and as always it’s running right through to January. But catch the Christmas market before 25 December for unusual gifts and decorations. If you like your markets quaint with a hint of Bavaria in the mix, this is the one to pick. It promises more than 100 stalls, plenty of festive feels and it’s even open on Christmas Eve.
Where to stay: Park Plaza London, Studio (2 adults, 2 children) from £387pn
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READ MORE: Find the UK’s best ice rinks for sparkling days out with kids
Edinburgh Christmas Market ©Visit Scotland
Edinburgh: best market for late night shopping and skating
15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
East Princes Street Gardens is where to find Edinburgh’s Christmas markets, as always. It’s part of the huge city centre spectacular that’s become the city’s signature look in November and December. Go for cute stalls, outstanding street food and extended shopping – the market’s open until 10pm every night until 23 December. And if you’re up for a little more festive magic, get your skates and glide all up and down the city’s legendary George Street – best UK rink ever!
Where to stay: Apex Grassmarket Hotel (2 adults, 2 children) from £319pn
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READ MORE: How to pack loads into a long weekend in Edinburgh with kids
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