Despite the fact we are all currently basking in the summer sun, before we know it, the festive season will well and truly be upon us. Personally, we can’t wait!
And what is the festive season in the UK if it doesn’t involve drinking a lovely little mulled wine and shivering under a massive plastic evergreen conifer, all whilst waiting for your wife to miraculously appear with twenty shopping bags? Yep, we’re talking about the UK’s Christmas markets…
So, whether you’ve booked one of the Christmas getaways in the UK already or simply want to plan ahead and see what Christmas markets are happening at the end of the year right here in the UK, read on to discover more.
Winter Wonderland, London
Ideal for families and thrill-seekers…
Step into a world of festive magic at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park, which offers a wide range of attractions including ice skating, carnival rides, games, and food and drink stalls.
It’s one of the largest winter festivals in Europe, making it perfect for families looking for a full day of festive fun. Santa and his elves are also available for visits, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere. In the evening, things get a little more boozy for those sticking around for some high jinx.
Whether you’ve visited Winter Wonderland before, or you’re thinking 2024 is your year to visit for the first time, here are some things you need to know before visiting:
- Winter Wonderland runs for 6 weeks, from mid-November to early January.
- During the winter, the festival opens from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, excluding Christmas Day.
- It’s one of the largest winter festivals in Europe.
- There are many attractions for all visiting, from ice skating, carnival rides and games, to Christmas markets and food and drink stalls.
- Santa and his elves are free to visit and will be available from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. He is available to visit every day except Christmas Day (he’s a bit busy that day).
- Family tickets are available, rather than individual tickets for a family. These family tickets consist of – 2 adults/teens with 2 children or 1 adult/teen with 3 children.
- There are no buggy parks within Winter Wonderland. There is buggy parking for circus ticket holders, which is only available throughout the duration of the circus performance.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Ideal for a Christmas market surrounded by a backdrop of iconic sites…
Located in the heart of the city within East Princes Street Gardens, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is a must-visit destination during the festive season. With Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, the Balmoral Hotel and Calton Hill nearby, the market has a dramatic backdrop to say the least. With its charming stalls, twinkling lights, and a variety of attractions, this market captures the spirit of Christmas in a truly magical setting.
Edinburgh Christmas Market is well worth a visit if you’re in the area during the Christmas period. Here are just some of the things you’ll need to know before visiting:
- Entry is free.
- You can pre-booked tickets for rides and activities before your visit, head to the website for more details.
- If you’re a local resident or you know someone who is, they can apply for discounted tickets.
- Santa’s Stories is located at St Andrew Square.
- Ice skating is available on George Street.
- There are baby changing facilities within the main Christmas Market location.
- There is a buggy park located at the Santa’s Stories activity, but not within the main market itself, so if you wish to go on rides, someone from your party will need to look after your buggy.
Bath Christmas Market
Ideal for a romantic festive experience…
Experience the romance and charm of the Bath Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of this historic city. With over 200 stalls offering unique gifts and festive treats, this market is perfect for a romantic getaway or a leisurely stroll. Open from late November to mid-December, Bath’s festive market provides an intimate holiday experience that you won’t want to miss.
So, if you’re thinking of taking a romantic city break to Bath this festive season, make sure you time your visit with the Bath Christmas Market. Here are a few things you should know about the Bath Christmas Market before visiting:
- Open from Thursday 28th November to Sunday 15th December
- Opening times: Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- For those who find the market overstimulating and seek a quiet place to decompress, the Bath Central Library will be opening its doors to visitors.
- Their website includes a map of all public toilets within the Bath Christmas Market area, as well as locations for those with Can’t Wait Cards.
- Over 200 stallholders.
Read: The best restaurants in Bath
Manchester Christmas Markets
Ideal for foodies and those looking for a vibrant, bustling festive atmosphere…
With around 300 stalls offering international food, drinks, and finely crafted gifts, Manchester Christmas Market is a haven for food lovers. It has everything from gourmet hotdogs with currywurst sauce to Christmas parmo topped with pigs in blankets.
The different themed gardens and the Winter Gardens in Piccadilly provide a lively atmosphere with plenty of seating, festive bars, and live performances, making it a great spot for socialising and enjoying the festive spirit.
Indeed, the Manchester Christmas Markets are a festive experience in the heart of the city, with different areas in the city centre devoted to different themed gardens:
- The market ran from November 10th to December 21st, 2023, with dates for 2024 to be confirmed.
- Food and drink stalls across all locations operate from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm daily. We sincerely hope some of our favourite sandwich slingers in Manchester have stalls here.
- You do not need tickets to access any of the market stall locations.
- The market features around 300 beautifully crafted stalls offering mouth-watering international food, drinks, and finely crafted Yuletide gifts.
- Located across multiple city centre locations, the market promises a festive culinary journey with gourmet hotdogs, authentic crepes, and warming hot chocolate.
- Enjoy the Winter Gardens, which is in Piccadilly Gardens, where you can find festive bars, food stalls, and plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the festive ambiance. The booziest place in town during the festive season, there are also plenty of life performances here whilst the Winter Gardens is on.
York Christmas Market
Ideal for traditionalists and families…
Step back in time and experience the traditional charm of the York Christmas Market, also known as St Nicholas Fair. With its twinkling lights, festive fun fair, and the scent of mulled wine in the air, this market captures the essence of a classic English Christmas. Running from mid-November to late December, York’s festive offerings provide a magical holiday experience for visitors of all ages.
York Christmas Festival is undeniably a magical experience reminiscent of traditional Yuletide celebrations:
- The market runs from November 14th to December 22nd, 2024.
- Entry to the market is completely free.
- Stroll around the festive fun fair at Kings Square, where rides like the vintage carousel and traditional helter-skelter will get you into the holiday spirit.
- With twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine, and unique gift ideas, the market captures the essence of a traditional English Christmas.
- The fair is open day and night, providing plenty of opportunities to indulge in festive treats and shop for Christmas gifts.
- While entry to the market is free, specific attractions such as Santa’s Grotto require tickets.
The Bottom Line
As the festive season approaches, the UK offers a plethora of enchanting Christmas markets that promise to fill your holiday with joy and wonder. From the sprawling Winter Wonderland in London to the charming St Nicholas Fair in York, each market provides a unique experience brimming with festive cheer, delicious festive treats, and delightful gifts.