Now that Halloween is almost behind us, everyone is talking about the holiday, especially the delicious food and fun that comes with it.
Christmas markets will be popping up across Britain from north to south in the coming weeks, with stall holders getting ready to sell handmade gifts, mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies.
Most places in the UK host festive celebrations, whether it’s a month-long celebration in cities like Birmingham and Manchester or a one-day market like the Litchfield Christmas Fayre.
According to the Local Government Association, the growth of these markets over the past fifteen years has been enormous. It is estimated that there were 30 Christmas markets in the UK – there are now over 100.
Read on to find out what the biggest Christmas markets are this year and when they’ll be open, including a full list of markets that have announced their opening and closing dates.
From north to south, Christmas markets will pop up across the UK, with stalls set to sell handmade gifts, mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies.
Christmas market in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas Market is a firm favorite with travelers from across the UK and beyond.
This year, which runs for seven weeks from November 17 to January 6, will be as magical as ever.
Located in the historic city centre, it offers traditional Christmas markets, rides, lively outdoor events and delicious food and drinks.
No tickets are required for the market itself and you can buy tickets for everything at the box office.
However, if you want access to certain attractions at certain times, such as ice skating, Ferris wheel and Santa’s Stories, you can pre-book them online.
The market is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. The opening times vary slightly on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, with the closing time earlier at 8pm.
Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas Market is a firm favorite with travelers from across the UK and beyond
Christmas market in Birmingham, Frankfurt
The Frankfurt Market in Birmingham is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria.
Bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzels and roasted almonds are also on offer, as well as classics such as mulled wine and hot chocolate.
There’s plenty to do, with an ice rink and Ferris wheel, as well as hundreds of stalls selling gifts, including handmade wooden ornaments, trinkets, candles, toy ornaments and more.
You have November 2nd until Christmas Eve to make the most of the market before it fills up for another year.
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday: 11 am. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 am. to 9 p.m.
The Frankfurt Market in Birmingham is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria
Winter wonderland Hyde Park
London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is not only a Christmas market, it also has its own fair, a “magical ice kingdom”, a circus and more.
It is a hugely popular destination, not just for Londoners, but for people from all over the world who travel there.
Running for six weeks from November 17 to January 1, it promises to be “the world’s ultimate destination for festive fun”.
It also dominates in terms of size with an area of no less than 350 hectares.
However, unlike the other markets, you need to pre-book tickets for a specific entry period and reserve specific attractions that you don’t want to miss.
It is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00 and last entry is at 21:30.
London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland isn’t just a Christmas market, it also has its own funfair, a “magical ice kingdom”, a circus and more
Christmas markets in Manchester
This is a special year for Manchester as it is 25 years since the city held its first Christmas Markets in 1998.
Now guests can expect more than 225 cabins in nine locations across the city, as well as a festive ski lodge and ice skating rink.
Manchester also hosts an annual Christmas parade, which this year takes place on Sunday 3 December. The markets are open from 10 November and close on 21 December.
The markets have a wide variety of foods including fresh churros, Korean corn dogs, fresh gyros, paella, bratwurst and salt and pepper chicken.
You can also pick up a wide range of gifts including candles, jewelery and even cheese gift sets.
The food and drink stalls open daily from Monday to Sunday at 11:00 and close at 21:00.
Craft stalls open daily from Monday to Sunday at 10:00 and close at 20:00.
This is a special year for Manchester as it is 25 years since the city held its first Christmas Markets in 1998.
Christmas market in Cardiff
The Cardiff Christmas Market runs from 9 November to 23 December and offers a continuous program with over 200 businesses across over 70 stalls.
The market is organized by Craft*Folk, which aims to provide a platform for artisans, artists and food and beverage producers.
So if you’re looking for unique gifts, you’ve come to the right place. They guarantee that each booth is staffed by a talented craftsman selling original work.
The market takes place on St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hayes – all pedestrian areas in the center of Cardiff.
Trading hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
The Cardiff Christmas Market returns from 9 November to 23 December and offers a continuous program with over 200 businesses across over 70 stalls
Bad Christmas market
Bath’s picturesque and historic Christmas Market returns from 23 November to 10 December.
There are more than 170 chalet stalls in the city, with “some of the best artisans the South West and beyond have to offer”.
Visitors can expect home accessories, handmade jewelry, personalized gifts and lots of festive food.
The illuminated cathedral is at the heart of the market and offers perfect photo opportunities.
The opening hours are: Monday to Wednesday: 10 am. to 7 p.m., Thursday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday: 10 am. to 6 p.m.
Bath’s picturesque and historic Christmas Market returns from 23 November to 10 December
Below is a full list of UK Christmas markets that have announced their dates:
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
