There’s nothing quite like starting the festive season off with a visit to a Christmas market. Usually set in market squares or picturesque locations, you’ll find twinkling lights, Christmas trees and decorations along with stalls selling everything from unique, hand-made gifts to mulled wine and tasty seasonal treats.
Christmas markets have become popular destinations with travellers including British people. Germany, alone, hosts up to 3,000 Christmas markets each year. In 2024, approximately 3.4 million visitors attended the market in Strasbourg with 3.3 million attending Vienna’s market in 2023 – and the numbers are continued to rise. But do we need to travel so far to a market? With the rise in continental style markets in our towns and cities, we are able to experience the festive atmosphere without travelling so far from home.
Many of our historic cities have been holding their own Christmas fayres and markets for decades, and even centuries, but it is only relatively recently that they have developed into the type of ‘winter wonderland’ we find in European cities with vendors selling food, drink and gits from Alpine style wooden huts.
Many of us have a Christmas market within easy reach but some, like York and Chester, are worth travelling further afield for. And you won’t need to take your passport. Some towns and cities host one-day or weekend markets but those listed here are held for longer periods.
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Winter and summer alike, Winchester Cathedral is a fascinating place to visit with a history stretching back over 900 years. The Cathedral Christmas Market, which will be held from 21 November to 22 December this year, is reputed to be one of the best in Europe. There are already over 100 regular stall holders and this number increases every year. This year, new traders include Wight Whiskey, VIP Wardrobe, The Sock Game, The Book & Bucket Cheese Company and many more. It’s a great place to buy unique gifts and when you’re ready for refreshments there’s plenty of choice including toasties from The Cheesy Toastie Company, Pig In The Middle’s sausage rolls, Hog & Halloumi’s hog roast baps, hot pigs in blankets and grilled halloumi burgers which can be washed down with coffee, tea, beer, mulled wine and cider. The giant ice-rink is always popular with the younger members of the family (and the young at heart) and it’s possible to book workshops throughout the Christmas period. Admission to the market is free and there’s no need to book but you may want to make the most of your visit by enjoying some of the Cathedral’s other attractions.
The Pantiles is always an attractive place to shop but during the festive season, the colonnades are beautifully decorated and the whole area is transformed into a winter wonderland. This year, for the very first time, Tunbridge Wells will be hosting a Christmas Market in The Pantiles, with wooden chalets housing a collection of vendors selling gifts and artisanal food and drink. The market is scheduled to open on 14 November and to remain open until 24 December, which is ideal for those who leave their gift buying until the very last moment. Performances by local musicians, choirs and local theatre groups will enhance the festivities as will family-friendly entertainments including the Christmas light switch on. In addition to the main market, younger family members will be able to meet Santa and specific events at other locations throughout the Christmas period will offer a range of different shopping experiences.
The ancient city of York first held the St Thomas Christmas Market in 1570 to celebrate St Thomas’ Day on 21st December. York’s award-winning Christmas market will be open from 10 am to 7 pm every day from 13th November to 21st December, this year. The Alpine-style chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square and, with 80% of traders coming from Yorkshire, you’re able to sample produce and goods from the region. Approximately 25 traders are located in St Sampson’s Square with around 33 more in Parliament Street. Hearty pies, churros, fresh pasta, loaded fries, steak and chips and crumble and custard are just some of the street food offerings. The city has a park and ride scheme and plenty to visit including York Minster, The York Chocolate Experience, The Jorvik Viking Centre and The Shambles Museum – or just take a walk on the ancient city walls and admire the architecture.
If you’d like to combine a visit to an historic house with a Christmas market, you’ll find various events across the country. Chatsworth House in the Derbyshire Dales is particularly spectacular at Christmas – all tickets booked for visits to the house between 8 November and 14 December include admission to the Christmas market, which gets very busy. There’s a fantastic light trail through the gardens and, inside the house, 20 beautiful spaces are transformed with light, sound and shadow play – each with a decorated Christmas tree.
Several National Trust properties are hosting one day or weekend markets at the beginning of December.
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