The best Christmas markets in the UK for 2024 have been announced.
Which? has unveiled its picks for the best Christmas markets in the UK based on the cities that were rated highest in their best UK cities survey of more than 4,000 visitors.
Here is the full list.
Bath Christmas Market
- When? November 28 to December 15 2024
- Where? Bath Street, Milsom Street and Abbey Quarter
- Entry fee? Free
Bath has one of the UK’s biggest and most established Christmas markets. With many of the stallholders being local, visitors can find an array of local food including foraged jams, festive goods, handmade wooden furniture and carefully crafted knitwear. To get to Bath Christmas market via train, it takes around an-hour-and-a-quarter from London, two-and-a-half hours from Birmingham, three-and-a-half hours from Manchester, just under two hours from Exeter and around six hours from Edinburgh.
Chester Christmas Market
- When? November 15 to December 22 2024
- Where? Chester Town Hall Square
- Entry fee? Free
Chester Christmas market is known for having less crowds than other markets across the country. Close to 70 stalls spiral around Chester’s Victorian Gothic town hall and medieval cathedral, offering visitors an array of food, drinks, gifts and festive decorations. To get to Chester Christmas market via train, it takes just over two hours from London, just over an hour from Birmingham, an hour from Manchester, around four-and-a-half hours from Exeter and around three-and-a-half hours from Edinburgh.
Durham Christmas Market
- When? December 6-8 2024
- Where? Durham Market Place
- Entry fee? The Festive Outdoor Market is free, but admission to the crafts and gift marquee costs £4.50 (early-bird price).
The historic city of Durham hosts a market that spills into different streets of the city. Whilst part of the market is free, there is also the option to purchase a ticket to gain entry into the additional crafts and gifts marquee which hosts another 150 stalls to browse.
To get to Durham Christmas market via train, it takes just under three hours from London, just over three hours from Birmingham, around two-and-a-half hours from Manchester, around five-and-a-half hours from Exeter and around an-hour-and-a-half from Edinburgh.
Winchester Christmas Market
- When? November 22 to December 22 2024
- Where? Outside Winchester Cathedral
- Entry fee? Free, but if you want to visit or attend some live events at the cathedral, you’ll need to book a ticket.
Centre around Winchester’s most famous landmark — the cathedral — the city’s charming Christmas market boasts a wide range of activities and stalls. The market is also working towards being more climate friendly, and as such all lights this year will be LED.
To get to Winchester Christmas market via train, it takes just under an hour from London, just over two hours from Birmingham, around three-and-a-half hours from Manchester, around two-and-a-half hours from Exeter and just under six hours from Edinburgh.
Wells Christmas Market
- When? December 14
- Where? Wells Market Place and on the Bishop’s Palace Green
- Entry fee? Free
Short but very sweet, Wells Christmas market takes place on a single Saturday in mid-December. That said, this medieval mini-city is worth taking a full weekend to visit.
Taking place for only one day is Wells’ Christmas market, in the city which was voted by Which? readers as their favourite small city of 2024. On December 14, over 100 market stalls will line the grounds of Bishops Palace Green and Wells Market Place. The intimate affair will offer cosy and traditional festive treats and gifts from local artists and crafters.
To get to Wells Christmas market via train, it takes around an-hour-and-a-half from London, just under three hours from Birmingham, around four-and-a-half hours from Manchester, around an hour from Exeter and around six-and-a-half hours from Edinburgh. It is worth noting that the closest train station to Wells is Castle Cary, and to get to Wells from there requires a half-an-hour-drive.
Liverpool Christmas Market
- When? November 16 to December 24 2024
- Where? St George’s Plateau and William Brown Street
- Entry fee? Free
Taking home the trophy for the top big city in the UK according to Which? members, Liverpool boasts a fairytale Christmas market against the backdrop of a lit St George’s Hall. Chalets and grottos forms the market’s stalls, host an array of music, gifts, food and drinks.
To get to Liverpool Christmas market via train, it takes just over two hours from London, around an-hour-and-a-half from Birmingham, around 40 minutes from Manchester, just over four hours from Exeter and around three-and-a-half hours from Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
- When? November 15 2024 to January 4 2025
- Where? East Princes Street
- Entry fee? Free, but some areas at the wider ‘Edinburgh’s Christmas’ are ticketed.
The city of Edinburgh embodies the ultimate Christmas feeling with its cobbled winding streets and narrow alleyways. For its Christmas market, the city hosts wooden chalets selling all the usual wintery gifts and sweet treats. The marker also has a helter skelter, a swing carousel and a big wheel with amazing views of Edinburgh’s medieval castle and Arthur’s Seat.
To get to Wells Christmas market via train, it takes just over four hours from London, just over four hours from Birmingham, just over three hours from Manchester, just under seven hours from Exeter and an hour from Glasgow
York Christmas Market
- When? November 14 to December 22 2024
- Where? Parliament Street
- Entry fee? Free
York is full of cultural sights, making the city’s Christmas market a great visit. As part of the York Christmas Festival, its market has been going for over 30 years and this year will once again see alpine chalets, twinkling lights and delicious hot chocolate options.
To get to York Christmas market via train, it takes just under two hours from London, just under two hours from Birmingham, around an-hour-and-a-half from Manchester, around four-and-a-half hours from Exeter and around two-and-a-half hours from Edinburgh.
Belfast Christmas Market
- When? November 16 to December 22 2024
- Where? Belfast City Hall
- Entry fee? Free
In 2024, Belfast’s Christmas market will celebrate its 20th anniversary and this year’s edition takes on a Dickensian twist, with Victorian-era inspired performances taking place on the first and third weekends. This market is also a great stop for foodies, as each year it attracts both regional and global flavours including ostrich, wild board and crocodile burgers.
To get to Belfast Christmas market your best option is to take a flight, which can be done from the likes of London Stansted Airport, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh, costing as little as £30.
Newcastle Christmas Market
- When? November 16 to December 22 2024
- Where? Grey’s Monument, Grainger Street
- Entry fee? Free
Dubbed as one of the cheapest cities in the UK, Newcastle Christmas market offers the perfect option for people who want their money to go a little further. The market mostly takes place on Grainger street, which is also home to many high street shops and restaurants. International food sellers and igloo pods suspended above the market are also central to Newcastle’s festivities.
To get to Newcastle Christmas market via train, it takes around two-and-a-half hours from London, just under three hours from Birmingham, around two-and-a-half hours from Manchester, around five-an-a-half hours from Exeter and around an-hour-and-a-half from Edinburgh.
Glasgow Christmas Market
- When? November 23 2024 to January 5 2025
- Where? George Square & St Enoch Square
- Entry fee? Free
Glasgow Winterfest Christmas Market offers a supersize illuminated ice rink, ideal for little ones as well as many rides, food options including a Christmas gyros and cinnamon chimney cakes, and beautifully lit buildings.
To get to Glasgow Christmas market via train, it takes around four-and-a-half hours from London, just over four hours from Birmingham, just over three hours from Manchester, just under seven hours from Exeter and just under an hour from Edinburgh.
