Nothing says Christmas quite like a festive market full of independent treats, and the tempting aroma of mulled wine in the air. Yes, November sees the return of the Christmas Market.
Here are ten of our favourites, in no particular order.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
One of the biggest Christmas markets in London, Winter Wonderland remains extremely popular.
Winter Wonderland takes up a prime location in Hyde Park and features a full-sized fair, with plenty of rides and rollercoasters, and their giant wheel, where you can relax and enjoy beautiful view of the city. It is very easy to spend most of the day and evening here as the site covers 350 acres, so wrap up warm.
In addition to 100’s of wooden cabins selling handmade, unique gifts and treats, plus street food from loaded burgers to bao buns, there’s also a whole range of other activities including their outdoor ice rink, Christmas shows and music concerts to choose from.
Opening dates: 18th November 2022 – 2nd January 2023.
Tickets: Off-peak tickets are free, while you will need to pay for peak hours (available from £5), which you can do in advance here. If you spend £25 booking attractions, rides or games in advance, your ticket is free when booked in the same transaction.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas market, held in the historic Cathedral grounds, is recognised as one of the best in Europe.
Inspired by German Christmas markets, it has hundreds of vendors in authentic wooden chalets selling all kinds of treats and gifts. It’s no surprise that it attracts 400,000 visitors each year. There will also be a number of performances on the Community Stage so check to see who is performing on your chosen day.
Opening dates: 18th November 2022 – 22nd December 2022.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more about the festivities here.
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Blenheim Palace, once the Oxfordshire home of Winston Churchill, enjoys an annual renowned Christmas market, with over 70 artisan traders housed in wooden chalets, set in its stunning Great Court.
In addition to the market, treat yourself to a walk along their beautiful after-dark Christmas Lights Trail – a seasonal highlight set in the Palace gardens, where you can glimpse tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and Father Christmas along the way.
New for 2022, and tucked away in a Palace room, discover the glistening Land of Snowflakes and Kingdom of Ice.
Opening dates: 18th November – 18th December 2022
Tickets: This is a popular venue so book in advance – visit the official venue website for ticketing information. Note: Parking is limited and must be booked in advance.
Manchester Christmas Markets
Why settle for one Christmas market when you can walk around six? Manchester’s Christmas markets include a large variety of stalls and activities that have popped up around the city. This year, activities include the ice rink in Cathedral Garden, live entertainment (including children’s shows every night) and plenty of food and drink.
The iconic ski chalet market stalls will take over Piccadilly Gardens which will be transformed into the Winter Gardens, plus Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Anne’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street, where you’ll find food stalls, vendors, and a stage for entertainment.
Tip: Look for Santa on his perch in front of Central Library on St Peter’s Square!
Opening dates: 10th November 2022 – 22nd December 2022. The winter gardens at Piccadilly will run until 2nd January.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more about the festivities here, and use this handy map to make sure you find the festive hotspots.
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market returns to Victoria Square for 2022, from 3rd November, and remains the largest and most authentic German Christmas market in the UK. The stalls on Victoria Square and along New Street offer something for everyone and remain a firm family favourite.
Enjoy the huge number of independent traders offering traditional gifts and delicious German food like stollen, schnitzels or bratwursts, plus a wide range of live music. The big wheel and ice rink are also regular fixtures, but make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Opening dates: 3rd November 2022 – 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more, including the best places to park, via the official website.
St Nicolas Fair, York
Enjoy beautiful York at Christmas time! York’s St Nicolas Fair is another very popular market. Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square are lined with wooden chalets selling all kinds of unique products, and a vintage carousel in Kings Square!
It is worth stopping off at Shambles Food Court which offers a whole range of food including some delicious international street food.
Opening dates: 17th November 2022 – 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more via Visit York.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Following some issues surrounding the collapse of the original organisers, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is back on track. The popular festival features fairground rides, concerts and stalls across several sites, as well as plenty of vendors selling a wide range of gifts and crafts. Entertainment includes an ice rink, the Big Wheel, Santa’s grotto, bumper cars and a Nativity carol concert.
It is free to attend the Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens, the Light Night Installation, and the Nativity Carol Concert, however some events are chargeable so check the website before you head out.
Opening dates: 18th November 2022 – 3rd January 2023.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more via the official website.
Lincoln Christmas Market
The 11th century Lincoln Cathedral provides an impressive backdrop to Lincoln’s Christmas market. with up to 280 stalls selling a wide variety of German-themed products.
It was the first traditional German Christmas market in the UK, starting in 1982 with just 11 stalls. Council leaders took inspiration from its twin town, Neustadt, in Germany and replicated the market in Lincoln. Its German roots are still strong, and vendors from Neustadt sell a variety of German food, drink and crafts.
Opening dates: 1st December 2022 – 4th January 2023.
Tickets: Free to enter, however visitors are encouraged to park in the Park and Ride service. Find out more via the official website.
Bristol Christmas Market
Set in Bristol’s city centre, Bristol’s Christmas market includes over 50 stalls offering a whole array of handmade and unique gifts, crafts, plus delicious hot food such as German bratwurst and crepes, in traditional wooden chalets.
We are told that Santa and his reindeer will be making appearances in December, so it makes an ideal day out for the family.
For the adults, visit the (heated) Jager Barn Bar for mulled cider or hot chocolates with a shot of Baileys, or if the hustle and bustle gets too much, book yourself an igloo to relax in!
Opening dates: 4th November 2022 – 23rd December 2022.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more via the official website.
Winter Wonderland, Nottingham
Set in two locations – Old Market Square and Trinity Square – Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland boasts a variety of stalls, food trucks and entertainment.
So where to head to first? In Old Market Square, you’ll find the Christmas market, the observation wheel, a carousel ride, and a Helter Skelter. Refreshments including mulled wine can be had at their Après Ski bar. Over in Trinity Square there’s a winter village with festive bars, alpine igloos and much more. Many of the activities continue until 11pm daily!
Opening dates: 15th November 2022 – 31st December 2022.
Tickets: Free to enter. Find out more information and book for the ice rink, ice bar and big wheel via the official website.
If you attend any of these markets, please do tag us on Facebook, we would love to know whether you agree these markets should be in our Top 10. And, while you’re travelling there, why not play our official Spotify Christmas playlist here – all of the songs have been suggested by the A-Plan team, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Wherever you go, we hope you have a wonderful time!