Sleigh bells ring, are you listening… that’s right people, Christmas is BACK. Traditional German-style markets are set to pop up across the country in the lead up to the big day, bringing us tasty street food, pretty shopping stalls and all kinds of fun activities.
From stunning Frankfurt-style chalets serving up the goods in Birmingham through to full-blown yuletide extravaganzas in Belfast, here are the best Christmas markets in the UK for 2024.
Best UK Christmas Markets For 2024
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Dates: 13th November - 31st December 2024
Bringing a touch of festive magic to the city from the 13th November to the 31st December is Nottingham Winter Wonderland. The fest will set up shop in Old Market Square and feature Bavarian-style shopping chalets where you can buy all manner of Christmas gifts.
For those of you that get peckish, there are plenty of options, from market stalls slinging out continental food to snazzy chalets. Lofty bar Altitude can be found high up, offering panoramic views of the Christmas market, as well as a range of delicious food and drinks. Or, if you head over to The Melt & Grill, you'll be feasting on raclette cheese, sliders, kebabs and more.
You'll also be pleased to hear that there will be a centrepiece ice rink, not to mention a unique Sky Skate Ice Path. And if that wasn't cool enough, there's also an alpine-style Ice Bar that was simply made for photo ops. As for the little ones? They'll love all the rides, from the Toboggan Slide to the retro wheel.
Skate right into the festive season over in Nottingham.
London's Winter Wonderland
Dates: 21st November 2024 - 5th January 2025
London's Winter Wonderland is the talk of the town come the Christmas season, with tickets available from just £5. From mid-November, Hyde Park plays host to several different markets where you can buy all manner of Crimbo decorations, gifts and grub (make sure to try one of the freshly grilled bratwurst).
But if you fancy a sit-down meal or drink? You'll be absolutely spoilt for choice. Aside from the fantastic street food traders (hello, Yorkshire Burrito), Le Chalet fondue will be warming you up with ooey, gooey cheese and Voodoo Ray's will be slinging out bottomless pizza. Plus, Bavarian Village will be back again, complete with cosy chalets and delicious German food.
If that wasn't enough? You'll be pleased to hear there's also an open-air ice rink, Magical Ice Kingdom, ice slides, theatre, rides, workshops and - well, the list goes on.
Don't miss out on this fabulous Christmas experience.
Newcastle Christmas Market
Dates: 16th November - 22nd December 2024
Situated around Grey's Monument and on Grainger Street, Newcastle Christmas Market is bringing us one of the best Christmas markets in England.
While it offers a great opportunity to buy gifts, with artisan beer, pottery and locally made clothing, it also incorporates the farmers market - that means you can bag all the bits and bobs you may need for your Christmas dinner.
Our recommendation? Grab a steaming cup of mulled wine and embrace the festive atmosphere that comes alive thanks to live entertainment.
Santa will also be making a special appearance, as will the local choirs.
Belfast's Christmas Market
Dates: 16th November - 22nd December 2024
From the 16th of November, Belfast's Christmas Market will arrive at City Hall. The area will yet again become a hub of all things festive, with a beautiful village of stalls setting up shop for the yuletide season. Expect international vendors cooking up delicious bites, from roasted nuts to exotic burgers, as well as selling crafts that are ideal for presents.
On the first and third weekends (16th - 17th November, then 30th November - 1st December), the market will also take on a Dickensian theme, where you'll be able to enjoy immersive performances that bring the characters from his stories to life.
And if the little ones want to meet Santa? They can visit him in his magical grotto, all before catching a ride on the carousel or helter-skelter, of course.
Welcome back, Belfast Christmas Market - we've missed you.
The Manchester Christmas Markets
Dates: 8th November - 22nd December 2024
Taking place in Albert Square, The Manchester Christmas Markets are one of the highlights of the year. There will be a whopping 200 stalls popping up for six weeks throughout the festive season, spread over nine locations, so you'll be able to buy all manner of handmade gifts and crafts.
Of course, there will be plenty of seasonal street food up for grabs, alongside all of the cosy, winter chalets where you can enjoy a craft beer of warming mulled wine. Plus, you can flit about on the ice at Skate Manchester's returning ice rink (8th November - 1st January), enjoy the beautiful Manchester Christmas Lights Trail and join the Christmas Parade.
Tuck into all kinds of delicious street food at this Christmas market in Manchester.
Edinburgh's Christmas Market
Dates: 15th November 2024 - 4th January 2025
Festive cheer will return once again from the 15th of November. Edinburgh's Christmas Market is set to deck the proverbial halls with twinkling lights, mugs of mulled Irn Bru, over 70 stalls selling locally made wares, seasonal street food and thrilling rides.
You can expect Scotland's biggest ferris wheel, standing at an impressive 46m tall so you can enjoy fantastic views of the market and city, as well as a helter-skelter and even an ice skating rink on George Street.
Plus, unique pop-up Polar Ice Bar will be keeping you cool at -8°C, where you can enjoy a range of festive tipples among engraved walls and unique frosty features.
This might just be one of the very best Christmas markets in Europe.
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market
Dates: 1st November - 24th December 2024
Bringing a slice of Germany to the West Midland city is Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market - the biggest German market outside of Austria and Germany. Tuck into authentic bratwurst and schnitzel, washed down by plenty of weissbeer or hot chocolate, while you potter about the various stalls that sell handcrafted goods.
Plus there's a jam-packed programme of live music on Victoria Square, not to mention the weatherproof Ice Skate Birmingham rink, which is open daily, as well as the big wheel that gives you incredible views of the city.
Buy all kinds of delicious treats and gifts at this German-style market.
Glasgow's The Christmas Winterfest
Dates: 9th November 2024 - 5th January 2025
Glasgow is home to one of the best Christmas markets in the UK, which is set to pop up in St. Enoch Square from November to January. Be dazzled by the colourful stalls, a vast variety of comfort food bites and rustic cabins that are just perfect for cosying up with a few drinks.
You can also expect all kinds of fun entertainment, from retro rides like the carousel and helter-skelter to a snazzy ice rink and 80m drop tower.
This gorgeous festival is the perfect way to celebrate Advent.
Chester's Christmas Market
Dates: 15th November - 22nd December 2024
Chester's Christmas Market takes place outside the Town Hall on Northgate Street, where a flurry of wooden chalets will pop up by the medieval cathedral, offering passers-by warm drinks and traditional food, like hog roasts.
There’ll also be over 70 stalls selling unique jewellery and crafts, so you'll be able to get all of your Crimbo shopping sorted.
Baby, it's cold outside, so make sure to warm up at a nearby pub after a spot of shopping.
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