uk christmas markets
With Take the stress out of your present shopping a visit to one of the UK’S best Christmas markets
Leeds
The Christkindelmarkt German Christmas market is back! Millennium Square is turned into a winter village once again, with over 40 chalet huts topped with twinkling lights. There’s a carousel and handcrafted toys for the kids, as well as speciality stollen and the Alp Chalet restaurant and bar for the adults. You can even try traditional German delicacies such as gluhwein, bratwurst sausages, goulash, soups, schnitzels, spicy gingerbread and sticky candied fruits. 10 November-24 December
Lincoln
Lincoln Christmas Market began in 1982, making it the oldest of its kind in the UK. The Cathedral Quarter now houses more than 280 stalls, offering everything from unusual gifts and food and drink from afar, and festive entertainment for all the family. The medieval square between the impressive Norman Lincoln Castle and magnificent Gothic cathedral is the perfect backdrop for the Christmas Market. It isn’t on for long, but a visit is a must. 7-10 December
Belfast
Belfast’s famous City Hall and its beautiful gardens provide the perfect setting for the city’s Christmas market, which transforms the gardens into a vibrant continental village. Shoppers can buy produce from over 30 countries – such as Italian nougat, Belgian chocolates and French tarts, as well as the more traditional German fare, such as giant Bratwurst sold from a traditional Schwenkgrill. You will also find hand-painted pottery, festive decorations and a wide range of festive arts and crafts from across Europe and beyond. 18 November-23 December
Winchester
Winchester was the ancient capital city of England and now claims to be its Christmas capital. Its buzzing Christmas market, set in the historic and picturesque Cathedral Close, hosts over 100 attractive wooden chalets, which draw over 350,000 visitors a year. Gift hunters can choose from the wares of jewellers, painters, glass makers and textile artists, while foodies will head for the chalets selling festive favourites such as mulled wine, bratwurst, mince pies and stollen. There’s also an outdoor ice rink. 20 November-22 December
Bath
Bath’s Georgian streets will be transformed into a stunning shopping experience with over 200 chalets full of gifts. Priding itself on bringing local products to the city’s food lovers, there are plenty of chalets offering tasty treats. Check out Bath on Ice festive ice rink and the glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, or pop into the Abbey Hotel’s pop-up Après-ski Bar for mulled wine. 23 November-10 December
Birmingham
The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham is the largest outside Germany and Austria. The market is now in its 15th year and with the nearby Christmas craft market, there are over 180 stalls to choose from, selling handcrafted wooden decorations, delicate glass baubles, handcrafted leatherwork and Russian dolls, plus goods from the Midlands and around the world. Shoppers can feast on bratwurst, currywurst and feuerwurst, as well as schnitzel, strudel and Berliner doughnuts, all washed down with gluhwein,
Edinburgh
architecture Edinburgh’s imposing backdrop to provides a stunning longest-running one of Scotland’s Street is festooned markets. Princes and crafters, artists with fairy lights, and food producers with sell their wares a distinctly German feel from quaint wooden stalls in its gardens. For Scottish goods, try the market in George Street. 18 November6 January weissbeer, or tasty hot chocolate served with or without spirits. 16 November-24 December
Manchester
Winding through its city centre, Manchester’s Christmas Market hosts over 300 festive stalls and chalets. In all, there are nine market locations, each with its own character and this year the main market hub will be based once again in Albert Square, right in front of Manchester Town Hall. The markets feature everything from fine amber jewellery, handcrafted leather bags and top-quality bonsai trees, to handmade Belgian kitchenware, framed photo prints and French soaps. The family-friendly site on Manchester’s cathedral gardens also has its own ice rink (4 November-7 January).
10 November-21 December
Nottingham
Bespoke Victorian-style cabins extending the entire length of Long Row and Smithy Row lead to the heart of the Market Square. The market is joined by an ice rink and 40ft Christmas tree, where you might spot a Disney character on certain days. A unique Sur La Piste Bar selling mulled wine, spiced cider and other hot toddies are on tap as you take a break from your Christmas shopping. 17 November31 December
Etsy local
With its beautifully crafted stocking fillers and unique Christmas gifts, a browse of Etsy online is a must. For the first time this Christmas, Etsy is setting up shop in cities across the UK for Etsy Made Local, where you can shop your favourite sellers in the flesh. The markets will pop up for three days all over the UK in cities such as London’s Soho, Brighton, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Cambridge, Bristol, Leeds, Portsmouth and more. 1-3 December