As we near the end of 2023, Christmas markets and winter fairs begin to pop up across the UK. Appearing in our cities, market towns, villages and stately homes, each is a nostalgic blend of traditional ingredients.
Who can resist the aroma of mulled cider, roasted chestnuts and freshly baked mince pies? What about the gorgeous metallic tones of a local brass band as they play the opening bars of Silent Night, accompanied by the angelic voices of the local infant school choir? Add in twinkling lights and, if you're lucky, a few snowflakes dancing gently in the air and you'll feel as though you're in some sort of dreamland. You may even find the big man himself puts in an appearance to entertain the youngest members of your family.
Britain's very best winter fairs and Christmas markets celebrate rural customs, local produce, crafts, and ancient traditions. They’re a magical place to buy that special ingredient for your Christmas dinner, or a unique handcrafted gift for a loved one.
Wrap up in your warmest hats and gloves, and prepare to be romanced out of your petty cash by cheery wooden Nutcracker soldiers, artisan crafts and dangling candy canes.
Here, we take a look at some of the UK's very best traditional Christmas markets to visit in 2023, from York's hugely popular York Christmas Festival to Edinburgh's joyous celebration of the winter season.
Best Christmas markets to visit in 2023
Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
17 November – 17 December
Warm up inside Blenheim Palace, taking in the splendour of the lavish rugs, priceless antique furniture and centuries-old oil paintings that take up entire walls. This Christmas, Blenheim Palace is showcasing a brand new illuminated light trail, as the park and gardens are filled with millions of lights.
With heart-shaped arches glimmering, colour-lit trees, and large-scale illuminations – including an eight-metre circle filled with over 20,000 lights – the effect will be rather like walking through a giant Christmas tree.
By now it’s surely time to get your hands around a mulled wine, and you can buy one (or a hot chocolate) from a vendor at the Christmas Market in The Great Court, where there will also be plenty of opportunities to gather Christmas gifts for loved ones
- Find out more about the Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace
York Christmas Market, North Yorkshire
16 November – 22 December
The pretty medieval streets and cosy timbered buildings of York come into their own at Christmas, sprinkled with lights and decorations. For the 31st year, large wooden chalets will line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square selling decorations, wooden toys and produce from the Yorkshire countryside such as heritage cheeses and bramble whisky.
- Find out more about the York Christmas Market
Liverpool Christmas Market, Merseyside
18 Nov – 24 Dec
Liverpool’s Christmas Market is returning once more to St George's Plateau and William Brown Street. Alongside the usual local crafts and produce, there are more food and drink stalls, including the hugely popular windmill bar and the Bavarian bar. There will also be a big wheel, snow slide and Santa Land rides.
One of the best things about Liverpool in the winter, though, is walking through its magical frosty parks, such as the 235-acre Sefton Park, or bronze age encampment Camp Hill – both of which have some lovely cafes nearby to warm up in, before you head to the markets. Or, for something really memorable, hop on the train up to Formby to walk the Red Squirrel Trail. The walk takes about an hour, twisting through broadleaf and pine woodlands before emerging on the sand dunes of Formby beach. Climb up and enjoy the views over Liverpool Bay, Snowdonia and the Lake District.
- Find out more about Liverpool Christmas Market
Conwy Winterfest, Conwy
9 December
On 9 December, at 5.45pm, some 300 knights and dozens of torch-bearers will gather in front of the castle, ready to process through the town. Erwyd le Fol the town jester and Siôn Corn will of course be in attendance. This gripping medieval pageant (free to spectators) will include hot chestnuts, Morris dancing, music, possibly fire shows, and definitely sword fighting at Lancaster Square.
Traders will remain open for hot food, mulled wine and carousing. And as flaming torchlight casts flickering shadows of the knights onto the castle walls, neck hairs will stand up, and spines will undoubtedly tingle.
- Find out more about Conwy Winterfest
Edinburgh Winter Festival, Edinburgh
17 November – 6 January
Alongside the usual bonanza of fairground rides, ice-skating, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Tree Land and light trails, Edinburgh’s traditional wooden-stalled Christmas markets are set to expand this winter. Highlights include the Ethical Christmas Market and Artisan Christmas Market Stalls on Castle Street (18–24 December), and Santa Stories and the Festival of Kindness on St Andrew Square (18–24 December).
Looking for day out? Walk up to Arthur’s Seat or through Inverleith Park to admire the views, and finish at the markets with a hot toddy.
- Find out more about Edinburgh Christmas Market
St Fagans’ Makers Market, Cardiff
2 – 3 December
Nadolig Llawen! That’s ‘Merry Christmas’ in Welsh, and there’s no better place to learn about the history of winter celebrations in Wales than at St Fagans. And at Christmas time, St Fagans is definitely at its most magical, festooned with fairy lights and with maker’s markets to explore, Welsh carols to trill out and Siôn Corn – ‘Father Chimneypot’, Wales’ answer to Santa – to say hello to.
Doing your Christmas shopping? On the 2 and 3 of December, St Fagans buzzy open-air Christmas Makers Market takes over the museum, with craftspeople from across Wales offering handmade works of art. Or if you’d rather create something of beauty yourself, you can try your hand at weaving a willow wreath to grace your front door at one of the weekend’s workshops.
- Find out more about St Fagans
Exeter Christmas Market
17 Nov – 17 Dec
The impressive medieval Exeter Cathedral is the backdrop of this fairylit Christmas market, which is spread out on the green, surrounded by Tudor-esque houses and cobbled lanes. Festive concerts and services spill out from the cathedral, creating a classy choral soundtrack while you browse the stalls for West Country crafts and local produce, mulled cider in hand. Take a stroll or bike ride up along the River Exe and back down through the valley for a bit of calm before the smell of popping chestnuts lures you in.
- Find out more about Exeter Christmas Market
Grassington Christmas Market, North Yorkshire
2 and 9 December
The annual Christmas market in Grassington is scheduled over two Saturdays on 2 and 9 December this year and makes a great focal point for a winter stomp with fabulous views. Grassington is Wharfedale’s main hub, a classic Yorkshire Dales village, huddled below the south-facing slopes of Kimpergill Hill and above the River Wharfe.
A glorious array of smells and sounds will draw you to the market square in the heart of Grassington where, as dusk falls, the Christmas lights that adorn the lovely old stone buildings are lit and buskers will be playing a medley of familiar Christmas songs.
A warming glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate will keep winter’s chill at bay as you stand alongside a roaring brazier contemplating the fair on offer, the scents of roasting chestnuts and mince pies, whetting the appetite for a range of local produce, either from the stalls or from the local pubs and tea rooms. You will be spoilt for choice!
- Find out more about Grassington Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Fair, Hampshire
17 November – 21 December
Hailed as one of the best in Europe, Winchester’s Christmas market is held in the quarters of its 900-year-old cathedral. The festive market champions British craftspeople, and this year its ‘crafts village’ has an emphasis on local, fairly traded and sustainable businesses. A packed schedule of carol services and concerts will set the mood perfectly. If you’re keen to stretch your legs, follow Keat’s Walk along the River Itchen – his daily stroll alongside the water meadows that may have inspired his poem, ‘To Autumn’.
- Find out more about the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Fair
Oban Winter Festival, Argyll and Bute
17 – 26 November
The capital of the Western Highlands, with its comely seaside setting, is the perfect place to get in the mood for Christmas. Here, the 10-day Oban Winter Festival, which runs from 17–26 November, has a choice of markets offering local produce and a wide range of activities and events.
- Find out more about Oban Winter Festival
Bath Christmas Market, Somerset
23 November – 10 December
Centred around the Roman baths, Bath Christmas market 2023 is filled with musicians, street performers and choirs singing their hearts under the twinkling lights.
More than 170 chalets sell – and demonstrate – craftsmanship from the south-west of England, this year including handblown glass ornaments, leather shoes, jams and chutneys from foraged ingredients, Bath cheeses and traditional Christmas puddings. A range of local distillers bring you west country cider, gin and rum, and naturally you’ll be able to buy a steaming winter warmer. If you want to make a day of it, start at Bradford-Upon-Avon and stroll 9.7 miles along the atmospheric Kennet & Avon canal, enjoying the wood smoke and bright colours of the barges.
- Find our more about Bath Christmas Market
Malton Christmas Festival, North Yorkshire
2 – 3 December
Make a beeline for Yorkshire's food capital for this special festive market with a foodie twist. Check everything off your Christmas list and stock up the pantry with seasonal treats, too, including figgy puddings, turkey and goose, award-winning macarons, mulled wine, gin and beers. With fairground rides, brass bands and choirs as well as top street food, this promises to be Malton's shopping event of the year.
- Find out more about Walton Christmas Festival
Souter Lighthouse Christmas Craft Fair, Tyne & Wear
25 November
Head to the iconic beacon of Souter Lighthouse for its popular Christmas craft fair. Browse handmade crafts, gifts, cards, jewellery and much more, all made by local craftspeople.
- Find out more about the Christmas Craft Fair at Souter
Cirencester Advent Market, Gloucestershire
25 – 26 November
Between 10am and 6pm, over 100 stalls featuring local traders will line Cricklade Street, Castle Street and Market Place. With entertainment and light displays it promises to be a fun and festive family day out.
- Find out more about Cirencester Advent Market
Belfast Christmas Market, Belfast
18 November – 22 December
Try traditional seasonal treats from around the world and fairground rides in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
- Find out more about the Belfast Christmas Market
Caerphilly Winter Food and Craft Market, Glamorgan
2 December
Caerphilly Castle provides the magnificent backdrop to this bustling food and craft fair, with funfair rides, mulled wine, street theatre, more than 50 food, craft and gift stalls. Make a day of it and book a visit to explore Caerphilly Castle.
- Find out more about the Caerphilly Winter Market
