Where to go for carols, mulled wine and festive cheer in our guide to the best Christmas markets in Britain

Every winter, squares in cities across the UK transform themselves into German-style Christmas markets. Crowds throng among lines of wooden huts adorned with holly and twinkling lights. The smell of gluhwein and pretzels fills the air, and Christmas carols mingle in the cold air with warm wafts of pretzels and gluhwein.

Deck the stalls with boughs of holly… Here’s our guide to where to go to find festive winter wonderlands around the country.

Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park
Credit: Photo by Daphné Be Frenchie on Unsplash

1. Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

Thursday 3 November to 23 December 2022

Held in Victoria Square and New Street, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Austria and Germany, attracting over five million visitors each year.

The market features over 80 stalls selling a range of traditional German goods, including Christmas decorations, handmade toys, and food including schnitzels and pretzels. There is also an outdoor bar serving mulled wine and (weiss) beer.

Live music comes from carol singers, bands, and Birmingham’s singing Christmas moose (Chris Moose). Soak up the atmosphere from the big wheel, ice skating rink, and ornate carousel.

2. Winter Wonderland, London

18 November 2022-2 January 2023

Located in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK. The market features over 100 stalls, an ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel, and other funfair attractions including rollercoasters and a tower ride. There is also a circus, Santaland, an ice slide, and an ice bar.

Entry is free during off-peak periods, or £5-£7.50 during peak hours (attractions are extra). You can book here.

Christmas market

Credit: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

3. Edinburgh Christmas Market

25 November 2022-3 January 2023

Held in Princes Street Gardens in the shadow of the famous castle, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is one of the most popular markets in Scotland. The market features over 80 stalls selling a variety of festive goods, including gifts, German and Scottish food, and drink. There is also an ice rink on George Street, Santaland in West Princes Street Gardens, and a Christmas tree maze.

4. Manchester Christmas Markets

10 November-22 December 2022

Held in Picadilly Gardens and sites across the city centre, the Manchester Christmas Markets are some of the largest in the UK. Featuring over 220 stalls selling a range of handcrafted goods, deli stalls, food stalls and a large undercover bar serving warm cherry mulled wine and German beers.

An ice rink, roaming puppets, and illuminated bands complete the festive picture.

Manchester Christmas market

Credit: Photo by Valentin Petkov on Unsplash

5. Bath Christmas Market

24 November-11 December

Spread out across Bath’s shopping streets around Bath Abbey, Union Street, and Milsom Street, the Bath Christmas Market marks its 20th anniversary this year. The market features over 200 stalls selling a range of festive goods, including gifts, food, and drink. Look out for the famous ice rink nearby as well as the Elves’ swapshop restoring old toys.

6. Cardiff Christmas Market

10 November-23 December 2022

The Cardiff Christmas Market is held in the main shopping streets of the city close to Cardiff Castle. The market features over 70 stalls selling a range of festive goods, including gifts, food, and drink.

Edinburgh Christmas market
Credit: Photo by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash

7. Bristol

4th November-23 December 2022

Bristol’s Christmas Market is located in the city centre and features over 45 stalls selling a range of festive goods, including handmade gifts, local produce, and Christmas decorations. Get festive in one of the igloos or ski gondolas while supping on mulled wine, roast chestnuts, and pies, and enjoy live music in the Jager barn.

8. Glasgow

18 November-3 January (St Enoch’s Square); 1 December-8 January (George Square)

St Enoch’s Square and George Square are transformed into winter wonderlands. St Enoch’s Square Christmas market features funfair rides, and ice climbing wall, and helter skelter, as well as over 50 stalls. Get in the festive spirit at the Bavarian moose bar and enjoy the street food stalls, complete with a marshmallow toasting station.

George Square transforms into an ice rink, with a big wheel, carousel, Christmas train ride, and a 50ft Christmas tree and crib among the attractions.