One of the major holiday attractions in the UK is the Christmas market. The beauty of these places is insane. If you want to be somewhere where Christmas is celebrated all year, these places are for you.
These Christmas markets are a hit on most travelers’ bucket lists. It is a haven for collectors, foodies, and travelers. Read below for more about these beautiful, dreamy, best Christmas markets in the UK.
1. Christmas Markets
The tradition of the Christmas market can be traced back to a long time ago in Germany. It started in Germany as a way to celebrate the birth of Christ. This tradition eventually traveled to various parts of the continent during ancient Roman times.
There are stalls for Christmas decorations, festive food and drink, and a magical Christmas experience. In some places, the market can be as big as a theme park, and you can even go on a Ferris wheel and enjoy live entertainment.
2. 8 Best Christmas Markets in the UK
2.1. Edinburgh Christmas Market
The first one on the list is a world-renowned Christmas market. The Edinburgh Christmas Market is one of the major Christmas markets in the UK. While the city on its own is magical, especially in this season, Christmas markets in this city add to its beauty.
There are also stores apt for Christmas shopping with decorations. There are also rides that go from Santa Land, a Christmas tree maze, to Castle Street.
2.2. York’s Christmas Market
The York Christmas Market is a wonderland. Victorian cobbled streets in York lead to the famous St. Nicholas Fair. You can find vinyl-themed coasters, mittens, funny paintings, and pop posters. There is something for everyone in the York Christmas market.
Food and drink stalls offer local and festive treats like beer, Yorkshire pudding, cheeses, wines, and handmade crafts. These quintessential Christmas streets also have stalls selling gingerbread and mini golf with a Christmas theme.
2.3. Cardiff Christmas Market
This market is made up of small Welsh businesses. This market focuses on small businesses, and most of the stalls here are by artists and artisans. You can find the business of cushions, love spoons, textiles, wall hangings, silver jewelry, glassworks, quilts, and even ceramics at Cardiff Christmas Market.
Even though they are relatively unusual markets, they also have textbook Christmas festivities like magical fairy lights, big ice rinks, and even a winter wonderland. Seasonal delicacies include hot chocolate, mulled hot wine or cider, and hot roasted chestnuts.
2.4. Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland
Nottingham Christmas Market is great to visit if you are all for the feels. The vibe of this place is very Christmasy. As the name suggests, it’s like an icy winter wonderland with lots of things to buy and see.
There is a Sky Skate ice route around the ice rink, an ice bar, ski lodges, many stalls selling treats, gifts, goods, and a 60-foot fir tree adorned with almost 4,000 Christmas lights. It has many fun rides for kids and a cozy bar for adults to have a great time. You can also get delicious food here. Foods like fudge, artisan cheese, and delicacies can be seen.
2.5. Bath Christmas Markets
The old Victorian streets do full justice to the most magical Bath Christmas Market in the UK. These Christmas markets have at least 150 brightly lit stalls that sell foods and crafts. You can see the festive cheer in the people of this historic city and go Christmas shopping for Christmas decorations, ornaments, jewelry, homewares, and homemade crafts.
The food stalls in the Christmas markets in the UK offer hog roasts, puddings, and festive treats. The available drinks include mulled wine, which can warm you up as you walk around.
You can even visit the thermal rooftop baths for a soak that can make your tiredness disappear from walking around the markets.
2.6. Belfast Christmas Market
This is the best Christmas market to visit to taste various food treats worldwide. This market is set in the garden of Belfast City Hall. There are over 100 stalls. These stalls in Belfast Christmas Market sell Christmas wreaths, gifts by artisans, crafts, gifts, garlands, and many more.
There is something for everyone. There are fun rides, like a vintage carousel helter-skelter, for children and adults. There are also Santa trains, Olaf rides, and many more.
2.7. Winchester Christmas Market
This market has a German Christmas feel to it. More than 100 stalls are there that surround a real open ice rink. The whole area is bathed in the festive spirit and is brightly lit. The Winchester Christmas Market stalls sell traditional holiday gifts, ornaments, hand-crafted decorations, textiles, and festive food and drinks.
You can always stop and skate around the ice rink. There is often an open-air stage for carol choirs and live band performances. There are also specialties like cheeseboards, Victorian baubles, handmade cards, tree decorations, and special soaps to buy.
2.8. Manchester Christmas Markets
Like most Christmas markets in the UK, Manchester Christmas Market also sells Christmas decorations, ornaments, jewelry, French soaps and fragrances, Belgian kitchenware, wool slippers, leather-cover books, and many more in the city center.
As to what to do there, you can always walk around, as there is so much to see in this region. A winter garden in Piccadilly Gardens is open even after the markets. Other things to do here during this time include skating, collecting unique mugs, and seeing the giant Santa.
3. Must-Buy Things to Get from Christmas Markets
It would be best to get fluffy cushions, pop posters, mittens, vinyl coasters, and glasswork from Cardiff, Edinburgh, and York markets. Buy premium Christmassy candles, soaps, fragrances, and liquors.
As for the foods and drinks, you can get the usual Christmas treats, but there are some seasonal-specific delicacies like hog roast, churros, hot chocolate, mulled hot wine or beer caramel fudges, and many more.
4. Final Note
Christmas markets in the UK are a joy for all. It gives everyone who goes there something to remember. Be it the good food, fun rides, Santa’s grotto, or the big, lit trees, it can fill you with the Christmas spirit.
It is also heaven for shoppers and foodies, and it can be great for collectors. There are so many things to do besides markets, like having a tour, participating in parades, and visiting libraries and museums in the region.
Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Parina Parmar
