“Last updated: 29 August 2025”
Dreaming of twinkling lights, steaming mulled wine and the scent of cinnamon hanging in the crisp night air? Our definitive guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK 2025 puts every date, must-see highlight and money-saving hack at your fingertips, so you can plan an unforgettable winter getaway.
2025 UK Christmas market dates at a glance UK Christmas markets 2025 dates
| Market & city | 2025 dates | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bath Christmas Market | 27th Nov – 14th Dec | Story-book setting |
| Manchester Christmas Markets | 7th Nov – 22nd Dec | Urban buzz & global food |
| Edinburgh’s Christmas | 15th Nov 2025 – 4th Jan 2026 | Epic views & Hogmanay |
| Birmingham Frankfurt Market | 1st Nov – 24th Dec | Authentic German vibe |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London | 14th Nov 2025 – 1st Jan 2026 | Rides & mega ice rink |
| York St Nicholas Fair | 13th Nov – 21st Dec | Medieval charm |
| Winchester Cathedral Market | 21st Nov – 22nd Dec | Artisan crafts |
| Nottingham Winter Wonderland | 13th Nov – 31st Dec | Sky-skate ice path |
| Belfast Christmas Market | 15th Nov – 23rd Dec | Continental flavours |
| Cardiff Christmas Market | 13th Nov – 23rd Dec | Welsh-made gifts |
(Always double-check times before you travel, as organisers can tweak schedules.)
Bath Christmas Market 2025 dates & travel guide Bath Christmas Market 2025
Why visit Bath at Christmas?
More than 170 chalet-style stalls spill through the UNESCO-listed streets between the abbey and the Roman Baths, creating one of the UK’s most picturesque festive scenes.
2025 key info
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Dates: Thu 27 Nov – Sun 14 Dec 2025
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Opening hours: 10 am–7 pm (Fri/Sat to 8.30 pm)
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Entry: Free
Insider tips
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Arrive mid-week before 11 am to browse crafts minus the crowds.
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Park & Ride from Odd Down or Lansdown to skip city-centre congestion.
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Don’t miss the pop-up Bathe in Light projection show on Bath Abbey’s façade (nightly 5 pm onward).
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025: Europe-sized cheer in the North Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 opening dates
Snapshot
Sprawling across Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly. The Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 will run from Friday, 7 November until Monday 22 December 2025. However there are extended dates for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will remain open for an extended run throughout the Christmas period, from Friday 7 November until Sunday 4 January 2026.
What’s new for 2025?
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Sustainability push – reusable cup scheme expands to all beer halls.
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Cathedral Gardens ice rink grows to 1,000 m², now covered for rain-proof skating.
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Capesthorne Hall satellite market debuts one weekend only (dates TBA) for a stately-home twist.
- Huge 50m ferris wheel.
Pro tips
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Ride the free Festive Bee shuttle if you’re market-hopping with kids.
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Vegan must-try: Döner Summer’s plant-based kebab (Piccadilly).
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Budget hack: book Northern Trains’ Advance singles from £2 one-way if you travel off-peak.
Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 dates, Hogmanay & more Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 Princes Street Gardens
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Dates: 15 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026, stretching right through New Year’s fireworks.
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Don’t miss: the double-decker Ferris wheel for castle views at sunset, George Street Ice Rink (dates TBC) and the EH postcode 20 % locals’ discount.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2025 – the UK’s biggest German market Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market dates 2025
Running 1 Nov – 24 Dec 2025, this 180-stall behemoth fills Victoria Square and New Street with Bratwurst, Glühwein and live Oompah bands from Frankfurt.
Top tips:
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Plan for Remembrance Sunday – the market opens at 1 pm on 10 Nov.
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Buy a £5 refill mug and reduce plastic waste.
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Stay late Friday/Saturday when closing extends to 9.30 pm and buskers fire up the atmosphere.
Winter Wonderland London 2025 – Hyde Park’s festive theme-park Winter Wonderland London 2025 tickets
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Dates: 14 Nov 2025 – 1 Jan 2026 (closed Christmas Day).
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Ticketing: Timed-entry slots from £7 off-peak; book early Sept when sales open.
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Must-book attractions: 70 m Giant Wheel, Ice Kingdom, 200 m Ice Slide, Münchner Looping coaster.
York St Nicholas Fair 2025 – medieval magic York St Nicholas Fair 2025 dates
York’s timbered streets glow under festive garlands 13 Nov – 21 Dec 2025.
Highlights & tips
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Sip Glogg at the Shambles Food Court.
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Stroll Parliament Street after dark when the alpine chalets sparkle.
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Combine with the Polar Express heritage train (runs from Pickering, 50 min drive).
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market 2025 – artisan heaven Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market 2025
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Dates: 21 Nov – 22 Dec 2025, set in the cloisters of one of Europe’s longest Gothic cathedrals.
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USP: Nearly every trader is vetted for high-quality British craft.
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Advice: Book evening carol services in the nave for the ultimate festive soundtrack.
Nottingham Winter Wonderland 2025 – sky-skate & Ice Bar Nottingham Winter Wonderland dates 2025
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Dates: 13 Nov – 31 Dec 2025 (closed 25 Dec).
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Cool factor: Europe’s only Sky Skate elevated ice path loops above Old Market Square.
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Budget tip: NET trams offer £2 evening return after 4 pm.
Belfast Christmas Market 2025 – City-Hall Continental feast Belfast Christmas Market 2025 dates
Expect 32-nation street food, beer tents and a Santa Train from 15 Nov – 23 Dec 2025.
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Travel hack: Fly to Belfast Intl from London Luton for under £30 return in December if you book by October.
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Accessibility: Translink runs late-night buses Fri & Sat till 1.15 am.
Cardiff Christmas Market 2025 – crafts in the Welsh capital Cardiff Christmas Market 2025 dates
Open 13 Nov – 23 Dec 2025 across The Hayes & Working Street with 200+ makers’ stalls.
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New for 2025: Bute Park Illuminated Trail links neatly with market hours.
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Foodie fave: Welsh cakes hot off the griddle at Môr Foods.
Essential planning tips for UK Christmas markets 2025
1. Book trains & hotels by early September
Advance fares drop 12 weeks out; central hotels under £150/night go fast in Bath, York and Edinburgh.
2. Go mid-week for thinner crowds
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings see up to 40 % shorter queue times at headline attractions such as London’s Ice Kingdom or Manchester’s ice rink.
3. Cash vs contactless
All major markets accept cards, but bring small change for independent craft stalls to dodge minimum-spend surcharges.
4. Sustainable choices
Pack a reusable cup (many markets knock 50 p off refills), tote bags and a small Tupperware for leftover Käsekrainer or Welsh cakes.
Frequently asked questions UK Christmas markets FAQs 2025
When do UK Christmas markets start in 2025?
Most kick-off mid-November, with Birmingham opening earliest on 1 Nov 2025.
Are dogs allowed?
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Winchester Cathedral restrict pets (assistance dogs welcome), while York and Bath permit leashed dogs off-peak.
Cheapest UK city for a Christmas-market break?
Cardiff and Nottingham typically have the lowest accommodation costs (from £89/nt in December).
Wrap-up
Whether you’re hunting hand-blown baubles in Bath, sky-skating above Nottingham’s Old Market Square, or counting down to Hogmanay beneath Edinburgh Castle, the best Christmas markets in the UK 2025 promise something for every traveller. Bookmark this guide, share it with your travel buddies, and start planning a season packed with sparkle.
See you under the fairy lights!
