This year, Sheffield Christmas Market takes place from Thursday November 13th 2025 until Friday January 2nd 2026. Shoppers can enjoy that festive feeling as they browse a huge choice of seasonal goodies on offer from the traditional wooden cabins located on Fargate, Pinstone Street, around the Peace Gardens and The Moor. It’s the perfect place to stock up on gifts, foods and treats for the festive period!
Quick‑Glance Facts
| Market dates | Thu 13th Nov 2025 – Fri 2nd Jan 2026 (cabins trade daily) |
| Big opening weekend | “Crackers for Christmas” family festival & switch‑on: Sat 15th & Sun 16th Nov 2025, 11 am – 5 pm |
| Typical trading hours | Sun–Thu 10 am – 6 pm; Fri & Sat 10 am – 7 pm (bars often later) |
| Locations | Fargate • Pinstone St • Peace Gardens • Barker’s Pool • The Moor |
| Cost | Free entry; pay‑as‑you‑go for food, rides & grotto |
| Highlights | Santa’s Grotto & carousel (Barker’s Pool), Big Wheel, live music, 3 Alpine bars, 80 % local traders |
| Lights | City‑centre illuminations switch on daily from 4 pm and run until 5th Jan 2026 |
Hotels Near Sheffield Christmas Market
What’s New for 2025?
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Bigger footprint, greener feel – Extra cabins spill onto newly revamped Cambridge Street, while the council’s new low‑energy LED canopy cuts carbon by 40 %.
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Three themed Alpine bars – Each with its own vibe: classic German, Yorkshire craft‑beer lodge and a cosy “ski‑chalet” cocktail hut.
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Extended run – Trading continues past New Year to 2nd January, giving you that post‑Christmas shopping window.
Feast Your Way Around the Market
| Must‑Try Bite | Where to Find It | Why It’s Worth the Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire Pudding Wraps | Fargate food court | Local roast‑dinner classic, portable style. |
| Bratwürste & Käsekrainer | Grill‑haus next to Santa’s Grotto | Authentic German sausages, flame‑grilled before your eyes. |
| Churros & Hot Chocolate | Peace Gardens | Perfect sugar rush while you watch the fountain lights. |
| Chimney Cakes | The Moor | Instagrammable dough‑swirls filled with gelato. |
Vegan & gluten‑free? Look for green‑leaf stickers on cabin signs—introduced this year so you can scan suitable stalls at a glance.
Family Fun & Entertainment
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Santa’s Grotto (Barker’s Pool) – Pre‑book online or snag a walk‑up slot on quieter mid‑week mornings. Expect professional photos and small gifts.
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Carousel & Big Wheel – £3–£6 rides, dazzling after dark for skyline selfies.
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“Crackers for Christmas” weekend – Street panto, choirs, craft stations and roaming polar‑bear puppets (all free).
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Elf Workshops – Drop‑in craft tents in Peace Gardens, 12 pm–4 pm weekends; make wooden decorations using recycled off‑cuts from local carpenters.
Shopping: Support 80 % Local Makers
Skip the mass‑produced souvenirs and hunt out:
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Hand‑forged steelware – A nod to the city’s heritage; pick up artisan knives or bottle‑openers.
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Peak District honey & gin – Award‑winning small‑batch distillers share tasting flights.
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Up‑cycled textiles – Cosy throws woven from recycled wool off‑cuts.
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Sheffield music merch – Indie record stalls stock Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and Def Leppard vinyl for the superfans.
Practical Information
Getting There
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Train – Sheffield Station is a flat 10‑minute walk; direct services from Manchester Piccadilly (50 min) and London St Pancras (2 h). Supertram stops at Castle Square & City Hall.
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Park & Ride – Nunnery Square (A57) and Meadowhall Interchange both run yellow‑route trams into the centre every 10 min.
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Drivers – Use Q‑Park Charles Street or APCOA The Moor for easiest cabin access; evening rate from £4 after 5 pm.
Accessibility
Step‑free routes connect Fargate, Peace Gardens and The Moor; accessible toilets opposite Town Hall. Blue Badge bays at Surrey Street.
Where to Stay
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Boutique splurge – Leopold Hotel (converted Victorian school).
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Budget‑friendly – easyHotel on High Street, 3‑min walk.
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Family base – Novotel Sheffield Centre (pool), directly across from the Winter Garden.
Insider Tips to Beat the Crowds & Save
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Arrive before 11 am Tue–Thu | Coach groups usually roll in after lunch. |
| Book Santa by mid‑October | Slots sell out first week of November. |
| Bring a reusable cup | 20 p discount at coffee & mulled‑wine stalls. |
| Pair with Winter Garden | Warm glasshouse next door—perfect thaw‑out spot, free entry. |
| Use off‑peak tram day‑rider (£5.20) | Unlimited travel, cheaper than two single fares. |
Nearby Festive Extras
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Kelham Island Victorian Christmas Market – 200+ heritage stalls & steam‑engine demos, late‑Nov weekend (dates TBC).
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Wortley Hall Christmas Market – Stately‑home setting, Sun 30th Nov 2025, 11 am–4 pm.
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Cathedral Christmas Carol Services – Free nightly concerts from 17th Dec.
Final Word
Whether you’re chasing artisan gifts, a photo in front of the towering Peace Gardens polar bear or simply the comforting waft of bratwürste, Sheffield Christmas Market 2025 promises a festive fix that’s bigger, brighter and—thanks to its 80 % local trader line‑up—distinctly Yorkshire. Wrap up warm, pack your reusable mug and let the city’s steel‑strong Christmas spirit do the rest. See you under the twinkling lights!
Sheffield Christmas Market 2025: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Sheffield Christmas Market 2025 start and finish?
A: Sheffield’s cabins open Thursday 13 November 2025 and run daily until Friday 2 January 2026, so you can still get a festive fix after Christmas Day.
Q: What are the opening times for the stalls and bars?
A: Expect the same pattern as 2024: 10 am–6 pm Sunday–Thursday and 10 am–7 pm Friday & Saturday for most cabins; Pinstone St stalls may trade an hour later, while Alpine bars usually pour until around 10 pm. Final 2025 hours will be confirmed nearer November.
Q: Where exactly is the market located?
A: The 2025 footprint stretches along Fargate, Pinstone Street, Peace Gardens, Barker’s Pool and The Moor—all in Sheffield city centre, about a 10‑minute walk from the railway station.
Q: Does Sheffield Christmas Market charge for entry?
A: Entry is free; you only pay for food, drink, rides and gifts.
Q: Is Sheffield Christmas Market dog friendly?
A: Yes. Because everything is outdoors, well‑behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout the market and in the outside seating at the Alpine bars.
Q: Is the market wheelchair accessible?
A: The streets used are pedestrianised and level, and the event appears in national accessibility guides; step‑free toilets sit next to the Town Hall.
Q: What food and drink can I expect?
A: More than 50 cabins serve Yorkshire pudding wraps, bratwürste, churros with hot chocolate, chimney cake, local craft beers and cocktails in three themed Alpine bars.
Q: Where can I park—and is there Park & Ride?
A: Close‑by multistoreys (e.g., Q‑Park Charles Street, Arundel Gate, NCP Wellington St) sit five minutes from the stalls. If you’d rather skip city traffic, park free at Nunnery Square or Meadowhall Park & Ride and hop on the Supertram (about £4 return).
Q: Do I need to book Santa’s Grotto?
A: No—historically you just join the queue on the day and pay on entry; mid‑week mornings move fastest.
Q: When is the quietest time to visit?
A: Tuesday–Thursday before 11 am (especially in mid‑November or the first week of December) sees the lightest footfall; weekends and the final shopping week are busiest.
