Whether you're hunting for handmade gifts or embracing the magic of the festive season, these markets are where Christmas truly begins.
Manchester
Manchester hosts several Christmas markets across the city centre each year, but the main event will take place in Albert Square between 7 November 2025 and 4 January 2026.
The winter festival boasts festive markets, food and drink stalls, arts & crafts, live music and a Ferris wheel. There is also an ice rink at the city's Cathedral Gardens market.
Open daily from 10am to 8pm and free to enter, there's plenty to keep you entertained at Manchester's Christmas market and even more the explore across the city.
As well as being home to two of the world's most famous Premier League football clubs, Manchester also has a vibrant hospitality scene, including Top 50 Gastropub the Edinburgh Castle.
The historic Ancoats pub, was described by food critic Jay Rayner as a "great place to eat". The Good Food Guide also previously named it among one of Britain's cosiest pubs describing it as "a handsome example of a classic Victorian city boozer."
Additionally, there are a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels and Top 50 Cocktail Bars near Manchester, including Schofield's Bar, Speak in Code and Blinker.
Birmingham
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market claims to be the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria, featuring hundreds of stalls.
Running from 1 November to 24 December, the event, which is free to enter, will be in the city's Victoria Square.
Held annually, Birmingham Christmas Market offers handmade gifts and decorations, a live music programme and fairground rides plus arts & crafts.
Known for its authentic German food and drink, including pretzels, bratwurst and glühwein, the market has become one of the busiest in the country.
Just outside of the city, there's also the Boat in Lichfield, with chef-owner Liam Dillon at the helm, and the Cross in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, which boasts three AA Rosettes and received a Good Food Award Gold Seal in 2021.
Offering six rotating real ales, craft beers and ciders plus a variety of wine, visitors can also enjoy everything the Four Penny in Warwick has to offer.
There are also a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels, including Hampton Manor, and Top 50 Cocktail Bars, including Couch, near Birmingham.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Christmas market is spread across several places in the Scottish capital.
In the city's East Princes Street Gardens is the main traditional market while West Princes Street Gardens is home to the event's funfair, which has a Ferris wheel and plenty of other rides.
On George Street there is an ice rink and other attractions, including the Polar Ice Bar, and St Andrew Square has family-friendly zones, where the big man himself is sure to make an appearance, and a Christmas tree maze.
Admission to the market is free but the price of attractions varies. Edinburgh Christmas market will be open daily from 10am to 10pm between Saturday 15 November 2025 and Sunday 4 January 2026.
Known for its iconic comedy festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh's hospitality scene is also something of a spectacle.
The city is home to a host of great venues, the Scran & Scallie in Midlothian, the award-winning pub by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin that has true Scottish fare at its heart.
Edinburgh is also home to the Kinneuchar Inn in Fife and the Devil's Advocate. There's also the Bridge Inn, Lothian, which was previously on the list.
A number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels, including House of Gods and Top 50 Cocktail Bars, including Hay Palu are also nearby.
York
York Christmas Market transforms the ancient city centre with chalets, festive lights and seasonal treats ever year.
The official light switch-on will kickstart the 2025 market on Thursday 13 November, which is free to enter and will run until Sunday 21 December along the city's Parliament Street and in St Sampson's Square. Pop up sites will also be in the city's famous Shambles.
Featuring Scandinavian-style cabins and stalls, guests can enjoy a mulled-wine or two as they browse local produce and enjoy live music.
The event will be open daily from 10am to 7pm, with a quiet time every day from 10am to 12pm where there is no music to provide a calmer, more sensory-friendly atmosphere.
After a busy day exploring York's expansive Christmas market, the Star Inn in Harome, provides an idyllic retreat.
The Star Inn has been owned by chef-patron Andrew Pern for more than twenty years and boasts a Micheline star.
York is also home to the Alice Hawthorn in Nun Monkton, with a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels, including Grays Court Hotel & Restaurant, and Top 50 Cocktail Bars, including Evil Eye, nearby.
London
Unsurprisingly, London boasts the highest number of Top 50 Gastropubs and Christmas markets.
In total, there is thought to be between 10 and 15 Christmas markets in London every year.
The city's most famous market is arguably Winter Wonderland, held in Hyde Park. This year's event will take place between Friday 14 November 2025 and Thursday 1 January 2026.
The annual celebration boasts an impressive range of activities, from fairground rides to an ice bar and a Bavarian village plus live entertainment, a 'Magical Ice Kingdom' and a Santa's grotto.
In addition, there are hundreds of festive market stalls and food drink vendors. Entry fees range from £5 to £7.50, or free if you spend £25 or more on attractions or food packages in advance.
Other popular Christmas markets in London include Christmas by the River near London Bridge, Leicester Square's traditional market in the heard of the West End and Southbank Centre Winter Market.
Borough Market, King's Cross, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden also host Christmas markets and events.
The capital is also home to 21 Top 50 Gastropubs, including the viral Devonshire, famed for its food and Guinness offer, in Soho, as well as the Red Lion & Sun in Highgate and the Bull & Last, also in Highgate, to name a few.
There are also a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels, including the Goring and Zetter Townhouse, and Top 50 Cocktail Bars, such as Satan's Whiskers and Tayer + Elementary, in London.
The full list of Top 50 Gastropubs in London:
· Devonshire, Soho
· Red Lion & Sun, Highgate
· Bull & Last, Highgate
· Harwood Arms, Fulham
· Baring, Islington
· Canton Arms, Stockwell
· Clarence Tavern, Stoke Newington
· Camberwell Arms
· Drapers Arms, Islington
· Eagle, Farringdon
· Tamil Prince, Islington
· Anchor & Hop
· Parakeet, Kentish Town
· Marksman Public House
· Hero of Maida
· Plimsoll, Finsbury Park
· Pelican, Notting Hill
· Lore of the Land, Fitzrovia
· Brooke, Clapham
· Blue Stoops
· Fox & Pheasant, Chelsea
Bath
Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage city boasting Georgian architecture, giving its Christmas market, an atmospheric and picturesque feel.
A traditional Christmas market in historic city centre, the event stretches from Abbeygate Street to Milsom Street, showcasing local artisanal produce and handcrafted goods. A variety of food and drink options will also be on offer.
In addition, this year a reindeer trail will take place around the outer parts of the market footprint. There will also be a variety of festive street performances taking place throughout the event.
The market is free to enter and will take place between Thursday 27 November and Sunday 14 December, open daily from 10am to 7pm. Quieter trading hours with reduced entertainment will be held daily from 10am to 12pm.
Bath may be renowned for its Roman history, Georgian architecture and natural springs, but it is also home to a vibrant hospitality scene, with a number of Top 50 Gastropubs in or near the city.
The Three Horseshoes in Shepton Mallet is just a few miles down the road as well as the Black Swan in Devizes, the Pony & Trap in Bristol, the Bath Arms in Horningsham and the Methuen Arms in Corsham.
Meanwhile, the Longs Arms in Bradford-on-Avon, which was a finalist in the Great British Pub Awards in 2024 and has featured in the Michelin Guide since 2012, is also close by.
There are also a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels, including Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, and Top 50 Cocktail Bars, including Hideout near Bath.
Winchester
Held in the grounds of the iconic cathedral, which is also the resting place of famed Regency author Jane Austen, Winchester Christmas market is one of the busiest in the UK.
With hundreds of chalets selling gifts, crafts and artisan goods alongside a range of food and drink options and live entertainment, including carol concerts and community performances, it's easy to see why the annual event is so popular.
Admission to Winchester Christmas Market is free and the event is open daily from 10am, closing around 6pm most days. There are also Christmas services held in the Cathedral.
The city boasts a rich literary heritage and is thought to be the birthplace of the modern game of cricket. Situated on the edge of the South Downs, there are also some wonderful countryside views and a thriving contemporary arts scene.
Hampshire is also home to some fabulous pubs that have previously featured on the Top 50 Gastropubs List, including the Thomas Lord in Petersfield and the Greyhound on Test in Stockbridge.
There are also a number of Top 50 Boutique Hotels and Top 50 Cocktail Bars near Winchester.
Cardiff
Cardiff Christmas Market is an annual craft-market style festive event that takes place in the centre of the Welsh capital.
This year's event is set to take place between Thursday 13 November and Tuesday 23 December and is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Entry to the market is free.
Cardiff Christmas market is spread across several pedestrianised shopping streets; St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street, and Hills Street.
Boasting hundreds of eclectic independent stallholders, Cardiff Christmas market focuses on art, jewellery, textile, wooden and ceramic craftsmanship from local traders, with plenty of seasonal food and drink options available.
Cardiff is home to Welsh international rugby at its Principality Stadium and boasts a diverse music and arts scene, but there are also some great gastropubs nearby.
There is the 300-year-old Hare & Hounds in Glamorgan, which holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Previously, the Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd and the Heathcock in Glamorgan, have also featured in the list and are well worth a visit.
There are also a number of Top 50 Cocktail Bars, including Lab 22 and Penny Bar, near Cardiff.
