Britain’s best Christmas markets revealed by Which? From chalets along Georgian streets to dazzling fairgrounds – is YOUR local on the list?
Which one? has unveiled nine of Britain’s best Christmas markets, with festive fun in places across the country.
The selection comes from high-scoring destinations in the Which? best city research.
From 200 decorated chalets along the Georgian streets of Bath to a Dickens-inspired affair in Belfast, read on to find out which market you’d most like to visit.
Go on, treat your elf!
Bath
Myrrh-vellous: the team at Which? Travel has named Britain’s best Christmas markets for 2024. Shown above is Bath’s Christmas market
Date: November 28 to December 15
Which one? says the town of Somerset has ‘one of Britain’s largest and most established Christmas markets’, with more than ‘200 chalets lining its Georgian streets’ during the free event.
Which one? adds: ‘Most of the stallholders are local, from the South West, with a quite dazzling selection of goods – from garden sculptures to handmade wooden furniture, Bristolian knits to indie fragrances and gifts for your furry companions.’
Chester
Chester’s Christmas Market is set around the Victorian Gothic Town Hall (above)
Date: November 15 to December 22, 2024
This Christmas market offers a ‘peaceful festive day out’, with around 70 stalls ‘rotated’ [the] Victorian Gothic Town Hall and Medieval Cathedral’.
Which one? adds: ‘Visitors to Chester Market will find scented candles, recycled cutlery, artisanal liquors and much more, all under a sparkling Christmas tree.’
Durham
Date: December 6 to December 8
Lasting just one weekend in early December, the Durham Christmas Market is ‘a quiet, yet beautiful affair’, says Which?.
The consumer champion adds: ‘You’ll find gift wrap, sweet treats, craft supplies and imaginative gifts, including locally made hot sauce, reworked vintage clothing and handcrafted home decor.’
Visitors must pay £4.50 to enter the arts and crafts tent, but can explore 70 other stalls for free.
Winchester
The ‘charming’ Winchester Christmas Market is held in the grounds of the cathedral
Date: November 22 to December 22
Which one? says: ‘Winchester’s most famous landmark is the cathedral, the site of which is home to this ancient city’s charming market.
‘The range ranges from handmade Scotch eggs to hand-painted buttons and silk scarves, and visitors will be serenaded by local choirs and musicians while shopping.’
The market aims to become more ‘climate friendly’ this year and will only use LED lighting and promote green vendors.
Wells
Date: December 14
The Wells Christmas Market is held on just one Saturday in December and according to Which? short but sweet.
The mini city will host more than 100 stalls on Bishops Palace Green for the event.
Which one? adds: ‘Rather than the vast, brightly lit markets of larger cities, expect something more intimate and community-oriented from Wells.’
Liverpool
Liverpool Christmas Market takes place with the ‘dramatic backdrop of a fairytale St George’s Hall’
Date: November 16 to December 24
Liverpool’s free Christmas market is held ‘against the dramatic backdrop of a fairytale St George’s Hall’ with stalls ‘shaped like gingerbread houses and grottoes’.
Which one? explains: ‘Visitors say it’s not such a nostalgic affair: less choral music, artisan crafts and mince pies; more ’80s Christmas pop, carnival rides and down-to-earth menus – like roasted hambaps and macaroni and cheese.”
Edinburgh
‘Nowhere embraces the festive season more wholeheartedly than Edinburgh,’ says Which? Travel
Date: November 15 to January 4
‘You could argue that nowhere embraces the festive season more warmly than Edinburgh, where the smell of mulled wine (and the sound of delighted screams from fairground rides) runs from east to west of the city centre, giving it a unique Christmas atmosphere. feel’, says Welke? Travel.
We recommend heading to East Princes Street for ‘Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas markets’ with ‘wooden chalets selling all the usual winter fare and cozy stocking stuffers’, a helter-skelter, a swing carousel and a Ferris wheel.
York
York Christmas Market is described as a ‘great place to find gifts’
Date: November 14 to December 22
York’s Christmas Market has been running for over 30 years and is part of the city’s Christmas Festival.
Which one? describes it as ‘a great place to find gifts’.
The team added: ‘Dozens of mountain chalets with twinkling lights will appear on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, selling art prints and Christmas decorations, as well as hot chocolate and sweet and savory snacks.’
Belfast
Date: November 16 to December 22
Belfast’s Christmas Market, near the Town Hall, is getting ‘a Dickensian twist’ this year, says Which?, with ‘Victorian-era inspired performances taking place on the first and third weekends’.
Visitors who are hungry will be ‘well catered for’, with ‘global and regional flavours’ including ‘ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers’, ‘as well as the standard sausages and beer’.
Rory Boland, editor of Which one? Travelsaid: ‘From picturesque market towns to historic towns, Britain has more than its fair share of charming Christmas market destinations – and you’re unlikely to have to travel far to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
‘If you want something different, there are plenty of excellent options to combine a visit to a market with a festive weekend away.
‘Bath, for example, is famous for its Christmas market, but also has plenty to keep you entertained once you’ve had your fill of mulled wine – with famous sights such as the Roman Baths to explore, an excellent culinary scene and a great range of shops for buying Christmas gifts.
‘Durham and Chester markets are another great option for a more relaxed experience, while those looking for the bright city lights might want to consider Liverpool, Edinburgh or Belfast, all of which were highly rated in our recent city survey.’
For the full Which? Visit to travel stories www.welke.co.uk/news/article/best-uk-cities-christmas-markets.
