The best (and WORST) Christmas markets 2023 in Bath, Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Birmingham and more

With the festive season roaring full steam ahead, magical outdoor Christmas activities are set to be enjoyed by millions across the country – including gravity-defying ice skating, enchanting Santa’s grottos and bustling markets.

In the coming weeks, from north to south, Christmas markets will begin popping up across the UK – with stallholders getting ready to sell handmade gifts, warming mulled wine, and freshly baked mince pies.

Most places in the UK play host to a festive celebration, whether it’s a month long affair that cities like Birmingham and Manchester offer, or a one day market like Litchfield Christmas Fayre.

However, with more than 100 markets now operating across the nation, while plenty still ooze traditional German seasonal, charm, some visitors have found that over the years, some Christmas markets have lost their sparkle entirely. 

Read on to find out the best and worst rated Christmas markets and when they are open – including a full list of those that have announced their opening and closing dates.

Best rated Christmas markets in the UK

1. London’s Winter Wonderland 

Taking the top spot, with the highest collective ratings by visitors on Tripadvisor, is London’s Winter Wonderland.

Based in Hyde Park, this theme park and market combination is one of the most prominent festive attractions, in both the capital and the country. 

First launched in 2007, Winter Wonderland attracts millions of visitors each year. 

Tripadvisor said in October: ‘If there’s only one Christmas market you can visit this year, make it the Christmas extravaganza that is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. 

‘End the year on a high with tonnes of rides, a mega Ferris wheel, an outdoor ice rink, ice sculptures, performances, bars… and did we mention over a hundred Christmas market stalls?

‘Pre-booking of tickets is required so hop over to the Winter Wonderland website to snag your slot. If not, there’s always this silent disco Christmas party tour of London.’

Winter Wonderland is open from 18 November until 2 January, 2023. 

2. Edinburgh’s Christmas Market

The second highest rated UK market according to Tripadvisor is Edinburgh’s stellar Christmas market. 

Located in the Scottish capital, as the name suggests, the market can be found in East Princes Street Gardens. 

Tripadvisor said: ‘At Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, you can look forward to a diverse range of stalls selling festive food and trinkets, a Ferris wheel and double carousel, and the much-anticipated return of the city’s outdoor ice rink.

‘And don’t forget to make time to explore the rest of Edinburgh on this hop-on hop-off bus tour.’

Edinburgh’s Christmas market opened on 25 November and runs until 3 January, 2023. 

Between 30 December and New Year’s Day, there will also be Hogmanay taking place in the Scottish capital. 

3. Manchester’s Christmas market 

Coming in third as the UK’s best rated Christmas market, as reported by Tripadvisor, is Manchester’s Christmas Market.

Located in the north west of England across Manchester city centre, this market is another huge festive attraction. 

Manchester’s bustling Christmas markets have been running since 1998 and are now back for a 24th year.

Tripadvisor said: ‘Another spot that contends for the top Christmas market in the UK is the Manchester Christmas Markets, centering in Piccadilly Gardens once again.’

‘The Winter Gardens will feature Yuletide bars with local ales and foodie favorites like Dutch Frites, with live music and DJs spinning festive tunes. Get an intimate and tailored Christmas in Manchester experience with this private tour.’

Manchester City council also added: ‘With over 220 stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre, this year’s Christmas Markets are set to bring some much-needed festive cheer to the city’s streets and squares in the run-up to Christmas.’

The Manchester Christmas markets are running from 10 November until 22 December – closing just before Christmas – so make sure you make a note in your diary if you are planning on visiting. 

Worst rated Christmas markets in the UK  

Birmingham’s Frankfurt market 

Birmingham’s Frankfurt market is largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. 

There’s plenty to do, with an ice rink and big wheel as well as hundreds of stalls selling gifts including handcrafted wooden decorations, baubles, candles, toys jewellery and more. 

But, according to collective reviews from visitors in 2022 and some of 2023 on Tripadvisor, Birmingham has emerged as hosting one of the worst rated Christmas markets in the UK. 

Out of 173 reviews, 138 people listed Birmingham’s Christmas market as ‘terrible’ and ‘poor.’

One visitor said, ‘Very disappointed – we drove two hours and there were barely any gift stalls and the food wasn’t great,’ while another wrote, ‘Gone are the wonderful German gift stalls, only to be replaced by poor food and rough drinks.’

A fellow disappointed reveler wrote: ‘Food ok if you like sausages. Not a great deal of other stall choice. In my opinion worst UK market. Save your money and just go Bullring. Avoid.’

Birmingham’s Frankfurt market is open from November 2 until Christmas Eve, before it packs up for another year.

Opening times are Monday to Thursday: 11am – 9pm, Fridays 11am – 9.30pm, Saturdays 10am – 9.30pm and Sundays 10am – 9pm.

York’s Christmas market 

Twinkling lights, cheerful carols, and the delightful aroma of festive treats will adorn the streets of York as the North East city is transformed into a holiday haven.

More than 75 alpine chalets will line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. These charming chalets will offer an array of locally crafted treasures and artisan gifts brought to you by talented local traders.

However, out of 81 reviews left by visitors on Tripadvisor, York’s Christmas market was overwhelmingly listed as ‘terrible’ and ‘poor’ by 42 people. 

One person, who described their visit as an ‘awful experience’ earlier this month, said: ‘What an absolute nightmare! Far too overcrowded for the very narrow streets in York. 

‘Market stalls very poor that’s if you managed to get anywhere near them! ALL shops had mile long queues.’

Another visitor described the experience as ‘overcrowded,’ writing: It wasn’t pleasant, it was overcrowded to the point of falling out with people just trying to get by.’ 

They added: ‘You couldn’t see anything you just had to go along with the crowd because if you try to cut across to get to a stall you had no chance. 

‘All prices hiked up especially….15 pounds for two cheese burgers! Avoid if you have small kids seriously and why people take dogs I do not know!’ 

York Christmas Market is available to visit from November 16 to December 22, just before the attraction closes for Christmas. 

Bath’s Christmas market 

Bath’s Christmas market will welcome over 170 chalet stalls with ‘some of the best crafters that the South West and beyond has to offer.’

Visitors can expect homeware, handmade jewellery, personalised presents and lots of festive food.

However, Bath’s Christmas market is among some of the most poorly rated in UK, with half of its 36 total reviews left on Tripadvisor listing it as ‘terrible,’ ‘poor’ and ‘average.’

One discontented visitor labelled the market as a ‘pickpocket’s paradise,’ writing: ‘Pointless going because you can’t get anywhere near the stalls, very expensive and so little street lighting that it’s a pickpockets paradise.’

Another person wrote: ‘More genuine Christmas stalls needed. No more tat please. Very disappointing.’  

A fellow disappointed reveler said: ‘Poor market.. crammed into too small an area…some of the advertised stalls not there…so didn’t buy anything.’

Bath’s Christmas market opening hours are Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm and Sundays: 10am to 6pm.

Find a full list of the UK’s Christmas markets that have announced their dates below: