12 Christmas Markets for the 12 Days of Christmas 🎄

Local communities getting together to drink mulled wine, eat Belgian chocolates and buy festive gifts, who doesn’t love a Christmas market?!

Below are 12 of the best UK Christmas Markets that you could visit over the festive period. You could even do it over the 12 days of Christmas if you are feeling really festive! Although do keep in mind that most of them are closed on Christmas Day.

1. London

Starting in London as that’s where our Hiyacar offices are based. Not only do you have the infamous Winter Wonderland which is open from 10am-10pm until 6th Jan 2019. You can go ice skating, listen to live music and eat lots of food.

You can also go to the Southbank Winter Market which has a 50 chalet market.

2. Portsmouth

Step back in time at Portsmouth’s Christmas Market where they celebrate Charles Dickens, the famous author who is known as “the father of the modern Christmas.” The market is running until the 24th December and will be filled with wooden cabins selling hot food, gifts & mulled wine. There’s also a giant LED Bauble which is the perfect setting for a festive selfie!

3. Bath

In 2017, Bath was voted as the UK’s favourite Christmas market. With over 200 chalets filled with food, drink and gifts you can also hear choirs, carol singers and musicians playing whilst you do your Christmas shopping. Bath’s Christmas market is open from the 22 November to 9 December.

4. Cirencester; ‘The Capital of the Cotswolds”

From the 10th-16th December, historic Cirencester becomes one huge Christmas Market hosted by the Cotswold Markets and Cirencester Town Council, it was voted by Vogue Magazine as one of the top eight Christmas Markets to visit. The light switch on officially opens the market and during the week you can buy lots of local food, drink and gifts from the chalets.

5. Birmingham

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market claims to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. WIth live music, pretzels and schnitzels, and weissbeer (wheat beer) it’s a great place to meet up with friends and family. The market is open from the 15 November to 23 December.

6. Manchester

In 1999 the Manchester Christmas Market launched in St Ann’s Square and now every year millions of people visit and the markets cover the whole city. The Markets will run from November 9th-December 22nd. If you go on the last (extra) day, December 23rd to the main market hub you can get some last minute bargains from the local traders. This year you can visit the magical ice village, it’s the UK’s first ever dedicated ice attraction.

7. Leeds

If you looking for a family-friendly Christmas Market, make sure you stop off in Leeds to join Santa for breakfast in the Alp Chalet. There is also a weekly show for children every Sunday morning from the 24th November — 22nd December where they can do face painting, arts, crafts & lots of singing! The German Market is open from 10.30am-9.30pm (Monday-Saturday) and 10.30am-7.40pm on Sunday (6pm on Saturday 22nd December which is the last day).

8. York

Take a trip to York and visit the Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village. The iconic St Nicholas Christmas Fair is not one to miss.

You can sample festive food and mulled wine at the Yorkshire Barn and visit The Judge’s Lodging which hosts the Small Business Christmas Market where you can find locally crafted gifts. All the festivities run from the 15 November to 23 December.

9. Cardiff

If you are looking for beautiful handmade products, Cardiff’s Christmas Market organised by Craft Folk, have a mix of old and new exhibitors every year who are selling their unique gifts. Everything from artwork & prints to glasswork and leather, the market runs from the 15th November -23rd December. Cardiff really takes pride in showcasing their local community.

10. Edinburgh

Explore Edinburgh’s “24 Doors of Advent” from the 1st-24th December, this real-life advent calendar showcases all of the unique buildings in Edinburgh over 24 days.

There is also a Christmas Tree Maze, ice skating and of course the Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens from the 17th November -5th January.

11. Belfast

The Belfast Christmas Market is located inside the grounds of the Belfast City Hall and it’s a celebration of festive aromas, sights and sounds. There are over 90 wooden chalets and the market is very focused on the food experience, you can drink Glühwein (mulled wine) and enjoy a range of speciality cheeses. There is also a large outdoor food court and a traditional Irish Bar playing live music. The Belfast Christmas Market runs from the 27th November — 22nd December.

12. Glasgow

If you only have time to visit one city over the festive period but you want to experience a whole range of Christmas Markets. Glasgow hosts a number of independent markets throughout the city and they also have their large traditional market.