The UK’s Best Christmas Markets 2023
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1 year ago
Time to plan this year's festive excursion
We don’t do Christmas by halves in the UK – and we think there’s nothing more festive than a Christmas market themed staycation. Whether you’re looking for a daytrip or a jolly weekend away, these are the best Christmas markets in the UK to make the most of in 2023.
UK’s Best Christmas Markets 2023
Chatsworth Christmas Market
Chatsworth Christmas market waits for no one – but it’s one of the UK’s most magical places come the festive season. Taking place for a brief period in November, the house welcomes over 100 artisan stalls into its grounds, offering gifts, decorations, delicious street food, mulled wine and beer, all soundtracked by live music wafting through the air. Meanwhile, the House itself is being transformed into an Advent delight for 2023, with 24 rooms filled with Christmas wonder, ready for exploring.
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Details: 4–26 November 2023 at Chatsworth House (Bakewell DE45 1PP). chatsworth.org
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh’s favourite Christmas market will return for 2023, with Princes Street transformed once again with an abundance of festivities. Think rides, Santa’s Grotto, rows of cute wooden huts selling a whole range of festive treats, plentiful food and bars serving hot and cold drinks.
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Details: 17 November 2023–6 January 2024 at East Princes Street Gardens (Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2DG). showcatcher.com
Bath Christmas Market
Bath’s picturesque streets are transformed into a winter wonderland every Christmas, with rows and rows of wooden chalet-style market stalls and beautifully Christmassy scents wafting through the air. The twinkling wooden chalets are spread out across the city, entwining some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and offering a variety of crafts, stylish homeware, handmade jewellery, and perfect gifts.
Details: 23 November–10 December 2023 across the city of Bath. bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Cardiff Christmas Market
Taking place across the city’s most popular shopping streets and running for nearly 30 years, Cardiff’s annual festive market attracts visitors from across the UK thanks to its eclectic mixture of stalls and its lively atmosphere featuring music and entertainment.
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Details: 9 November–23 December 2023 on St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes in Cardiff. cardiffchristmasmarket.com
The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace
Beautiful Blenheim Palace will welcome a village of wooden chalets into The Great Court for another year of Christmas festivities. Stock up on festive goodies, stroll and browse, or chow down on tempting street food treats. While you’re there, don’t miss the gorgeous winter light festival, or why not try the special Sleeping Beauty themed afternoon tea?
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Details: 17 November–17 December 2023 at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock OX20 1PP). blenheimpalace.com
Christmas at Hever Castle
Kent’s Hever Castle will get a seasonal makeover come November, featuring colourful Christmas lights, a bedecked trail to follow, fairground rides, wintery characters, lovely food and drinks stalls, plenty of perfect gifts, and the stunning castle lit magnificently at the centre of it all.
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Details: 18 November 2023–1 January 2024 at Hever Castle & Gardens (Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG). hevercastle.co.uk
Chester Christmas Market
Get enchanted in Chester’s historic town centre with a festive twist. Over 70 traders will set up shop in the square around the Town Hall and across the city centre, selling unique gifts, food and drink. It’s a smaller market than other entries on this list, but it is brimming with festive vibes, character and sparkling lights.
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Details: 17 November–21 December 2023 around Chester Town Hall (33 Northgate St, Chester CH1 2HQ). visitcheshire.com
York Christmas Market
It’s all festive foliage and twinkling lights at York’s annual Christmas market, which takes place slap bang in the middle of one of the UK’s most festive and beautiful cities. Expect beautifully decorated shops, restaurants and attractions alongside wooden chalet stalls bringing the festivities into the street. Womble down The Shambles for the Harry Potter vibes, and stop by the unique stalls to find your perfect gift, pre-Christmas crafts, and delicious snacks.
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Details: 16 November–22 December 2023 on Parliament Street and across the city of York. visityork.org
