You don't need a passport to find a good Christmas market. The UK has plenty, from huge city-centre events with Ferris wheels and ice rinks to smaller cathedral-side markets with a more old-fashioned feel. Most open in the first half of November and run until just before Christmas, so there's no need to wait until December. Here are eight worth planning a day or a weekend around, with 2026 dates where we could find them.

Dates can change. Most of the 2026 dates below come from announcements made earlier this autumn, so check each market's official website before you book travel or a hotel.

Manchester

Manchester's markets open on Friday 6 November and run until Tuesday 22 December. The stalls at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until Sunday 3 January. There are ten city-centre sites with more than 210 stalls, and Lincoln Square is new for 2026. Albert Square has a 50-metre Ferris wheel, a Helter-Skelter and a new Christmas markets pop-up pub, and a covered ice rink at Cathedral Gardens stays open until 3 January. A Christmas parade is planned for Sunday 6 December.

Based on last year's guidance, entry is free, a collectible mug was £3.50 (with £3 refunded when you return it), and food and drink came to around £20 to £30 a head. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons had roughly 40% shorter queues at popular stalls, and weekend evenings were the busiest. Piccadilly and Victoria stations are each about a 10-minute walk away, and Metrolink trams stop close by. If you want to skate, book online weeks ahead because weekend slots sell out.

Birmingham

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is described as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany or Austria. It has traditional German food and drink, a bandstand with local performers, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink. In 2026 it runs from 5 November to 24 December in Victoria Square and along New Street, according to the city council. Opening hours are 11am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 11am to 9.30pm on Friday, 10am to 9.30pm on Saturday and 10am to 9pm on Sunday, and on Remembrance Sunday (8 November) it opens at 1pm. The Big Wheel and ice rink at Centenary Square run from 5 November to 3 January.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh's market runs from 14 November to 4 January 2027. It's set in Princes Street Gardens, with Santa Land, more than 70 stalls, views of Edinburgh Castle, a big wheel and an ice rink. It's worth making a weekend of it rather than a day trip, especially as the city is lovely in winter. If you're comparing options, our guide to city breaks from the UK in November covers Edinburgh too.

York

York's St Nicholas Fair runs from 12 November to 21 December, and one listing says it is closed on Tuesdays. About 75 alpine-style chalets fill Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square, and there's a Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village for local crafts. One guide says York offers the same history and hot chocolate as bigger cities with smaller crowds, which makes it a good choice if you'd rather not queue for everything.

Liverpool

Liverpool's market runs from 14 November to 24 December. It has more than 40 traditional-style cabins, European food such as bratwurst and crêpes, and a 30-metre Christmas tree. It's set around St George's Hall and William Brown Street, with rides including a big wheel and a snow slide.

Chester

Chester's market runs from 18 November to 22 December. It has more than 70 wooden chalets by the historic Town Hall, with a focus on local producers, and an arcade under the tree for children.

Winchester

Winchester Cathedral's market runs from 20 November to 22 December. It's German-inspired, with more than 100 chalets and an open-air ice rink in front of the cathedral. Bring a warm scarf and gloves. Listings also mention light installations and carols, which suit the setting.

Bath

Bath's market is shorter. One 2026 listing gives 26 November to 13 December. It has more than 200 decorated stalls along Milsom Street, York Street, Bath Street and Abbeygate Street, selling artisan decorations, handmade jewellery and festive food and drink. We only found that date in one source, so check the official Bath Christmas Market website before you plan a trip.

Also worth knowing

  • Nottingham Winter Wonderland: 11 November to 24 December, with an ice rink and a 33-metre observation wheel
  • Southampton: 13 November to 4 January 2027, known for German-style chalets and a flying Santa
  • Harrogate Christmas Fayre: 4 to 13 December, a short run in a spa town
  • Truro, Cornwall: 21 November to 24 December, around the cathedral
  • Glasgow: St Enoch Square from 6 November, Glasgow Green from 20 November to 3 January 2027, and George Square from late November

How to get the most out of a Christmas market

  • Go midweek or early. Weekend evenings and the final weekends before Christmas are the busiest. Early December is generally quieter, while mid-December has the most atmosphere
  • Dress for the weather. Bring a waterproof, gloves and a hat, plus layers, as December temperatures in Manchester average roughly 4 to 8°C
  • Book hotels early. Rooms in popular cities fill up on weekends, so look as soon as you've picked your dates
  • Use the train. Parking in city centres is expensive and busy, and many markets are a short walk from the station
  • Budget for food and drink. Entry is usually free, but a day out can quickly come to £40 to £60 a head in Manchester, according to one guide. Our Trip Budget Calculator can help you plan, using "My own numbers"

Want to go abroad instead?

If you'd like a market with a bit more of a European feel, our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe covers the options, and our cabin bag guide will help you pack for a winter city break without paying for a hold bag.

Where this comes from

Dates, prices and layouts change from year to year, so this is a snapshot, first checked on 11 October 2026 and updated on 31 October 2026 for Birmingham, Bath and Glasgow. These are the guides it draws on: