There is nothing more Christmassy than a festive market, and as winter is almost here, can you name a better thing to do than explore some of the UK’s best Christmas markets? From Bath to Manchester, the UK has one of the most stunning Christmas events, selling delicious food and festive gifts. During Christmas, all of us would like a little bit of cheer, and luckily, all the cities are putting on a lively show that obliges us to enter the joy of the season.
You can always join the party with the help of a glass of mulled wine and delicious food you will find all over the markets under spectacular displays and glittering lights. It’s hard not to get in the Christmas spirit with so many beautiful decorations and carol singers that create one of the best atmospheres of the year.
All around the UK, you will find town halls, castles and squares transformed into magical scenes that will make everyone feel extra happy. Here are some of the best Christmas markets in the UK you can’t miss this winter.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market
Edinburgh comes alive at Christmas, so if you are looking for one of the best winter markets in the UK, you must visit this place. The market is held at East Princess Street Gardens, where you will meet an array of goods with presents on sale and quirky crafts. Edinburgh is also home to a traditional Scottish Market on George Street, where you can have an authentic British experience with local products. Add the shows and Christmas fairs to these markets, and you will see that Edinburgh is a guaranteed recipe for festive fun.
Manchester Christmas Market
The Manchester Christmas market is one of the biggest in Britain, having over 300 traders. The jolly gigantic Christmas event is located in the city centre and is packed with stalls offering plenty of food and drink options and extensive alternatives of gifts to pick for your loved ones. The market has many sections, each with a distinct theme. For instance, Albert Square is home to the European market, King Street is the base for the French theme, Brazennose Street accommodates a world market, and St. Ann’s Square hosts the German market.
You surely have so many things to do in Manchester during Christmas, so prepare yourself for the best time of your life. Pick one of the cosiest clothing articles to keep you warm, and don’t forget to opt for a backpack to place everything you will buy. Loungefly in the UK has one of the best backpacks, purses and wallets that will appeal to every taste, so make sure you take a look at the website.
Bath Christmas Market
The Bath Christmas market is often voted as one of the most popular Christmas events in the UK and is one of the largest winter markets in the South West. It boasts 170 decorated wooden chalets you will find in the heart of Bath’s World Heritage Site. The winter spectacle invites all the stallholders from the region to come here, and many of the vendors are from Bath or the surrounding area. The visitors will not only have the chance to be amazed by the city’s beautiful architecture, but also by amazing lights and a very festive atmosphere.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Popular overseas and all around the UK, Birmingham’s Christmas market takes over New Street and Victoria Square and fills in the seasonal cheer. It is the largest German market outside Germany and Austria and is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas markets from all over the UK. Here, you can eat the best bratwurst, drink gluhwein and pick some traditional handcrafts that will make the best gifts for your dear ones.
However, Birmingham is not limited only to the German market, as here you can also watch plenty of live music all over the city, go ice skating or visit another market at Cathedral Square.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London
The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland can be described as the pinnacle of London’s festivities, which is really saying something, as the capital is home to plenty of other markets you can choose from. Markets at the Tate Modern, Southbank and Leicester Square have their perks, but they don’t have the impact of the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
The variety of market stalls, thrill rides, attractions and eateries, combined with the location being central and very accessible, makes this market one of the most popular events in the UK, where millions of people come each year. The atmosphere is unlike any other, and it is open until January, so you will have plenty of time to visit and take it all in.
Winchester Christmas Market
Set near the Winchester Cathedral, the Winchester Christmas Market is home to plenty of stalls and local musicians who play a wide range of music genres to put you in the festive mood. The traditional German markets inspired the event, and you have over 100 chalets to explore the food and gifts available from the stalls that ensure a superior and diverse selection of products.
York St. Nicholas Fair
The historic streets of York look the best when they are all lit up, and the St. Nicholas Fair is one of the factors that make this happen. You will surely think you are in a winter wonderland when you see the alpine chalets lined in St. Sampson’s Square and Parliament Street. York is definitely one of the best cities to visit in the winter and Christmas. Here, you will have the impression of being transported in the pages of A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens.
Which of these Christmas markets do you plan to visit?
