While Christmas markets across Europe have been popular for many years, there’s a growing number in the UK that are proving to be just as popular.
Here the Christmas.co.uk team take a look at just some just a few of them.
York
While there is a lot to do in York around the year, the St Nicholas Christmas market is an impressive event.
Set in the city centre, it runs from 15 November to 23 December and features traditional alpine charity stalls selling Christmas food and goods.
There’s also a funfair and a ‘Made in Yorkshire’ village offering locally made crafts and gifts as well as drink and food.
There’s also a Santa’s grotto.
Along with a great mix of pubs and restaurants, the city plays host to a number of Christmas pantomimes, including one that is regarded to be the best in the country at York Theatre Royal.
Portsmouth
The city’s historic dockyard is transformed during the Christmas season into a Victorian street when visitors get to enjoy snow-covered cobbles and the cast of Dickens’ most famous characters.
There are more than 100 Christmas stalls and a wide range of food and drink to enjoy.
The Dickens Christmas Festival is staged from 30 November to 2 December.
Bath
The Christmas market in Bath is a long time UK favourite and there’s plenty to do and appreciate.
Set in the Georgian streets with more than 180 Alpine chalets that are selling everything from festive food and drink to clothes and jewellery.
Bath’s Christmas market can get busy and is taking place this year from 22 November to 9 December.
Birmingham
The city plays host to the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria and the Christmas market is hugely popular.
For those who have enjoyed German Christmas markets before then you’ll get to enjoy pretzels, bratwurst and German beer.
There’s also a live music, which creates a friendly and warm atmosphere and Centenary Square’s ice rink is open too.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market is open from 15 November to 23 December.
Glasgow
Unusually, Glasgow is home to two Christmas markets in St Enoch Square and George Square.
Alongside this, there are lots of independent Christmas craft and gift markets in the run-up to Christmas itself.
There’s a lot to see and do and the Riverside Christmas fair has fairground rides and a Santa’s grotto aboard a tall ship.
Chatsworth House
For those who like their Christmas market to be set in an unusual location, then Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is for you.
This 14th century stately home has more than 100 Christmas stalls offering a range of gifts plus festive music to help shoppers get into the Christmas spirit.
Chatsworth House is also decorated for the season and the country estate is an enjoyable visit.
London
As should be expected, the capital city has lots of Christmas markets to choose from.
Among the excellent attractions is Winter bill in Clapham and Hyde Park is home to the Winter Wonderland.
There’s also a Christmas Festival set on the South Bank while there are home-made gifts and Christmas food available from around the world at the Southbank Centre including Christmas carols and a Caribbean Christmas party.
Highly recommended Christmas markets
The Christmas.co.uk team can also highly recommend the Christmas market in Nottingham with an excellent range of food and gift stalls and also Cheltenham’s Christmas market which offers lots of impressive craft stalls, unusual gifts and a friendly atmosphere.
