As the festive season approaches, it’s time to get planning your Christmas markets – and the best ones in the UK for 2025 have been named, with two in the North East of England
The festive season countdown is officially underway, with heartening adverts appearing on our televisions, Christmas tunes echoing in supermarkets, and Yuletide markets sprucing up streets across the UK – and this year’s top picks have been unveiled.
Each year, cities nationwide morph into enchanting winter wonderlands as they welcome back their annual Christmas markets, featuring wooden chalets adorned with garlands and brimming with gift ideas and seasonal delights. With hundreds believed to be scattered across the UK, Which? has conducted thorough research to disclose the top nine that are a must-see this year.
In its yearly Yuletide tradition, Which? evaluated the best Christmas markets in the UK, taking into account factors such as size, diversity of stalls, availability of seasonal treats and drinks, and whether entry is complimentary. The results were based on the top nine cities that scored highest in its Best UK Cities survey, which garnered responses from over 4,000 visitors.
Delightfully, the York Christmas Market, just under an hour from Hull, has been acclaimed as one of the finest. Known as St Nicholas Fair, the annual market has been a festive fixture for over 30 years and is a prime location for gift hunting. Dozens of alpine-style chalets decorated with twinkling lights illuminate Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, where visitors can browse art prints and festive decorations.
Which? has praised the market’s “great attention to detail when it comes to accessibility” with “initiatives to help those with limited mobility, and designated quiet shopping times from 10am to 12pm for those who prefer a music-free experience”.
Running from 13 November through to 21 December, the York Christmas Market offers free admission, making it an excellent destination for a festive day trip. Away from the market itself, the city’s rich heritage provides numerous attractions to discover, including the magnificent York Minster and the Shambles, a medieval street featuring half-timbered buildings, independent retailers and a traditional market.
Visitors might also wish to stop off in Durham, whose Christmas market has also secured a place in the top nine for 2025. Which? describes it as a “quiet yet peaceful affair”, featuring approximately 30 stalls extending from the Market Hall into the surrounding cobbled streets, selling locally produced hot sauce, reimagined vintage garments, confectionery, and handcrafted decorations.
There’s also a crafts and gifts marquee available, housing more than 120 additional stalls to explore, though entry requires payment. To work off those seasonal indulgences, visitors could tackle the 325 steps up Durham Cathedral’s tower, or enjoy a leisurely walk through the city’s attractive Botanic Garden.
Bath: More than 200 wooden chalets line the cobblestone streets of Bath during one of the UK’s biggest and most well-known Christmas markets, which celebrates its 25th anniversary. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, stallholders offer items such as handmade wooden furniture, garden sculptures, Bristolian knitwear and indie fragrances. Local seasonal treats are also central to the market, including festive bakes from Flapjackery and the Pudding Wagon. Festivities can continue at nearby Royal Victoria Park for a glide around the ice rink or a wintry stroll along the city’s famous Royal Crescent.
Chester: This year, the city has expanded to include 80 stalls dotted around Chester’s Victorian Gothic town hall and medieval cathedral, offering handcrafted candles, upcycled cutlery, artisan liqueurs and more. Independent traders can also be found in the double-deck shopping arcades known as the Rows, which date back to the 13th century and are among the city’s most distinctive sights. Elsewhere, Roman ruins, ancient gatehouses, Tudor buildings and Georgian and Victorian architecture add to Chester’s captivating charm.
Winchester: Set on the grounds of the breathtaking Winchester Cathedral, the city’s Christmas market features charming wooden chalets filled with gift ideas including silk scarves, wooden toys, pet portraits and handmade homeware, all accompanied by performances from local choirs and musicians. Seasonal goodies such as artisan cheese, a classic hog roast and handmade scotch eggs add an extra touch of indulgence. You can also explore Winchester’s independent shops, and a visit to the cathedral is highly recommended.
Wells: You will need to be quick for this one, as it takes place on a single Saturday in mid-December. With more than 100 stalls set across Bishops Palace Green and Wells Market Place on Saturday 6 December, it is well worth the trip. There is plenty to see and do in this quaint medieval city for a weekend getaway, and it offers a variety of unique shops and eateries.
Liverpool: The city’s Christmas market is set against the dramatic backdrop of a fairy-lit St George’s Hall, with its stalls designed to look like gingerbread houses and grottos. Visitors note that it is not the most nostalgic market, with less choral music, artisan crafts and mince pies, and more 80s Christmas pop, fairground rides and down-to-earth food like roast ham baps and mac and cheese. Liverpool is a large and historic city, so there are many sights to explore beyond the market, including the museums at Albert Dock, the Walker Art Gallery and the city’s two cathedrals.
Edinburgh: As one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, its Christmas market only adds to the magic. Wooden chalets line East Princes Street, selling Yuletide gifts and cosy stocking fillers. There is also a mini funfair with a helter-skelter, a swing carousel that almost grazes the Gothic Scott Monument, and a big wheel offering views of Edinburgh’s medieval castle and the ancient hill Arthur’s Seat. Afterwards, you can wander through the winter gardens, go ice skating or explore the New Town for more shopping in the city famous for its New Year’s Eve Hogmanay celebrations.
Belfast: Returning for its 21st year, the Christmas market is held in the grounds of Belfast’s City Hall and is set to be a hit with food lovers. Flavours from across the region and the world are available, including the famed ostrich, wild boar, and crocodile burgers, along with classic sausages and beer, and a wide selection of specialty cheeses. With more than 100 traders, there is plenty to discover, along with a funfair for children. Further food options await at St George’s Market for a taste of modern Belfast, which is bustling with local producers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, or you can head to Cathedral Square for bars, restaurants and galleries.