Every date checked against the official source
Plenty of sites list Christmas markets. Most of them are quietly showing last year's dates. We check every one with the organiser, stamp it with the date we did, and tell you plainly when a market hasn't announced yet.
47 sleeps to go
Every date comes from the organiser or an official announcement, never from another listings site. Each listing is stamped with the day we checked it.
If a market hasn't announced, we say so — we don't fill the gap with last year's dates. See what we're waiting on
Pick the day you're travelling and see what's actually running — with closure days and Christmas Day accounted for. Try it
One-day events — switch-ons and truck stops. Miss the date and you miss it entirely.
Nov12Thu
In 4 days
London, United Kingdom
Over 300,000 lights, the giant baubles and mirror balls, and a British-grown tree on the West Piazza.
Checked 26 SepNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Newcastle starts its Christmas a week before the market opens, with the lights on Grey Street.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov12Thu
In 4 days
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff's lights come on the same day its Winter Wonderland opens — the start of the Welsh capital's Christmas.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov14Sat
In 6 days
Belfast, United Kingdom
The Lord Mayor lights up Belfast at City Hall — on the same day the Continental Christmas Market opens. Ticketed.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov14Sat
In 6 days
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
A full day of markets, street food and stilt walkers in Shakespeare's town, ending with the lights at 5.30pm.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov15Sun
In 7 days
Swindon, United Kingdom
A Sunday afternoon of school choirs, a festive market and the countdown at Wharf Green.
Checked 27 Aug
Oct23to 3 Jan
Open now
New York, United States
Free ice skating in midtown Manhattan, ringed by more than 180 glass-fronted kiosks.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov5to 24 Dec
Open now
Birmingham, United Kingdom
The largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria, run in genuine partnership with Frankfurt since 2001.
Checked 22 SepBirmingham, United Kingdom
Over 60 independent arts and crafts businesses around St Philip’s Cathedral, separate from Birmingham’s Frankfurt market.
Checked 7 Nov
Nov6to 22 Dec
Open now
Manchester, United Kingdom
England’s biggest Christmas market — 210 stalls spread across seven city-centre sites, and a mulled wine mug people genuinely collect.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov6to 23 Dec
Open now
Bristol, United Kingdom
One of the earliest openers in the country, running the length of Broadmead from early November.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov6to 27 Dec
Open now
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Two sites, not one: gift stalls and an observation wheel at St Enoch Square, the rink and funfair over at Glasgow Green.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov12to 21 Dec
York, United Kingdom
Alpine chalets on medieval streets, with the Minster at the end of every view.
Checked 3 OctSheffield, United Kingdom
More than fifty log cabins running from the Town Hall right down to the bottom of The Moor — and still open on Boxing Day.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov12to 24 Dec
Nottingham, United Kingdom
An ice rink, a skating path, an observation wheel and a market, all in front of the Council House — and free to walk into.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov12to 23 Dec
Cardiff, United Kingdom
The biggest market in Wales by some distance — 200 chalets across five pedestrianised streets.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov12to 3 Jan
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Scotland's northernmost big Christmas market, set out along Broad Street in front of one of the largest granite buildings in the world.
Checked 3 OctSouthampton, United Kingdom
Chalets from the medieval Bargate down Above Bar, with a Ferris wheel and rides in Guildhall Square.
Checked 26 Sep
Advent in Zagreb
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Truro Christmas Market
Colmar Christmas Markets
Newcastle Christmas Market
Munich Christkindlmarkt
Belfast Christmas Market
Christkindlmarket Chicago
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