Oct23to 3 Jan
Christmas Market
Bryant Park Winter Village
New York, United States
Free ice skating in midtown Manhattan, ringed by more than 180 glass-fronted kiosks.
Checked 27 AugChristmas Markets
Every market we cover, sorted by opening date. Dates change year to year — always check the official site before you book.
50 markets
Oct23to 3 Jan
Nov4Wed
In 37 days
Light Switch-On
Carnaby Street Christmas Lights Switch-On
London, United Kingdom
The first big West End switch-on of the season — and for 2026, the theme is the nineties.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov5to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham, United Kingdom
The largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria, run in genuine partnership with Frankfurt since 2001.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov6to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market
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
Christmas Market
Glasgow Christmas Market
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
Nov6to 22 Dec
Christmas Market
Manchester Christmas Markets
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
Nov12to 3 Jan
Christmas Market
Aberdeen Christmas Village
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 26 Sep
Nov12Thu
In 45 days
Light Switch-On
Cardiff Christmas Lights Switch-On
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
Nov12to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Cardiff Christmas Market
Cardiff, United Kingdom
The biggest market in Wales by some distance — 200 chalets across five pedestrianised streets.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov12Thu
In 45 days
Light Switch-On
Covent Garden Christmas Lights Switch-On
London, United Kingdom
Over 300,000 lights, the giant baubles and mirror balls, and a British-grown tree on the West Piazza.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov12Thu
In 45 days
Light Switch-On
Newcastle Christmas Lights Switch-On
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Newcastle starts its Christmas a week before the market opens, with the lights on Grey Street.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov12to 24 Dec
Christmas Festival
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
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 27 Dec
Christmas Market
Southampton Christmas Market
Southampton, United Kingdom
Chalets from the medieval Bargate down Above Bar, with a Ferris wheel and rides in Guildhall Square.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov12to 21 Dec
Christmas Market
York Christmas Market
York, United Kingdom
Alpine chalets on medieval streets, with the Minster at the end of every view.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov13to 3 Jan
Christmas Festival
Christmas in Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
An ice rink, a big wheel and a Christmas market on Parker's Piece — free to walk in, and running into January.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov13to 13 Dec
Christmas Market
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Exeter, United Kingdom
Wooden chalets on Cathedral Green, in front of the longest unbroken Gothic vaulted ceiling in the world.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov13to 26 Dec
Christmas Market
Vienna Christkindlmarkt
Vienna, Austria
The Rathausplatz market: enormous, immaculate, and unapologetically theatrical.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov14Sat
In 47 days
Light Switch-On
Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-On
Belfast, United Kingdom
The Lord Mayor lights up Belfast at City Hall — on the same day the Continental Christmas Market opens. Ticketed.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov14to 22 Dec
Christmas Market
Belfast Christmas Market
Belfast, United Kingdom
A genuinely international market — over 100 traders from 28 countries, in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov14to 3 Jan
Christmas Market
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
East Princes Street Gardens, under the castle, with a big wheel over the top of it.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov14Sat
In 47 days
Light Switch-On
Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Lights Switch-On
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 48 days
Light Switch-On
Swindon Christmas Lights Switch-On
Swindon, United Kingdom
A Sunday afternoon of school choirs, a festive market and the countdown at Wharf Green.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov16to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Cologne, Germany
A hundred and fifty stalls under a giant tree, in the shadow of one of Europe’s great cathedrals.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov18to 22 Dec
Christmas Market
Chester Christmas Market
Chester, United Kingdom
Eighty traders wrapped around the tree outside the Town Hall, in a city built for this sort of thing.
Checked 27 Aug