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 SepChristmas Markets
Every market we cover, sorted by opening date. Dates change year to year — always check the official site before you book.
97 markets
Nov14to 3 Jan
Nov14Sat
In 26 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 27 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 24 Dec
Provisional dates
Christmas Market
Brighton Christmas Market
Brighton, United Kingdom
Brighton's Christmas festival returns to the gardens around St Peter's Church — dates reported, awaiting official confirmation.
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
Nov18Wed
In 30 days
Light Switch-On
Greenwich Lantern Parade & Christmas Lights Switch-On
London, United Kingdom
A lantern parade through historic Greenwich, ending with the market's Christmas lights coming on.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov19to 31 Dec
Light Trail
Christmas at Bute Park
Cardiff, United Kingdom
A mile-long illuminated trail through four themed worlds in the parkland behind Cardiff Castle.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov19to 3 Jan
Christmas Festival
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
London, United Kingdom
The biggest festive event in the UK — a full theme park bolted onto a Christmas market, in the middle of London.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov19to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Leeds Christmas Market
Leeds, United Kingdom
Under a new operator for 2026, with City Square turned over to Yorkshire makers rather than imported German stalls.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov19to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Newcastle Christmas Market
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Seventy traders strung along Grey Street — regularly called one of the finest streets in England — and around the Monument.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov19to 1 Jan
Christmas Market
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
Salzburg, Austria
One of the oldest Advent markets in Europe, held between the cathedral and the Residenz.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov20to 23 Dec
Christmas Market
Aachen Christmas Market
Aachen, Germany
Stalls wrapped around Charlemagne's cathedral and the town hall — and the home of Aachener Printen.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov20to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Chicago, United States
The most authentically German market in North America, in Daley Plaza since 1996.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov20to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Munich Christkindlmarkt
Munich, Germany
Munich's city market in front of the New Town Hall — opening earlier than ever in 2026, on Friday 20 November.
Checked 3 Oct
Nov20to 23 Dec
Provisional dates
Christmas Market
Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
One of Germany's most picturesque Christmas markets, inside Rothenburg's medieval walls. 2026 dates reported, awaiting official confirmation.
Nov20to 31 Dec
Provisional dates
Christmas Market
Salisbury Christmas on the Square
Salisbury, United Kingdom
Retail huts, Santa's grotto and Sunday festive markets in Guildhall Square, under the tallest spire in Britain.
Nov20to 6 Jan
Christmas Market
Tallinn Christmas Market
Tallinn, Estonia
A medieval walled city, reliable snow, and a tree that has stood here since 1441.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov20to 22 Dec
Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Winchester, United Kingdom
Around 120 chalets in the Cathedral Close, with the ice rink alongside — one of the most atmospheric settings in England.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov21to 31 Dec
Provisional dates
Christmas Market
Christmas in Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
A Christmas market on Broad Street, between the colleges — dates published, but with a calendar slip we want the organiser to fix.
Nov21Sat
In 33 days
Light Switch-On
Cwmbran Christmas Lights Switch-On
Cwmbran, United Kingdom
An afternoon of festive activities in Cwmbran town centre, with the official switch-on at 5pm.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov21Sat
In 33 days
Light Switch-On
Littlehampton Christmas Lights Switch-On
Littlehampton, United Kingdom
One afternoon only — the High Street lights go on, with entertainment and local stalls from 3pm.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov21Sat
In 33 days
Light Switch-On
Newton Abbot Christmas Lights Switch-On
Newton Abbot, United Kingdom
Father Christmas switches on the lights at the town's old clock tower, after an afternoon of entertainment and stalls.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov21to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Truro Christmas Market
Truro, United Kingdom
Cornwall's biggest Christmas market, on Lemon Quay in the county's only city, open every day for five weeks.
Checked 3 Oct