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 SepChristmas Markets
Every market we cover, sorted by opening date. Dates change year to year — always check the official site before you book.
50 markets
Nov19to 31 Dec
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 27 Aug
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 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 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
Nov21Sat
In 54 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 54 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 54 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 26 Sep
Nov25to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Dresden, Germany
First held in 1434, which makes it Germany’s oldest — and it still bakes the definitive Stollen.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov26to 13 Dec
Christmas Market
Bath Christmas Market
Bath, United Kingdom
Georgian streets, honey-coloured stone, and wooden chalets threaded through the lanes around the Abbey.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov26to 28 Nov
Christmas Market
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market
Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
Three days, fifty-plus Suffolk makers, and a market held inside the cathedral itself.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov27to 3 Jan
Christmas Market
Brussels Winter Wonders
Brussels, Belgium
Two kilometres of chalets, plus a sound-and-light show on the Grand-Place.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov27to 24 Dec
Christmas Market
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Nuremberg, Germany
The most famous Christmas market in the world, and the one every other market is measured against.
Checked 27 Aug
Nov27to 13 Dec
Christmas Market
Rochester Christmas Market & Dickensian Festival
Rochester, United Kingdom
Over 120 stalls in the castle gardens across three weekends — and on the middle one, the whole town goes Victorian.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov28Sat
In 61 days
Light Switch-On
Derby Christmas Lights Switch-On
Derby, United Kingdom
Derby switches on its lights and launches Festive Derby on the last Saturday of November.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov28to 6 Jan
Christmas Market
Prague Old Town Square Market
Prague, Czech Republic
Possibly the most photogenic setting of any market in Europe.
Checked 22 Sep
Nov28Sat
In 61 days
Light Switch-On
Thatcham Christmas Lights Switch-On & Market
Thatcham, United Kingdom
New for 2026: Thatcham's switch-on and Christmas market combined into a single festive Saturday.
Checked 26 Sep
Nov28to 29 Nov
Christmas Shopping
Windsor Christmas Fair
Windsor, United Kingdom
A weekend fair of around 150 makers, designers and food producers at the racecourse — for serious present-buying.
Checked 26 Sep
Dec3to 6 Dec
Christmas Market
Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre
Worcester, United Kingdom
Four days, nearly 200 stalls, and the historic streets of Worcester given over to a Victorian Christmas.
Checked 26 Sep
Dec4to 6 Dec
Christmas Festival
Durham Christmas Festival
Durham, United Kingdom
A three-day festival rather than a month-long market — and all the better for it, packed into the peninsula below the cathedral.
Checked 27 Aug