Top Five Christmas Markets

The sound of Christmas carols and mulled wine pouring into paper cups can only mean one thing, Christmas market season has begun. Make sure to wrap up warm this weekend as we guide you through the top five Christmas markets in the UK.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, Bath Christmas Market features over 170 chalets selling local produce and handmade gifts. As you stroll through the market with a cup of mulled wine and a freshly baked mince pie, make sure you catch this year’s animated light display.

Cardiff’s Christmas Market is set in the heart of the city. Known for celebrating unique, crafted products, you’ll find everything from animal sculptures made from welded stainless steel to botanical syrups and seasonal artisan jams. Be sure to keep an eye out for Santa, who has been known to ride through town on a sleigh pulled by Cairngorm reindeer.

A visit to the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is a Christmas tradition for many Londoners. As you stroll along the riverbank, you can enjoy the festive smells of mulled wine and hot roasted nuts drifting from the wooden chalets while simultaneously taking in the sparkling views of a London adorned in fairy lights.

The award winning market in Manchester is one of the largest Christmas markets in the UK. Featuring almost 350 decorated stalls and chalets, the market is spread across ten sites which winds across the city, each with its own distinct, unique atmosphere. Enjoy the seasonal treats on offer from local and European producers, from the market’s famous bratwurst to Dutch mini pancakes or Hungarian goulash.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is famously the largest German market outside of Germany and Austria. As you arrive at the market, you’re greeted by the mouth-watering smells of schnitzel, bratwurst, roasted almonds and pretzels. For those of you bored of hot chocolate, you’re in luck, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market has stalls dedicated to glühwein and weissbeer.