Magical UK Christmas Markets to Visit in 2023

Maddie West -

'Tis almost that festive time of year where the countdown to Christmas begins.

Where we decorate our homes with twinkling Christmas lights, dazzling festive colours, warm spiced candles, and a traditional Christmas tree for "Santa" to leave all the Christmas presents underneath.

In the lead up to Christmas we start doing a bit of online Christmas shopping, or head to our local shopping centres, to find all the best xmas gifts and stocking fillers from "Santa".

(Or splurge on some cute festive decorations to get your home looking all warm & cosy for the winter holidays!)

But why not add a sprinkle of festivity to your shopping trip by planning a visit to one (or multiple) of the best Christmas Markets in the UK?

Cheerful bakers, brewers, confectioners, candle makers, local retailers, artists and crafts people all selling a wide array of Christmas gifts out of aesthetically-pleasing rustic wooden chalets adorned with tinsel and holly branches - like something out of a Christmas fairytale.

Sweet smells of mulled wine, gingerbread, and German bratwurst sausages wafting through the chilly winter air.

All nestled within the heart of the city where people from all walks of life come together to share in the magical celebrations & be awe-inspired by the enchanting atmosphere of the Christmas season.

UK Christmas Markets are definitely a brilliant way to delve into the festive Christmas spirit!

Continue reading to discover my top recommendations for the Best UK Christmas Markets in 2023 that you don't want to miss.

York Christmas Market (a.k.a. St. Nicholas Fair)

Christmas in York is truly magical indeed, as you'll be nestled within a quirky Northern city filled from top-to-toe with charming remnants of British history and culture, which makes York one of the best places to visit during winter in the UK.

You'll be able to spot influences from the Romans, the Vikings, Medieval Britain, the Victorian industrial age, and much more.

To visit the York Christmas Market you'll need to head to the south side of Parliament Street where you'll find a multitude of wooden Christmas chalets all glowing with warmth and festivity, all the way up to St. Sampson's Square.

And definitely don't miss out on trying a Yorkshire wrap!

They've been a solid fan-favourite street food snack in the UK in recent years. If you haven't heard of a Yorkshire wrap before, they're a modern twist (originating in Yorkshire) on the traditional English roast dinner where the Yorkshire pudding is flattened and used to bundle up all the delicious savoury meats, vegetables, and gravy into an easy-to-eat wrap.

And what better place to try one than in York!

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

If you haven't heard this already from your family and friends, Winchester Christmas Market is regarded as one of the BEST Christmas Markets to go to in Europe.

Winchester has a very quaint & cosy vibe (somewhat similar to The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black) with beautifully preserved architecture and ties to the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

The market itself can be found to the right of the magnificent Winchester Cathedral down a narrow passageway and into the Inner Close where you'll find a bustling array of wooden chalets and rosy-cheeked friendly faces.

Each seller is handpicked which adds a special touch knowing that the products being sold are of excellent quality & that you're helping support local small businesses who have put a lot of love, care, and passion into their products.

Additionally, Winchester Cathedral Market should definitely be a priority to explore if you're a foodie.

Delectable savoury smells of hog roasts, melted raclette cheese, scotch eggs, toasties, and Bratwurst sausages dance in the air alongside sweeter smells of warm spiced mead, botanical gins, scotch whiskeys, hot chocolates, Christmas brownies & blondies, and delicious pots of apple crumble topped with warm vanilla custard.

You'll easily fall in love with this magical Christmas Market - and go on to recommend it to your friends and family too!

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

If you're looking for one of Europe's best traditional Christmas Markets, then look no further!

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest authentic Christmas Markets outside of Germany and Austria.

It'll feel like you're walking through a bustling winter fairytale village cocooned within the tall skyscrapers of Birmingham's industrial skyline.

Illuminated by fun and jolly Christmas decorations, lights, carousels, a ferris wheel, and an ice rink too!

Take a stroll starting from New Street, to Victoria Square and then on to Centenary Square, and experience the old-timey magic of Christmas with around 200 classic wooden chalet market stalls to have a mooch around.

You'll be able to find everything from handmade crafted goods, wooden board games, snow globes, bath bombs, sweet treats, bratwurst & frankfurter sausages, pretzels, and gluhwein (mulled wine) or weissbeer (wheat beer) to warm you up on the cold winter nights.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

  • Dates: 17th November 2023 – 1st January 2024
  • Entry: Off-Peak times are FREE, Standard times are from £5, and Peak times are from £7.50
  • Website: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
  • Other nearby attractions: view the spectacular Christmas light displays adorning Carnaby Street & Regent Street, dine & drink award winning cocktails at Mr. Fogg's with 'The Nutcracker' theme this Christmas (there's x9 immersive restaurants/bars dotted across London, all charmingly designed & inspired by the fantastical Victorian adventures & oddities explored by Phileas J. Fogg in Jules Verne's novel Around the World in Eighty Days), or enjoy A Sherlock Carol at the Marylebone Theatre - a fun whodunit involving iconic characters from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Arthur Conan Doyle's books on fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

Get ready for a Christmas carnival full of fun festivities, instagrammable snacks, and whimsical attractions galore!

Time will fly by at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, there's A LOT to do, see, eat and drink.

The beautiful display of glowing Christmas lights are definitely one of the main features, illuminating the dark winter sky like colourful neon stars.

If you’re a fan of Norse Mythology, you won’t want to miss the Magical Ice Kingdom filled with tonnes (500 to be exact) of ice sculptures impeccably hand-crafted by sculptors and artists featuring Ice Giants, Norse Gods & Goddesses, Celtic mythical creatures, Vikings, and more.

Or you can indulge in festive thrills by riding the plethora of funfair rides, slide down a real ice slide, elegantly glide (or hang on for dear life) around the ice rink, or view the bustling London skyline from the top of the Giant Wheel. There’s also a Christmas Circus with incredible acrobatics to marvel at.

For those looking to try out Christmas Market food & drinks, there's Street Food Village, Bar Ice, Candy Cane Lane, Bavarian Village, as well as some cosy zones such as the Fire Pit where you can rest and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

There’s really something for everyone at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

So make sure to book your tickets early, as this event sells out pretty quick in the countdown to Christmas!

Edinburgh Christmas Market

Even on a normal day, walking down the whimsical cobblestone streets of Edinburgh is an enchanting experience to say the least (especially if you're a fan of Scottish history, or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

But adding the magic of Christmas to the mix definitely amplifies the beautiful charm and warm friendly atmosphere of this delightful & historical city.

Set against the iconic Scottish skyline - featuring Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Scot Monument, Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat off in the distance - the Edinburgh Christmas Market can be found situated along the centrally located Princes Street.

Here you can enjoy delicious foodie delights such as the classic bratwurst sausage, mulled wine, Belgian waffles, crepes, mice pies, churros, gingerbread, hot chocolate, and more.

Or do a bit of Christmas shopping at the various market stalls selling festive handcrafted ceramics, gorgeous-smelling wax melts, dazzling Christmas baubles, eye-catching Christmas cards, knitted winter hats & scarfs, and handmade/personalised Christmas decorations.

All with a sprinkle of Scottish charm.

And remember to wrap up warm if you want to go on any of the fairground rides!

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Currently residing in West Sussex, Maddie is a 26 y/o blogger and illustrator with a passion for mythology, legends, fairytales & folklore. You'll regularly find her escaping into fantasy books, films, TV, and games.