Where summer means late-night sessions in pub gardens, winter will see most people head to a seasonal event with glittering lights, copious amounts of mulled wine and jolly entertainment.
This year, we give you our biggest list ever of Christmas markets across the UK – from London to Cornwall, up to Wales and back to Norfolk.
Whether it’s a family-friendly experience you’re after (like feeding reindeer or visiting Santa’s Grotto) or eating German sausages and drinking beer with your mates, we’ve got you covered.
Christmas is looking very jolly.
Winter Wonderland
Held annually in Hyde Park, the Christmas extravaganza that is Winter Wonderland will open at the end of November.
As always, there will be lots of mulled wine and cider, German beer tents and bratwurst with sauerkraut, as well as rides, live entertainment and – of course – the Christmas market.
The number of stalls hasn’t been confirmed yet, but if it’s anything like previous years, you’ll find everything from Christmas tree ornaments to fudge and homemade toys.
If you’re mainly in it for the shopping, try to go earlier in the day – it gets very crowded at night.
When: 21 November, 2019 to 5 January, 2020
Where: Hyde Park, London
Spirit of Christmas fair
What this market lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in product selection.
Spirits of Christmas fair has over 900 independent boutique traders, and you can pick up pretty much anything: jewellery, clothes, home décor, furnishings, as well as baby or children’s gifts.
Expect excellent quality and originality; each seller has been selected by an expert team (they’re not elves, we checked).
No holiday event is complete without food and drink; sample gins, get your parents some organic olive oil, treat yourself to truffles and caviar or purchase puddings for the family. Other delights include selections of wine, tea, Cornish cheeses and hand-made hampers.
It’s not all about shopping – join the Winter Workshop and learn how to make festive floral creations or explore a tasting session.
When: 4-12 November
Where: Olympia, London
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas fair
As far as magical surroundings go, Chelsea Physic Garden is towards the top of the list regardless of the season – but the annual Christmas fair is a treat for locals and tourists alike.
Shop from 100 independent retailers, swing by Santa’s Grotto, make yourself something nifty with the Crafty Christmas Creations team or learn how to wrap presents like a pro with Jane Means.
Trinkets-wise, don’t be surprised if you head back with bags filled with homeware from Batterbury, a jumper or five from BAKKA knitwear and festive confectionery from Dee’s Luxury Rum Cake and Cocoa Runners.
When: 22-24 November
Where: Chelsea, London
Blenheim Palace Christmas market
For a regal shopping experience, take a day-trip to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. It’s a two-hour ride by car, but the scenery will be worth the trip.
The market is nice – with small wooden chalets in front of the palace – but the real treat is the Illuminated Light Trail.
Grab yourself some mulled wine or cider, before embarking on a walk in the Tunnel of Light, with its 100,000 pea lights, the woodland Laser Garden (the kids will love this one) and the scented Fire Garden. You might just meet Santa and his elves on the way and there are carousels, too.
When: 22 November to 15 December
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Duke of York Square market
Partridges weekly fine foods market in Chelsea will get a makeover this Christmas.
On 7 December, swing by to pick up all the holiday flavours your heart (and stomach) desires. From luxurious champagne truffles to traditional gingerbread biscuits, smoked salmon. spiced chutneys and fresh fruit liqueurs, you’ll find plenty of ingredients for the big day.
Treat yourself to a hot chocolate and go for a stroll around the neighbourhood to listen to carol singers or catch a complimentary horse and carriage ride.
You can pick up presents too, as 70 stores in the area are offering special discounts on the day.
When: 7 December
Where: Duke of York Square, Chelsea
Haddon Hall artisan market
Held at Haddon Hall, a Tudor home in Bakewell, this artisan market – dubbed Mercatum – won’t disappoint.
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into another era with medieval decorations at every turn and a choir singing in the Banqueting Hall.
Peruse and purchase soaps, candles, fine art and jewellery, but don’t miss the Elizabethan gardens.
For those who fancy a VIP shopping experience, there will be a special pre-sale on 12 November, but you’ll have to shell out £25 for a ticket (the usual price is £5.50).
When: 13-17 November
Where: Haddon Hall, Bakewell
Holkham festive food fair
Live cooking demonstrations by chefs from Charlie’s Norfolk Food Heroes, sample tastings and local products up for grabs – Holkham’s annual festive food fair doesn’t hold back.
The event is back for its third run and the list of traders is impressive: Moon Gazer Ale from Norfolk Brewhouse, handmade dishes from Brockleyby’s Pies, speciality brews from Norfolk Coffee Company, raw butter and raw milk brie-style cheese from Fen Farm Dairy and macarons, meringue kisses and marshmallows from Mrs A’s Bakes.
We could go on, but you get the picture.
Other experiences include wreath-making classes, with greenery plucked from Holkham park and a live performance by Diva Opera.
When: 14-15 December
Where: Holkham Hall, Norfolk
Lincolnshire festive food and gift fair
What to expect? It’s all in the name, really: food and gifts galore.
The annual event is organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society with 150 exhibitors selling local produce. Get the (apparently) famous pork pies, speciality cheese, fudge and chocolate or pick up a bottle of wine and locally-distilled gin.
It’s very family-friendly with plenty of free activities like Christmas storytelling, crafts, pottery and baking.
Santa is taking a break from his busy schedule to make an appearance too, as will his reindeer (little ones can feed them).
When: 30 November to 1 December
Where: Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln
Padstow Christmas festival
Skip the physical gifts this year and treat someone to a day of food instead.
At Padstow Christmas festival, you’ll get to eat, drink and learn how to make the ultimate Christmas dinner with a little help from the pros.
Paul Ainsworth, Nathan Outlaw, Rick Stein, Atul Kochar, Brian Turner, Phil Vickery and José Pizarro – they’ll all be there to give you tips and tricks, as well as demonstrate how to make mouth-watering seasonal dishes.
Nab some treats from the 100 artisan food and drink traders (just take it easy on the booze-y samples), listen to live music and have a merry time.
Come back two days later for the Santa Fun Run.
When: 5 December
Where: Padstow, Cornwall
Westfield Christmas market
Where better to get some shopping done than at a shopping centre?
Westfield might not seem like your most festive outing, but its inaugural outdoor market begs to differ. Held at both of its sites, there will be small food and drink stalls, a Santa’s Grotto and other Christmas treats.
OK, it’s not the most magical of settings but on the upside, you can easily escape the cold by popping inside (where you can take advantage of the many discounts).
It’s also open up until 24 December, meaning there’s no need to panic if you want to pick up a last-minute gift.
When: 20 November to 24 December
Where: Westfield White City and Stratford City
Abergavenny Christmas fair
Have yourself a very Welsh Christmas during the first week of December.
Sure, it’s quite a trip if you live down south, but the small town is charming and has plenty to offer at its street food market, held at night.
Sing carols, roast some chestnuts or buy culinary delights from artisan Welsh producers.
When: 8 December
Where: Market Hall, Abergavenny
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm market
Fancy something a bit different? Head down to Cornwall to experience a festive market at a working cyder farm.
This is the third run for Healeys’ event, with lots of activities planned for grown-ups and kids alike.
It’s all about local produce, such as food and drink (jams, juices and cyders, of course), as well as arts and crafts. If you live locally, why not get yourself a freshly-cut Christmas tree?
While you shop, send the kids off to take a tractor ride around the orchards or visit the family-friendly farm to pet donkeys, pigs, goats, ponies and shire horses.
Finish off with a Sunday roast at The Old Bottlery with carols in the background, sung by local choirs.
When: 16 November to 22 December
Where: Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Cornwall
Christmas in Leicester Square
Sometimes you just want a market that screams festive.
Christmas in Leicester Square is big, loud and – as you might expect – full of tourists. It’s smack-bang in the middle of Central London, which means you’ll have to wrestle the theatre and cinema crowds, along with the clubbers out for a jolly good time.
Look beyond the chaos to enjoy the multi-cultural vibes, the seasonal shopping from 30 different traders and the entertainment, courtesy of Underbelly.
The latter is held in the Spiegeltent and the schedule is packed with everything from drag stars to jazz shows and swing dancing lessons.
When: 8 November, 2019 to 5 January, 2019
Where: Leicester Square, London
Buyagift sustainable market
If there was a theme for 2019, it might very well be sustainability.
Thankfully, there’s now also a Christmas market for it – Buyagift is hosting a one-day event focused entirely on how to make the holiday season more sustainable.
Join a minimal-waste workshop and learn how to upcycle jumpers with Fast Fashion Therapy, make your own soaps with Bottega Zero Waste or a terrarium with Little Drop of Green.
There’ll also be mindfulness sessions, including yoga and meditation with Frame, as well as talks from ‘sustainability influencers’.
As for the market, find scents, skincare, conscious fashion and jewellery from Bodycare, Sunday, Buff Natural and more.
When: 1 December
Where: Clapton, London
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/14/best-christmas-markets-2019-can-get-festive-trinkets-10824977/
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