18 of the Best Christmas Markets to Visit Across the UK in 2021
Throw on your most colourful Christmas jumper and your warmest winter coat and browse the charming stalls at a traditional Christmas market.
There are a few better ways to embrace the festive spirit than to potter around a Christmas market, eating roasted chestnuts and sipping mulled wine. With so many festive markets to choose from, here is our list of the top Christmas markets to visit on your camping trip this December.
1. Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Where: Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, B1 1BD
When: 4th November - 23rd December 2021
What: Boasting over 180 stalls selling a wide variety of festive gifts and treats, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. Lasting over six weeks, this Christmas Market ensures you have plenty of time to visit and pick up a gift or two for your family and friends.
Nearby campsite: Kingsbury Water Park Club Site
2. Bristol Christmas Market
Where: Bristol City Centre, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3DX
When: 5th November - 23rd December 2021
What: Home to over 50 unique stalls, Bristol’s Christmas Market offers locals the chance to celebrate the festive season and buy seasonal delights, crafts and unique gifts. Take a seat on the heated seats, have a drink and watch live music in the Jager Barn Bar, or pay a special visit to Santa and his reindeer.
Nearby campsite: Cheddar Club Site
3. Canterbury Christmas Market
Where: Whitefriars, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2TF
When: 12th November - 24th December 2021
What: Returning for its biggest and best year yet, the Canterbury Christmas Market is aiming to be the most dog-friendly Christmas market in the UK. Bring the whole family, including your four-legged friend, for a fantastic evening of festive shopping and warming winter drinks. Pay a visit to the Grotto to meet jolly old Santa and his friendly team of elves.
Nearby campsite: Canterbury Club Site
4. Chatsworth House Christmas Market
Where: Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
When: 6th November - 24th November 2021
What: Hosted in the grounds of one of England’s most recognisable landmarks, the Chatsworth House Christmas market is surrounded by over 100 acres of parkland designed by world-renowned landscaper designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. With over 100 stalls offering bespoke gifts, festive decorations and cockle-warming food, this Christmas market offers an unforgettable family day out.
Nearby campsite: Teversal Club Site
5. Cheltenham Christmas Market
Where: Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1PJ
When: 20th November - 19th December 2021
What: Housed in over 40 rustic wooden chalets on Cheltenham’s famous tree-lined Promenade, the Cheltenham Christmas Market brings infectious festive spirit to this charming market town. Showcasing Gloucestershire’s best locally-sourced food and drink, this Christmas market also offers a wide range of Christmas gifts, cards and crafts.
Nearby campsite: Winchcombe Club Site
6. Chester Christmas Market
Where: Town Hall Square, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HJ
When: 18th November - 22nd December 2021
What: Located in the heart of a cobbled Roman city, the Chester Christmas Markets is home to over 70 traditional wooden chalets. With a twinkling tree towering above the bustling shoppers below, the Chester Christmas Market has an abundance of festive treats and gifts on offer, including local produce, crafts and unique stocking fillers.
Nearby campsite: Delamere Forest Club Site
7. Christmas at Leeds Castle
Where: Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL
When: 27th November 2021 - 2nd January 2022
What: Replacing Leeds Castle's famous Christmas Market, Christmas at the Castle invites you to step inside the iconic Christmas song, the Twelve Days of Christmas. Wander through 12 different artworks depicting the different days, including the turtle dove arch and the seven mirrored swans swimming on the Great Water.
Nearby campsite: Canterbury Club Site
8. Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Where: Exeter Cathedral Green, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1HS
When: 18th November - 18th December 2021
What: Returning for 2021, the Exeter Christmas Market’s unique location and high quality exhibitors has cemented its status as one of the best festive events in the UK. Featuring a diverse selection of personalised gifts, unique crafts and locally-sourced food, this Christmas market attracts over 600,000 visitors each year. Take a seat at one of the Bavarian bars, in the shadow of Exeter Cathedral and sip on a warm and fragrant mulled wine.
Nearby campsite: Tavistock Club Site
9. Harrogate Christmas Fayre
Where: Harrogate, Yorkshire, HG1 2RZ
When: 3rd - 12th December 2021
What: The Harrogate Christmas Fayre is teeming with high quality Yorkshire products and locally-sourced produce with stalls selling everything from Yorkshire cheese to handmade gifts.
Nearby campsite: Boroughbridge Club Site
10. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Where: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
When: 19th November 2021 - 3rd January 2022
What:Arguably the landmark event on London’s Christmas calendar, Winter Wonderland takes over London’s largest Royal Park during the festive season. Entry into Winter Wonderland is free during off peak hours, but this year you will need a pre booked ticket to enter. You may want to book in advance for one of the many attractions, including the Giant Wheel, Magical Ice Kingdom and Zippos Christmas Circus.
Nearby campsite: Chertsey Club Site
11. Inverness Winter Wonderland
Where: Whin Park, Inverness, Scotland, IV3 5TH
When: TBC.
What: Set in Whin Park, beside the winding River Ness that runs through the heart of the city, Inverness Winter Wonderland has become one of Scotland’s must-visit Christmas events. Meet Santa and his reliable reindeer, wander through the beautifully lit trees and take a ride on the thrilling fairground rides.
Nearby campsite: Loch Ness Shores Club Site
12. Manchester Christmas Market
Where: Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 2LA
When: 12th November - 22nd December 2021
What: Manchester Christmas Market is making its eagerly anticipated return in 2021. Since 1998, thousands of visitors flock to the city centre to take advantage of the diverse selection of food, drinks and crafted Christmas gifts. Wrap up warm and make your way through the market, soaking up the Yuletide atmosphere and browsing stools selling gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes and toys.
Nearby campsite: Crowden Club Site
13. Oxford Christmas Market
Where: Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AS
When: 9th - 19th December 2021
What: Hosted on Broad Street, in the centre of this historic city, Oxford Christmas Market is renowned as one of the UK’s best Christmas events. Listen to the sound of singing choirs, smell the spiced aroma of mulled wine and browse the wooden stalls for bespoke gifts for loved ones.
Nearby campsite: Oxford Club Site
14. Perth International Christmas Market
Where: High Street, Perth, Perth and Kinross, PH2 1SF, Scotland
When: TBC.
What: The historic Scottish city of Perth will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland when a diverse array of international food and craft traders set up their wooden chalets this winter. Running from mid-November into early December, the Perth International Christmas Market is one of Scotland’s best festive events.
Nearby campsite: Scone Club Site
15. Salisbury Christmas Fayre
Where: Guildhall Square, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1JH
When: 19th November 2021 - 2nd January 2022
What: Hosted on the cobbled market square in the historic county town of Wiltshire, Salisbury Christmas Market is home to over 75 rustic chalets offering everything from delicious locally-sourced food to the finest handmade Christmas crafts. With live music, street performances and an ice rink, Salisbury Christmas Market is the perfect place to embrace the festive season.
Nearby campsite: Salisbury Club Site
16. St Albans Christmas Charter Market
Where: High Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4ED
When: 13th - 24th December 2021
What: Running every day in the week leading up to Christmas, the St Albans Christmas Charter Market hosts festively dressed stalls, silly outfits and cheerful carollers. Browse the various stalls, chat to friendly traders and find the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one.
Nearby campsite: Hertford Club Site
17. Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre
Where: Cathedral Square, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 2QE
When: 2nd - 5th December 2021
What: The Victorian Fayre has been a firm favourite on the festive calendar since it began in 1992. The Fayre now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year but stays true to its roots with Victorian themed characters, festive treats, delicious street food and a wonderful atmosphere. With over 200 stalls filling Worcester’s historic streets selling all sorts of delightful Christmas goodies, handmade items, local produce and not forgetting the extremely tempting international street food.
Nearby campsite: Blackmore Club Site
18. York's St Nicholas Fayre
Where: Parliament Street, York, Yorkshire, YO1 8RS
When: 18th November - 23rd December 2021
What: From mid-November until Christmas Eve, St Nicholas Fair will fill the streets of York with festive wooden chalets and twinkling lights. Winner of the Best Large Speciality Market, York’s St Nicholas Fayre sells unique jewellery, homewares, crafts and lots of locally-sourced food.
Nearby campsite: Boroughbridge Club Site
Feeling inspired to pack up the car and pitch your tent this Christmas?