ShowDayGuide

Christmas Markets 2026 by Region and County

Updated 28 October 2026 · 165 markets · England, Scotland and Wales

165 Christmas markets and fairs across England, Scotland and Wales are listed in this guide for 2026, and the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia London and the Southbank Centre Winter Market are the first to open, both on Monday 2 November. Choose a region to see its markets county by county. Each listing gives the market's dates and, where the market publishes them, its opening times, entry, parking, dog rules and access; every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish. Some stand in cathedral grounds or inside the cathedral itself, as at Winchester, Exeter and Bury St Edmunds. Others fill castles, stately homes and estates, from Alnwick Castle and Balmoral to Chatsworth, or spread through city streets, as in York, Bath and Birmingham.

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A region or county gets its own page from three listed markets; below that its markets appear here and on the full markets directory.

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Questions

When do Christmas markets start?

In 2026 the first markets in this guide open on Monday 2 November: the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia London and the Southbank Centre Winter Market. Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market follows on Thursday 5 November, and Holker Winter Market, Harewood Christmas Market and Christmas at Balmoral Castle all open on Friday 6 November. Some last a single weekend, like Ford & Etal Christmas Market; others run for weeks, like York Christmas Market, open until Monday 21 December, and Edinburgh's Christmas Markets, which run into the new year. Each market's card shows its dates.

Are dogs allowed at Christmas markets?

Some markets welcome dogs on a lead, some admit only assistance dogs, and some have not said either way. Ford & Etal Christmas Market and the Christmas Market at Chatsworth welcome dogs on a lead. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire and the Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market at Haddon Hall allow only assistance dogs. Where a market has published no dog rule, its listing here gives none.

Which Christmas markets are free to enter?

Several are free to enter, among them Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Bath Christmas Market, Rochester Christmas Market and Christmas at Balmoral Castle. Others sell tickets. Some ask you to book even when entry is free: Pembroke Castle Christmas Market asks for a free ticket booked in advance, and entry to the Christmas Market at Chatsworth is free but a car park ticket must be booked.

Is there parking at Christmas markets?

It varies from market to market. Raby Castle Christmas Market, Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire and the Trentham Christmas Makers Markets have free parking. Some city markets point you to public transport instead: Bath Christmas Market recommends public transport or Park & Ride, and there is no parking within Winchester Cathedral's Close.

Are any Christmas markets open in the evening?

Yes, several stay open into the evening. Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is open until 9pm or later every day, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market until 9pm from Thursday to Saturday, and Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Can I find out about wheelchair access before I go?

Yes, where the market publishes it. Each market's listing here carries the access information it has published, such as step-free routes, accessible toilets and Blue Badge parking. Where a market has published none, its listing gives none.

Every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish.