Hot chocolate spiked with Baileys in hand? Get wandering around miles of chalets selling gorgeous indie gifts at this year’s Christmas markets – because festive shopping should be fun after all.

Here are our top picks for the best Christmas markets to head for this year.

Cheltenham Christmas Markets, 21 Nov – 22 Dec

There’s not one Christmas market – but four this year. Here’s where to head for your handmade baubles, artisan food, tipples and treats.

Cheltenham Christmas Arts & Crafts Market, 12 Dec – 22 Dec

Browse stalls full of unique Christmas gifts, homeware and handmade goods by local producers, craftspeople and artisans from jewellery to glass work, and woodcraft to original art prints. 

The Suffolks Christmas Market, 24 November

These fantastically-popular Street Fairs in the Suffolks are always great events. Whether it’s the May Bank Holiday or the Christmas Market, there’s always a cracking atmosphere and loads to do. Expect Christmas carols, children’s entertainment and delicious street food. The market is carefully curated, featuring arts and crafts, designers and makers, vintage and food and drink. On from 11am – 5pm.

Artisan Christmas Market, Pittville Pump Room, 25 – 26 Nov

Showcasing the gifts, pieces and products created by local makers, creatives and producers against the splendid backdrop of Pittville Pump Room, the doors open at 10am and 11am. On Sunday 26 November, 12.00-12.45, catch the Rock Choir who will be performing in the marquee.

Cobalt Christmas Fair, Thirlstaine Centre, 28 Nov, Cheltenham

Come and meet Dancer and Blitzen at the Cobalt Mistletoe Fair on Thursday 28 November 5-7pm. As well as live reindeer to meet and be photographed with, there will be a selection of awesome Christmas gift stalls, refreshments and carol singing with a brass band. Loads of fun whilst supporting a local medical charity.

Victorian Christmas Fayre, Worcester, 28 Nov – 01 Dec

More than 200 quirky stalls fill this famous Victorian Fayre in the heart of Worcester’s picturesque old quarter. If you want to be time-warped back to a Dickensian yuletide, this is the one for you. Bag up gifts, artisan arts and crafts, tuck into delicious street food and sip hot chocolate to carols, choirs and buskers on the street corners. There’ll be Victorian themed characters popping up in Gin Lane and stilt walkers too.

Cirencester Advent Market, Cirencester, 25 – 26 Nov

This year’s Advent Market takes place in the Market Place set to the festive back drop of the Christmas lights, Christmas tree and live music and carols from local community performers. The extended market stretches the length of the Market Place, Cricklade Street and Castle Street. With 120 stalls to browse, see the lights switch on at 4pm. Falling snow, silent fireworks and, light projections promise to make it special. On from 10am – 6pm, go and admire the beautifully decorated Advent trees in Cirencester Parish Church here too.

Winter Glow Christmas Market, Malvern, 22 Nov – 31 Dec

Fling on the chunky knits and grab your fleecy mitts, Winter Glow at Three Counties Showground in Malvern is back for 2024 to warm your cockles. It’s renowned as Worcestershire’s best festive experience. With stalls offering local arts and crafts to children’s books and homeware, there will be plenty of gift ideas for friends and family in Winter Glow’s free-to-enter covered market.

Gloucester Christmas Markets, 2 Nov – 15 Dec

The Winter Markets return this year with a fabulous range gifts, locally produced food, street food and pop-up bars. Located across Gloucester Quays and the historic docks, over 100 traders will showcase the very best craft, gifts and food from the region. Taking place every weekend in the run-up to Christmas, it’s a great place for a unique gift for friends and loved ones, soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy a day out for the whole family. There will also be a magnificent Outdoor Ice Rink here from 23 November to 5 Jan. Click here to book your tickets now. 

Tewkesbury Christmas Market, Tewkesbury, Sun 24 Nov

Historic Tewkesbury is the backdrop for this Christmas market, which this year will be taking over parts of the High Street, Church Street and Barton Street. Filled with fairground rides , a performance stage, various activities and 80 Christmas market stalls, it’s one not to be missed. There’s even free parking in town. A Christmas miracle. The fun starts at 12pm until 5.45 with the lights switch on at 5pm. Or, drop in to the twinkly Christmas Fair in the Abbey itself.

Winchcombe Christmas Market, 6 – 7 Dec, Winchcombe

This bustling festive affair is a lovely twinkly visit. Shops around the town stay open late for the event, and there are 50+ market stalls selling festive gifts and food, with mince pies and mulled wine while you shop. The streets are decorated with 70 real Christmas trees and you’ll love the entertainment from carol singers, Morris dancers and street performers.

Tetbury Christmas Market, Date in Dec tbc

Royal and regal Tetbury will be lit by a festive lantern parade this Christmas as part of the market, There will be market stalls selling crafts, gifts, food and drink, and a brass band, childrens’ parade, Christmas carolers and Santa’s Grotto to add even more fun. See the display of decorated trees at St Saviours Church and a fancy dress Santa Dash fun run on a mile-long route around the town! Catch the lights switch on with a tbc celeb too!

Chipping Campden Christmas Market, Sat 2 Dec

The Market Square in Chipping Campden is a twinkly place for a festive browse. transforming itself into a winter wonderland which includes the tree lighting ceremony. The High Street is closed to traffic, with stalls selling crafts, gifts, food and drink in the Market Square and two floors in the Town Hall. Christmas Lights are switch on at 4.30pm, and watch out for the big fella!

Broadway Christmas Market, Broadway, 29 Nov & 6 Dec

Broadway’s Late Night Christmas Shopping evenings have the most lovely, twinkly backdrop you could wish for. A lovely festive atmosphere, beautiful Christmas lights, music, mulled wine, festive food and shops. Plus Reindeer, Father Christmas and lots more. See the Christmas Lights Switch On and enjoy a performance by Village Voices as Broadway lights up. Reindeer will also be pulling up for cuddles.

A bit further afield but 100% worth the trek…

Bath Christmas Market, Nov 28 – 15 Dec

Recognise the reel! It’s the gorgeous Bath Christmas Market. Catch it until 15 December. It is spread out across the central area of Bath, with gorgeous gifts to browse, Spiced Hot Apple with brandy to quaff and live music. A real corker of a market. With 268 stalls from the South West and beyond selling artisan crafts, jewellery, homewares, kids’ toys and as much chocolate, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts as you can manage. Choirs and street entertainers add to the atmosphere.

Bristol Christmas Market, Broadmead, Bristol, 1 Nov – 23 Dec

Are you ready to get merry? Head to Bristol for a fabulously festive atmosphere, some 35 stalls in the centre of town, Santa and his elves, luxe private igloos to hire for some respite, and more delicious food than you could possibly consume. You’ll find us at the Jäger Barn Bar, mulling over (geddit?) the choice between mulled cider, gluhwein, or a hot chocolate spiked with Baileys. Decisions. Book one of the private Igloos or Gondolas to escape the bustle of the Market for a while!

Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxon, 15 Nov – 1 Jan

Ditch the hassle of the high street for one of the UK’s poshest palaces, which is dishing up its Christmas market in The Great Court. Browse chalets stocked with gifts, decorations and tasty treats with a cup of mulled wine in hand until 8pm. 

Oxford Botanic Garden Christmas Fair, Oxford, 7 – 8 Dec

A gorgeous setting backing onto Christchurch Meadows and plenty to buy and gift, from knitwear, organic skincare and vintage homewares, to children’s books, handmade linen, jewellery and baubles. If you want to make it a family event, younger kids can visit a magical winter grotto and meet Mother Christmas (we all know she’s the one who really gets things done behind the scenes), whilst older children might like the Christmas Pudding trail, learning about the fruits and spices of the festive season. 

Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham, 1 Nov – 24 Dec

Pretzels, bratwursts and schnitzels washed down with steins of beer and mugs of steaming gluhwein – is it even Christmas until you’ve been to a German market? You can’t miss this one: it’s the largest outside of Germany and Austria, smack in the middle of Birmingham, and is generally blasting traditional Bavarian music. You can stock up on quirky gifts, glass baubles and wooden decorations — who are we kidding, though? We’re just there for the food, drink, and festive vibe.

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, 21 Nov – 5 Jan

Back for its 17th year, Winter Wonderland is more Christmas microcosm than market, but it has that too! Then once you’ve suitably shopped, sampled, and considered, you can head onto the fairground rides, ice sculpting workshops, Santa Land, and ice rink. You do still need to book ahead which – fingers crossed – will reduce the mega crowds.

Winter Festival, Southbank Centre, 1 Nov – 26 Dec

Wander along the Thames and revel in twinkling lights, indulgent street food and Alpine-style chalets selling giftable goodies – all part of the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival. Insta-tip: don’t miss the gooey fondue eaten in transparent snow globes at Jimmy’s Fire & Fromage .

And drum roll please for the…

Muddy Christmas Market, online, COMING SOON!

Haven’t got time to browse a Christmas market IRL? We have you covered with our amazing six-day Christmas gift flash sale, featuring goodies from artisan indies across the Muddy counties – just head to your favourite site from 20 Nov and you’ll find it on the homepage! You’ll find something for everyone: him, her, kids (including tweens) and even tricky teens. Seriously, who needs Black Friday?