The 10 best UK Christmas Markets to visit with kids for 2025

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I’ve been hunting for the best UK Christmas Markets to visit with kids because there’s nothing quite like wrapping up warm, grabbing a hot chocolate and soaking up the magic. With festive stalls, twinkly lights and tasty treats, these markets are the perfect places to visit in the run-up to Christmas. But, when you’ve got kids in tow, not every market is practical or exciting for little ones. So, I’ve rounded up ten of the best UK Christmas markets that are truly family-friendly – offering rides, grottoes, funfairs and plenty to keep the kids smiling. From ice-skating to German sausages and Lantern Parades for the kids, there’s something on this list for everyone and I’ve picked Christmas Markets dotted all over the UK so that you can find the location that best suits your family and your festive travel plans.

To help you to plan your trip, I’ve also popped in the opening dates and places to stay nearby – loads of these options aren’t too far from some fabulous holiday parks offering loads of festive fun! So, in no particular order, here are 10 of the best UK Christmas Markets for a wintery adventure with the kids for Christmas 2025:

1. Edinburgh Christmas Market

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh’s historic streets, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is pure magic. Located across both East Princes Street Gardens and West Princes Street Gardens, it combines rows of twinkling wooden chalets with a festive funfair and a Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking views over the city. For kids, there are plenty of rides, stalls selling sweets and toys, and seasonal entertainment. If you’ve got a few days to explore, the city is full of festive trails and light displays too and you’ll find an undercover ice rink on George Street. For a real after-dark spectacle head to the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle and, if you’re visiting around New Year, Edinburgh’s festive spirit extends beyond Christmas into Hogmanay with plenty more celebrations!

Edinburgh Christmas Market opening dates: 15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Day)
Where to stay: Haven Seton Sands is one of the best family-friendly holiday parks in Scotland. It’s just a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh and the park offers plenty of festive fun over the Christmas period so it’s a brilliant base for a trip to Edinburg Christmas Market with the kids.

2. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

If you want to go big, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is hard to beat. This isn’t just a Christmas market – it’s a full-on festive theme park! There are more than a hundred rides and attractions, from rollercoasters to a giant observation wheel, alongside shows, circus acts and even a magical ice kingdom to explore. You’ll also find rows of traditional wooden stalls selling gifts, decorations and festive food from around the world. It does get very busy, you’ll need a timed ticket just to enter and remember to set a budget before you go because it can add up quickly. Frugal Mum Tip: If you’re in London but don’t fancy the scale (or cost!) of Winter Wonderland, the city has plenty of smaller festive markets – the Southbank Winter Market, Covent Garden and Winter by the River (near London Bridge) are free to wander, so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere without spending a fortune.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opening dates: 14 November 2025 – 1 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Day)
Where to stay: Accommodation in London can be pricey, particularly over the festive season, so use the tube to travel away from Hyde Park (accommodation on the outskirts of London will likely be cheaper), use a comparison website to shop around and look for more budget-friendly hotel options from companies like Travelodge.

3. York St Nicholas Fair

York’s St Nicholas Fair is a lovely market that’s full of charm. The historic streets come alive with rows of wooden chalets, while a vintage carousel, winter funfair and a visit to Santa will add extra excitement for children. The city itself is magical at Christmas, with decorations, lights and plenty of cosy cafés to duck into for a hot chocolate. Because York is compact, it’s easy to combine a market visit with a walk along the historic walls or a wander through The Shambles. Just be mindful of the cobbles and slopes if you’re bringing a pushchair. If you’ve got time to venture away from the city, you might also want to hop on The Polar Express Train Ride at the Wensleydale Railway for even more Christmas magic.

York St Nicholas Fair opening dates: 13 November 2025 – 21 December 2025
Where to stay: You’ve got two brilliant family-friendly holiday park options offering a festive retreat around an hour’s drive from York. Both Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay and Haven Primrose Valley are open for the Christmas season, offering loads of festive fun for the kids.

4. Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

For a true German-style Christmas experience without leaving the UK, head to Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market. This is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany itself and it’s absolutely buzzing with festive cheer. Kids will love the music, funfair rides, twinkling lights and bustling atmosphere – not to mention the chance to try traditional treats like bratwurst, pretzels and roasted nuts. Parents will appreciate the mulled wine stalls too! It’s a brilliant place to wander as a family but weekends can be absolutely packed so try to go midweek or earlier in the day for a calmer experience. You might also want to venture out of the city to Santa’s Winter Wonderland at SnowDome for snow and sledging, or an evening at the Luminate light trail hosted by Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market opening dates: 1 November 2025 – 24 December 2025
Where to stay: Accommodation in Birmingham City can be pricey, particularly over the festive season, so it might be wise to pick a more budget-friendly hotel chain like Ibis or stay outside of the city with a company like Holiday Inn.

5. Cardiff Christmas Market

For a festive day out in Wales, Cardiff Christmas Market is a fantastic choice – the city centre streets are lined with more than 200 stalls selling unique gifts, handmade crafts and plenty of tasty treats. The market stretches across the heart of the city, so it’s easy to combine with a wander around Cardiff’s sparkling Christmas lights or a cosy hot chocolate stop in one of the cafés. And for kids, Cardiff has so much more to offer at this time of year – from the Winter Wonderland ice rink and funfair rides to the magical Christmas at Bute Park light trail. There are also festive trails like the Runaway Reindeer at St Fagans and plenty of opportunities to meet Santa. Altogether, it’s a brilliant family destination that mixes Christmas shopping with plenty of festive fun for little ones.

Cardiff Christmas Market opening dates: 13 November – 23 December 2025
Where to stay: You’ll find Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay just a 40 minute drive from Cardiff – it’s one of their largest sites and there’s loads to do alongside their Winter Wonderland experience so it’s the perfect family-friendly base for a visit to Cardiff’s Christmas Market.

6. Bath Christmas Market

A calmer setting than somewhere like Hyde Park – Bath Christmas Market feels more like stepping into a Christmas card. With more than 200 beautifully decorated chalets lining the streets around Bath Abbey, it’s one of the most atmospheric markets in the UK. There’s a strong focus on local crafts and handmade gifts, making it perfect for picking up something unique. For families, the magic comes from the setting with fairy lights twinkling on cobbled streets, festive performances in the square and the smell of mulled wine and mince pies in the air. If you fancy some ice-skating, head to Bath On Ice in Royal Victoria Park to have a family skate whilst listening to festive tunes.

Bath Christmas Market opening dates: 27 November 2025 – 14 December 2025
Where to stay: Again, city centre accommodation can be really pricey around the festive season, so compare prices on a website like hotels.com or opt for somewhere like a Best Western outside of the city which will typically be more budget-friendly.

7. Manchester Christmas Market

In the north of England, Manchester Christmas Market sprawls across multiple city squares, each with its own vibe. You’ll find everything from German sausages sizzling on open grills to stalls selling handmade gifts and baubles. Families can enjoy wandering between the different market areas, spotting festive displays and sampling treats along the way. There’s also Skate Manchester nearby, so if your children are confident on the ice, you can combine browsing the market with a spin on the rink. And, if you’ve got the time, it’s well worth heading out of the city for the Grumpy Grotto Experience at Zip World Manchester which looks like brilliant fun for the kids!

Manchester Christmas Market opening dates: 7 November – 22 December 2025
Where to stay: If you want to escape the busy city after your Christmas Market wander, take a look at Delamere Forest Holiday Park which offers hot tub lodges and a family-friendly peaceful retreat about a 40 minute drive from the city centre.

8. Glasgow Winterfest

If you’re heading to Scotland, Glasgow’s Winterfest is a brilliant choice for families. Split between hubs like St Enoch Square and George Square, the city comes alive with twinkly lights, festive stalls and funfair rides. Kids will love the traditional carousel, helter-skelter and street performers, while parents can browse the food and craft stalls or warm up with a mulled wine. Glasgow’s festive celebrations are known for being especially family-friendly, with plenty of space to wander, safe layouts and entertainment designed for all ages. The markets usually run from mid-November right through to early January, so there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a visit – just remember to wrap up well. And, if you’re visiting around New Year, you can make the most of Hogmanay celebrations too!

Glasgow Winterfest opening dates: TBC
Where to stay: Heading to Scotland might increase the odds of a white Christmas (we can only hope!) and Parkdean Resorts Wemyss Bay is a great option for a family-friendly holiday that offers festive breaks. It’s around an hour’s drive from Glasgow – so you can enjoy the Winterfest magic and then head back to the resort for even more festive fun.

9. Belfast Christmas Market

If you’re located in Northern Ireland, you’ll be excited to hear that Belfast Christmas Market transforms the area in front of City Hall into a festive wonderland. There are over 100 stalls to explore, alongside a Santa’s grotto, helter-skelter and other family-friendly attractions. It has a cosy, traditional feel, but with a great mix of international flavours too – you can try everything from crepes and Belgian waffles to speciality cheeses and Bratwurst sausages. For a change of scenery, you could also check out the Enchanted Winter Garden event at Antrim Castle Gardens, or head to The Jungle for their Christmas Wonderland Experience. There’s lots of Christmassy fun to be had if you’re heading to Belfast over the festive season this year.

Belfast Christmas Market opening dates: 15 November – 22 December 2025
Where to stay: If you’re looking to stay in the city, accommodation can be pricey in Belfast over the Christmas period so use a comparison website to hunt out the best deals and look out for more budget-friendly options like easyHotel.

10. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is a really popular market in the south, set in the stunning grounds of the cathedral it has a more traditional atmosphere than some of the other options mentioned. With around 120 chalets filled with festive treats, handmade crafts and seasonal food, it’s a great place for a family wander. Entry is free, so it’s also one of the more budget-friendly options on the list. The cathedral itself looks magical when lit up in the evening and be sure to look out for event days – the Lantern Parade would be great fun for the kids. Sadly, the ice rink is no longer part of the event but the live music and performances will keep everyone entertained, and you can always head to nearby Westquay on Ice if you fancy a skate.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market opening dates: 21 November 2025 – 22 December 2025
Where to stay: Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a brilliant family-friendly holiday park in the New Forest just a 30 minute drive from Winchester – it’s the perfect base for a visit to the Christmas Market. The park hosts ‘Winterfest’ getaways so you’ll be feeling festive in no time!

Top tips for visiting Christmas Markets with kids:

Take snacks and a flask of hot chocolate to avoid pricey food stalls when hunger strikes.
Dress warmly – Christmas magic doesn’t feel quite so magical if everyone’s freezing!
Give each child a budget to avoid upset and excessive spending on rides and treats.
Look up parking or public transport in advance; some markets run park-and-ride schemes.
Pick accommodation outside of the city centre where possible to avoid high hotel costs – you can often book a holiday park break for less. (Plus those stays come with swimming pools, festive activities, plenty of space for the whole family and self-catering facilities which also helps to keep costs down!)
The best time to visit these UK Christmas Markets for more budget-friendly accommodation and less crowds is likely to be in November – and it might be a more enjoyable experience with the kids. Where possible, visit midweek or earlier in the day too.

Final Thoughts

Do you have any others that you’d add the the list? Pop your favourite UK Christmas Markets in the comments – which have you found are best for the budget and a good option for kids? Christmas markets are such a lovely way to get into the festive spirit as a family. Whether you want the thrills and rides of Winter Wonderland, the picture-perfect charm of Bath, or the historic magic of York, there’s something for everyone on this list. And the best part? Many of them are free to enter – so you can soak up all the sparkle without blowing the Christmas budget. I hope this article has helped you to find the best UK Christmas Market for your 2025 festive getaway with the kids – Merry Christmas! 😍