There’s something about the first proper frost of the year that flips a switch in me. Suddenly I’m willing to queue in the cold for an overpriced hot chocolate, just because it’s served in a reindeer-shaped mug and smells like cinnamon and childhood memories. If you’re anything like me, December isn’t complete without at least one evening spent wandering under fairy lights, pretending I don’t mind that my toes have gone numb.
Luckily, Britain does Christmas markets properly. None of that half-hearted garden-centre effort – we’re talking hundreds of wooden chalets, proper German-style glühwein, and rides that make you question every life choice on the way down. Here are the three that, in my entirely biased but reasonably well-travelled opinion, are worth wrapping up warm for this year.
The UK’s Most Unmissable Christmas Markets in 2025
Edinburgh – The One That Feels Like a Fairy Tale
Let’s start with the heavy hitter. Edinburgh at Christmas isn’t just a market; it’s a full-blown festive takeover. East Princes Street Gardens transforms into a twinkling winter village directly beneath the castle, which – let’s be honest – is showing off at this point. The floodlights hit the stone just right after dark, and suddenly you’re living in a snow globe.
The LNER Big Wheel is the move if you want the money shot for Instagram (yes, I’m basic, leave me alone). From the top you can see the lights stretching all the way to the Firth of Forth on a clear night. Feeling braver? The Star Flyer swing ride will have you screaming over the rooftops – nothing says “festive spirit” like mild terror 60 metres up.
Over in West Princes Street Gardens there’s a slightly calmer vibe – think live bands, fire pits, and enough mulled wine options to keep even the pickiest drinker happy. I tried the orange and clove version at one stall and nearly wept with joy.–>
Pro tip: book the Ice Bar on George Street if you can. Drinking a cocktail out of an ice glass while wearing a thermal cape is peak Edinburgh ridiculousness, and I’m here for it.
The whole thing runs right through to 4 January, so you’ve still got Hogmanay to look forward to as well. If you only do one UK Christmas market this year, make it this one. Just maybe pack an extra pair of socks.
London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – Pure Festive Chaos (In The Best Way)
Look, I know some people roll their eyes at Winter Wonderland. Too big, too busy, too many tourists taking selfies with giant pretzels. And they’re not entirely wrong. But hear me out: if you lean into the madness, it’s actually brilliant.
This isn’t a delicate European market with tasteful handmade ornaments. This is a full-on Christmas theme park that happens to sell glühwein. We’re talking 150+ rides, a circus, an ice sculpture walk made from 500 tonnes of ice and snow (this year’s theme has phoenixes and trolls – random but cool), and the UK’s largest open-air ice rink.
My personal highlight? The Bavarian Village. Curling up in a wooden hut with a stein the size of my head, listening to an oompah band murder “Fairytale of New York” while pretending I’m in Munich. Pure joy.
Entry is free off-peak, but you’ll pay £5–£7.50 at busier times – book online to skip the queues. Attractions are ticketed separately, so decide in advance if you actually want to ride the coaster that goes upside down or if you’re just here for the food (the raclette stall changed my life).
It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s completely over the top – and I love every second of it. Runs until 1 January.
Bath – The Prettiest (And Final Chance This Year)
If the others are the extroverts of the Christmas market world, Bath is the elegant wallflower that everyone ends up falling for. The Georgian streets are made for fairy lights, and the market weaves between the Abbey and the Roman Baths like it was always meant to be there.
This year marks the 25th anniversary, and they’ve pulled out all the stops – 250 chalets selling everything from local cider to hand-thrown pottery. The smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled cider hits you the moment you turn into Abbey Green, and it’s impossible not to smile.
The temporary ice rink at Royal Victoria Park is still open until 4 January, glowing gold against the honey-coloured stone. There’s something properly romantic about skating here as dusk falls – I saw at least three proposals in one evening (or possibly just very committed hot-chocolate sharing, hard to tell).
Warning: the market itself closes on 14 December, so you’ve got days left if you’re reading this when it’s published. Go this weekend or forever hold your peace (and your regret).
Honest Tips From Someone Who’s Done All Three This Year
- Book accommodation early – prices triple in December, especially Edinburgh.
- Off-peak times are your friend. Midweek evenings or weekend mornings are magically quieter.
- Dress like you’re going to the Arctic. Cute coat is pointless if you’re miserable.
- Cash is still king at many stalls, though card is increasingly accepted.
- Try something new – I finally caved and had a chimney cake in Bath and it was a religious experience.
There’s a reason these markets pull in millions every year. They’re not just shopping opportunities (though your bank balance might disagree); they’re an excuse to pause, breathe in the cold air, and remember what all the fuss is about in December.
So wrap up warm, grab someone whose hand you don’t mind holding when it’s freezing, and go make some memories. The lights won’t stay up forever.
(And if anyone asks, yes, I did buy the £12 reindeer hot chocolate in Edinburgh. No regrets.)
