Christmas markets across the UK and Europe begin opening in mid-November, offering warm drinks, wooden chalets and twinkling lights. From Bath to Vienna, here are eight destinations for festive shopping in 2026.
Bath Christmas Market celebrates 25 years
Bath is home to one of the most well-known Christmas markets in the UK, attracting thousands of visitors each year with its wooden stalls and lights. It was voted the UK's best Christmas market in 2024.
This year the market celebrates 25 years, opening from Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, December 13. Located among the cobbled streets near Bath Abbey, it offers a romantic atmosphere with stalls selling clothes, candles, food and artwork.
Cardiff and Birmingham markets
Cardiff's Christmas market takes over the city's pedestrianised streets, including St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street. It features independent traders selling beauty products, artwork, portraits, clothing and food, opening on November 12. The Cardiff German Christmas Market offers traditional food such as bratwursts and Yorkshire puddings filled with turkey, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing and vegetables.
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German-style festive market outside Germany, taking over Victoria Square and New Street with trees, nutcrackers and indie stalls. In 2026 it opens on November 5 and runs until Christmas Eve.
Munich, Prague and Budapest
Munich offers an authentic Bavarian market experience, with the Christkindlmarkt originating in German-speaking areas in the Middle Ages. Visitors can stroll through Marienplatz, enjoy traditional German foods and beers, and see landmarks like Nymphenburg Palace.
Prague, nicknamed "the City of a Hundred Spires," is known for its traditional Christmas market opening in late November, combining European elements, food and mulled wine. Attractions include Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town Square.
Budapest's oldest and largest Christmas markets are at Vörösmarty Square, with more than 100 wooden stalls offering handcrafted souvenirs and festive eats. Visitors can also browse outside St Stephen's Basilica, see the 12-metre Christmas tree, and ice-skate at Varoshaza Ice Skating Park. Across the river, the Buda Castle Christmas Market at Matthias Church offers a smaller, more intimate affair with handcrafted gifts, winter dishes and open-air concerts. Traditional Hungarian treats include chimney cake, goulash and mulled wine.
Vienna and Edinburgh
Vienna's Christmas markets run from mid-November until around December 23, transforming the city's squares with stalls offering gifts, decorations, handicrafts and warming drinks. The Viennese Christmas Market on City Hall Square includes the Vienna Ice World, while the Old Viennese Christmas Market at Freyung dates back to 1772.
Edinburgh's festive shopping experience kicks off in November, with over 70 stalls, a ferris wheel, ice rink and double carousel. From the big wheel pods, visitors get views of the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat.
