Home to some of the oldest cities and most beautiful countryside in the UK, Yorkshire is a magical place to savour Christmas. Famed for its ancient cobbled cities and picturesque villages that come alive with the activity of Christmas markets in winter, the county promises untold magic with the arrival of the festive season. From month-long Christmas fairs to whimsical Victorian Christmas markets, there’s something for everyone amongst the Yuletide array.
If you can’t wait to sip clove-infused mulled wine, peruse artisan stalls for the perfect gift, or simply be swept away by the joyous spirit, here are some of the best Christmas markets in Yorkshire to pop on your Christmas list in 2024.
Knaresborough Christmas Market
7th - 8th December 2024
A beautiful destination in Yorkshire, the historic spa and market town of Knaresborough lies in the Borough of Harrogate in the heart of the county. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, its origins date back centuries and its streets are entwined with history. Making the weaving network of picturesque streets even more enchanting, Knaresborough Christmas Market transforms the town in wintertime. Centred around the town’s historic marketplace, it is sure to ignite Christmas spirit in all merrymakers with Christmas bands, dancers, sellers, producers and more. Wander the streets as the sounds of laughter and chatter fill the air, strolling with mulled wine in one hand and a basket in the other ready to fill with festive treats to pop beneath the Christmas tree.
Malton Christmas Festival
7th - 8th December 2024
Malton in Yorkshire is a well-known destination for foodies, thanks to its monthly artisan markets and annual food festival dubbed “The Food Festival of the North”. Evoking Christmas spirit and adding to its culinary programme, it hosts a fabulous Christmas festival each year that brings together all the best local food producers for the most flavoursome Christmas fare. Think roasted chestnuts, figgy puddings, roast turkey, mulled wine, craft beers and more. Alongside its food stalls, the festival also tempts with a wealth of gift stalls and attractions, such as a Victorian-themed fairground, brass bands, Christmas shows, blacksmith workshops and a festive land train. Explore the hundred stalls at your leisure and embrace this festive weekend.
York Christmas Festival
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Founded in 71AD, the city of York is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the UK. Filled with charm, it also happens to boast one of the best Christmas markets in the country, St Nicholas Fair. This month-long Christmas festival provides ample opportunity to immerse in festivities and stock up on unique goods. For even more choice, York Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival also spans from December 2024 to January 2025 and displays sixty beautiful Christmas trees in the cathedral’s Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel. See York’s historic buildings aglow with twinkling lights and enjoy the Christmas lineup of things to see and do, from delicious meals in the city’s top restaurants and hot drinks in alpine chalets, to gift shopping around the market and rides on vintage carousels.
Whitby Christmas Festival
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One of the best Christmas markets in Yorkshire this year, Whitby’s annual Christmas market is a much-anticipated celebration. Spread across the whole weekend, the event is part of the town’s Christmas Festival and takes place in the marina. To mark the start of this seasonal sensation, the town’s Christmas lights switch on launches the occasion and illuminates the waterfront. Meanwhile, spectators can also look forward to magical fireworks displays decorating the sky above Whitby Abbey, one of the best places to visit in Yorkshire. Spend relaxed hours exploring the surrounding North York Moors, before turning your attention to the promise of gift shopping, theatre, music, festive food and more at the festival.
Thirsk Christmas Market
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Situated on the edge of the North York Moors, the attractive market town of Thirsk boasts a wealth of things to do. Especially atmospheric in winter, this countryside-enswathed idyll is even more magical at Christmas when fairy lights frame windows and carols fill the air. To take part in the town’s biggest winter event, join in with Thirsk Christmas Market and look forward to mirth and merriment for all generations. Held in November each year, the event commences with the traditional Christmas lights switch on event on Friday night and features local traders selling Christmas wares, as well as family-friendly activities and entertainment. Thirsk’s Christmas market also coincides with the town’s Christmas Makers Market at The Old Courthouse.
Leeds Christmas Market
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Encouraging everyone to get into the festive spirit, Leeds hosts its unmissable German Christmas Markets from November until December 2024. Bigger and better than ever, this magnificent traditional festival is one of the largest of its kind in the country and beckons with a spellbinding line-up of attractions, from ice skating to panto to Christmas shopping. Also known as Leeds Christkindelmarkt, it takes place across the city centre and features hundreds of timber-framed market stalls with traders from Yorkshire and around the world. Spend time pondering over beautiful gifts and crafts, before stopping off for a drink in one of the two Christmas-themed bars.
Settle Christmas Market
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Settle is a charming market town in the Craven District of North Yorkshire on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Perfect for winter escapes, it affords a large variety of things to do for the dreamiest sojourns and also hosts its own Christmas market that attracts locals and visitors alike. This year, Settle’s Christmas Market is planned for November and incorporates a festive sprinkling of food, drink and gift stalls, as well as a lights switch on event. See all there is on offer, from local honey to Christmas wreaths to luxury soaps, and reward yourself and your loved ones with well-deserved treats. Throughout the day, performances by carol singers and brass bands provide a melodic soundtrack, while in the evening, the lights switch on is complemented by a showstopping fireworks display.
Hull Museum Victorian Christmas Market
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For a wonderful trip through time this Christmas, head over to Hull Museum’s Victorian Christmas Market. Taking place in November, this nineteenth-century affair is by order of Queen Victoria and her Consort Prince and is open to all generations. Venture over to the museum and learn about how the Victorians established many of our favourite Christmas traditions and relish the nostalgia-fuelled journey through time. Amongst the programme of Christmas activities and attractions during the festival, you can expect authentically-dressed Dickensian characters, children’s fancy dress competitions, carousel and horse and carriage rides, traditional craft activities, live music and storytelling and, of course, lots of Christmas food and drink.
Harrogate Christmas Fayre
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One of the best Christmas markets in Yorkshire, Harrogate Christmas Fayre is one of the most widely anticipated in the country. Set within the town’s picturesque centre on Cambridge Street and Market Place, it combines a mixture of local artisan traders and traditional European-inspired stalls for the finest festive experience. Peruse the collections of presents and stocking fillers as carollers harmonise Christmas songs, and immerse yourself in this festive bubble. For even more magical moments, you can also take part in Christmas at Crescent Gardens in Harrogate. Capturing the spirit of Christmas, this month-long event entices with ice skating, a Christmas carousel, and an après-ski-style bar with a cosy tipi and a choice of beverages and mouth-watering street food.
Selby Christmas Market
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The historic town of Selby encompasses over a thousand years of history and is dominated by a stunning eleventh-century abbey. Famed for its weekly and monthly food and farmers markets, the town also hosts an annual food and drink festival each September and a Christmas market in December. The icing on the Christmas cake, this Christmas market is a must-visit for foodie fans looking to sample delicious delicacies from local artisans. Among the forty Christmas stalls, this one-day event also proposes a generous number of gift stands lovingly presented with crafts and curios. Wrap up in cosy layers and take your time perusing the offerings.
Grassington’s Christmas Markets
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Don a hat and scarf and step out into the frosty air this winter, ready to be warmed by the festive spirit and a mug of spiced glühwein at Grassington’s Christmas Markets in the Yorkshire Dales. Taking over from the village’s former Dickensian Christmas Market which ran for forty years, this local celebration delivers lots of family-friendly attractions and seasonal fun. Fill winter’s daylight hours with dreamy walks through the moors, before heading over to the village’s lamplit streets in the evening to absorb the atmosphere. Extending for a week at the beginning of December, it encourages you to while away the time uncovering rows of stalls and enjoying lots of live entertainment, including Santa’s grotto and elf workshops for children.
Otley Victorian Fayre and Christmas Market
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Soak up the magic of Christmas past with a visit to Otley’s Christmas Market and Victorian Fayre. Echoing the era of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this popular Victorian-themed event transports revellers to bygone times and flourishes an extra dose of Christmas magic. Running since 1985, it is a firm favourite on the Christmas calendar and proposes an unforgettable day of festive frivolities. Seek out the perfect gift from the wide range of Christmas stalls, each manned by artisan traders dressed in Victorian costume. As you go, a soundtrack of happy conversation and Christmas music floating on the cold air adds to the ambience, while the aromas of cooking food and spiced drinks tempt the taste buds.
Skipton Yuletide Festival and Christmas Market
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Taking place in December, Skipton Yuletide Festival and Christmas Market is another of the county’s leading festive celebrations. Held along the high street of this North Yorkshire market town, it has everything you could need and more to ignite the joy of Christmas this year. Cosy up in your thickest layers and tread boot-clad footsteps along the street, working your way along the hundred market stalls on display. As well as gift-buying opportunities, this festival also beckons with its culinary Christmas temptations. Work up an appetite in the crisp winter air and treat yourself to feel-good favourites and traditional delicacies, including sugar-topped mince pies, hot chocolates with a tippled twist, and German bratwurst with all your favourite toppings.
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