Best UK Christmas Markets for Kids 2025

1. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

Best for: Families looking for a fantastic Christmas day out in London with a mix of magical shows, fun rides and festive food.

Set in the heart of London’s Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is one of the most spectacular festive events in the world, offering something for everyone. Families can enjoy the twinkling lights, browse one of the largest traditional Christmas markets in London, and soak up the lively ambience filled with music, aromas of mulled wine, and sweet treats. The market features hundreds of stalls selling unique gifts, crafts, decorations, and festive food, while the event itself brims with attractions from ice skating at the UK’s largest outdoor rink to circus shows, rollercoasters and the magical ice kingdom. Whether you want high-adrenaline thrills, a gentle carousel ride or a quiet moment by the fire pit with hot chocolate, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has it all.

Why it’s great for kids: Little ones can meet Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto in Santaland, whizz down the 45m ice slide or enjoy fairground classics like the carousel and helter-skelter. Older children will love the rollercoasters, funhouse, and circus shows, while the entire family can skate under sparkling lights at the beautiful ice rink.

When: 14 November 2025 - 1 January 2026

Where: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Price: Off-peak entry is free, Standard tickets are £5, and Peak tickets are £7.50

Where to stay: Families can choose from central London hotels in Mayfair, Kensington or Paddington for easy access to Hyde Park.

2. Kingston Christmas Market, London

Best for: Families who want a cosy, traditional Christmas experience with artisanal gifts, festive food and live entertainment.

Kingston Christmas Market brings a touch of Europe to a classic British market town, filling the Ancient Market Place with twinkling lights and seasonal cheer. Families can stroll through stalls selling unique handmade crafts, from crochet creations and music boxes to Turkish ceramics and personalised Christmas decorations. The food and drink selection is a real highlight, with bratwurst, Dutch pancakes, Yorkshire pudding wraps and mulled wine creating the perfect festive ambience. To top it off, live music, choirs and even weekly open-mic nights bring a joyful soundtrack to your festive shopping trip.

Why it’s great for kids: Children will love the magical atmosphere, the chance to ride the carousel and the sweet treats like Belgian waffles and hot chocolate. The lively music and street performances add extra excitement, making it a family-friendly spot to soak in the Christmas spirit.

When: 13 November 2025 - 28 December 2025

Where: Ancient Market Place, Kingston-Upon-Thames, KT1 1JS

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Families can stay in Kingston town centre hotels or riverside accommodations for easy access to the market and festive activities.

3. Nottingham Winter Wonderland

Best for: Families who love festive markets with plenty of rides, ice skating and fun attractions for all ages.

Every winter, Nottingham’s Old Market Square transforms into a dazzling Winter Wonderland filled with festive magic. Independent traders line the square with stalls offering artisan cheeses, handmade jewellery, chutneys, mead, home accessories and unique gifts from around the world. The festive food and drink options are equally impressive, from ski chalet bars serving raclette and hanging kebabs to the alpine Ice Bar and the panoramic Altitude rooftop chalet. With twinkling lights, lively music and a buzzing Christmas atmosphere, it’s a market that combines old-world charm with family-friendly fun.

Why it’s great for kids: Children will love the dedicated kids’ ice rink with penguin skate aids, whizzing down the Toboggan Slide and riding the traditional Helter Skelter. The giant Observation Wheel is perfect for families to enjoy sweeping views of the city, while sweet treats from the market stalls add to the festive excitement.

When: 2025 details TBC; 2024: 13 November - 31 December

Where: Old Market Square, Nottingham NG1 2DT

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Families can stay in Nottingham city centre hotels for easy access to the market and a short walk to all attractions.

4. Manchester Christmas Market

Best for: Families who enjoy exploring urban lively markets with plenty of food, festive lights and nearby seasonal attractions.

Manchester transforms into one of the UK’s most festive cities each Christmas, with its streets and squares glowing under spectacular decorations and buzzing with holiday cheer. The Christmas Markets sprawl across several central locations, each offering something different – from gift stalls filled with handmade crafts and eco-friendly homewares to mouth-watering food such as bratwurst, Yorkshire pudding wraps, churros and mulled wine. Illuminated trails, giant Santas and twinkling baubles make the atmosphere truly magical, while the city’s industrial charm gives the markets a uniquely Mancunian character.

Why it’s great for kids: Families can stroll through glowing light displays on the Manchester Christmas Light Trail, spot the giant Santa and enjoy live festive performances. Nearby attractions include favourites like Manchester Christmas lights trail and Skate Manchester’s covered rink at Cathedral Gardens.

When: 2025 details TBC; 2024: 8 November to 22 December

Where: 2025 details TBC; Here are the nine locations for 2024:

• King Street West - M3 2PW
• St Ann’s Square & Exchange Street - M2 7EF
• New Cathedral Street - M1 1AD
• Exchange Square - M3 1BD
• Corn Exchange - M4 3TR
• Cathedral Gardens - M4 3BG
• Market Street - M1 1PL

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Families can choose to stay in Manchester City Centre or the Northern Quarter for walking distance to multiple market hubs and a wide choice of hotels.

5. Cardiff Christmas Market

Best for: Families who love browsing handmade gifts and crafts, with plenty of festive food and nearby attractions to extend the day out.

The Cardiff Christmas Market brings festive charm to the heart of the Welsh capital, with over 200 stalls set up in Alpine-style huts across the pedestrian streets of the city centre. From St John Street to Trinity Street, visitors can discover an impressive range of original crafts, handmade gifts, jewellery, artwork and seasonal treats, all sold directly by the makers themselves. Twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine create a magical atmosphere, while the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian arcades add to the old-world festive charm. With Cardiff Castle and Bute Park just a short stroll away, it’s a perfect city centre Christmas experience that blends shopping, sightseeing, and seasonal cheer.

Why it’s great for kids: While the market itself is centred on shopping and food, families can pair their visit with nearby festive attractions such as Christmas at Bute Park with its dazzling light trail or Cardiff Winter Wonderland, which features an undercover ice rink, funfair rides and an alpine ice bar for adults.

When: 13 November 2025 - 23 December 2025

Where: St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, and Trinity Street, Cardiff City Centre, CF10 1GL

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Staying near Cardiff Castle or in the city centre puts you right at the heart of the markets and seasonal attractions.

6. Chester Christmas Market

Best for: Families who love historic backdrops, traditional stalls and a cosy festive feel.

Chester Christmas Market transforms the Town Hall Square into a magical festive wonderland, framed by the gothic town hall and medieval cathedral. Around 80 wooden chalets offer a mix of locally made crafts, jewellery, handmade gifts and delicious seasonal treats, with mulled wine and hot chocolate warming hands as you wander. The sparkling Christmas tree at the centre of the square sets the perfect festive scene, surrounded by twinkling lights and hearty street food like hog roasts and hot dogs. With Chester’s historic streets and family-friendly restaurants nearby, the market makes for a warm and welcoming seasonal day out.

Why it’s great for kids: The intimate size makes it easy for little legs to explore, while nearby attractions like the UK’s largest artificial Christmas tree at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, plus the Santa in the Sky Big Wheel experience, add extra festive fun.

When: 19 November 2025 - 22 December 2025

Where: Town Hall Square, Northgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HQ

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Opt to stay within Chester’s city centre to stay just steps away from the market and historic sights.

7. Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham

Best for: Families who want a taste of Germany without leaving the UK.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria, turning the city centre into a winter wonderland. Spread across Victoria Square and New Street, the market is alive with the scent of sizzling bratwurst, roasted almonds, and steaming mugs of glühwein, alongside twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree. Wooden chalets brim with handcrafted decorations, toys, winter warmers and unique festive gifts, while live music on the Victoria Square stage fills the air with cheer. With its bustling stalls, traditional German delicacies and glowing ambience, this market is one of the UK’s most atmospheric festive destinations.

Why it’s great for kids: Children will love the sweet treats like pretzels and hot chocolate topped with cream, the lively performances on stage and the dazzling Christmas lights that make the market feel truly magical.

When: 1 November - 24 December 2025

Where: Victoria Square and New Street, Birmingham, B1 1BD

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Choose to stay in Birmingham City Centre for convenience or opt for a canalside area like Brindleyplace for family-friendly stays.

8. Bournemouth Christmas Market

Best for: Families who love seaside festivities and sparkling light trails

Bournemouth transforms into a festive coastal wonderland each winter, complete with a vibrant Christmas market in the town square, dazzling light displays, and plenty of seaside charm. The highlight is the enchanting Christmas Tree Wonderland, a trail of more than 100 glittering trees and illuminations leading from the market through the gardens down to the seafront. Visitors can enjoy festive shopping, delicious seasonal food and warming drinks at the Alpine Lodge, all set against the backdrop of Bournemouth’s lively holiday spirit. With an ice rink, family-friendly events and a joyful ambience, it’s a festive break that combines seaside fun with Christmas sparkle.

Why it’s great for kids: From skating at the outdoor rink to marvelling at glowing Christmas trees and sipping hot chocolate in Moguls Bar, there’s plenty to keep children entertained day and night. 

When: 2025 details TBC; 2024: 15 November - 31 December

Where: Bournemouth Square, Lower Gardens & Seafront, Bournemouth, BH2 6ED

Price: Free entry

Where to stay: Stay in Bournemouth Town Centre to be close to the Christmas Market and festive trail, or choose West Cliff and East Cliff for sea views and spa hotel options.

Tips for Taking Kids to Christmas Markets

Visiting a Christmas market with children can be magical, but it requires some planning to keep the day fun and stress-free. Here are eight essential tips to help you make the most of your visit with little ones.

1. Plan Ahead: Check the opening dates and timings of the market, as many close early in the evening or shut on Christmas Day and surrounding dates. Arriving early on weekdays helps you avoid crowds, enjoy the stalls at a slower pace and cut down waiting times for food and activities.
2. Pack Smart: Bring tissues, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, a water bottle, spare clothing, toilet paper, coins for toilets and cash for rides or buying gifts. Being prepared for messes or sudden needs keeps the day stress-free. While festive treats are everywhere, having familiar snacks handy can keep fussy eaters happy.
3. Bring Pushchairs or Child Carriers: For younger children, a pushchair or sling can be invaluable, especially in crowded areas. Ensure it’s easy to fold and manoeuvre, as some narrow paths or busy zones may be tricky to navigate. 
4. Dress in Layers: Layered clothing, gloves, hats and waterproof boots are essential for UK winter weather. Comfortable footwear is particularly important if you plan to walk between multiple market areas or enjoy nearby attractions.
5. Prioritise Safety: For older kids, set a clear meeting spot in case anyone gets separated. For younger children, consider using an Apple AirTag or similar tracker in a wristband or necklace, and use a safety ID bracelet. This ensures peace of mind for parents in crowded areas.
6. Enjoy Child-Friendly Attractions: Many markets feature ice rinks, Santa visits, carol singing, concerts, craft workshops, nativity scenes and festive storytelling. Check schedules in advance, book slots when required, and let children enjoy a fairground ride or two to make the trip extra special.
7. Make Memories & Take Breaks: Pause in cafés or rest areas to warm up and recharge, then carry on exploring. Collecting festive mugs, taking family photos under twinkling lights, and knowing when to call it a day will leave you with happy memories instead of tired tears.
8. Hotel Stay: Book a centrally located hotel near the markets. With cold, rainy or windy weather, you’ll want to avoid long walks with little children at the end of a busy day.

With so many festive markets across the UK, there’s truly something for everyone this Christmas - from twinkling lights and traditional nativity scenes to delicious seasonal treats and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re wandering through the historic streets of Chester, enjoying the vibrant bustle of Manchester, or savouring the coastal charm of Bournemouth, each market offers its own magical experience to get you in the holiday spirit.

For more details and to plan your visit, explore all our featured Christmas Markets and discover dates, locations, attractions and tips to make the most of your festive adventure.