The UK and Europe's best Christmas markets

Twinkling lights, mulled wine, gifts and crafts… Embrace the festive spirit with a visit to one of these winter wonderland venues.

Christmas at Blenheim Palace

The home of the Duke of Marlborough is the most "lavish" option for a day at the market, said Mary Novakovich in The Times. Go gift shopping in The Great Court with a host of artisan offerings and sample the local cheeses and craft vodka before making your way to the "magical" illuminated Light Trail through the palace's beautiful gardens. A veritable "Christmas fantasy", book tickets in advance for the opulent rooms, which this year tell the story of Peter Pan in Neverland.

15 November to 1 January

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Edinburgh's Christmas

The Scottish capital's extravaganza, now in its third year, has all the "festive favourites" back, "including the Big Wheel", said Emma Love in Condé Nast. Independent retailers from across Scotland and Europe set up stalls in East Princes Street Gardens and Santa will be dropping in at St Andrew's Square to give little ones a "magical storytelling experience".

15 November to 4 January

Bath Christmas Market

The city's market "bottles the spirit of Christmas" into its heart, said Natalie Wilson in The Independent. The "festive fairytale" sprawls across the historic cobbled streets, featuring "the best of South West produce", from gin to jewellery. After shopping, go for a rejuvenating skate at the Bath on Ice rink, or check out No. 1 Royal Crescent's immersive tour "12 tales of a Georgian Christmas".

28 November to 15 December

Cardiff Christmas Market

For the past 30 years, Cardiff’s Christmas Market has been lighting up the city centre with bustling stalls, each offering original work from local artists and craftspeople. Some 70 booths rotate weekly with more than 200 businesses offering a variety of goods. Find the "perfect handmade stocking" here, said Novakovich in The Times and be sure to "come with an appetite", there is an overload of seasonal food and drinks to try.

14 November to 23 December

Leadenhall Market

The "most stunning" Christmas market in London dates back to the 14th century and is said to be featured in Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", wrote Meadhbh McGrath in Lonely Planet. The Victorian structure "never looks better" than when it's adorned with glittering lights and decked with an 18-ft Christmas tree. Located in London's financial district, the walkways are "packed" with 90 stalls, each selling carefully crafted gifts. This year, special holiday highlights include free candle-decorating workshops and a Vintage Furniture Flea.

16 and 24 November, 7 December

The BIG Christmas Market, Cornwall

The award-winning Truro Farmers Market is back for its second festive season. "Bespoke wooden cabins" featuring "top artisans and producers from the local area", will line the streets, said Anna Hann in Good Housekeeping. The standout market also offers arts and crafts and live music – a wide-range to "keep you entertained" and in the holiday spirit.

22 November to 24 December

Manchester Christmas Market

The Manchester Christmas Market is back for 2024 and now "better than ever", said Good Housekeeping. One of the biggest in the UK, it boasts 300 stalls at 10 sites across the city to "ring in the Christmas season". Look out for announcements about the can't-miss Christmas Parade, Festive Sundays and "iconic" Christmas lights trail.

11 November to 21 December

Glasgow Winterfest

This "Christmassy hotspot" is best for "festive fun for a good cause", said Condé Nast, boasting a "host of festive delights", including ice skating, rides, local musicals and stalls. Last year, the proceeds went to the Power over Poverty initiative, details of this season’s events are TBD, but "it's bound to be just as fun".

9 November to 5 January

Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham

The biggest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria, Birmingham’s Victoria Square and New Street are lined with stalls offering handcrafted decorations. "The place for bratwurst, stollen, and gluhwein", said Wilson in The Independent, it is the best place to check off gift shopping while listening to holiday tunes from the bandstand.

1 November to 24 December

Salzburg, Austria

Mozart's hometown and the picturesque setting of "The Sound of Music" "comes into its own at Christmas", said Novakovich in The Times. The markets look as though they’ve come from the 15th century and the "focus here is on quality over quantity, so expect hand-knitted socks rather than novelty candles". Music reigns here too, so for "optimum Christmas cheer" head to the cathedral at 5pm for free daily concerts or join in at Tuesday singalongs from 6pm.

21 November to 1 January

Tallinn, Estonia

The "quaint capital" is your best bet for a snowy Christmas market, said Julia Eskins in Forbes. The medieval city becomes a "winter wonderland", brimming with "festive cheer, twinkling lights, Estonian treats and handcrafted items with an eco focus". Sip from a mug of locally made glög before a stroll through Gingerbread World.

22 November to 22 December

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital’s markets "pulsate" with joy, said Novakovich in The Times. There are offerings across the city with ceramics, knitwear, decorations and more, but the over-the-top Tivoli Gardens is the "beating heart" of the season. There's a ferris wheel, large skating rink, light-filled trees and the scent of mulled wine fills the streets as you "find yourself in the midst of Christmas market joy".

Throughout November and December

Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral, Germany

Germany "excels" at Christmas markets and Cologne is considered one of the best, wrote Mail Travel. Set against the "spectacular backdrop" of the city’s cathedral, the market has all the traditional offerings from gluhwein to gingerbread, but the real highlight is the "packed calendar" of live entertainment, with a " line-up, from swing bands to gospel choirs", leaving everyone in the yuletide mood.

18 November to 23 December