The Best 2026 UK Christmas Markets and other Festive Events
From the quiet corners of Scotland to bustling city centres, discover the best Christmas markets the UK has to...
by Maia Noden / Winter
Are you looking for the most magical places to visit at Christmas in the UK? From snow-capped hills to cosy open fires, there’s plenty to experience and enjoy during a Christmas getaway!
Holidays in December have grown 4% from 2024 to 2025, showing a growing trend and demand for holidays over the festive period. So, this year, we’ve decided to show you exactly where our customers love going away during Christmas!
Using our own internal booking data, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to spend Christmas this year. So, with that being said, if you’re looking for inspiration based on real-life data, then you’ve come to the right place!
Keep scrolling to find out more about where the best place to spend Christmas in the UK is…
Christmas Holidays
Kicking off our list of the most magical places to visit at Christmas is Buxton, which also happens to be one of the top solo holiday destinations. This idyllic spa town is at the centre of the Peak District National Park and offers the Christmas charm that you are dreaming of.
Throughout December, the Pavilion Gardens come alive with an array of festive events, from breakfast with Santa to Christmas markets and a festive carvery. You’ll also find Buxton Opera House nearby, where you can continue the festivities with an exciting pantomime.
During the winter months, the ornamental gardens are covered in snow, a picturesque sight to behold. And what better way to work off the Christmas calories than with an easy Peak District walk?
Explore even more market stalls at Haddon Hall, the snowy beauty of the Peaks and the many lovely Buxton cafés for an indulgent drink.
If you’re looking for one of the best places to spend Christmas in the UK, then Skipton will be sure to tick all the boxes for you. This bustling market town, known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’, blends historic charm with a proper Yorkshire welcome… especially during the festive season!
Skipton’s award-winning Christmas market draws in visitors from far and wide, with dozens of stalls selling seasonal food, handmade gifts and crafts. Set against the backdrop of cobbled streets and the imposing Skipton Castle, it creates a festive atmosphere that feels both traditional and full of cheer.
Just a short walk from the high street, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal offers a peaceful winter stroll, while nearby cafés and pubs provide the perfect spot to warm up with a mulled wine or a hearty roast. Whether you’re shopping for gifts or simply looking for somewhere to spend a classic festive escape, Skipton is a brilliant town with plenty to offer during Christmas and New Year.
During the summertime, the pretty town of Ambleside is full of tourists exploring the beauty of the Lake District National Park. Come wintertime, the crowds of tourists are replaced with endearing fairy lights. Meanwhile, the independent shops and eateries fully embrace the Christmas spirit.
Spend hours exploring the idyllic town of Ambleside, from walks around the Lake District’s most famous lake, Lake Windermere to strolls up to Stock Ghyll Force, there’s plenty to see and do!
With a panorama of mountainous fells and majestic lakes as your backdrop, we can see why this is one of the best towns to visit at Christmas and one of the most popular with our customers.
Often referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water is a truly magical place to visit at Christmas. Nestled along the gentle River Windrush, this picturesque village transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season, with twinkling fairy lights reflecting off the water and a charming tree placed right in the middle of the river.
Bourton’s quaint stone cottages and independent shops are adorned with decorations, giving the whole village a postcard-perfect feel. You can explore the Cotswold Motoring Museum, enjoy festive treats in local cafés or browse unique gifts at the Christmas fayres in and around the village.
For families, the nearby Birdland Park and Gardens hosts its own breakfast with Santa event, making it an ideal festive day out for little ones. Whether you’re after a peaceful stroll, a festive cream tea or a cosy countryside stay, Bourton-on-the-Water offers all the charm of a traditional Christmas in one of the best Christmas villages in the UK.
Ludlow is a medieval market town with a bustling atmosphere all year round. It has a reputation for producing high-quality food and drink, and thousands of people visit each year for the Ludlow Food and Drink Festival.
What’s more, the festive season sees the town transform into one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas. Admire the town’s Christmas lights, warm up with a mulled wine in one of the medieval pubs or browse the shops for the perfect gift.
If you are looking for something extra special this year, head to the Ludlow Local Produce Market located at Castle Square. Here, you will find a collection of local food and drink producers from the area, selling charcuterie, preserves, baked pies and lots more!
What is more magical than seeing one of the best castles in Wales, a quaint harbour, the smallest house in Great Britain and the silhouette of Snowdonia?
With all that in mind, it will come as no surprise that Conwy is on our list of best Christmas towns. From the moment you cross the Telford Suspension Bridge, you know that you are in one of the UK’s most popular places to go at Christmas.
Imagine meandering the medieval walls before warming up with a hot chocolate in one of the cosy cafes on the high street. Then venturing to the harbour, where you’ll find the little, red-painted house measuring just 3.05m x 1.83m, before returning to the warmth of a quaint holiday cottage in Conwy – Bliss!
With honey-coloured buildings, classic British pubs and charming independent shops, Stow-on-the-Wold already looks like it belongs on a Christmas card. Add twinkling lights and festive decorations and this pretty Cotswold market town becomes even more magical during the festive season.
Wrap up warm and wander through the historic Market Square, browse the town’s independent shops for Christmas gifts or escape the cold with a hot drink in one of the many pleasant cafés. Book lovers can browse the shelves at Borzoi Bookshop and get lost in a Christmas tale or winter novel.
Just outside of the town, Cotswold Farm Park has a range of festive events, where little ones can meet Santa and put their creativity to work decorating gingerbread treats.
After a day of exploring, settle into a traditional Cotswold pub and enjoy a cosy end to your merry day out.
For somewhere a little different this Christmas, head to the charming harbour town of Watchet on the Somerset coast. Colourful boats and a historic harbour give this seaside town plenty of character, even on a crisp winter’s day.
Take a stroll along the waterfront before exploring the town and its fascinating history. You can wander along West Street to see the remaining Victorian tidal pool, discover the shoreline at Helwell Bay or scrub up on some local history at Watchet Market House Museum.
Then, warm up in the Pebbles Tavern pub for some live music and refreshing drinks before ending your winter stroll overlooking the harbour.
Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Mid Wales, Rhayader is an idyllic choice for anyone hoping for a dreamy countryside escape this Christmas.
Spend a brisk winter’s morning wandering through the market town and along the River Wye before heading out to explore the surrounding countryside.
Just outside of the town lies the magical Elan Valley, a serene spot with Elan Valley Lakes visitor centre hosting an array of festive events throughout the merry period. For those craft lovers, get creative at a Christmas wreath-making class or watch the area come alive during the annual light switch-on.
Mid Wales comes into its own at this time of year, with market towns across the region putting up their Christmas lights from late November and festive fairs, local food and seasonal events taking place too.
With winter walks and beautiful Welsh countryside right on the doorstep, Rhayader offers a quieter kind of Christmas magic.
If you’re looking for the best places to spend Christmas in the UK, Whitby should be at the top of your list too!
Magical at any time of the year, Whitby has a wide and varied culture that even the Grinch would love. There is something here for everyone, from the traditional Christmas tree festival at St Mary’s Church to the exciting lantern parade.
Venture to the market for some lovely gifts, which in true Whitby style is a collection of beach huts selling the most beautiful crafts and produce.
Aside from the Christmas markets, admire the winding cobbled streets, the array of perfect Whitby pubs and the unique things that Whitby is famous for. As a result, the festive events, cosy pubs, and enchanting scenery make Whitby one of the best places to go on holiday at Christmas.
Last but certainly not least, Beadnell makes for a peaceful escape by the sea during the festive period. This small coastal village, nestled along the Northumberland coast, offers a slower pace of life with an unbeatable backdrop of dramatic skies and frosty beaches.
Christmas here is all about cosy coastal walks, crackling fires and community spirit. You won’t find big markets or flashy lights, but what you will find is space to unwind, reflect and soak in the raw beauty of the season. With one of the best beaches in Northumberland, Beadnell Bay just a stone’s throw away from the town, it’s the perfect spot for a bracing Christmas Day walk with sweeping views across the North Sea.
Nearby, you can explore Bamburgh Castle, which often hosts festive events throughout December, or take a drive to Alnwick for Christmas shopping in its independent boutiques. Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, you could always go for a Christmas Day swim, a popular activity in the region that makes for a wonderful way to spend an alternative Christmas!
So, if you’re after a quieter but equally magical Christmas, Beadnell is a brilliant place to go on holiday at Christmas.
If this list of the best places to spend Christmas in the UK has you interested in booking a festive break but you’re still not sure, hear first-hand from our customers who enjoyed a memorable Christmas with us…
This home was a perfect place to stay as a family over New Year. It was very clean, tidy and lots of living space too. The kitchen was full of all the things we needed and lots of cupboard space for our food etc. We enjoyed the log fire and the Christmas decorations. We would love to come back.
- ebartch, Jan 2026
View on Trustpilot »Good choice of properties. Well described on website. Reasonably priced.
- Janet, Jan 2026
View on Trustpilot »Easy to book and looks a great cottage. Just what we wanted for a pre Christmas break for a relax and outdoor activities.
- simon, Oct 2026 View on Trustpilot »
All findings in this article are based on Sykes Holiday Cottages’ internal booking data.
Booking growth was calculated by comparing the total number of holidays in December 2024 with those in December 2025, to highlight changes in demand over time.
To identify the most popular regions, we analysed bookings per property during a two-week period over Christmas in 2025. The top towns featured were then hand-picked from the three most-booked towns within each of the regions with the highest bookings per property during this same period.
Feeling inspired? Then book one of these wonderful cottages for Christmas or check out the dates of the Christmas Bank Holiday. For more fantastic places to consider spending your next festive getaway, be sure to check out this guide on the best places to visit during winter in the UK! Not only that, but there’s also plenty of winter bucket list ideas to check off during your trip, as well as plenty of fun Christmas facts to dive into for further reading.
by Maia Noden / Winter
Hi! I'm Maia, and I have been working in UK travel since January 2024. I’m originally from Chester, and I studied Journalism at ...
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