As the festive season kicks off, there’s no better time to explore what’s happening across Yorkshire, including these unmissable Christmas markets
LEEDS CHRISTMAS MARKETS
22 November-22 December
What could be more festive than planning your trip to explore Leeds Christmas Markets? Last year, Leeds welcomed a new Christmas Market that transformed the city centre with seasonal stalls, and this year’s market will be bigger and better, new and improved, covering two prime locations in the city centre: Millennium Square and City Square, with an additional weekend market on Bond Court.
Explore a variety of festive stalls selling unique gifts, crafts, and delicious treats from around the world. Enjoy pop-up performances and tuck into a standout selection of food and drink options that embody the Christmas spirit we all know and love around this time of year.
New for this year is an Artisan Market every Saturday and Sunday during the Leeds Christmas Market. Little Bird will be bringing their artisan markets to Bond Court in Leeds City Centre, with stalls celebrating independent producers and makers. This year’s Christmas market will also run alongside the popular Ice Cube at Christmas ice skating rink on Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens.
YORK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
14 November-22 December
Enjoy the Christmas cheer on offer in one of the UK’s most festive cities as York’s restaurants, shops and attractions are beautifully decorated and provide a wonderful winter experience, with an incredible range of festive events. For the perfect York Christmas, stay in York hotels, B&Bs or self catering and give yourself a luxurious amount of time to soak up the festive atmosphere.
York’s award-winning Christmas Market will bring festive cheer to the heart of the city. With 75 alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, the market offers a magical array of local crafts, artisan products, and delicious seasonal treats. The vintage carousel on King’s Square adds to the festive atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for families and visitors alike. With 80% of the traders hailing from Yorkshire, this is a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying the best of what the region has to offer.
The market is not just about shopping – it’s about creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone. There’s a focus on sustainability with a selection of traders committed to ethical and eco-friendly practices. Additionally, a quieter period from 10am to 12pm daily ensures that the market is accessible to all visitors.
The Take A Seat Initiative ensures that everyone, including those with reduced mobility, can comfortably enjoy the festivities around the city, while the Safe Space Scheme offers peace of mind for those who might need it. And with public transport options like York Park & Ride making it easy to get into the city centre, it’s never been easier to experience the magic of Christmas in York.
HARROGATE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
29 November-15 December
Experience the joy of Christmas in the heart of Yorkshire this December. Harrogate’s famous Christmas Market returns to the town centre for 17 days of festive shopping opportunities from an eclectic mix of local traders and traditional European Christmas stalls.
Among the many stalls and entertainments will be arts and crafts from artisan creators, mouth-watering treats for customers to sample or purchase, festive decorations for your home and a range of unique gift ideas for you to choose from, or just treat yourself amid the busy Christmas preparations.
In addition to the chance to enjoy a truly Harrogate Christmas shopping experience, there will be music and entertainment to add to the perfect Christmas atmosphere whether you visit friends or family.
The popular Candy Cane Express road train will also return, and will take market-goers on a tour of the town on Fridays to Sundays during the Christmas fayre. The Harrogate Christmas lights will be on too, so the festive season will feel well and truly under way.
SKIPTON CHRISTMAS MARKET
8 December
Once again, Skipton will be holding its traditional Christmas market. They have a fantastic festive day planned for you all this year. They have over 100 fabulous festive stalls featuring some of the region’s favourite artisan makers, producers, and crafters. Combined with the array of fabulous independent shops in Skipton it is the perfect opportunity to make a start on your Christmas shopping.
They have lots of entertainment planned too, including a festive music stage. What could be better than listening to Fairytale of New York with a mulled wine in one hand and a German bratwurst in the other?
And what is a Christmas market without fabulous festive food? They have mulled wine, boozy hot chocolate, mince pies, hot roast chestnuts, German bratwurst and plenty more for you to tuck into.
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD FESTIVE MARKET
23-24 November and 30 November-1 December
Start your festive shopping and discover over 75 independent makers each weekend selling candles, ceramics, food and drink, gifts for children, homeware, jewellery, prints, stationery, textiles and more.
While you are shopping for that exclusive gift, make sure to also visit The Hepworth Wakefield’s gallery and cafe spaces, where a host of exhibitions will be on show to make this a memorable visit. Read more about this market on page 41.
THE PIECE HALL
15 November-22 December
The Piece Hall in Halifax will be hosting a Christmas Market over six weekends showcasing some of the region’s favourite independent food and drink producers, artisan makers and pop-up street food. Featuring a wide range of unique stalls with everything from homeware to jewellery, gifts and delicious food to take home.
Keep an eye, too, on their event listings as during this time there will be plenty of festive-tinged events, such as a special wreath making workshop on 21 November.
BEVERLEY FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS
8 December
The Beverley Festival of Christmas will return in 2024 for its 28th year, transforming the historic town of Beverley into a magical Christmas shopper’s wonderland. Discover over 120 stalls offering everything you need to have yourself a merry little Christmas. Santa and his special reindeer will of course be joining in the celebrations and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained with traditional fairground rides, birds of prey on display, and the sounds of traditional brass bands drifting through the cold December air.
HULL VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
23-24 November
November and Sunday 24 November, Queen Victoria and her Consort Prince cordially invite you to join them at the Hull Museums Quarter for a splendid Victorian Christmas celebration.
The Victorians transformed Christmas establishing many of the traditions we know and love today. Join in and immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas past with a wonderful selection of activities.
MALTON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
7-8 December
The huge two-day Malton Christmas Festival is the shopping event of the year. Expect a fabulous weekend of festive fun in and around Malton’s picturesque Market Place, with delicious food and festive gift stalls, street food, live music from local brass bands and choirs and family entertainment. Malton’s shops will be packed with Christmas gift ideas too – stay a while longer and explore the many charming streets across town on your visit.
Over 20,000 people gathered in the charming town centre last year. For the first time ever, there was a new ‘market hall’ marquee that took over the east side of Market Place and provided shelter from the very wintry elements outside – and just in time, as the snow fell over Malton on the Friday night, turning the town into the ultimate winter wonderland. Shoppers were treated to over 100 stalls including a fantastic selection of local food and drink producers. There was also a wide range of non-food gifts, meaning shoppers were offered an unsurpassed choice of festive presents to treat their loved ones this year.
Of course, it simply wouldn’t have been a Malton Christmas Festival without copious amounts of food on offer. As well as the 100 plus stalls, Malton based retailers and artisan producers put on a superb show, serving up everything you need for a perfect Christmas feast from warming mulled wines, figgy puddings, traditional turkey, goose, and award-winning macarons. And when it comes to Christmas gifts, Malton – being a town of makers – is keeping everyone feeling festive with inspired and unique Christmas shopping ideas.
KNARESBOROUGH CHRISTMAS MARKET
7-8 December
Whilst this Christmas market itself is centred around Knaresborough’s historic Market Place, there are festive events, independent shops and eateries throughout the town, so leave yourself some time to explore. They have got a fantastic selection of stalls lined up for you, including some old favourites and plenty of new ones too.
Browse the stalls to find sweet treats like sweet chocolate, something savoury, pickles and cheeses, gifts for your loved ones and lots and lots of festive decorations. Whilst you’re here, make sure you leave time to explore the many independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants, historic castle, famous viaduct river view, stunning Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s and Mother Shipton’s Cave Christmas Experience.
While you’re in the area, take the time to discover even more of Yorkshire’s treasures.
