How long is York Christmas market open?

The York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair) generally runs for six weeks, typically from mid-November to just before Christmas (e.g., Nov 13 – Dec 21 in 2025). The alpine chalets are open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, offering a festive atmosphere on Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square.

What time do York Christmas Markets finish?

York Christmas Market Opening Times

The alpine chalets are open from 10am to 7pm, 7 days a week. Opening times for shops and other retailers in York city centre vary but generally are not open later than 5 or 6pm. The market has a designated quiet time from 10am to 12pm where there is no music playing.

Do Christmas markets stay open after Christmas?

Yes, many Christmas markets stay open after Christmas, often until New Year's Eve or the first week of January, though some traditional ones close by December 23rd or 24th. Major cities like London, Edinburgh, Prague, and various French/German locations frequently run markets through the holiday period, sometimes rebranding as New Year's markets. It's essential to check specific market dates, as they vary widely. 

Is York good for Christmas markets?

There are few cities more magical than York, and few more magical times to visit than at Christmas. When the tree is up in St Helen's Square, the Christmas markets take over town, and lights are hung along those famous cobbled streets, a festive weekend getaway looks all the more appealing.

Where to stay in York for the Christmas Market?

Where to stay near York Christmas Market?

• Grays Court. Grays Court. ...
• The Grand, York. The Grand, York. ...
• Ashbourne House. Ashbourne House. ...
• Middlethorpe Hall And Spa. Middlethorpe Hall And Spa. ...
• Burton Stone Inn. Burton Stone Inn. ...
• Dean Court Hotel. Dean Court Hotel. ...
• The Vanguard - York Residence. The Vanguard - York Residence. ...
• New Holgate.

LIVE: York Christmas Market 2025 Opening Day 🎄✨ | Full Walkthrough & Stalls Tour

Is York or Manchester Christmas Market better?

Manchester Christmas Markets named better than Edinburgh and York in new study 🎉

Where is the prettiest Christmas market?

There's no single "most beautiful," as it depends on preference, but top contenders for beauty often include Gdańsk, Poland (voted best in Europe for its unique charm), Cologne, Germany (iconic cathedral backdrop), Prague (historic Old Town Square), Vienna (Rathausplatz magic), and Bruges, Belgium (fairy-tale canals and light trails). Other favorites feature stunning settings like Winchester, UK (Cathedral close) and Strasbourg, France (oldest market).
 

What do Germans do on the 25th and 26th of December?

On December 25th (First Christmas Day) and 26th (Second Christmas Day, Zweiter Weihnachtstag), Germans enjoy official public holidays focused on quiet family time, large festive meals with traditional foods like roast goose or carp, exchanging gifts (which often happens on Christmas Eve), and visiting relatives, with most shops remaining closed as the celebration continues after the main gift-giving on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend).
 

What date is the York Christmas Market 2025?

York Christmas Market – also known as St Nicholas Fair – is set to return from November 13th to December 21st 2025, with twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine and lots of unique gift ideas.

Which is the best Christmas Market in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire boasts fantastic Christmas markets, with top choices including York St Nicholas Fair for historic charm, Leeds Christmas Market for scale and ice skating, Harrogate Christmas Fayre for a European feel with carollers, and smaller gems like Grassington (Dales charm), Malton (foodie focus), and Skipton (historic street atmosphere) for unique festive experiences, plus seasonal markets at The Piece Hall (Halifax) and Sheffield.
 

How far is York Christmas Market from train station?

York Railway Station is around a 10–15 minute walk from the market, with direct trains from London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Sheffield and other key regional stations.

What is the number one Christmas market in the UK?

Taking the top spot is Edinburgh's world-famous Christmas Market, which has gathered more than 58,100 hashtags under #edinburghchristmasmarket. It's closely followed by London's Winter Wonderland with 46,500 tags. To make it even more special, Edinburgh's market sits right next to the city's spectacular castle.

What is the most magical Christmas town in Europe?

The 10 Most Magical Christmas Towns in Europe

1. Strasbourg, France. ...
2. Vienna, Austria. ...
3. Prague, Czech Republic. ...
4. Cologne, Germany. ...
5. Budapest, Hungary. ...
6. Tallinn, Estonia. ...
7. Basel, Switzerland. ...
8. Edinburgh, Scotland.

Which city is best to visit in Christmas in the UK?

The 10 best places to spend Christmas in the UK

• Whitby, North Yorkshire. In North Yorkshire, Whitby transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season. ...
• Conwy, North Wales. ...
• Edinburgh, Scotland. ...
• Mousehole, Cornwall. ...
• Llandudno, North Wales. ...
• Nottingham. ...
• Scarborough, North Yorkshire. ...
• Swanage, Dorset.

Is York Christmas Market worth it?

Yes, the York Christmas Market is generally considered worth a visit for its charming, festive atmosphere, historic setting (especially around The Shambles), and variety of stalls, but be prepared for very large crowds and high prices, especially on weekends, making it best as part of a broader York day trip rather than the sole focus.
 

What is the easiest Christmas Market to get to from the UK?

Brussels Christmas market

Voted one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Brussels' Winter Wonders is the perfect choice for a festive family getaway or a weekend shopping trip — and it's just 1 hour 53 minutes from London by Eurostar.

Where is the most magical Christmas Market?

• 44 Wildly Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in Europe (Ranked!) Last Updated: October 28, 2025. ...
• London, England. OOH. ...
• Budapest, Hungary* ...
• Düsseldorf, Germany. ...
• Stuttgart, Germany. ...
• Paris, France. ...
• Winchester, England. ...
• Essen, Germany.

What time do York Christmas markets end?

Wrap up warm, grab a mulled wine and soak up the Christmas spirit beneath the twinkling lights. ⏰ 10:30am – 7pm 📅 13 November – 21 December Plan your festive visit now: visityork.org/christmas. Went last night. It's the best selection of stalls in many years, only one was selling mass produced tat.

What is the prettiest place in Yorkshire?

There's no single "prettiest" place, as Yorkshire offers diverse beauty, but popular contenders include Malham Cove & Gordale Scar (Dales drama), Whitby & Staithes (coastal charm), Haworth (Brontë literary village), Thornton-le-Dale (idyllic moorland village), and Castle Howard (stately grandeur), with many choosing the dramatic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales or the historic streets of York as overall highlights.

What's on in York in December 2025?

Must-See December Events in York: The Ultimate 2025 Festive Guide

• St Nicholas Fair (York Christmas Market) ...
• York Minster: Christmas Concerts and Candlelit Services. ...
• Winter Light Trails and Illuminations. ...
• Christmas at JORVIK, Barley Hall, and the DIG Centre. ...
• York Theatre Royal Pantomime. ...
• Festive River Cruises on the Ouse.