The holiday season is almost upon us, and there's nothing quite like a classic Christmas market to get us into the festive spirit.

Inspired by original, traditional and authentic Yuletide Markets in Germany, the UK boast numerous stalls offering visitors endless foodie treats, souvenirs and cheer, be it with a glass of mulled wine and bratwursts and sauerkraut or with a Helter Skelter and ice rink.

With social interacting fully back in swing this festive season, several of our favourite markets will be returning, such as the one in Bath which is back for its first time in three years.

And we can't wait to see how the likes of Nottingham, Belfast and York will pull out the stops this winter.

Here are the best Christmas markets in the UK that are guaranteed to give you that warm, fuzzy festive feeling:

1) London's Dolce & Gabbana Holiday Market Covent Garden

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Dolce&Gabbana

Milanese fashion house Dolce & Gabbana is bringing its holiday magic to the heart of London this season. Honouring the Sicilian heritage of the brand's co-founder Domenico Dolce, it will bring Sicilian folklore to the Covent Garden Piazza.

A Sicilian Cart will be the backdrop and host unique products from its collaborations with fellow Italian changemakers, such as Fiasconaro, Pastificio Di Martino, Donnafugata and Baci Perugina. Visitors will also be afforded the opportunity to uncover gift ideas from the house's Casa Collection, buy accessories, trainers and items ready-to-wear collections, as well as an exclusive T-shirt with a special print, only available at the Piazza pop-up.

WHEN: November 8 2022 - January 15 2023

2) Blenheim Palace

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Nestled in picture-perfect gardens with lakeside views illuminated by flickering festive lights, the already glamorous Blenheim Palace will be transformed in a magical fairytale for its Christmas market. The market will showcase the work of artisans and designers, which will be housed in wooden chalets in the Great Court. You can pick from a range of ceramics, textiles, leather goods, jewellery, homewares, bags and more to purchase. The variety of products on offer also mean you'll be able to get your hands on irresistible gifts and unique products for loved ones (and yourself, of course). Visitors will see tempting treats and be offered the chance to buy delicious seasonal drinks to enjoy while wandering around, too.

WHEN: November 18 - December 18 2022

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3) Cardiff Christmas Market

For almost 30 years, Cardiff has been elevating its city centre for the holiday season, with more than 200 stalls dedicated to the unique handmade work of local craftspeople and artists. Whether you're after seasonal food and drink or original paintings, you'll be able to find something that takes your fancy in areas such as Hayes, Trinity Street, St John Street and Working Street.

WHEN: November 10 - December 23 2022

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4) Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

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Hosted in Victoria Square, the biggest German market outside Germany and Austria, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is nothing short of spectacular. It's a wonderful place to meet up with friends and family to pick up hand-crafted leatherwork, jewellery, homeware, toys - you name it. As for its culinary offering, pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds can be washed down with gluhwein, weissbeer (wheat beer), or tasty hot chocolate. Expect live bands, carol singers and the market's famed singing Christmas Moose who creates an heartwarming mood amongst visitors.

WHEN: November 5 2022 -December 2023

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5) York's St Nicholas Fair

York's popular St Nicholas Fair is known for transforming the city's famous Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. And brand new for 2022 is a traditional Swiss chalet dubbed The Winter Hütte. The chalet will offer a ‘Swiss with a Twist’ dining experience with Yorkshire’s best-known chefs including the Michelin-award winner Andrew Pern. Also on offer is a bar serving seasonal favourites including gluhwein and spiced cider. The beautifully decorated market will sell products from local traders, including a glorious selection of foods, such as cheeses, chutneys, chilli jam and chocolate, as well as tea and coffee.

WHEN: November 17 - December 23 2022

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6) Edinburgh European Christmas Market

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Edinburgh market is one of the most magical winter wonderlands. Hosted in East Princes Street Gardens lies the city's multi-tiered European Christmas market that's bursting with handmade craft goods, hand-painted ceramics and Christmas decorations. Visitors can expect everything from mulled Irn Bru to vegan pigs in blankets, in addition to Harry Potter-themed gifts and local handmade produce. Running from November 19 to January 3, it will feature Santa Land with rides for people of all ages, and Reimagined Light Night, which will put on a magical display at on the Royal Mile on Sunday, November 21.

Themed around ’A Festive Welcome’, the Winter Windows will showcase budding artists.

WHEN: November 25 2022 - January 3 2023

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7) Manchester Markets

Manchester's Christmas Market
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When it comes to markets, you get more bang for your buck in Manchester. The city hosts not just one but a whopping nine festive delights throughout the Christmas period, from a german-style market at St Ann's Square to French-themed stalls at King Street. Or head to Exchange Street, where you'll find arts and crafts, by way of Brazennose Street, an international Christmas market with globally-sourced selection of jewellery, leather goods and speciality foods.

You can expect to find market stalls along Market Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, St Ann's Square, Cathedral Gardens and King Street.

WHEN: November 10 - December 22.

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8) Oxford Christmas Market

Set in the heart of the city, this Germanic shindig specialises in handmade gifts and local arts and crafts. You'll also be welcomed by local musicians (brass bands feature prominently, if that's your bag) and choirs singing Christmas carols. The festivities take place on Broad Street opposite Balliol and Trinity College, meaning you can embark on a spot of sightseeing once you've got the stockings sorted.

WHEN: December 1 - 18 2022

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9) London's Winter Wonderland

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Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a glittering slice of Disney-esque Christmas. Cruise around the light-bedecked stalls with a mulled wine or hot chocolate, catch one of the live acts, or party late into the night in the Bavarian style wooden chalets lit with over 200 fairy-lights. Aside from the market's stalls, bars and restaurants, you can hit the fairground, take a spin on the big wheel, ice skate, watch a circus or check out some ice sculptures.

WHEN: November 18 2022 - January 2 2023

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10) Nottingham's Winter Wonderland

Nottingham's Old Market Square
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It’s time to make your way down to Old Market Square for Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland this year ice rink where there’s everything on offer, from an ice bar and ice rink to an altitude bar with panoramic views of the city and even a toboggan slide. The festive market, however, is the pièce de résistance of the festive event. Thrill seekers will get the chance to skate for 200m around the Old Market Square.

There will be 60 stall markets offering handmade gifts, food and mulled wine from both local and international traders.

WHEN: November 15 - December 31 2022

11) Belfast Christmas Market

Belfast Christmas Market
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Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolates and giant bratwursts are just some of the foodie delights on offer at Belfast’s Christmas Market in City Hall this year. The product on offer will represents 32 nationalities - expect a choice of unique food options and gifts. Think Dutch pancakes, rich Belgian chocolates, exotic burgers, Italian cuisine and more.

WHEN: November 20 - December 23

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12) Bath's Christmas Market

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Bath's Christmas market is back, after being cancelled the last two years, after issues around Brexit and Covid previously impacting what is arguably one of the prettiest festival markets in the UK. Marking its 20th anniversary, 170 market stalls will be spread out across the picturesque Georgian streets of Bath, providing locally made food and handmade gifts.

And the market is bringing back its special residents’ preview evening on November 23, between 5pm and 7pm - a perfect chance to navigate your way through the market streets before the crowds. Bath's market is famous for housing some of the best artisans from the South West and beyond. For 2022, it will launch Christmas Carts, situated on Green Street, where micro-businesses will be trying their hand at market trading for a limited period.

WHEN: November 24 - December 11

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The following markets have been canceled again this year:

Leeds Christkindelmarkt Market

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Another German market not actually in Germany, sure, but this one is particularly special. Millennium Square is usually transformed into a scenic winter village complete with over 140 wooden chalet stalls, cosy indoor retreats, a traditional carousel and an endless supply of crepes, pretzels, potato fritters and Frankfurter sausages (well, until Christmas Eve).

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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more. 

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Sakaynah Hunter
Former News Editor

Sakaynah Hunter was the former Digital News Editor at ELLE.