The markets below have published trading dates after Christmas Day, giving you options for a visit between Christmas and New Year or into January.
Updated 24 October 2026
The markets below have published trading dates after Christmas Day, giving you options for a visit between Christmas and New Year or into January.
Choose the actual trading day
A season that reaches January can still include closed days, shorter hours or venues that finish earlier. Use the after-Christmas tag as a shortlist, then check the relevant venue and date in the full guide. It is not a promise that every attraction or trader continues for the whole season. A second visit after Christmas can be a different outing from an Advent weekend; decide which part of the event matters before booking the journey.
Build the return journey around the service for your chosen day. Check any separately booked activity, your hotel’s arrangements and the organiser’s latest notice. If your group needs a particular entrance or toilet, confirm that it remains available for that part of the event. The choices below retain the same event records as the calendar; no separate dates have been written for this round-up.
Come hungry and make a little circuit of the city. Manchester’s markets spread the festive feeling across the centre: start with something delicious, browse a different square, then return to the lights as evening settles in.
2026 dates
6 November–22 December 2026; Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens continue to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day.
Setting
Ten city-centre locations: Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann's Square, Corn Exchange, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Market Street, Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens.
Entry arrangements
Check the organiser for current entry arrangements. Skating and other attractions have separate booking.
Give Glasgow a little room to unfold. Browse St Enoch’s stalls, choose one big attraction at Glasgow Green, and leave time for a warm sit-down between the lights. Three separate sites make this a lovely longer break rather than a race around the city.
2026 dates
St Enoch: 6 November–27 December 2026. Glasgow Green: 20 November 2026–3 January 2027. Check the George Square programme for its opening dates.
Setting
St Enoch Square and Glasgow Green; a separate George Square Christmas village is planned.
Entry arrangements
Free entry at St Enoch and Glasgow Green; pay separately for attractions.
Archive 2014. Photo: Elliott Brown from Birmingham, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0
Nottingham
EnglandFree market entryOpen after Christmas
Come for the lights across Old Market Square and leave room for a little adventure. Nottingham pairs independent gift stalls with skating above the square, warm bars and a big-wheel view of the city.
2026 dates
12 November–31 December 2026. For shopping after Christmas Eve, check the stall opening times with the organiser before setting off.
Setting
Old Market Square
Entry arrangements
Free entry. Ice Bar standard adult £19.50; premium £22.50; child £11, with the advertised drinks included. Check the live booking for your date and ticket.
Come for a warming drink beneath the wheel, stay for the glow of the Gardens against Edinburgh’s skyline. Waverley puts you wonderfully close to the first chalets, so this is a city break that can begin almost as soon as you step off the train.
2026 dates
14 November–3 January 2027
Setting
East Princes Street Gardens (traditional markets); wider festival across city centre
Entry arrangements
Free entry to East and West Princes Street Gardens; rides and attractions cost extra.
A grand hall, a bright new rink and the promise of something warm from the grill: Liverpool is made for an easy festive escape. Arrive at Lime Street, drop your bags and let St George’s Plateau be your first stop.
2026 dates
21 November 2026–3 January 2027; closed Christmas Day
Setting
St George’s Plateau, St George’s Hall, Liverpool L1 1JJ
Entry arrangements
Skating and rides are ticketed; check the organiser for market entry arrangements.
Pick your London Christmas mood: riverside chalets at Southbank, a little West End skating at Leicester Square, or a full day of lights and attractions in Hyde Park. Give one venue the evening it deserves, then choose a hotel that makes the journey home easy.
2026 dates
Main venues vary: Leicester Square 31 October; Southbank 2 November; Hyde Park 19 November; all run to 3 January 2027
Setting
Southbank, Hyde Park and Leicester Square, London
Entry arrangements
Southbank is free. Hyde Park needs an entry ticket for every visitor. Leicester Square skating is ticketed.
Come for the Broad Street lights, stay for the music and a walk through Oxford’s beautiful centre. A warm drink and a little time to spare are the best companions.
2026 dates
21 November – 31 December 2026 (closed 25 December)
Setting
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BS
Entry arrangements
Free market admission; separate activities may charge.
Little squares, bright chalets and canals to wander between: Bruges is made for a Christmas weekend with chocolate stops and no great rush.
2026 dates
20 November 2026–3 January 2027
Setting
Markt and Simon Stevinplein
Entry arrangements
The outdoor squares are public; skating and other separately operated activities may charge. The 18–20 December MAKERSmarkt explicitly has free admission.
Archive 2008. Photo: Clouha at English Wikipedia / CC BY 3.0
Berlin
GermanyOpen after Christmas
A grand square, craft tents and a whole city of different markets: let Gendarmenmarkt anchor a Berlin Christmas weekend.
2026 dates
23 November–31 December 2026 (Gendarmenmarkt)
Setting
Gendarmenmarkt; other Berlin markets have separate dates
Entry arrangements
Gendarmenmarkt normally €2; weekday 11 am–2 pm free except 24,25,26 and 31 December. Under 12 s free. Check special New Year’s Eve tickets and current concessions.
These are editorial suggestions for comparing a trip, not a measured ranking or a promise that one market suits everyone. The choices use the city guides’ retained information. Follow the full guide for its sources.
The dates here are shared with our city guides and calendar. Separate venues, closed days and split weekends still matter, so check the full guide for your visit.
Market admission, food, drink and attraction tickets are different things. Read the entry arrangements shown for your chosen city, then check the organiser’s current booking terms.
Can I rely on a map pin for an accessible entrance?
No. Pins locate the market setting rather than a guaranteed entrance or step-free route. Check the accessibility guide and confirm essential arrangements directly with the organiser.
Christmas at Belvoir Castle — 14 November–30 December 2026; check the dated booking calendar · Official 2026 programme continues after 25 December, on the advertised selected dates. Official information
Polesden Lacey — 21 November 2026–3 January 2027; closed 24–25 December · Reopens Boxing Day and continues to 3 January. Official information
Dunham Massey — 20 November 2026–2 January 2027; select an available date in the booking calendar · Season extends to 2 January. Official information
Kingston Lacy — 21 November 2026–3 January 2027; house closed 25–26 December, estate closed 25 December · House resumes 27 December; grounds open Boxing Day. Official information
Lacock Abbey — 28 November–31 December 2026; closed 25–26 December · Main programme continues 27–31 December. Official information
RHS Glow at Wisley — 20–25 and 27–30 November; 2–24 and 27–31 December; 1–3 January 2027. Sensory-needs evenings: 26 November and 1 December. · Official calendar has bookable dates 27 December–3 January. Official information
Glow Wild at Wakehurst — 27–29 November; 2–6, 9–24 and 27–31 December; 1–2 January 2027. Members’ preview: 26 November. · Confirmed dates 27 December–2 January. Official information
Christmas at the Eden Project — Christmas Lights: 20–22 and 26–29 November; 3–6, 10–23 and 26–31 December; 1–2 January. Cornwall Christmas Fair: 18–19 November 2026. · Christmas Lights runs 26 December–2 January. Official information
Compare markets with published trading dates after Christmas Day. The dates and source links below come from the city hubs, including separate venues and closed days.
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