Choose your family Christmas market by the activities you want to book, the walk from your arrival point and the time your children are comfortable spending outdoors.
“Family-friendly” is not a promise that every activity suits every child. Choose one main activity, plan a toilet and warm-break stop, and keep a route out of the busiest queues. A shorter visit can leave more room for the parts everyone enjoys.
The activity examples below come from each hub’s retained highlights. They are not bundled with market admission unless the organiser explicitly says so. Read the current age limits, supervision rules and session conditions before promising skating, a ride or another booked activity. Agree a meeting point and a return plan before browsing.
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.
The Gardens after dark
Take a second circuit as the chalet lights come into their own, with the city skyline above you.
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.
St Enoch under the wheel
Browse gifts and food beneath the observation wheel; the festive bar has free daily entertainment.
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.
Albert Square returns to centre stage
Start beside the Town Hall for the festive tree, covered seating and the market’s new 50-metre wheel.
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.
Skate above the square
The elevated Sky Skate route adds a very Nottingham twist to an afternoon among the stalls. Book a session separately.
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.
Follow the river lights
Southbank’s alpine-style chalets bring food, drink and independent gifts to Queen’s Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge.
Come for the gifts, stay for Durham’s lovely climb through the old streets: warm food on Palace Green, craft stalls and a cathedral pause make a full winter day.
2026 dates
4–6 December 2026
Setting
Palace Green, Market Place and Durham Market Hall
Entry arrangements
Outdoor Market Place and Market Hall shopping are free. Craft & Producers’ Marquee £5 on the door or £4.50 online in advance; accompanying children 16 or under free. Friday carer-and-person-cared-for combined-ticket and student-ID offers: see organiser terms.
Crafts on Palace Green
Spend time with independent makers in the ticketed Craft & Producers’ Marquee.
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.
No. The city entry summaries distinguish market admission from separately operated activities. Check the activity operator’s current age limits, tickets and session terms before booking.
Christmas at Leeds Castle — 20 November 2026–3 January 2027, selected evenings · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard — 12 November 2026–3 January 2027; check the dated booking calendar · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
Alice’s Christmas Wonderland at Beaulieu — 21 November 2026–3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle — 20 November–30 December 2026, selected evenings · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
A Palace Visit with Santa at Hatfield Park — 28–29 November; 5–6, 12–13 and 19–23 December 2026 · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
The Festival of Light at Longleat — 7 November 2026–17 January 2027, selected dates · The official event programme includes a family trail, story or Father Christmas experience; individual tickets and age guidance apply. Official information
Anglesey Abbey — 1 December 2026–3 January 2027; closed 24–25 December · Decorated house, gardens and woodland play area. Official information
Belton Estate — 20 November 2026–3 January 2027, selected dates · Light trail and separately charged fairground rides. Official information
Dunham Massey — 20 November 2026–2 January 2027; select an available date in the booking calendar · Family light trail with food and separately charged rides. Official information
Kingston Lacy — 21 November 2026–3 January 2027; house closed 25–26 December, estate closed 25 December · Separately bookable Santa storytelling. Official information
Lacock Abbey — 28 November–31 December 2026; closed 25–26 December · Mother Christmas sessions and Christmas trees. Official information
Wimpole Estate — 20 November 2026–3 January 2027, selected ticketed dates · Light trail with food villages and separately charged fairground. Official information
Christmas at Westonbirt — 27–29 November; 3–6, 9–13, 16–24 and 26–31 December 2026 · Fairground rides and relaxed sessions are described in the event FAQ. Official information
Christmas at Kew — 13 November 2026–3 January 2027; closed 16, 23 and 28 November and 25 December · Child tickets, under-four tickets and under-18 accompaniment rules are published. 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. · The official 2026 announcement promotes Glow for families and publishes child tickets. 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. · Child tickets, family meals and reduced-sensory sessions are published. 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. · Skating, carousel, Father Christmas and family food are officially described; extras ticketed separately. Official information
