16 Best Christmas Markets in Yorkshire in 2023

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Visiting Christmas markets in Yorkshire is a great way to get into the festive spirit! Along with the spectacular scenery, you can browse for unique gifts, buy the cutest decorations, try delicious food, and warm up with hot chocolate or roasted chestnuts.

The abundance of Yorkshire Christmas markets is just one reason to plan a Christmas trip to “God’s Own County”. Where else could you explore exquisite stately homes, visit illuminated Winter Wonderlands, board a heritage “Santa” steam train from Hogwarts station, or get close to a real polar bear?

I love Christmas and adore tracking down the best Christmas markets near me in Yorkshire. The sounds, the smells, the Christmas fare (yummy!), and the atmosphere make them all magical – and each one has something different to offer.

In this post, you’ll discover the dates and locations of all the best Yorkshire Christmas markets so you can pick which one(s) to visit. You can also check out what to do in York at Christmas (hint – it’s fabulous!) and get an introduction to incredible Christmas events at some of Yorkshire’s best country houses.

Are you ready to explore all the best Christmas markets in Yorkshire, where memories are made and traditions come alive? Let’s dive in!

The Best Yorkshire Christmas Markets

Grab yourself a mulled wine because this post has you covered with all the info about Yorkshire’s incredibly varied Christmas markets this year. All you need to do is choose which one (or ones) you want to visit 🙂

1. York Christmas Markets

At Christmas, the medieval city of York is more magical than ever, with not just one but two of the best Yorkshire Christmas markets! The shop windows put on glorious Christmas displays, and the atmospheric streets twinkle with merry lights that beg you to explore.

St Nicholas Fair, York Christmas Markets, North Yorkshire

📆 16th November – 22nd December 2023

📍Parliament Street, York. YO1 8SG

St Nicholas Fair boasts many traditional and artisan food, gift stalls, festivities and a Christmassy atmosphere to soak up. It’s an unmissable, atmospheric Christmas destination.

Top Tip: Warm up between shopping with a cup of Gluhwein or hot chocolate with Bailey’s topped with marshmallows!

St Nicholas Fair takes place on Parliament Street, but you’ll also find cabins in Coppergate and a covered market around the corner.

If you visit York with children, make a bee-line for Coppergate near the Jorvik Viking Centre to meet Santa in his grotto or take a spin on the beautiful traditional carousel in King’s Square.

Living North Yorkshire, Christmas Fair at York Racecourse

📆 9th – 12th November 2023

📍York Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Knavesmire Road, York YO23 1EX

The Living North Christmas Fair is packed with stalls to browse all in one space, York Racecourse. Here, you can enjoy Christmas shopping, taste traditional food, dance to live music, and much more.

There are more than 250 stands, from artisan designer-makers to locally-produced food. Enjoy a chance to get together with friends and family for a fabulous, festive day out.

Buy your tickets here.

Where to stay: The Grand, York

2. Harrogate Christmas Markets

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

📆 1st – 17th December 2023

📍Cambridge St, Harrogate HG1 1RX

Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre will be on for visitors to enjoy festive shopping, food and traditional European Christmas stalls. Music, entertainment, arts and crafts stalls, festive decorations, and other unique gifts will also be there.

Top Tip: While exploring the market, pop into St Peter’s Church (next door) to enjoy the Christmas tree festival and the lovely church architecture, including the stunning golden gates.

So, take your family along for a fun day out. Family-friendly fairground attractions include a giant Ferris wheel and an outdoor ice skating rink.

🐾 Will you be bringing your doggo with you? Harrogate is a super dog-friendly town with many dog-friendly cafes, bars and restaurants you can enjoy with your furry friend. (And lots of fantastic dog walks, too.)

The twinkling Harrogate Christmas lights will be on, and the Harrogate Christmas Fayre will take place in the pedestrianised areas of Oxford Street, Cambridge Street and Market Place in Harrogate town centre.

If you’re travelling with kids, there is even a free Candy Express road train to get around whenever the Christmas Fayre is open.

Country Living Christmas Fair

📆 30th November – 3rd December 2023

📍Harrogate Convention Centre, King’s Rd, Harrogate HG1 5LA

Country Living visits Harrogate yearly, hosting a stunning Christmas fair with beautiful decorations and a Champagne bar.

Book your tickets now if you’re looking for a classy indoor Christmas market where you can browse artisan stalls at a leisurely pace with a glass of bubbly in your hand – it’s very popular!

Where to stay: The Yorkshire Hotel, Harrogate

3. Knaresborough Christmas Market

📆 Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd December 2023 (10 am – 5 pm).

📍Knaresborough Christmas Market, Market Place, Knaresborough HG5 8AG

Knaresborough Christmas Market is not the biggest in Yorkshire; however, it’s cosy, and this gorgeous Yorkshire town has heaps of Christmas cheer!

The market is around Knaresborough’s historic Market Place, with stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations, cards, artisan goods, and delicious Yorkshire produce.

There are festive events at independent shops and eateries throughout the town, so allow plenty of time to explore this scenic town.

There’s also live festive entertainment all weekend, a free park-and-ride, and a spectacular firework finale over Knaresborough’s famous viaduct at 4.30 pm on Sunday, 3rd December. The best viewing spot is from the town’s medieval castle grounds or anywhere along the Knaresborough waterfront.

Top Tip: Wander to the 12th-century Parish Church by the railway station to admire Knaresborough’s Christmas Tree Festival, where there are typically 70+ decorated trees.

Where to stay: Newton House, Knaresborough (in town) or Goldsborough Hall (you will need a car)

4. Whitby Christmas Festival, Whitby Christmas Market

📆 17th – 19th November 2023

📍Endeavour Wharf, Whitby, YO21 1YW

Whitby’s Christmas Festival is a friendly, inviting event with an ice rink, local vendors selling unique gifts, delicious local and traditional food, live music and a fabulous fireworks display over the pretty harbour.
You can find more information about Whitby’s Christmas Festival here.

Top Tip: Whitby is an exceptionally popular town for weekend visitors. If you plan to stay for the weekend when you visit Whitby Christmas Market (and you really should, as the town is gorgeous), you absolutely need to book your accommodation fast!

Where to stay: The Dolphin Hotel (right on the harbourfront for the most fantastic view!)

5. Malton Christmas Festival, Malton Christmas Market (The “Foodie Festival”)

📆 Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December 2023 (9 am – 3.30 pm)

📍 Malton, North Yorkshire. Parking at Riverside Meadows YO17 6AX

This two-day Christmas Festival in Yorkshire’s food capital, Malton, is not to be missed! It is an excellent opportunity to try outstanding local festive food and pick up handcrafted gifts for loved ones.

This weekend is full of festive fun in and around Malton’s picturesque Market Place. It is perfect for the entire family. Each day takes place between 9 am and 3.30 pm. Expect fantastic figgy puddings, award-winning macarons, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, local gin and much more!

Where to stay: The Talbot Malton

6. Grassington Christmas Market

📆 2nd and 9th December 2023

📍 Main Street, Grassington. Park at National Park Centre, Grassington, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB

The Grassington Dickensian Christmas Festival transports visitors back to the time of Dickens. With many people dressed in Victorian costumes, including the market stall exhibitors, villagers and visitors, it will be a memorable experience.

Visit with family or friends and soak up the Christmas atmosphere whilst browsing the stalls on the quaint cobbled streets. Grab a warm mulled wine or hot chocolate to keep you cosy and warm.

Held over the two weekends, there is plenty of entertainment, including local bands and buskers playing their favourite Christmas hits.

There will also be Victorian street performers and a Santa’s Grotto for the kids to tell Santa what’s on their Christmas list. Kids also love the torchlit nativity procession through the market in the afternoon.

Grassington Christmas Market is a lovely place to stock up on local food, drink, and Christmas gifts from local artists, designers and makers, then indulge in a few festive treats. It’s the perfect nostalgic day out in rural North Yorkshire.

Where to stay: The Devonshire Grassington

7. Skipton Christmas Market

📆3rd and 10th December 2023.

📍High St, Skipton. Park at Jerry Croft, Skipton BD23 1ED

Less than 10 miles from quaint little Grassington, you’ll find the larger market town of Skipton – winner of the UK’s Best Large Speciality Christmas Market award.

The attractive stalls offer everything you could want for your friends and family, with fun entertainment around the High Street. Skipton Christmas Market has a great Christmas atmosphere and is the perfect place to find a Christmas bargain at the same time.

Don’t Miss: The procession to the medieval Holy Trinity Church for a traditional Christmas carol service at 4 pm as the market closes. And you really should visit Skipton Castle!

Where to stay: The Devonshire Grassington

8. Sheffield, South Yorkshire

You will make a fantastic start to the festive season when you visit one of Sheffield’s two Christmas Markets. Both events are perfect family attractions, with attractions for all ages. Here’s what to expect from these exciting Christmas markets in Yorkshire:

Sheffield Christmas Market

📆 Open daily from 18 Nov 2023 – 24 Dec 2023

📍Fargate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2LG

The Christmas market in Sheffield city centre features 50 traditional wooden cabins spread throughout Fargate and the Town Hall Square into the Peace Gardens. Goodies include seasonal foods, treats and drinks for the festive period, plus many ideas for perfect gifts!

Highlights include seeing the market from the sky on the Big Wheel at The Moor, the traditional German sausage grill, Santa’s Grotto and the impressive sleigh bar.

Kelham Island Museum Victorian Christmas Fair

📆 4th and 5th December 2021

📍 Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield, S3 8RY

Gather under the gaslamps and track down the perfect presents and stocking fillers at the much-loved Victorian Christmas Market at Kelham Island, where the 80+ market stalls sell Sheffield-made wares, quality gifts and seasonal goods.

There’s plenty of hearty food, too, from traditional hog roast to wood-fired pizza. Alternatively, pop into the Millowner’s Arms for a warming cup of mulled wine or listen to the local brass bands, musicians, choirs, and carollers on the Music Hall Stage.

Where to stay: The Leopold Hotel, Sheffield City Centre

One Day Christmas Markets in Yorkshire

9. Beverley Christmas Market, East Yorkshire

📆 Sunday, 10th December 2023

📍Beverley Town Centre, East Yorkshire (free park and ride from Beverley Racecourse, York Road, Beverley, HU17 8QZ)

Beverley’s Christmas Market is only on for one day, but it’s become one of the most popular (and biggest) Yorkshire Christmas markets, with 120+ stalls! It’s also a beautiful town, with quaint Victorian streets and a fabulous Minster church – well worth exploring!

Expect to find high-quality products at the Christmas market, including specialist festive foods, handmade gifts and crafts, local produce, unique tree decorations, and excellent mince pies – from all over the East Riding and the wider Yorkshire region.

It’s likely to be chilly, so grab your favourite woollies and some hearty street food as you watch Santa and his reindeer parade through the town from Wednesday Market to Saturday Market. It’s all very merry!

Top Tip: Travel to Beverley by train or use the free park-and-ride service from Beverley Racecourse. Town centre parking is very limited, and it will be busy!

Where to stay: Beverley Arms Hotel

10. Otley Victorian Fayre and Christmas Market, West Yorkshire

📆 3rd December 2023

📍Market Place, Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 3AQ

Otley’s Victorian Fayre and Christmas Market has been a firm fixture in this charming West Yorkshire town since 1985. A real highlight in the town’s calendar, this festive event is an atmospheric day where all of the stallholders dress up in Victorian costumes.

Otley is not the biggest of the Yorkshire Christmas markets, but it’s friendly and fun, with a great selection of places to stop for a bite or a drink when you’re all shopped out 🙂

Where to stay:

11. Selby Christmas Market, Selby

📆 Saturday 3rd December 2023 (10 am – 5 pm)

📍The Town Hall, York Street, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 4AJ

Selby’s one-day Christmas Market is a bit special! The stalls are set up right before the magnificent 11th-century Selby Abbey, which dominates this small town.

The busy market day includes stalls to browse and food and drink to warm you up as you explore the market in the frosty air. Santa will make an appearance for the kids while plenty more live entertainment takes place all day.

Top Tip: Stay to watch the Mayor switch on the Christmas lights at 4 pm!

Where to stay: Loftsome Bridge Hotel, Wressell, East Riding of Yorkshire

12. Richmond Town Christmas Market

📆 Sadly, there’s no Christmas market planned for Richmond in 2023 🙁

📍Market Place, Richmond, DL10 4JJ

Richmond’s Christmas market is usually a real showstopper that takes place around Richmond’s historic market square, overlooked by the magnificent Richmond Castle.

While no market is scheduled for 2023, this gorgeous town is well worth visiting regardless to see the spectacular castle!

Where to stay: The Castle House, Richmond

13. Ripon Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair 

📆 Friday, November 2th to Saturday, November 25th November 2023 

📍Liberty Court House, Minster Rd, Ripon HG4 1QT

Once again, for 2023, glorious Ripon Cathedral hosts over 100 superb stalls in the most stunning setting – within the cathedral, to the sound of Christmas music.

It’s really rather fabulous – I love this Christmas market and go every year 🙂

You can pick up a lovely selection of Christmas gifts, food and drink, have a flutter on the Christmas draw and sip a mulled wine. Christmas treats, including hot turkey sandwiches, mince pies, and homemade cakes, are also available.

Where to stay: Opt for luxury with a capital L at the incredible Grantley Hall Hotel.

14. Robin Hoods Bay Victorian Weekend

📆 2nd to 3rd December 2023

📍Robin Hood’s Bay, Near Whitby, North Yorkshire
Quaint little Robin Hood’s Bay puts on a marvellous Victorian-themed yearly weekend. Located in one of the prettiest Yorkshire villages, this is a Christmas market not to miss!

If you want to stay for the weekend, you’ll need to book fast, as the hotels, B&Bs and cottages all get snapped up quickly.

15. Christmas Fair at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park

📆 2nd – 3rd December, 9th – 10th December and 16th – 17th December 2023

📍 Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster DN9 3HQ

The “Christmas Fair Experience” at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park offers 35 traditionally decorated wooden chalets with seasonal crafts, gifts, food, and drink produce. to take home. The vibrant food and drinks market will also serve a great selection of hot food and drinks to keep you warm.

The festive ambience of the Christmas fair will be enhanced with the fairground and plenty of amusements to keep children happy.

16. Halifax Christmas Market at The Piece Hall

📆11th to 13th November and 18th to 20th November 2023

📍 Piece Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire

The huge courtyard of the iconic Halifax Piece Hall will host 50 festive stalls offering all the festive gifts and goodies you could want, plus a vintage carousel and a huge Christmas tree.

In addition, visitors can enjoy outdoor ice skating and many performances in the Spiegeltent, including live music, classic music, comedy shows, brass bands, mini raves, craft workshops and festive family movies.

Luxurious Country House Christmas Markets in Yorkshire

17. Christmas at Harewood House: A Father Christmas Experience

📆 Saturday 25th November – Sunday 24th December 2023

📍 Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG

Christmas comes to Harewood House in late November 2023 with “The Adventures of Peppermint the Elf: A Father Christmas Experience”. (A limited ticket event).

The wider Christmas Fair is a great day out for the whole family – or simply to mooch around on your own, admiring the stunning decoration of the House, including the fabulous Below Stairs and Harewood’s beautiful Christmas Shop.

The friendly staff and convivial atmosphere at Harewood House make it a great place to visit as a solo visitor.

Where to Eat at Harewood House

The Courtyard Café offers seasonally inspired hot and cold treats, including belly-filling soups, stews and pies, while you’ll also find seasonal sandwiches and “posh” fish and chips.

Of course, there will be sweet treats too, from local artisan suppliers, and festive drinks, including rum & hot chocolate and mulled wine. Yummy!

Alternatively, the Terrace Tearoom is a cosy space for hot drinks and Christmas Afternoon teas, while the Bothy Teashop serves hot and cold snacks, drinks and produce from the fabulous walled garden.

Final Thoughts – Christmas Markets in Yorkshire

Are you attending any Yorkshire Christmas markets this year? Which one (or ones) sounds the most inviting to you? Are you more attracted to the big events with masses of stalls and entertainment or the intimate little events with heaps of local character? Maybe (like me) you want to visit them all!

Love Christmas and visiting Christmas markets? You might love these posts too!

• Thrilling Christmas Markets Around The World
• What To Do In York At Christmas
• Awesome Christmas Destinations For Solo Travellers

Ready to book your trip to Yorkshire? Check out these helpful Yorkshire travel resources:

• What To Pack For Yorkshire
• Discover The Best Yorkshire Food
• 21 Most Beautiful Towns in Yorkshire To Visit

Discover the best cities, towns and villages in Yorkshire for your UK itinerary:

York | Leeds | Harrogate | Knaresborough | Skipton | Grassington | Staithes | Sheffield | Spofforth | Saltburn-by-the-Sea

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