Festive Christmas markets in the Cotswolds
Nothing signals the start of the festive season quite like a Christmas market in the UK and you’ll find plenty of them across the Cotswolds and in its neighbouring towns and cities, where picturesque villages invite you to step into scenes that would look right at home on a Christmas card. With the aromas of cinnamon and spice wafting temptingly in the air, browse stalls and traditional wooden huts for unique gifts for loved ones to find under the tree and get into the spirit of Christmas shopping fuelled by mulled wine and mince pies. See below for our pick of Christmas markets in the Cotswolds in 2023.
Bath
When: 23 November-10 December 2023
After its most successful year in 2022, the Bath Christmas Market can’t wait to welcome you this year. More than 260 stallholders will be selling their wares including handmade items, food and drink and you can meet local charities. 170 charmingly festive chalets line the city’s picturesque Georgian streets and the cobbled courtyard around the magnificent Bath Abbey. It’s the perfect excuse to spoil yourself with delicious festive food and drink too. Open from 10am seven days a week.
Blenheim Palace
When: 17 November–17 December 2023
The market is just one part of Blenheim Palace’s impressive programme of Christmas events and this year it promises to be even more spectacular. The traditional wooden chalets will return to the Grand Court where they’ll offer gift inspiration galore (pictured), while the wider Christmas celebrations include the stunning illuminations featuring more than a million lights. This year Sleeping Beauty is brought to life with a contemporary twist. Fairies take over the palace as you try to find the princess’s happy ever after and you can enjoy a Sleeping Beauty themed afternoon tea.
Cheltenham
When: 16-19 November, 14-23 December 2023
Christmas starts in Cheltenham on the 16th November when the lights are switched on in the centre of the town. The first markets are the Christmas Gift event on the promenade from the 16 – 19 November which is alongside the Cheltenham Craft Festival at the town hall which runs from the 17- 19 November featuring local makers. This is then followed by the traditional Arts & Crafts Christmas Market from the 14-23 December which is held along the picturesque promenade. This pedestrianised area is filled with traditional wooden huts selling gifts and street food to keep you warmed and fuelled. At the Imperial Gardens the ice rink is back from the 17th November to the 1st January, it is covered and open til late for some festive skating fun, drinks and snacks are available rink-side.
Chipping Campden
When: 2-3 December 2023
Chipping Campden’s High Street, Market Square and Town Hall are transformed into a magical winter wonderland on the first weekend in December for the annual Christmas Market. Spend the day browsing stalls laden with festive gifts, crafts, food and drink before watching the big Christmas lights switch on at dusk. Keep your eyes peeled for an appearance from Father Christmas as he takes a break from his busy toy-making schedule to spread even more festive cheer through the town’s streets. The indoor market in the Town Hall also continues on the Sunday.
Cirencester
When: 25-26 November 2023
Browse more than 100 stalls to a soundtrack of live music and carols at Cirencester’s Advent Market which stretches the whole length of the town’s Market Place and spreads into Cricklade Street and Castle Street. Performances by local dance and theatre groups, choirs and musicians will also take place in the Parish Church and will be live streamed onto a big screen outside. Don’t miss the Christmas lights switch on at 4pm on the Market Place, when falling snow and silent fireworks will add an extra sprinkling of seasonal magic to the proceedings.
Gloucester
When: 4 November – 17 December 2023 (Weekends)
Every weekend in the run up to Christmas, shopping at Gloucester Quays in the heart of Gloucester Docks will be boosted by market stalls stacked high with gifts, treats and decorations. Local artists will provide live musical entertainment and there will also be an open-air ice rink to really help you get into the Christmas spirit. Once you’ve had your fill of shopping and skating and need to warm up, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from on the waterside.
Oxford
When: 16-19 November 2023
Follow your nose and the scent of cinnamon to beautiful Broad Street where Oxford’s Victorian Christmas Market stalls will be selling everything from jewellery and gins to clothing and candles. Traders will be in full Victorian regalia bringing a festive spirit to the air. Warm your hands on a glass or two of mulled wine and indulge in some of the delicious food on offer, from cheeses and chips to bratwurst and hog roast. And if your tooth is sweet rather than savoury, you’ll be in sugar heaven with crepes, chocolates, brownies and more. Local bands and choirs will be providing plenty of musical entertainment too.
Stratford-upon-Avon
When: 7-10 December 2023
With over 300 stalls manned by traders in traditional Victorian dress, Stratford-upon-Avon’s Victorian Christmas Market draws record numbers of visitors to the town’s historical streets and was named ‘Best Large Speciality Market’ at the Great British Market Awards. A fun fair with original Victorian carousel joins the traditional market stalls, and you’ll be sharing the streets with stilt walkers, chimney sweeps and dance groups as part of the free entertainment. Father Christmas, his reindeer and Frosty the Snowman will be paying a visit to the home of Shakespeare too.
Woodstock
When: 24-25 November 2023
Get into the Christmas spirit and start your gift shopping early at Woodstock’s Festive Fayre, held in the town’s beautiful St Mary Magdalene church. With stallholders selling everything from candles and cards to pottery and preserves, you’re sure to find presents to suit all tastes while marvelling at the historic church’s magnificent architecture. Woodstock’s Night of a Thousand Candles event also takes place on the Saturday evening, with carol singing, live music and the switching on of the Christmas tree lights.
Winchcombe
When: 8-9 December 2023
Winchcombe’s Christmas Festival returns to the medieval market town for an evening full of Yuletide festivities for all ages. Stalls showcasing locally made crafts and tempting food and drink will take over North Street and Abbey Terrace, and the town’s shops will stay open late too for a night of shopping and seasonal cheer. Enjoy the charm of a Cotswold Christmas and the sense of community spirit as everyone comes together to celebrate the start of the festive season.
