Controversial and maybe subjective, but we’d actually love your feedback on this opinion… we travel to lots of markets, but rarely the big city Christmas markets.
Here’s why…
We’ve heard that the Belfast Christmas Market, run by Marketplace Markets) is a brilliant event. The local community’s excitement whenever it returns each year is absolutely infectious, and shows it’s a great one. There’s also something truly magical about the annual Bath Christmas Markets, which are tucked into cobbled streets all around the Abbey and filled with beautiful artisan chalets. City centre markets like these are absolutely what we picture when we think ‘amazing Christmas Markets’.
However, it could be just us, but Christmas Markets in some areas have reached a whole new level of tacky, and that’s why we generally stick to the smaller independent events! We LOVE markets, we absolutely do, but when they are full of shipped-in ornaments (and usually overpriced for what they are), mass-produced tat and overpriced fast food, it really puts a sour taste in our mouths. Anyone else feeling like this?!
Markets should be about the local community, and that means promoting locally-made goods, artisan-made items, and local produce. The stereotype can be that these things come at a premium cost, but that often isn’t the case.
In our opinion, some of the best markets are in fact not directly in the cities, but on the outskirts of them; hubs of locally-made items in the smaller towns (there are exceptions to this rule though, with some fantastic city-centre markets out there, as mentioned above!).
The Most Amazing Christmas Markets
A recent contender that is flying under many people’s radar is the Forage Christmas Market, just outside Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It’s authentic, charming, and it’s the perfect example of what Christmas shopping should feel like when you’re supporting real makers. A beautiful setting and friendly stallholders – what a Christmas atmosphere is all about!
Just outside Brighton you will find the Winter Makers Fair and Steam-up Tour, created by Paper Daisy, who run some truly lovely events throughout the year. Their final market dates of the year are coming up fast, so if you’re looking for handmade gifts and a relaxed, thoughtful market day, don’t sleep on these!
If you’re in or around London, you don’t have to head into the hustle of the city centre to find a brilliant event. Take a trip to Syon Park and visit the 3-Day Festive Market by Curated by Dapper & Suave; it’s elegant, peaceful, and full of carefully chosen creatives. Syon Park itself is a gorgeous venue, and this is truly a perfect market daytrip. Or head to Chiswick, where Duck Pond Markets are hosting the Chiswick Christmas Market, which has that local, vibrant maker-driven energy we really love.
More central in the country, we have some fab Nottingham and Derby events – once again, they’re not always directly city-centre based. Firstly, you should visit the dreamy Haddon Hall Winter Mercatum – it’s running on various long weekends, so there’s a good few chances to catch it! You can wander the halls of the beautiful home and shop in the warmth under the twinkling lights and in the grand hall with the roaring fire – truly the Christmassy feeling we all crave!
And here is one that does buck the trend of city-centre markets – run by 3D2D Events, the Winter West End Fair is right in the centre of Edinburgh, and the Edinburgh Christmas Art, Craft and Design Fairs are popular too! Independent markets full of great Scottish makers.
In our opinion, the events that are just outside of the city are more likely to support independent stallholders that offer British-made goods, and provide the kind of cosy Christmas atmosphere we all crave. City centre markets can provide this, but if they’re focussed on promoting locally-made products and artisans.
Ultimately, both marketplaces and Christmas share a common theme – community. They’re all about bringing people together, and that’s the thing that makes Christmas Markets truly amazing.
Here’s how to find amazing Christmas markets…
Use Pedddle to Discover These Christmas Markets
If you’re anything like us, the “hidden gems” are what make Christmas market season truly special, and that’s where Pedddle comes in. Our platform makes it so much easier to find independent and creative Christmas markets across the UK — including the ones outside the usual city hotspots.
- Search by location — whether you’re near Brighton, Newcastle, Derby or another county, you can uncover nearby indie markets you might never have known existed!
- Check-ins for stallholders — stallholders can register any events that they’re selling at on Pedddle, so Pedddle becomes the go-to directory to track where and when markets are happening, and which stallholders you’ll find at them.
- Discover makers — meet the people behind the stalls, from woodworkers to jewellers, makers of festive treats, and more. You can ask them about their products, how they’re made and so on.
- Support small businesses — when you choose to shop at these independent markets, you’re not just buying a gift — you’re supporting real creatives, their craft, and their stories.
In our opinion, try looking just outside the city this Christmas. The smaller markets might not be the ones you expected to love — but they might be exactly the ones you need!
Use Pedddle to find them, visit, shop small, and discover something truly special.
Want more market-related news? Check out our other blogs!