Julie
23 September 2023
When it comes to Christmas shopping there's only one way to do it - plan a Christmas shopping trip to remember at a magical Christmas market! From the world-renowned St Nicholas Fayre in York to the Dickensian extravaganza in Grassington, our Yorkshire Christmas markets are sure to get you feeling all Christmassy and warm inside. And that’s before the mulled wine and mince pies which you may need to sleep off in one of our handpicked Yorkshire cottages.
With market towns and pretty villages each transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas lights, Santa's reindeer and festive stalls, it's the perfect time for a break with family and friends. Take a look through these ten magical Christmas markets in Yorkshire and start planning your exciting winter escape!
Cottages for Christmas
1. Knaresborough Christmas Market, Knaresborough
Knaresborough is already a beautiful cobbled town full of winding streets and quaint architecture, but this picturesque North Yorkshire town is transformed into a winter wonderland for the first weekend in December. There are brass bands, singers and dancers to keep you entertained as you shop.
Knaresborough Christmas Market is just the place to get into the Christmas spirit and pick out a few Christmas presents in the run up to the big day. Investigate the stalls and see what goodies you can uncover and take in that fantastic Christmas tree in the heart of the town over a glass of warming mulled wine.
Need to know
- When is it? 2nd and 3rd December
- Address: Market Pl, Knaresborough HG5 8AG
- Don't miss: The Christmas Tree Festival in the grounds of St John's Parish Church
Where to stay: Crofts At Cold Bath Place, Harrogate | sleeps 7 and 1 dog
Knaresborough cottages
2. York Christmas Festival
York really does go all out for Christmas with gorgeous festive decorations and the pop-up Thor’s Tipi where you can some warming mulled wine. The St Nicholas Fair includes a range of wooden chalets where you can find a range of homemade gifts.
A huge event in York and one that many thousands of people in Yorkshire and beyond look forward to each year. York is the ultimate Christmas shopping destination. Its beautiful medieval streets are packed with independent shops, cosy cafes and excellent restaurants. The St. Nicholas Fayre is the icing on the Christmas cake with hundreds of stalls selling gifts, local food and all manner of lovely things.
Need to know:
- When is it? 16th November to 22rd December
- Address: Various locations around York including Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square
- Don't miss: Taking a ride on the vintage carousel which is located on King's Square throughout the festive season
Where to stay: The Mustard Pot, York | sleeps 4
3. Selby Christmas Market, Selby
Taking place in a fantastic location - in the Market Place just outside beautiful Selby Abbey - this magical one-day Selby Christmas Market offers up stalls to peruse and food and drink to warm you up as you explore the market in the frosty air.
Santa Claus will be there for children to meet and there is various other entertainment taking place throughout the day to ensure everyone enjoys the Christmassy atmosphere of this scenic Selby market.
Need to know:
- When is it: 3rd December
- Address: Selby Abbey, The Crescent, Selby, YO8 2PU
- Don't miss: The Mayor switching on the Christmas lights at 4pm as the finale to this wonderful event
Where to stay: Harry's Stable, York | sleeps 4
4. Grassington Dickensian Festival, Grassington
You can’t beat a trip to the Yorkshire Dales so why not combine a scenic winter walk with a trip to the Grassington Dickensian Festival? This charming village is transported back to Victorian times and you’ll find street traders, choirs and a traditional Punch & Judy!
A very Christmassy festival, it sounds like a cliché but it really is like stepping back in time. The market square in Grassington comes alive with a traditional market while the shopkeepers and villagers dress in Victorian costume.
Wander around and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of this delightful Christmas market in Yorkshire.
Need to know:
- When is it: 2nd and 9th December
- Address: Grassington Market Square, Grassington, Skipton, BD23 5AQ
- Don't miss: Calling for a drink at The Devonshire which is featured as The Drover's Arms in All Creatures Great and Small
Where to stay: Ripley's Rest, Grassington | sleeps 4
Yorkshire Dales holiday cottages
5. Leeds Christmas Market
Also known as Leeds Christkindelmarkt, this is Yorkshire’s largest Christmas market and the authentic German feel is thanks to a collaboration between the Leeds and Frankfurt city councils. You can browse hundreds of stalls housed in traditional wooden chalets and enjoy a daily programme of festive entertainment in the open air market square.
There’s also lots of childrens activities to enjoy along with indoor retreats where you can keep cosy and warm and a traditional wooden carousel. We recommend heading to the Kuh Stall where you can enjoy a German sausage in front of a real log fire
Need to know:
- When is it? November 24th - December 22nd
- Address: Millenium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD
- Don't miss: Having an apres-ski style drink in the Ski Hutte alpine chalet. It has its own glockenspiel that plays 30 traditional melodies.
Where to stay: Gentleman Jack Farm Cottage | Sleeps 4
West Yorkshire holiday cottages
6. Malton Christmas Festival, Malton
The monthly Malton food market has become a bit of a mecca for foodies and showcases the best of Yorkshire’s artisan local produce. The Christmas event includes all the usual food producers along with a range of Christmas gifts as well.
Over 100 stalls are expected at this year's Christmas market along with tasty street food to devour, live music including a choir setting the Christmassy atmosphere and entertainment including Victorian-themed fairground for kids to enjoy! It takes place in and around the Milton Rooms in the town's central Market Place.
Need to know:
- When is it? 2nd and 3rd December
- Address: Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LX
- Don't miss: Taking a ride around the Market Place on Malton's land train.
Where to stay: The Stables At Close Farm, Malton | sleeps 6 and 4 dogs
7. Otley Victorian Fayre and Christmas Market, Otley
Running since 1985, this unique Yorkshire Victorian fayre is a great day out for the whole family with fairground rides and a wide range of festive stalls. The stall keepers and shop owners dress up in traditional Victorian costumes and local schools bring children to sing Christmas carols - you'll feel like you've been thrown back into time to yesteryear the moment you arrive!
There are children's rides, music and entertainment, Morris dancing, craft and gift stalls and plenty of mince pies to go around. Grab a glass of mulled wine and take in the atmosphere of this olde-worlde event in the heart of beautiful Otley.
Need to know:
- When is it? 3rd December
- Address: Market Place, Otley, LS21 3AQ
- Don't miss: Joining in with a rousing chorus of your favourite carols - what better way to get into the Christmas spirit
Where to stay: Ivy Cottage, Lindley | sleeps 4 and 2 dogs
West Yorkshire cottages
8. Richmond Town Christmas Market, Richmond
Taking place in and around Richmond’s historic market square you’ll find an array of stalls and a full programme of festive entertainment at the Richmond Town Christmas Market including carol singing, a brass band, and various other music throughout the day.
Plenty of stalls pop up throughout this beautiful town so you can browse the gifts, food and other goodies laid out while venturing through the exquisite streets of Richmond. There are also cafes and pubs where you can stop for a warming drink and a mince pie (or two) after your shopping is complete!
Need to know:
- When is it? 4th December
- Address: Market Place, Richmond, DL10 4JJ
- Don't miss: Taking little ones for a visit to Santa's grotto where they will get a Christmas present
Where to stay: Orchard House, Richmond | sleeps 8
Richmond cottages
9. Skipton Yuletide Festival and Christmas Market, Skipton
This award-winning Christmas market runs the entire length of Skipton High Street and is a wonderful winter market that will get you in the Christmas spirit. There is always entertainment at the Skipton Yuletide Festival including live music taking place on the arena on the high street as well as at a variety of locations dotted across this charming town.
After you've got your fill of mince pies and Christmas gifts, we recommend sticking around for the procession to Holy Trinity Church at 4pm for the traditional carol service - it's the perfect way to round off a day out!
Need to know:
- When is it? 3rd and 10th December
- Address: High Street, Skipton, BD23 1DS
- Don't miss: Paying a visit to Skipton Castle while your here, it's one of England's best preserved medieval castles.
Where to stay: Coopers Studio, Skipton | sleeps 2 and 1 dog
Skipton holiday cottages
10. Harrogate Christmas Market
Harrogate Christmas Fayre returns to the centre of Harrogate in 2023 with mulled wine, mince pies and a range of festive stalls to browse. You'll find local artisan traders and traditional European stalls that are brimming with lovely gifts and festive decorations to get you into the Christmas spirit. There's also a range of live music and entertainment taking place throughout the town, an outdoor skate ring in Crescent Gardens, a range of children's rides and a giant Ferris wheel where you can look out over the illuminated town after dark.
Need to know
- When is it: 1st to 17th December
- Address: Various locations around Harrogate
- Don't miss: Hopping aboard the Candy Cane Express which is free and fun festive transport with three hop-on, hop-off stops
Where to stay: The Minster View, Beverley | sleeps 4 and 2 dogs
Harrogate holiday cottages
Spend Christmas in Yorkshire
An array of festive markets is just one of the reasons to plan a Christmas getaway to Yorkshire. You'll also find beautifully decorated stately homes including the lavish Castle Howard, illuminated Winter Wonderlands (the magical Stockeld Park is particularly good) and special Santa trains on the heritage NYMR steam railway.
If this has inspired you to plan a short break or holiday to Yorkshire this winter, Gorgeous Cottages have a range of luxury Yorkshire holiday cottages throughout the Yorkshire Coast, Dales, Moors and Wolds ranging from romantic retreats to large celebration houses where the whole family is welcome.
Christmas cottages in Yorkshire
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.