Christmas Markets 2016

Colston Hall, Made in Bristol Gift Fair 

Keeping it local, the Made in Bristol Christmas Market returns this year to the Colston Hall foyer. The event is free to enter and will run across four dates in December, Spanning across all four floors, the market will be selling gifts made by over 100 different designers.  Showcasing the best artwork, crafts and designs Bristol has to offer it promises to be a great place to buy unique, hand-made gifts for friends and family. Or if you fancy treating yourself to something new, there will be jewellery, clothes and accessories on offer too. As well as getting you in the Christmas spirit, the market is a fun, easy way to support local artists. If you want a taste of what’s to come, the venue is hosting a print show on November 22 to display some of the artists’ illustrations and prints. The market will be open on Saturday, November 28 and on December on 5, 12 and 13.

Tobacco Factory Christmas market

Continuing with their weekly Sunday markets, the Tobacco Factory are hosting a series of three Christmas market this year. With the last one being held a week before Christmas, these markets will be arriving just in time for you to buy those last minute presents. In true theatrical, Tobacco Factory style, the market will set a festive scene with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a choir and even a firepit to keep you warm. Alongside this will be some lovely food, mulled drinks, and craft stalls, all in keeping with the ethical, eco-friendly emphasis of Tobacco Factory’s Sunday markets. Enjoy all of this while chatting to local producers and immersing yourself in the Bristol community. The market will open its doors on December 3 and then December 11 and 18 after this.

Bristol Shopping Quarter

Bringing Christmas cheer to the centre of Bristol since 2008, this highly anticipated market is set to turn the city into a winter wonderland. Christmas in Bristol wouldn’t be the same without this Christmas market, which will illuminate the streets of the Shopping Quarter from November 11 to December 24. The festivities will begin early at the beginning of November and carry on until Christmas. Swap your after work drinks for a stein of beer at the pop-up German bar, which in previous years has been accompanied by live German music, or get into the Christmas spirit by browsing the 45 chalets on offer. These stalls will be selling all sorts of Christmassy goodness, from food to ornaments. The air in Broadmead will once again be filled by the festive smells of mulled wine and bratwurst and the giant Christmas tree is set to make another appearance, just to make sure you don’t forget that Christmas is on its way. 

St Nicks enchanted winter market

There will be fun for all the family at this Christmas event, tucked away within the atmospheric Bristol market. St. Nicholas market will be transformed into a world of Christmas enchantment, combining illuminated willow animal sculptures, live music and festive stalls to create a magical and immersive experience. At dusk is when the market will really come to life with the switching on of the sculpture lights, setting the tone for the night’s festivities. There will be lots of activities for children to enjoy too, including a special wishing tree created for the market. For grown-ups, the market will be selling artisan gifts, food, and most importantly there will be free minced pies and mulled wine on offer. The enchanted market will begin on December 3, following St Nick’s Christmas light switch on, on Saturday, November 19. 

St Nick’s Christmas food producers’ market

Alongside the enchanted winter market, St Nick’s will be holding a market specifically for all Christmas food enthusiasts. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on all of the winter cupboard essentials, all sourced from local producers meaning that the quality will be better than anything you’d find at the local supermarket. Indulge your senses in the vast range of produce on offer, which will include hot drinks and street food as well as yummy supplies to take home with you. The market will be running at the same time as the enchanted market, so it will be easy to dip in and out of both and see what they have to offer. Runners up in this year’s Observer Food Monthly Awards for best market, St Nick’s definitely know what they’re doing and so this event will be one to watch out for. The Christmas food producers’ market will run from December 7-21.  

Harbourside Market

The annual Harbourside Christmas market is expanding this year to take over the Fountains and surrounding area in the heart of Bristol. The Harbourside walkway will be filled with over 40 stalls, selling arts and crafts from local Bristol makers, designers and artists. The unique gifts on sale will be combined with mulled wine, festival music and Christmassy decorations to get every passer-by into the yule time spirit. The pop-up market will appear across six dates in December, and judging by previous years is going to be one of the best independent Christmas markets. Offering an alternative to the high street, local businesses such as the Watershed are coming together to create some one-of-a-kind, artisan stalls.

Bath Christmas market

Christmas is coming early to Bath. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, over 170 chalets take over the town and turn it into a Christmas paradise. In previous years, festive projections have illuminated surrounding architecture, lighting up the main square. Some of the best local produce will be presented in the chalets, alongside hand-made crafts and other festive wares. The usually quiet and serene streets of Bath become thronged with people over these few weeks as people are drawn from all around to the famous market. Make sure not to miss out on this one, as it doesn’t run throughout December. It’s the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit and look forward to the month of festive fun ahead. The market will open on November 24 and run until December 11.

European Christmas markets

If you fancy doing something different this Christmas, experiencing an authentic German market might be easier than you think. Bmi regional have launched some Christmas deals this year which means that jetting off to Germany to do a spot of last minute shopping may not be as far-fetched as you thought. Fares start at £65 one way and Norway, Germany and Belguim are all included in the deals. One of the destinations is Munich Christmas market, Marienplatz, which originally dates back to the 14th century. Here, international musicians and artists gather to perform from the balcony of the Town Hall. Other destinations include Hamburg historical Christmas market which features a flying Father Christmas, and Norway’s Youngstorget Square, which is host to a floodlit ice rink. This could be a great opportunity to embark on some last-minute festive frolics, a family trip, or a romantic weekend away. 

Read more: Bristol’s Best Festive Market Stalls