TOP 12 UK CHRISTMAS MARKETS TO VISIT NEAR OUR SALTROCK STORES THIS WINTER

If you’re ready to Let the magic in this festive season, look no further! We’ve curated a list of the top 12 Christmas markets near our stores for you to explore. Each market offers its own unique seasonal charm, from traditional crafts to festive foods and handcrafted gifts we’ve got you covered!

Why not make a day of it? Visit the Christmas market, then pop by the nearest Saltrock store to say hello! Here’s our guide to the best Christmas markets near you:

• Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Exeter
• Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Cannock
• Cardiff Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Bridgend
• Cheltenham Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Cheltenham
• Durham Christmas Festival – Nearest Store: Dalton Park
• Edinburgh Christmas Market – Nearest Store: North Berwick
• St. Nicholas Fair in York – Nearest Store: Castleford
• Ballymena Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Ballymena
• Bath Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Street (Clarks Village)
• Tavistock Dickensian Evening Christmas Market – Nearest Store: Tavistock
• Kendal Christmas Craft Market – Nearest Store: Kendal
• Christmas Tree Wonderland in Bournemouth – Nearest Store: Bournemouth

EXETER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of the Market: 15th November – 15th December 2024
Opening Times:
• Monday-Wednesday: 10am-7pm
• Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
• Sunday: 11am-5pm Location: Exeter Cathedral
Location: Exeter Cathedral
Link to Event Page: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Nearest Saltrock Store: Exeter High Street
Distance from Our Store: 0.2 miles (approx. 4-minute walk)

The stunning Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is set against the backdrop of the Gothic Exeter Cathedral, making it a picturesque spot to enjoy festive shopping and dining. Wander through wooden chalets filled with handmade crafts, local produce, and holiday gifts. The food village is a highlight, with delicious seasonal treats such as churros with chocolate or crepes to warm you up as you browse.

Pop into our Exeter store on the high street and meet our store manager Dan! He has everything you need to find the perfect gift for your loved ones.

BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: 1st November – 24th December 2024
Opening Times:
• Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
• Friday 11am – 9.30pm
• Saturday 10am – 9.30pm
• Sunday 10am – 9pm
Location: Victoria Square and New Street
Link to Event Page: Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham 
Nearest Saltrock Store: Cannock
Distance From Our Store: 22 Miles (36-Minute Drive)

This market is for the foodies! Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market brings the magic to life with German-inspired festivities. From bratwursts and pretzels to mulled wine, Weiss beer, and roasted almonds, the food and drink options are sure to tempt any foodie.

As one of the Uk’s largest Christmas markets in the UK, you will be sure to find handcrafted gifts, ornaments and toys for all the family. Come see us in our lovely Cannock store just in the town over!

CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: 14th November – 23rd December 2024
Opening Times:
• Monday to Saturday -10am to 6pm
• Sunday - 10am to 5pm
Location: St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street – main shopping areas in Cardiff City Centre
Link to Event Page: Cardiff Christmas Market
Nearest Saltrock Store: Bridgend
Distance From Our Store: 22.5 Miles (29-minute drive)

In the capital city of Wales, you can find Cardiff’s spectacular Christmas Market! This market is set against the festive lights of St. John and Working Street. With over 200 stalls around the main shopping areas, you will have a variety of handmade crafts and jewellery to tasty treats and mulled cider.

Why not make a day of it and visit Bridgend Designer Outlet? Just a half-hour drive from the market, it’s the perfect spot to find last-minute gifts in our outlet store.

CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: Christmas Craft Market – 21st – 24th November and Arts and Crafts Christmas Market 12th – 22nd December 2024.
Opening Times:
• Monday to Friday – 10am – 5pm
• Saturday 9am – 5pm
• Sunday 10am – 4pm
Location: The Promenade
Link to Event Page: Cheltenham Christmas Market 
Nearest Saltrock Store: Cheltenham
Distance From Our Store: 0.5 miles (10-minute walk)

Cheltenham is treating us to not one, but two fantastic Christmas markets this festive season. The first is the Christmas Gift Market, featuring a selection of retail gifts, food, and drink. The second, the Arts & Crafts Christmas Market, offers a more traditional feel, with local traders and creators showcasing homemade crafts, pottery, jewellery, and much more!

In addition to the amazing markets, Cheltenham also features an ice rink in the Imperial Gardens, perfect for family fun. Just a ten-minute walk from all the Christmas action, be sure to stop by and say hello to the team at our Cheltenham store!

DURHAM CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Duration of Market: 6th – 8th December 2024
Opening Times:
• Friday to Sunday – 9am to 5pm
Location: Durham City Centre
Link to Event Page: Durham Christmas Festival
Nearest Saltrock Store: Dalton Park
Distance From Our Store: 10.8 Miles (24-minute drive)

Set within the historic city of Durham, this Christmas festival and market offer a unique shopping experience with over 200 stalls and three markets spread across three festive days. The three markets, Craft & Producers Marquee, Festive outdoor Market and Durham Market Hall showcases local produce, handmade crafts, and holiday treats.

For a truly magical experience, do not miss the carol singing in Durham Cathedral or The Children’s Lantern Parade taking place on the afternoon of Saturday 7th December. If you haven’t shopped enough, come visit our outlet store in Dalton Park! We are offering amazing discounts on old/new collections this winter season.

EDINBURGH CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: 15th November – 4th January 2025
Opening Times:
• Daily: 10am – 10pm
• Christmas Eve: 10am to 8pm
• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 12pm to 8pm.
• New Year’s Eve: 10am to 6pm.
• New Year’s Day: 12pm to 8pm.
Location: East Princes Street Gardens, West Princes Street Gardens, George Street, St Andrew Square
Link to Event Page: Edinburgh's Christmas Markets & Winter Festivals
Nearest Saltrock Store: North Berwick
Distance From Our Store: 24.8 Miles (51-minute Drive)

Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is a vibrant celebration in East Princes Street Gardens, where stalls offer local produce, festive gifts, and treats. The market is also famous for its attractions, including a big wheel, ice skating, and the iconic Christmas tree, making it perfect for family outings and romantic evenings.

Last August we opened our very first Saltrock store in Scotland, located in North Berwick! If you are looking for surf inspired gifts that get the family out there this Christmas, come and see us!

ST. NICHOLAS FAIR IN YORK

Duration of Market: 14th November to 22nd December 2024
Opening Times: 10am to 7pm.
Location: Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
Link to Event Page: Christmas in York 2024 
Nearest Saltrock Store: Castleford
Distance From Our Store: 29.2 Miles (42-minute drive)

York’s St. Nicholas Fair brings traditional Christmas magic to the historic city. The whole family can wander through 75 alpine chalets to discover artisan gifts, delicious, good and mulled wine. You can also experience a ride on the vintage carousel! Its not one to miss!

Castleford is one of our newest stores, opened in 2024 and run by the amazing Chloe and her team! Be sure to visit us at Junction 32 Shopping Outlet.

BALLYMENA CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: Thursday 9 December to Sunday 12 December and Thursday 16 December to Sunday 19 December
Opening Times:
• Thursday to Saturday – 10am to 6pm
• Sundays – 1pm – 6pm Location: Greenvale Street
Link to Event Page: 12 Christmas markets across Northern Ireland 
Nearest Saltrock Store: Ballymena
Distance From Our Store: 0.3 Miles (6-Minute Walk)

We’re going across the pond for this one! In Northern Ireland, Ballymena’s Christmas Market is a hidden gem. With a range of local crafts, food and holiday treats, this Christmas market provides an authentic and cosy Christmas experience. Sample traditional Irish Christmas delicacies while you shop for unique gifts.

If you’re searching for a gift for an outdoor enthusiast this Christmas, Ali and her team at our Ballymena store have everything you need to help you find the perfect present and with a six-minute walk from the market to our store, it’s a no brainer.

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: 28th November – 15th December 2024
Opening Times:
• Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
• Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
• Sundays: 10am to 6pm
Location: Bath City Centre
Link to Event Page: Bath Christmas Market
Nearest Saltrock Store: Street – Clarks Village
Distance From Our Store: 28.6 Miles (1 Hour 5 Minutes’ Drive)

One of the most famous Christmas Markets in the UK, Bath Christmas Market showcases 150 wooden chalets placed around the stunning Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths. You will find the best independent makers in the Southwest and beyond offering a fantastic range of gifts and food.

Keep the festive spirit going with a trip to Clarks Village! Just an hour from Bath, Clarks Village offers a range of great brands with fantastic discounts. You’ll find our Saltrock store right in the heart of the village!

TAVISTOCK DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of Market: 6th December 2024
Opening Times: From 5pm
Location: Tavistock Market Square
Link to Event Page: Dickensian Evening | Tavistock
Nearest Saltrock Store: Tavistock
Distance From Our Store: 0.1 Miles (3 Minute Walk)

For a unique Christmas experience this year, head to Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening. The event transforms the market square with Victorian-themed stalls, entertainment, and festive foods. With locals dressed in Dickensian costumes, it’s a charming event that feels like stepping back in time.

KENDAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Duration of the Market: 26th, 27th and 28th November 2024
Opening Times: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Brewery Arts Centre
Link to Event Page: Christmas Craft Market Kendal
Nearest Saltrock Store: Kendal
Distance from Our Store: 0.7 Miles (7-Minute Walk)

Located in the Brewery Arts Centre, the prestigious Kendal Christmas Craft market is taking place once again. This craft market showcases the finest of Cumbrian art and crafts giving you the perfect opportunity to find a unique gift for Christmas. The event features various artists and for the first time, ceramicist Mark Smith will present his sculptural ships.

The arts centre is not too far from our store in Kendal! Just a short walk down Highgate and you are there! Come say hi!

CHRISTMAS TREE WONDERLAND IN BOURNEMOUTH

Duration of the Market: 15th November – 30th December 2024
Opening Times: 11am to 11pm.
Location: Lower Gardens
Link to Event Page: Christmas Tree Wonderland Bournemouth
Nearest Saltrock Store: Bournemouth
Distance from Our Store: 0.3 Miles (7-Minute Walk)

This is not one to miss! The Christmas Tree Wonderland is a amazing light display with over 100 illuminated trees, stretching all the way from the town square to the beach. The Alpine Christmas Market is open daily featuring a range of unique gifts, festive treats and live entertainment.

Don’t miss the ice rink in the lower gardens! Our Bournemouth store is situated throughout the illuminated trees!

If we haven’t mentioned a store near you in this guide, check out our store locator to find a store near you!

From Exeter to Edinburgh, each of these Christmas markets has its own unique charm. Whether you’re hunting for traditional gifts, festive treats, or just soaking up the holiday spirit, there’s something for everyone. Happy shopping and enjoy the festive season!