You can apply to be a market trader at these UK Christmas markets

Summer isn’t long over, but we all know what crosses most people’s minds as soon as they feel that first chill in the air: Christmas.

And so as a business owner with a keen pulse on people’s interests, now is a great time to decide which Christmas markets you might want to have a presence at this year.

Despite the current cost of living crisis and looming recession threat, consumers will be looking for a Christmas treat – something that can provide a sense of normality over the festive period – and your products may be just the thing. People are still spending and businesses need to be there for them – the best way to do this is by staying in the know about the best opportunities to sell at your own market stall and share some joy.

So in this article, we’re going to provide you with all the information you need to do just that.

London

The ‘Love Wimbledon’ Christmas Markets

Give your Christmas that extra sparkle and pick up something special at the Wimbledon Christmas Markets, which have been running since 2012. They provide traders with a very flexible, fun and festive opportunity to trade in the South West London community. The markets host 28 local artisan traders across 12 days of seasonal gifts and fabulous food on The Piazza.

Dates: 19 November to 18 December (Click here to apply)

The Old Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields is a lively East End area – home to artists, creatives, and a large Bangladeshi community – and is known for street art, quirky shops, and trendy bars. Step into Christmas at Old Spitalfields Market this winter, where you’ll find thoughtful gifting and neighbourhood festivities all under one roof.

Dates: 18 December to 24 December (Click here to apply)

Cardiff

The Cardiff Christmas Market

This well established Christmas Market sited in the heart of Cardiff City Centre has been thriving for 30 years. It is a unique visitor attraction and offers an alternative shopping experience as you are buying original work directly from the makers themselves. Find coasters, candles, skincare products, ceramics tableware, jewellery and much more, all assessed on an individual basis to ensure that the market hosts the best possible wares from both existing and new exhibitors. This application process doesn’t have a cut-off process and is first come, first served until full. So get your skates on!

Date: 10 November to 23 December (Click here to apply)

Cirencester

The Advent Street Market

There will be markets every day in Cirencester in the month leading up to Christmas.

Cirencester’s historic Charter Markets are held every Monday and Friday from 9am. The markets feature an array of stalls which include the highest quality fresh food, plants, local produce, crafts, luxury items, quirky keepsakes and much more. The Charter and Farmers markets are managed by Cotswold Markets Ltd on behalf of the Town Council.

Then there will be a festive, craft or speciality market on all other days from November 20 to December 23. Finally, these festivities lead up to the main Advent Street Market on the 26th November.

Applications for a market stall should be made via Cotswold Markets Ltd Website.

Dates: 26 November (Click here to apply)

Leeds

Christkindelmarkt German Christmas Market

Leeds ‘Christkindelmarkt’ is one of the largest and most authentic German Christmas markets in the UK. Established in 2002, the market is a partnership between Leeds City Council and Frankfurt City Council in Germany. You can expect the annual festive event to feature a mix of traditionally decorated wooden chalet stalls selling seasonal gifts, sweets and candy, toy decorations, traditional German sausages and garlic breads, and much more.

Dates: 4th November to 17th December (Click here to apply)

Salisbury

Guildhall Square Christmas Market

Salisbury’s Christmas in the Square Market will be arriving in Guildhall Square in November and running throughout the festive period. Across the whole of the city centre, visitors will discover Salisbury’s medieval streets festooned with pop-up festive bars, food stalls and grotto. The magical lighting offers the perfect backdrop to follow the family-festive trail, and peruse more than 180 independent shops.

Dates: 18 November to 31 December (Click here to apply)

Liverpool

The Liverpool Christmas Market

This year, the Liverpool Christmas Market has a new home and will be located in St Johns Gardens, William Brown Street and the North Entrance of Georges Hall. Fortunately however, it still carries all of the existing festive delights – 60 stalls with various foods and crafts and three outdoor Bavarian bars, serving mulled wine and other seasonal drinks. Producers from the local area pack the market stalls with all manner of Christmas treats including real craft ale, chocolate, jams, honey and chilli.

If you are a trader and would like to register your interest, please visit the link and scroll down to the section which says ‘Trader Applications’.

Dates: 12 November to 23 December (Click here to apply)

Chester

Chester Christmas Market

Chester Christmas Market on Northgate Street makes a very welcome return, festively wrapped around the sparkling centrepiece of Chester’s beautiful Christmas tree. The market brings 70 traders together situated in the square around the town hall. The vendors sell Christmas gifts and stocking fillers, as well as arts and crafts goodies, so there’s not a single chance of you getting hungry or bored.

Dates: 18 November to 21 December (Click here to apply)

York

St Nicholas Fair Market

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the St Nicholas Fair, which has been a staple in York’s streets during the festive period since 1992. The famous alpine chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square creating a festive wonderland, with an array of local traders and artisan products. Applications for the St Nicholas Fair Market have now closed, but there’s always next year!

Dates: 17 November to 23 December (Click here to apply)

Richmond Town Christmas Market

This year the annual Richmond Town Christmas Market is being held on Sunday 4 December, taking over the entire marketplace with beautifully festive stalls, local produce, handcrafted goods and of course, exceptional food. As well as the array of stalls that line the beautiful Richmond Town streets, there will be a full programme of festive entertainment, keeping people excited and full of joy all throughout the day.

Dates: 4 December (Click here to apply)

Bournemouth

The Alpine Market

From festive food and drinks traders satisfying your cravings to local craftsmen answering all your Christmas shopping needs, Bournemouth’s’ festive stalls are open daily, offering a range of products and festive delights for everyone to enjoy. Previously known as the German market, Bournemouth reimagined the event to include more joyous, welcoming accents of chestnuts and pine. For this market, you can apply to be either a catering trader or a retail trader (link below).

Dates: 18 November to 2 January (Click here to apply)

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Christmas Market

Edinburgh has become a staple across Europe for many people’s festive season, with people travelling all over the world to visit the famous Edinburgh Christmas Market. Known as a winter wonderland in the heart of a fairytale city, you’ll find everything from handmade decorations to toasty cashmere scarves. You can be sure there’ll be something for everyone!

The waiting list is currently full, but we’ve left the details for you here for next year.

Dates: 19 November to 3 January (Click here to apply)

Belfast

The Belfast Continental Christmas Market

Every year, the Belfast Continental Christmas Market delights thousands of visitors from Northern Ireland and beyond with over 100 chalets offering international and local products, as well as its festive atmosphere, tasty food options, and bountiful shopping opportunities. For 12 years, the award-winning market in the grounds of Belfast Hall has been the highlight for the city and all of its visitors every festive season.

Dates: 19 November to December 22 (Click here to apply)

Newcastle

Newcastle Christmas Market

Newcastle’s Christmas Market gears up for another year of festive fare, locally brewed beers and Christmas cakes to fill up even the jolliest of bellies this year. If all goes well according to a local spokesperson, 30 market stalls will once again be set up around Grey’s Monument to create Newcastle’s very own winter wonderland.

Dates: December 2 to December 24 (TBC)

Quayside Market

Newcastle’s much loved Quayside Market opens on both Saturdays and Sundays in the run up to Christmas to enable local traders and artists to showcase an incredible collection of bespoke and handcrafted products. If you’re looking to get into the festive spirit at Christmas – or enjoy the glorious sunshine on a summer’s day – the Quayside Market is the perfect place to join locals for this fantastic weekly tradition!

Dates: 5 December to 20 December (Click here to apply)

Grainger Market

Grainger Market is set to open on Sundays and until late on Thursdays to welcome festive shoppers. At this market, people typically head down to find locally inspired, beautiful fresh produce. With over 116 stalls, you’ll definitely find something for your loved ones from meat hampers and cheese selections to pottery, jewellery and more.

Dates: 28 November to 19 December (Click here to apply)

Harrogate

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Experience the joy of Christmas in the heart of Yorkshire this December. Harrogate town centre will be hosting a new festive market featuring an eclectic mix of local traders and European Christmas stalls, and traditional entertainments to captivate young ones while you enjoy the music and food.

Dates: 2 December to 11 December (Click here to apply)

Norwich

Norwich Global Village Market

Norwich presents their beautiful indoor and outdoor Christmas market, full of stalls featuring global products and local artisan makers, selling beautiful gifts from around the world with a focus on fair trade and eco-conscious products – as well as hot food, mulled wine and festive music.

Dates: 2 December to 4 December (Click here to apply)

Plymouth

Plymouth Christmas Market

The well-loved market is set to return in December with festive food, local crafters, and lots of Christmas cheer. You’ll be able to pick up a unique Christmas gift for that special someone from more than 50 stalls selling the best arts, crafts and foods from around the south west. Pitches will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. If you want to ensure your preferred location, do apply early to avoid disappointment.

Dates: 1 December to 18 December (Click here to apply)

Sheffield

The Sheffield Christmas Markets

You’ll surely get into the festive spirit at Sheffield’s Christmas Markets, whose organisers love an emphasis on local and independent crafters and makers (with over 80% of the traders being Sheffield based). In recent years they have grown from a handful of fairy-light laden cabins, to the full shopping experience with over 50 log cabins. A great yuletide treat for all the family!

Dates: 15 November to 31st December (Click here to apply)

Bristol

Bristol Christmas Market

Bristol opens its Christmas season with a spectacular ‘lighting-up’ event in Cabot Square, as well as the marketplace where you’ll find over 50 stalls selling an array of unique gifts and crafts. You can experience wonderfully traditional Christmas markets around Bristol right up to Christmas Eve, with their unique focus on authenticity and themed entertainment.

Dates: 4 November to 23 December (Click here to apply)

Buckinghamshire

Waddesdon Manor

Each year discover an exciting variety of high-quality gifts, decorations, crafts and festive foods, with chalets that change from week to week at Waddesdon Manor. You’ll be able to browse over 80 hand-selected stalls, which come to life and form a dazzling light trail through the gardens. Applications for Christmas Fair stall holders and catering outlets are now closed, but you can still join the waiting list (link below).

Dates: 12 November to 18 December (Click here to apply)

Conclusion

If you have any information about any of these Christmas markets or want us to include any we may have missed this year, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We want to keep this list as comprehensive and useful as possible!