Festive Fun: Top Christmas Markets in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is home to some of the best Christmas markets in England, scattered across historic cities, coastal towns, and peaceful market squares. The most popular include York, Leeds, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Skipton, Whitby, Scarborough, and Malton, each offering its own unique charm.
These markets are relaxed, social, and shaped by their surroundings. Nothing feels too polished or overwhelming; instead, you’ll enjoy steady winter days with delicious food, local crafts, and the comforting sense of slipping into a familiar seasonal tradition.
Yorkshire’s Christmas markets each offer their own pace, personality, and seasonal charm. This guide explores the best spots to enjoy a festive day out across the county.
Table of Contents
York St Nicholas Fair
What can visitors expect at York’s Christmas market?
When people ask about Christmas Markets in Yorkshire, York St Nicholas Fair is usually first on the list, and for good reason.
Running from mid-November to late December, it fills Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square with more than 75 alpine-style wooden chalets hosting stalls. The smell of spiced apples and roasted chestnuts drifts through the air, while the soft glow of the chalets reflects off the cobbles.
Around 85% of all the traders are from Yorkshire, and 100% of the food stalls showcase local produce, from artisan cheeses to hand-piped chocolates. The Thor’s Tipi, a Scandinavian-style festive bar, adds firelight and warmth, while the nearby Shambles Market offers gourmet street food and independent makers.
York regularly appears in lists of the best Christmas markets in the UK and is often mentioned among the top 10 Christmas markets in England, not just for its size but for the way it blends history with festive atmosphere.
Why does York work for winter days out?
Everything sits close together, making it easy to wander at your own pace. Warm shop windows glow along Stonegate, and cafés like Bettys Café Tea Rooms and The Vanilla Café offer cosy corners to settle into between browsing. It’s one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in England, especially as dusk settles and the Minster lights up.
Perfect for: Slow city wandering, food lovers, couples and families wanting a full festive day out.
Leeds Christmas Market
What makes Leeds one of the best Christmas markets in West Yorkshire?
Leeds’ Christmas market stretches across City Square, Millennium Square, and Victoria Gardens, creating one of the biggest and brightest Christmas markets in West Yorkshire and brings a sharper, more modern energy to winter.
Expect a vibrant mix of global street food, Yorkshire-made gifts, Bavarian-style bratwurst stalls, illuminated chalets, and live performances. In Millennium Square you’ll find amusement actives such as an ice rink and ferris wheel.
Cafés and bars sit just steps away, from independent coffee houses around Briggate to cosy spots like Laynes Espresso near the station.
This market regularly appears in guides to the best Christmas markets in the UK, especially for travellers wanting a more contemporary take on the festive season.
Who enjoys Leeds Christmas Market the most?
Families enjoy the activity and open spaces. Evening visitors love the city lights reflecting off the winter streets. Older travellers appreciate the easy access to indoor cafés and warm resting spots.
Perfect for: Groups, families, evening outings, and anyone who enjoys a lively, modern festive scene.
Harrogate Christmas Market
Why do visitors choose Harrogate’s Christmas market?
Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre spreads along Cambridge Street and nearby pedestrian lanes, bringing together around 80 stalls. These are filled with local makers, Yorkshire-grown produce, small-batch crafts, winter bakes, and small independent businesses that return year after year.
The town’s spa-town architecture, stone buildings, wide tree-lined avenues give this market a gentler, more refined feel. It’s frequently included in roundups of the best Christmas markets in England because of its calm, easy-going rhythm.
Why Harrogate works well for winter
It’s effortlessly walkable. Independent cafés like Hoxton North, Baltzersen’s, and Bean & Bud sit just around the corner, offering warm drinks and shelter between browsing. Compared to busier Christmas markets in North Yorkshire, Harrogate moves slowly, ideal for visitors who prefer an elegant, unhurried day out.
Perfect for: Couples, older travellers, gentle winter days out.
Knaresborough Christmas Market
What makes Knaresborough’s Christmas Market unique?
Knaresborough is known for one of the most charming christmas markets in Yorkshire, set across its steep, cobbled streets with views over the river and the iconic viaduct. The market spills across Market Place, Castlegate, and nearby lanes, with local traders who genuinely know their customers.
It’s a two-day event, usually paired with the town’s Christmas lights switch-on, brass bands, and choirs, creating a warm, village-style atmosphere that has earned it mentions among the top Christmas markets in the UK.
Why travellers enjoy Knaresborough
Everything feels local and familiar. You can browse handcrafted gifts, stop for a mulled wine, then wander down to riverside cafés such as Saxonville Riverside Café or Sweeney’s for a warm drink and winter views. It’s one of the most intimate Christmas markets in England.
Perfect for: Families, older guests, visitors who prefer community warmth over crowds.
Skipton Christmas Market
What can you expect from Skipton’s Christmas market?
Skipton’s high street transforms into a lively festive route with Yorkshire cheeses, hot pies, winter chutneys, handmade wooden crafts, and cosy mulled cider stalls. Independent shops along High Street and Coach Street stay open late, adding to the sense of a town ready for winter.
You can also wander toward the Leeds–Liverpool Canal for a peaceful, scenic break from the bustle, a lovely contrast to the market energy.
Why Skipton appeals to winter visitors
Skipton embraces the traditional Christmas market feel: warm, local, and grounded. Many travellers consider it one of the best Christmas markets in the North of England because it offers authenticity, something Yorkshire does particularly well.
Perfect for: Couples, casual browsers, food lovers.
Whitby Christmas Market
Why visit Whitby at Christmas?
Whitby slows down in winter, and the harbour takes on a calm, wintry stillness that suits a smaller festive market. Stalls typically gather around the Marina, Dock End, and the town square, giving Whitby one of the most atmospheric christmas markets in East Yorkshire. For those looking to extend their visit, there are plenty of beautiful beach days in Yorkshire to explore when the weather turns warmer, making Whitby a great spot to return to year-round.
What Whitby’s market offers
Expect seaglass jewellery, driftwood art, handmade candles, coastal-themed gifts, and warm seafood dishes. After browsing, you can slip into cafés like The Marine, Rusty Shears, or Cuthbert’s Café for something warm.
Perfect for: Photography lovers, scenic winter walks, relaxed coastal browsing.
Malton Christmas Market
Why is Malton one of the best food-focused Christmas markets?
Malton, known as Yorkshire’s “Food Capital,” offers one of the richest Christmas markets in North Yorkshire. Its stalls are packed with artisan cheeses, truffles, local gins, Yorkshire puddings with festive twists, handmade fudge, and carefully curated hampers.
Chefs and producers often offer tastings, and stalls are set around Market Place and through the town’s narrow lanes.
Why Malton works for winter days out
It’s warm, welcoming, and unhurried — a true highlight among England’s best Christmas markets. Many visitors spend hours chatting with producers, sampling festive treats, and settling into cafés like Rye & Soda or The Patisserie between browsing.
Perfect for: Foodies, families, festive shoppers gathering special ingredients.
Which Yorkshire Christmas Market Suits You? – Comparison Table
Yorkshire’s Christmas markets vary in style, size, and atmosphere. This table gives a quick overview to help you compare the options and choose the best market for your day out.
| Market | Best For | Atmosphere | Region | Highlight |
| York | Full-day exploring | Historic, busy but balanced | North Yorkshire | Wooden chalets + city lights |
| Leeds | Lively days out | Urban, energetic | West Yorkshire | Street food + evening visits |
| Harrogate | Slow-paced browsing | Elegant, calm | North Yorkshire | Crafts + cafés |
| Knaresborough | Families & older visitors | Friendly, intimate | Yorkshire | Community feel |
| Skipton | Couples | Classic high street | North Yorkshire | Local produce |
| Whitby | Peaceful escapes | Coastal, relaxed | East Yorkshire | Sea walks |
| Malton | Food lovers | Warm, curated | North Yorkshire | Local producers |
Which Christmas Markets Are Closest to Leisure Resorts, Aysgarth & Angrove?
Aysgarth and Angrove both sit in scenic parts of North Yorkshire, giving guests easy access to a wide range of Christmas markets in North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and the Yorkshire coast.
Whether you’re staying among the rolling Dales or at the edge of the North York Moors, most markets are reachable in under an hour, making it simple to explore more than one during a winter break.
Closest Christmas Markets to Aysgarth & Angrove (Approx. Travel Times)
| Christmas Market | Travel Time (Aysgarth) | Travel Time (Angrove) | Why Visit |
| Skipton | 35–40 mins | 1 hr–1 hr 10 mins | A classic Yorkshire high-street market with festive stalls and relaxed browsing. |
| Harrogate | 50–55 mins | 55–65 mins | Calm, craft-focused, and easy to wander with cafés and independent shops nearby. |
| Knaresborough | 50–60 mins | 55–65 mins | Friendly, community feel with river views and historic streets. |
| Malton | 1 hr–1 hr 10 | 40–50 mins | Food-led market known for quality produce, independents, and local makers. |
| York St Nicholas Fair | 1 hr–1 hr 15 | 50–60 mins | One of the biggest markets in Yorkshire, with wooden chalets and historic streets. |
| Leeds | 1 hr 20–30 | 1 hr 10–20 | Lively, urban, and full of street food, lights, and festive energy. |
| Whitby | 1 hr 25–35 | 45–55 mins | Cosy coastal market with sea views, quiet winter streets, and a slower pace. |
A Yorkshire Winter Worth Returning To
Winter in Yorkshire moves at an easy, welcoming pace. The region’s Christmas markets stretch from lively city centres to quiet coastal towns, giving visitors plenty of ways to enjoy a cold day outdoors.
Many travellers staying at Leisure Resorts find they can reach several of these festive spots in a single weekend. After a few hours wandering through stalls and taking in the lights, coming back to a Leisure Resorts lodge feels naturally restorative, the warmth settles in quickly, the spaces feel generous, and the quiet countryside makes it easy to unwind.
FAQs
How do you travel to the Christmas markets in Yorkshire from Aysgarth?
The easiest way to reach most markets from Aysgarth is by car, as routes between the Dales and nearby towns are straightforward and scenic. Public transport can work for places like York or Leeds, but journeys are longer and often require changes, so driving tends to be the most flexible option.
Which Christmas market in Yorkshire is best for first-time visitors?
York St Nicholas Fair is often the easiest starting point because it’s well signposted, compact, and offers a good mix of food, gifts, and atmosphere. It’s simple to navigate and gives a clear sense of Yorkshire’s festive style.
What’s the quietest time of day to visit Christmas markets in Yorkshire?
Mornings tend to be the calmest across most Yorkshire markets. Crowds build through the afternoon, especially on weekends, so earlier visits are best for slower browsing.
Do the markets in Yorkshire still run in bad weather?
Most Yorkshire Christmas markets run in all conditions, with stalls designed to cope with rain and cold. Visitors just tend to wrap up warm; winter weather is part of the experience. If the weather takes a turn, there are still plenty of indoor activities in North Yorkshire to enjoy, ensuring your festive getaway stays filled with adventure, whatever the forecast.