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6 Must-Visit Yorkshire Christmas Markets 2024
It’s the most wonderful time of year and once again Yorkshire has a whole lot of Christmas events to explore. Start writing your list to Santa now and make your way over to God’s own country for a little retail therapy...
Yorkshire Christmas Markets 2024 – Dates and Locations
If you’re looking for a unique gift that you can’t buy online, you’ll love the range of locally made goods available at Yorkshire’s Christmas markets.
Fancy some festive fun? Check out our hand-picked list of Yorkshire Christmas Markets…
1. Whitby Christmas Market
15th – 17th November 2024
Whitby’s annual Christmas market forms part of the town’s Christmas Festival. This annual Christmas event takes place between 5pm on Friday 15th November and 4pm on Sunday 17th November. You can find the Christmas market in the Front Marina car park, just a short walk from the train station.
Get your hands on unique, homemade gifts as well as a selection of treats made with locally sourced ingredients. Plus, don’t miss out on all the activities. The annual switching on of the Christmas lights will take place at 7:55pm on the opening night. A firework display will take place from 7:45pm outside Whitby Abbey on the 16th.
For that extra special Christmas fun, be sure to pop by for local gins, Christmas pudding liqueurs, bespoke jewellery and much more! And don’t forget, there’s lots more on offer in Whitby, including the Abbey and the iconic 199 Steps.
2. York Christmas Market
14th November – 22nd December 2024
Taking place over 5 weeks before Christmas, York Christmas Market is one of the most highly anticipated Christmas markets in Yorkshire. With 75 alpine chalets lining both Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, this years Christmas market offers a magical selection of local crafts, artisan products, and delicious seasonal treats.
The vintage carousel on King’s Square adds to the festive atmosphere, just perfect for families to have some fun. Plus with 80% of the traders coming from Yorkshire, this is a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying the best of what the region has to offer.
Make your way around this festive wonderland to buy your Christmas gifts. The market continues to focus on sustainability, so you can be rest assured everything you buy is locally sourced.
3. Scarborough Market Hall Christmas Craft Fair
16th November 2024
The “Covent Garden of the North” has had a festive makeover for 2024, and will host its Christmas Craft Fair on the 16th of November. Here you can start your Christmas shopping early, with stalls open from 10am to 4pm.
Wander around the main marketplace before heading downstairs into the ‘vaults’ for an eclectic mix of boutique gifts. If you’re feeling pecking, you’ll also find a café. Here you can indulge in something besides the Christmassy treats on offer in the main hall. From arts and crafts to jewellery and local produce, there are three floors of Winter wonderland fun.
4. Skipton Christmas Market
8th December 2024
Skipton Christmas Market returns again for 2024. Head over to Skipton high street on Sunday 8th December to feast your eyes on these traditional Christmas stalls.
With over a 100 fabulous stall festive market featuring some of the region’s favourite artisan makers, producers, and crafters, plus all the local independent shops in Skipton, it is the perfect opportunity to make a start or finish your Christmas shopping!
Before the main Christmas markets, you can also visit Skipton to watch the annual Christmas lights switch on. Taking place on Sunday 24th November and promises family fun all day long. On the main market day, events kick off with a Skipton Santa Fun Run from 10am – 12pm. With so much more to do beyond shopping, expect to be out all day.
5. Malton Christmas Market
7th – 8th December 2024
The Malton Christmas Festival takes place over two days in December, from Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th December 2024. The main marketplace is open between 9am and 3:30pm, where you can experience the best of Yorkshire’s ‘food capital’. If you’re travelling by car, there is a designated car park for the event in Riverside Meadows.
This free event features street food, festive gift stalls and even live music. Expect a fabulous weekend of festive fun in and around Malton’s picturesque Market Place, with delicious food and festive gift stalls, street food, live music from local brass bands and choirs and family entertainment. Malton’s shops will be packed with Christmas gift ideas too.
6. Harrogate Christmas Market
29th November – 15th December 2024
Held over two weeks, the Harrogate Christmas Market and Fayre will take place between Friday 29th Nov and Sunday 15th December 2024.
This year, Harrogate will host a range of eclectic local traders and European-inspired Christmas stalls. Look out for alpine chalets as you make your way around the stalls, and be sure to stop off for a refreshment at the ski bar.
You can find the main stalls in the pedestrianised areas of Cambridge Street and Market Place, in the heart of the town. If you don’t feel like walking, you can also get around for free on the Candy Candy Express road train.
Has our list of the best Christmas markets in Yorkshire got you eager to start your Christmas shopping? Find somewhere to put your feet up after a hard day’s browsing with our wonderful collection of Yorkshire coastal cottages.
This blog has been updated based on original content written for Yorkshire Coastal Cottages