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Christmas markets · Cardiff

Cardiff Christmas Market 2026: dates, opening times, Winter Wonderland

Cardiff Christmas Market runs from 12 November to 23 December 2026 (Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, to 7pm on Thursdays in December, Sundays 10am–5pm) across St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street and Trinity Street. Cardiff's Winter Wonderland, with the ice rink and rides, opens on 12 November.

3 markets · checked October 2026

🧒 With kids

✨ Date night

🎉 With friends

Winter festival

  • Cardiff Castle keep with Christmas trees and Winter Wonderland chalets📷 Dominic Nelson · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Giant wheel lit up at night at Cardiff Winter WonderlandIlluminated polar bear lanterns at Cardiff Winter Wonderland in Cardiff Castle

    📷 Alan Hughes · CC BY-SA 2.0 · 📷 Seth Whales · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Winter festival · Cardiff

    Cardiff Winter Wonderland

    🧒 With kids

    What's there

    • Ice skating
    • Funfair rides and games
    • City-centre lights

    What visitors sayGoogle 4.1 ★ · 591 reviews

    Families enjoy the lights, games and rides; others found it small, with expensive and average food.

    Fine with kids in Cardiff; not a destination for a Christmas market as such.

    2026
    12 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
    Last season
    13 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
    Cardiff CF10 3NDOfficial site
  • Festive chalet in the Cardiff Christmas Market📷 Seth Whales · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Cardiff Christmas Market chalets beside St John's Church

    📷 Seth Whales · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Winter festival · Cardiff

    Cardiff Christmas Festival

    Christmas festival with shows in a Spiegeltent — from children's shows like 'Jack Frost' to musicals and tribute acts.

    🧒 With kids🎉 With friends

    What's there

    • Spiegeltent in Sophia Gardens
    • Family show 'Jack Frost' with aerial acts
    • Musicals, burlesque and tribute acts
    • Accessible site with food stalls

    What visitors sayGoogle 4.8 ★ · 184 reviews

    Audiences rate the shows highly — warm venue, good views from every seat, West End-standard singing and interactive characters children love. A few found a show basic for the ticket price; drinks are pricey.

    The best Christmas show-plus-market night in Wales — book the family show early.

    Dates
    2026 dates to be confirmed
    Cost
    Shows ticketed; drinks expensive.

    Getting there and parking

    • Sophia Gardens is a 15-minute walk from Cardiff Central or Queen Street station.

    Worth knowing

    • Book tickets for weekend shows well ahead.
    Spiegeltent, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9FHOfficial site

Christmas market

  • Christmas market chalets beside St John's Church in Cardiff📷 Seth Whales · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Row of wooden chalets along St John Street in CardiffGerman BBQ chalet at Cardiff Christmas MarketShoppers at an illuminated Cardiff Christmas Market chalet at dusk

    📷 Seth Whales · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Christmas market · Cardiff

    Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street)

    Cardiff's Christmas market of Welsh arts and crafts around St John's Church in the city centre, 10am–6pm (5pm Sundays).

    ✨ Date night🎉 With friends

    What's there

    • Welsh arts and crafts
    • Around St John's Church
    • Open daily for six weeks

    Cardiff's craft market — the best place in the city for gifts; Winter Wonderland is for rides.

    2026
    12 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
    Cost
    Free entry.

    Getting there and parking

    • Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central stations are both within 10 minutes' walk.

    Worth knowing

    • 2026 hours: Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (to 7pm every Thursday in December), Sundays 10am–5pm.
    • Stalls spread across St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street and Trinity Street.
    St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street and Trinity Street, CardiffOfficial site

Questions

When does the Cardiff Christmas market 2026 open and close?

2026 dates: Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street): 12 Nov – 23 Dec 2026. Cardiff Winter Wonderland: 12 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027. The other markets here have not confirmed their 2026 dates yet.

What are the Cardiff Christmas market opening hours?

Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street): 2026 hours: Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (to 7pm every Thursday in December), Sundays 10am–5pm. Hours can change, so check the organiser's site before you go.

Is the Cardiff Christmas market free to enter?

Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street): Free entry. Cardiff Christmas Festival: Shows ticketed; drinks expensive.

How many Christmas markets are there in Cardiff?

Our guide lists 3 Christmas markets in Cardiff, including Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street), Cardiff Winter Wonderland and Cardiff Christmas Festival.

How do I get to the Cardiff Christmas market?

Cardiff Christmas Market (St John Street): Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central stations are both within 10 minutes' walk.

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