Christmas markets · The Cotswolds
Christmas Markets in the Cotswolds 2026
4 Christmas markets in the Cotswolds, in 4 towns and cities: 4 of them have 2026 dates announced; for the rest we show last season's dates, marked as such. Best known: the markets of Cheltenham, Cirencester and Woodstock.
4 markets · checked October 2026
4
Christmas markets in the Cotswolds
4
towns where we list markets
4
towns with a full guide
4 / 4
markets with 2026 dates announced
In and around the Cotswolds the markets are in honey-stone market towns and at a palace. Cirencester holds its Christmas market in the town centre, Cheltenham, at the western edge of the Cotswolds, runs a town-centre market, and Broadway, one of the best-known Cotswold villages, is known for its late-night Christmas shopping. At Woodstock, Blenheim Palace holds a Christmas market in the grounds. Some are one-day or one-evening events, so the dates matter.
The best-known and prettiest Christmas markets in the Cotswolds
Picked by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the strongest market in each town. 2026 dates only where the organiser has confirmed them; otherwise last season's dates, marked as such.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 10–23 Dec 2026
A pleasant pre-Christmas browse — the Cotswold towns nearby add the charm.
✨ Date night🎉 With friendsCirencester
Cirencester Christmas Market
Weekend Christmas market
2026: 5–6 Dec 2026
A pleasant Cotswold weekend market — combine with the Corn Hall's indoor markets.
✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWoodstock
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 13 Nov – 20 Dec 2026
Make an evening of it with the light trail — the most complete Christmas day out near Oxford.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsBroadway
Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping
Weekend Christmas market
2026: Fri 27 Nov & Fri 4 Dec 2026, 4.30–8.30pm
A pretty Cotswold evening — pair with a pub dinner.
✨ Date night
🧒 With kids
- Blenheim Palace Christmas Market · Woodstock
✨ Date night
- Blenheim Palace Christmas Market · Woodstock
- Cheltenham Christmas Market · Cheltenham
- Cirencester Christmas Market · Cirencester
- Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping · Broadway
🎉 With friends
- Cheltenham Christmas Market · Cheltenham
- Cirencester Christmas Market · Cirencester
Christmas markets in the Cotswolds by town
All 4 Christmas markets in the Cotswolds: dates at a glance
Sorted by town, checked in October 2026. Each market links to its guide with opening times, how to get there and our verdict.
- BroadwayBroadway Late Night Christmas Shopping2026: Fri 27 Nov & Fri 4 Dec 2026, 4.30–8.30pmFree.
- CheltenhamCheltenham Christmas Market2026: 10–23 Dec 2026Free entry.
- CirencesterCirencester Christmas Market2026: 5–6 Dec 2026Free entry.
- WoodstockBlenheim Palace Christmas Market2026: 13 Nov – 20 Dec 2026See Blenheim's Christmas tickets; trail and palace are ticketed.
Tips for your trip in the Cotswolds
- Cheltenham Spa is the one station here that serves a market directly; Cirencester, Broadway and Woodstock have no railway station, so most visitors go by car or bus.
- Blenheim Palace is a ticketed visit: check entry, timed slots and parking on the market's guide.
- Cotswold villages are small and car parks fill early on event days: arrive early or choose a weekday.
How we check the dates
Dates, prices and travel details come from the organisers and councils; ratings are from Google, as a guide only. Where the 2026 date is missing we show last season's, marked as such. Last checked in October 2026: opening times can change, so check the organiser's website before you travel.
Questions about Christmas markets in the Cotswolds
- When do the Christmas markets in the Cotswolds open in 2026?
- Only 4 of the 4 markets in the Cotswolds have announced 2026 dates. Until they do, each guide shows last year's dates, marked as last season's. Most Christmas markets open in mid to late November, and we add new dates as soon as an organiser confirms them. Announced so far: Cheltenham Christmas Market: 10–23 Dec 2026; Cirencester Christmas Market: 5–6 Dec 2026; Blenheim Palace Christmas Market (Woodstock): 13 Nov – 20 Dec 2026.
- What is the best Christmas market in the Cotswolds?
- It depends what you like. Going by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the standouts in the Cotswolds are: Cheltenham Christmas Market – Arts and crafts market on the Promenade; Cirencester Christmas Market – 40+ stalls on the Market Place; Blenheim Palace Christmas Market (Woodstock) – Stalls in the palace's Great Court. For a quieter visit pick a smaller town; the «with kids, for two, with friends» tags on each market say who it suits.
- How many Christmas markets are there in the Cotswolds?
- Our list currently has 4 Christmas markets and festive events in 4 towns and cities in the Cotswolds, 4 of them with a full city guide. We list markets announced by the council, the organiser or the tourist board, not one-day school or church stalls, so the real number is higher.
- Do you have to pay to enter the Christmas markets in the Cotswolds?
- Mostly no: the markets in the Cotswolds are free to walk around, and each guide says whether rides, ice rinks, grottos, parking or park and ride cost extra.
- How do I get to the Christmas markets in the Cotswolds?
- Cheltenham Spa has mainline trains; for Cirencester the nearest station is Kemble (with a bus), for Broadway Moreton-in-Marsh and for Woodstock Oxford, with buses on from each. By car, most Cotswold market towns have a town-centre pay-and-display car park and, on big days, extra field parking, so check the organiser's page.
- Which Christmas markets in the Cotswolds are the most romantic?
- For an evening for two our guides point to Blenheim Palace Christmas Market (Woodstock), Cheltenham Christmas Market, Cirencester Christmas Market and Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping. Go around dusk or on a weekday, when it is less crowded.