Christmas markets · The Midlands
Christmas Markets in the Midlands 2026
18 Christmas markets in the Midlands, in 15 towns and cities: 17 of them have 2026 dates announced, and the multi-week markets open between 5 November and 13 November. Best known: the markets of Birmingham, Nottingham and Lincoln.
18 markets · checked October 2026
18
Christmas markets in the Midlands
15
towns where we list markets
15
towns with a full guide
17 / 18
markets with 2026 dates announced
The Midlands has Christmas markets in both halves of the region. In the West Midlands, Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the best known, with Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon, Worcester, Lichfield, Leamington Spa and Shrewsbury nearby. In the East Midlands, Nottingham has its Winter Wonderland, Lincoln the cathedral and castle market, Leicester and Derby city-centre markets, and Chatsworth, Bakewell and Matlock the Peak District estate and village markets. Each side also has its own page, with the full list for that half.
The best-known and prettiest Christmas markets in the Midlands
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.
Birmingham
Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham
German Christmas market
2026: 5 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Classic German market in the middle of Birmingham — come by train, and with kids go in the daytime.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsNottingham
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Winter festival
2026: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
A good-value family evening in the Midlands.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsLincoln
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market
Weekend Christmas market
2026: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed)
The successor to Lincoln's famous market — register for tickets early.
✨ Date nightLeicester
Leicester Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 12 Nov – 27 Dec 2026
A city-centre festive stop — pair it with shopping at Highcross.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsCoventry
Coventry Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
A city-centre market to combine with the cathedral and a pantomime.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsStratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market
Weekend Christmas market
2026: 28–29 Nov & 5–6 Dec 2026
One of the Midlands' biggest — go early on the Saturday, the town fills up with coaches.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsChatsworth
Chatsworth Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 7 Nov – 13 Dec 2026
A classic Peak District day out — book the car park first, it sells out.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsDerby
Festive Derby Christmas Night Market
Christmas market
Last season: 27 Nov 2025 (Sadler Gate Night Market)
Derby's festive evening — come for the night market and the rink.
🎉 With friends
🧒 With kids
- Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham · Birmingham
- Nottingham Winter Wonderland · Nottingham
- Leicester Christmas Market · Leicester
- Chatsworth Christmas Market · Chatsworth
- Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market · Stratford-upon-Avon
- Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre · Worcester
✨ Date night
- Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market · Birmingham
- Chatsworth Christmas Market · Chatsworth
- Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market · Stratford-upon-Avon
- Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre · Worcester
- Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market · Bakewell
- Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market · Lincoln
🎉 With friends
- Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham · Birmingham
- Nottingham Winter Wonderland · Nottingham
- Bakewell Winter Wonderland Christmas Market · Bakewell
- Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market · Birmingham
- Leicester Christmas Market · Leicester
- Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre · Worcester
Christmas markets in the Midlands by town
- Birmingham2
- Chatsworth1
- Nottingham1
- Stratford-upon-Avon1
- Worcester1
- Matlock2
- Bakewell2
- Leicester1
- Lincoln1
- Coventry1
- Leamington Spa1
- Lichfield1
- Shrewsbury1
- Broadway1
- Derby1
All 18 Christmas markets in the Midlands: 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.
- BakewellBakewell Winter Wonderland Christmas Market2026: 14–15 Nov 2026, in the town centreFree entry; parking around £5 in a field.
- BakewellMercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market2026: Wed–Sun over six weekends from 11 Nov 2026Adult ticket £13.60 incl. parking; cheaper Green Travel ticket if you arrive by bus, bike or on foot.
- BirminghamChristmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market2026: 5 Nov – 24 Dec 2026Free entry.
- BirminghamFrankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham2026: 5 Nov – 24 Dec 2026Free entry.
- BroadwayBroadway Late Night Christmas Shopping2026: Fri 27 Nov & Fri 4 Dec 2026, 4.30–8.30pmFree.
- ChatsworthChatsworth Christmas Market2026: 7 Nov – 13 Dec 2026Entry comes with a car-park ticket: all day from £25 per car, after 3pm from £15 (2026).
- CoventryCoventry Christmas Market2026: 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027Free entry; big wheel paid.
- DerbyFestive Derby Christmas Night MarketLast season: 27 Nov 2025 (Sadler Gate Night Market)Free entry; skating paid.
- Leamington SpaLeamington Christmas Markets2026: Sundays on the Parade, incl. 15 Nov (lights switch-on) and 20 Dec 2026Free entry.
- LeicesterLeicester Christmas Market2026: 12 Nov – 27 Dec 2026Free entry; skating and wheel paid.
- LichfieldLichfield Christmas Fayre & Victorian Market2026: Christmas Fayre Sun 15 Nov 2026, 10am–4pmFree entry.
- LincolnLincoln Cathedral Christmas Market2026: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed)Ticket required.
- MatlockMatlock Christmas Market (December weekend)2026: 19–20 Dec 2026Free entry.
- MatlockMatlock Victorian Christmas Market2026: 4–6 Dec 2026Free entry.
- NottinghamNottingham Winter Wonderland2026: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026Free entry; rink and rides are paid.
- ShrewsburyShrewsbury Christmas Market2026: 18–19 Dec 2026Free entry.
- Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market2026: 28–29 Nov & 5–6 Dec 2026Free entry.
- WorcesterWorcester Victorian Christmas Fayre2026: 3–6 Dec 2026Free entry.
Tips for your trip in the Midlands
- Birmingham is the natural base for the West Midlands; Nottingham or Derby for the East Midlands and the Peak District.
- City markets are best on weekdays: the weekends from late November to Christmas are the busiest.
- For stately-home and village markets (Chatsworth, Bakewell, Broadway) check entry, parking and opening days on the guide before you set off.
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 Midlands
- When do the Christmas markets in the Midlands open in 2026?
- For 17 of the 18 markets in the Midlands, 2026 dates are already announced. The multi-week markets open between 5 November and 13 November, half of them by 12 November, and most close around 27 December. For example: Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham: 5 Nov – 24 Dec 2026; Nottingham Winter Wonderland: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026; Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed). Smaller markets often run only for a few days or weekends, so check the dates on each town's guide, and check the organiser's website before you travel as opening hours can change.
- What is the best Christmas market in the Midlands?
- It depends what you like. Going by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the standouts in the Midlands are: Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham (Google 4.0 ★, 2,169 reviews) – The UK's original German Christmas market; Nottingham Winter Wonderland (Google 4.2 ★, 428 reviews) – Old Market Square; Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market – Three days at the cathedral. 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 Midlands?
- Our list currently has 18 Christmas markets and festive events in 15 towns and cities in the Midlands, 15 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 Midlands?
- Not for most of them: street and town-centre markets in the Midlands are free to walk around. According to our guides, a ticket is needed for a few venues, such as Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market. Rides, ice rinks and grottos are often paid extras, and parking or park and ride can add to the cost.
- How do I get to the Christmas markets in the Midlands?
- Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Lincoln, Worcester, Lichfield, Leamington Spa and Shrewsbury have mainline stations near their markets, and Stratford-upon-Avon and Matlock are on branch lines. The country venues (Chatsworth, Bakewell, Broadway, Haddon Hall) are easiest by car; the guide of each says what parking, shuttle or bus there is.
- Which Christmas markets in the Midlands are best for children?
- According to our guides: Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham (the UK's original German Christmas market); Nottingham Winter Wonderland (old Market Square); Chatsworth Christmas Market (100+ stalls of Peak District makers on the Chatsworth estate); Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market (300+ stalls through Shakespeare's town). Some rides and grottos are paid; the guide for each market says which.
- Which Christmas markets in the Midlands are the most romantic?
- For an evening for two our guides point to Chatsworth Christmas Market, Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market (Bakewell), Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market and Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre. Go around dusk or on a weekday, when it is less crowded.