Guide
Plan your Christmas 2026
The dates that matter, the dates of the big Christmas markets, what a pantomime and a carol service are, what suits children and what costs nothing.
The dates of 2026
The Christmas season runs from the first markets in early November to Epiphany. Pantomimes and many light trails run into January.
- 1st Advent: Sunday 29 November
- Christmas Eve: Thursday 24 December
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December; the bank holiday is Monday 28 December
- New Year's Eve: Thursday 31 December
- New Year's Day: Friday 1 January 2027 (in Scotland the 2nd January holiday is Monday 4 January)
- Epiphany: Wednesday 6 January 2027
The big markets and their dates
The dates each organiser states for 2026, read on its own page on 10 November. Hours, entry and prices are on those pages and change: look before you go.
- Birmingham, Frankfurt Christmas Market: 5 November to 24 December
- Manchester, Christmas Markets: 6 November to 22 December (Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens to 3 January 2027)
- Bristol, Bristol Christmas Market: 6 November to 23 December
- Cardiff, Cardiff Christmas Market: 12 November to 23 December
- York, York Christmas Market: 12 November to 21 December
- Belfast, Belfast Christmas Market: 14 November to 22 December
- Edinburgh, Edinburgh's Christmas: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Leeds, Leeds Christmas Market: 19 November to 23 December
- Newcastle, Newcastle's Christmas Market: 19 November to 23 December
- London, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Glasgow, Glasgow's Winter Wonderland: St Enoch Square 6 November to 27 December, Glasgow Green 20 November to 3 January
- Oxford, Christmas in Oxford: 21 November to 31 December
- Brighton, Brighton Christmas Market: 26 November to 27 December
- Bath, Bath Christmas Market: 26 November to 13 December
Carols and concerts
In Advent and around the holidays it is high season for choirs, cathedrals and orchestras.
- Carol services: church and cathedral services of carols and readings, often free or by donation.
- Carol concerts: choirs and orchestras with carols and well-known pieces, often ticketed.
- Sing-alongs: you need no sheet music and no experience.
- Handel's Messiah and other oratorios are in our classical section.
With children
With children it pays to look at the recommended age, which is on every event when the organiser gives it.
- Pantomimes: a family tradition in most big theatres from late November into January.
- The Nutcracker as a ballet with orchestra, as a concert or as a narrated programme for children.
- Family concerts and puppet theatre often last only about an hour, just right for small audiences.
- Making and baking workshops for families: stars, wreaths and biscuits.
Free and good value
Christmas does not have to be expensive.
- Entry to many Christmas markets is free; food, drinks, rides and ice rinks you pay for separately.
- Carol services in churches are often free or by donation.
- Many theatres have children's and family prices; they are on the event's page when the organiser gives them.
