Following on from our round-up of beautiful market towns to visit in our region, we bring you the ultimate guide to Christmas markets in the Cotswolds. And while you might be wondering how an unassuming place like this compares, we can tell you, the Cotswolds can give Dresden a run for their money!
Let’s start with the big ones…
Bath
28 November to 15 December
Beautiful Bath is transformed every year into a magical festive experience. Twinkling lights adorn wooden chalets that fill the streets with the sounds and smells of Christmas.
You’ll find homeware, handmade jewellery, personalised gifts traditional ornaments, along with all the tasty treats you can think of!
Cheltenham
Cheltenham boast not one, but SIX Christmas markets to choose from!
- Arts & Crafts: 12 to 22 December
Brimming with unique Christmas gifts from local craftspeople and artists.
- The Suffolks: 24 November 11:00-17:00
A festive street fair that gets you in the spirit.
- Christmas Gift Market: 21 to 24 November & 7 December
Festive shopping to give you inspiration and unique memoirs of your Cotswold visit.
- Christmas Gift & Fashion Fair: 30 October to 2 November (Cheltenham Racecourse)
With 160 exhibitors, this is a true festive spectacle
Blenheim Palace
15 November to 22 December
In the run-up to Christmas, The Great Court at Blenheim Palace is filled with quaint cabins and transformed into a bustling Christmas high street, packed with festive goodies.
Not only is the market a great attraction but you can also enjoy the Magical Light Trail, Neverland in The Palace, a special Neverland Afternoon Tea in the Orangery and the brand-new covered ice rink hosting ‘The Great Skate’.
Cirencester
30 November to 1 December
The Advent Markets celebrate the great light switch-on, with over 200 stalls, 3 big screens, low-noise fireworks, and of course Santa and his helpers.
In addition to the Advent Markets, there are Christmas Gift Markets on four other dates throughout December.
Our favourite towns with smaller Christmas markets
Some of our favourite Christmas markets in the Cotswolds aren’t the big showy extravaganzas, but rather the warm, welcoming markets found in our favourite towns. Towns you will have heard of, or maybe visited with us in the past.
Broadway late night shopping market is arguably our favourite (and we have discussed them all)! But there are so many idyllic Christmas markets for you to experience…
- Tewkesbury
- Cirencester
- Todenham Manor Farm
- Painswick
- Tetbury
- Malmesbury
- Winchcombe
- Chipping Campden
And if your favourite location isn’t here, please just ask us to find out what’s going on, and how your chosen luxury hotel is celebrating the festive season. The Cotswolds is an awe-inspiring place at any time of year, but imagine returning to your hotel after an invigorating day at a Christmas market, with flushed cheeks and pink noses, laden with festive goodies, to seek out a cosy armchair by the fireplace with a glass of something warm and mulled. That’s when it becomes utterly magical.
