As autumn comes and our thoughts turn from Halloween to December, it’s time to get prepared for Christmas. If you love mulled wine that smells like Christmas itself, wooden chalets stuffed with hand-made goodies, and cosy streets lit up like a jewellery box, Yorkshire in December is for you. From city-centre extravaganzas to tiny market days in market towns, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most festive winters in the county for a long time. I spent the last few weeks knitting together dates, times and the best bits from official listings and local organisers so you can plan a weekend (or two) of festive rabbit-holing. Below is a full, practical list of the main Christmas markets in Yorkshire this year (2025) — dates, opening times (where published), plus a handful of insider tips so your visit feels less like ticking boxes and more like making memories.
1. York — St Nicholas Fair / York Christmas Market
Dates: Thursday 13 November – Sunday 21 December 2025
Typical chalet hours: 10:00–19:00 daily (markets and chalets) — with a designated Quiet Time 10:00–12:00 each day for a lower-sensory experience.
Why go: York’s market is the full, storybook experience — alpine chalets draped along Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, a vintage carousel in King’s Square and an enormous selection of traders (a very high proportion from Yorkshire itself). If you like wandering narrow, historic streets while munching on something roasted, this is the one.
Insider tip: Aim for a weekday morning if you want fewer crowds — the “quiet” window is genuinely calmer and kinder for little ones or sensory-sensitive visitors. Also, pick a small side-street café for hot chocolate: queues are shorter and the hot chocolate is often better. We go every year and find it much better to visit during the week than at weekends.
2. Leeds Christmas Markets (Millennium Square & City locations)
Dates: Friday 21 November – Sunday 21 December 2025 (Millennium Square and additional city-centre sites; some winter attractions may remain open later).
Typical market hours: Varies by stall/area but markets usually open late morning and run through the evening; the Ice Cube events and some stalls may have slightly different hours.
Why go: Leeds does grand-scale festive with a modern twist — think Bavarian-style chalets, skating, a big wheel and family rides. If you want more than just stalls (rides, covered tipi bars, an ice rink), this is your scene.
Insider tip: If you’re combining with shopping, bring a tote bag and comfortable shoes — the market spills into the shopping streets so you’ll do a lot of walking.
3. Sheffield Christmas Market
Dates: From Thursday 13 November 2025 (runs through to the run-up to Christmas — check local listings for exact closing day).
Opening times: Market sites typically open from 10:00 daily (various locations across the city centre, including Fargate, Barkers Pool, Peace Gardens and The Moor).
Why go: Sheffield spreads stalls across a surprisingly wide area, so the market feels lively without being claustrophobic. There are Alpine bars, a Santa grotto and enough street food to make a separate meal out of your visit.
Insider tip: Pair the market with a walk up to Winter Garden — the juxtaposition of glasshouse plants with festive lights is quietly lovely and a good warm-up escape from evening wind.
4. Harrogate Christmas Fayre
Dates: Friday 5 – Sunday 14 December 2025
Opening times: Open daily (organisers list normal market hours such as Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00, Sundays 11:00–16:30 in previous years — check for final 2025 times).
Why go: Harrogate’s cobbled, spa-town prettiness gives a refined air to its Christmas Fayre — lots of artisan goods, family entertainment and easy-to-navigate streets. Good for shoppers who prefer a manageable, picturesque market rather than a huge city crush.
Insider tip: If you love independent food producers, Harrogate’s festival is full of local delicacies — pick up a jar or two from stallholders for later.
5. Whitby Christmas Market & Festival
Dates: Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November 2025
Venue/Times: Whitby Marina Front / Langbourne Road area; daytime festival hours across the weekend (check the town council schedule for specific event times).
Why go: If you want a salty sea breeze with your stall-browsing, Whitby’s market combines coastal atmosphere with Christmas cheer — artisan stalls, local food and family entertainment tucked into a maritime town.
Insider tip: Wrap up warm (it’s often windier by the harbour) and pair a market trip with fish and chips on the pier for proper local flavour.
6. Beverley Festival of Christmas (Beverley, East Yorkshire)
Date: Sunday 14 December 2025 (one-day festival)
Times: Town-centre market activities commonly run 10:00–16:00 for day events; the Victorian Market element is typically 10:00–16:00.
Why go: Beverley’s Festival is a big one-day market with a Victorian twist — more than a hundred stalls, live entertainment and family attractions across the town’s historic core.
Insider tip: It’s a one-day event, so early arrival pays — parking and public transport options are busiest mid-morning.
7. Skipton — High Street Christmas Markets
Dates in 2025: Sunday 7 & Sunday 14 December 2025 (two Sundays)
Times: Typical hours 10:00–16:00 (confirm closer to the date via Skipton Town Council).
Why go: Skipton’s market takes over the High Street across two festive Sundays — excellent for a day trip if you like a substantial market without the scale of a city event. Add in the narrow canalside streets and a castle view.
Insider tip: The town’s independent shops and tea rooms make Skipton a lovely place to stay an afternoon; try a local bakery for mid-morning fuel.
8. Ilkley — Real Markets & Special Christmas Market Dates
Dates (selected 2025 dates): Sunday 7 December 2025 (and often a special market on 21 December) — check the Real Markets listings for exact dates and times (markets usually 10:00–15:00).
Why go: Ilkley’s market has a village-y charm with local food traders and craft stalls. It’s compact, friendly, and pairs well with a riverside walk.
Insider tip: Combine Ilkley market with a short walk on the moor if the weather permits — fresh air before feasting on market treats is underrated.
9. Otley Victorian Christmas Fayre
Date: Sunday 7 December 2025 (Victorian Fayre date — Otley typically hosts a late-November lights switch-on and early-December festivities)
Times: Fayre events usually run daytime hours with markets and family activities in the square; check the official Otley events calendar for exact timings.
Why go: Otley’s Victorian Fayre is full-on festive nostalgia: traditional stalls, choirs, historical characters and a community atmosphere that feels like being invited to someone’s family party.
Insider tip: Expect crowds on the main day — if you’re after a quieter browse, go mid-afternoon when families start moving to evening events.
10. Scarborough Sparkle & Scarborough Christmas events
Dates: Friday 28 – Sunday 30 November 2025 (Scarborough Sparkle at the Open Air Theatre — market stalls, tipi bar and children’s rides across the weekend).
Why go: Scarborough’s coastline plus Christmas lights is a winning combo — big family-friendly event with rides, stalls and seasonal entertainment.
Insider tip: This event is great for families who want a mix of rides and stalls in a confined, easy-to-navigate location.
A few practical tips for Yorkshire market hopping
- Transport: Park-and-ride is a lifesaver in York and Leeds. For smaller towns, allow time for narrow streets, and if you’re taking a car, arrive early. (Source pages for each market list local travel advice.)
- Crowds: Weekday mornings are universally quieter. If you hate queues, schedule your visit for a Tuesday or Wednesday. (Local organisers often note quieter times.)
- Cash vs card: Most stalls accept cards nowadays, but small traders sometimes prefer cash — £10–£20 in small notes and some spare change will save you awkward moments. (General market practice across Yorkshire markets.)
- Accessibility: Many organisers now publish accessibility info — York, for instance, runs a Quiet Time and Quiet Oasis — check official pages for maps and assistance.
Final thoughts — how to choose
If you want the postcard-perfect alpine-chalet experience, York is a must-see. If you want big-city festive fun (rides, rink, big wheel), head for Leeds. For a breath of sea air and a smaller, charming market, Whitby and Scarborough are winners. For adorable, community-driven markets and Victorian atmosphere, try Beverley, Otley or Skipton. If you’ve got a free December weekend, plan a Yorkshire circuit: a day in York, a day for the coast and a slower market-town Sunday — that’s my recommended unpacking of the season.
I hope you enjoyed this post on Yorkshire Christmas markets 2025!
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