Flashback to Christmas 2024--as the opening refrain of Handel's Messiah began to play whilst I was decorating our Christmas tree, I decided that attending a Messiah Concert in London at Christmas MUST be added to my travel bucket list. I can't believe that it's already happening this year. And the venue is St Martin in the Fields and it's on my birthday!!! Crazy, right? I was so excited to book the concert and begin planning a trip around that when suddenly I had my mind blown when I found out about all the Christmas markets in the UK. Oh. My. Word. How did I not know this before?!?
Our trip will actually begin in York from 20 Nov-24 Nov. We'll definitely take one of the Association of Voluntary Guides daytime tours of York but are wondering if anyone has feedback about the Christmas specific tours in York that occur in the evenings for £12.5 Is it worth doing both tours?
Any other recommendations/suggestions do you have about Christmas markets in London? We're in London 24 Nov-26 Nov. We've never been in Europe at this time of year nor have we attended any Christmas markets even in the US. I'm thinking I'll prefer "cozier" more "old-world" feel markets and not the Hyde Park Carnival extravaganza type market.
We'll also finally be in the UK on a Sunday and not traveling that day so I am determined to partake of a traditional Sunday Roast. Recommendations for a classic Sunday Roast locale in York greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
Land of La
9665 posts
Posted by
1371 posts
I love how you manifested this plan! Happy travels and please do report back! There may be others (myself included) who didn't realize UK markets were an Oh. My. Word. Happy Christmas!
Posted by
Lake District, England
9713 posts
Close to York there is also Leeds Christmas market from 20 November.
But you are probably too early for Harrogate and certainly too early for the really old style one at Grassington on 29 November and 6 December - what used to be called the Dickensian Festival.
The other old style ones in the area are at Skipton and Knaresborough, but you miss those as well- on 7 and 14 December at Skipton, and 7 December at Knaresborough.
There is a mismatch here between wanting old style, and visiting for Christmas markets and visiting too early before Advent has even started. Also the usual tourist mistake of thinking that Yorkshire is only York.
It is only the big commercial markets which extend the season too far backwards before Advent (30 November this year) and St Nicholas' Day (6 December).
In my own town we still don't switch on the Christmas lights until St Nicholas ' day. Usually Carol concerts in churches in most of the country don't happen until Advent.
Posted by
London
1751 posts
To my mind, none of the London Christmas markets in Claudia's link are really "old-world" or "cosy". I don't think the adjective "naff" exists in American English but that's how I would tend to think of them. If you'll get some value in the entrance fee from the other attractions at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, that's as good a bet as any. They're all a bit corporate cookie cutter and fake.
Sorry to burst your bubble. By all means go and enjoy, but they're just a Disneyfied idea of what a traditional German Christmas market is and should be approached with that in mind.
Handel's Messiah at St Martin in the Fields is a one-off concert on December 9th this year. [edit: also a performance 25th November by a different ensemble. I assume that's what you're booked for. Missed that on my first search]
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1754 posts
The quality of the Christmas Markets actually varies quite a lot.
There are ones that meet Gerry’s description, but the Bath market makes a real effort to host local and independent makers. A friend regularly had a stall there until last year and they were a very small enterprise selling homemade products. There is a competitive application process that potential vendors have to go through every year.
Posted by
London
487 posts
I agree 100% with Gerry above- not to sound like a downer but I don't think any of the London xmas markets are particularly great. They all sell the same things now and are mostly just a magnet for large crowds. There may be some nice local ones in other towns but as mentioned you might be a bit early for them.
I think Handel's Messiah at St Martin-in-the-Fields will be lovely. I wish I had a Sunday roast recommendation for York! But I am sure you will have a great time.
Posted by
122 posts
Consider the Temple Church Choir (https://www.templechurch.com/music/the-temple-church-choir). They are excellent. The dates for their Christmas plans don't seem to be out yet and they may not have a service while you are in London, but definitely worth a look.