Christmas Market, Belfast
Soak up the festive atmosphere before treating yourself to a Glühwein, sampling speciality cheeses and maybe getting a bird’s-eye view of the market from the top of a helter-skelter at Belfast City Hall Grounds. To 22 Dec, belfastcity.gov.uk
Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village, Hampshire
This Christmas village in Portsmouth has igloo-inspired seating and an Alpine Lodge Bar. There are two Bavarian curling lanes and a 22m-high Observation Wheel, with spectacular views of the harbour. Entry free, activities charged. To Christmas Eve, gunwharf-quays.com
Folkestone Festive Marketplace, Kent
The Harbour Grotto festive experience has opened at Folkestone Harbour to put a maritime twist on festivities. The Christmas market has stalls by independent makers and adjoins The Goods Yard, an 800-plus-capacity street food venue. Park yourself here to enjoy festive films, snow blizzards, live bands and carols. To Christmas Eve, folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk.
Big Bauble Showcase, Belfast
Fall into a trance as you admire a surfeit of handmade baubles at Craft NI Gallery in the Cathedral Quarter, many of them one-offs, made in porcelain, felt, enamel, textiles and handblown glass. To 30 Dec, visitbelfast.com
Christmas by the Sea, Lancashire
Blackpool twinkles all year around with its illuminations, but at Christmas, things go up a notch with festive rides, light projection shows, light installations, simulated snowfalls and theatre shows. And the ice skating rink is free too. To New Year’s day, visitblackpool.com
East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Marke, Edinburgh
This traditional Christmas market will feature 70 stalls offering bespoke gifts, allowing visitors to do their shopping under the eye of the largest Ferris wheel in Scotland. West Princes Street Gardens, meanwhile, will be putting on a programme of family-friendly events, including live performances. To 6 Jan, edinburgh-christmas.com
Winterfest, Glasgow
Entry is free to this seasonal spectacular in the city centre, with highlights including festive stalls, a silent disco and music from local bands. To 7 Jan, facebook.com/glasgowwinterfest
Zog Trail, Gloucestershire
In the heart of the ancient Forest of Dean, you’ll find Beechenhurst, with a children’s playground, cafe and a sculpture trail. New for this year is its Zog Trail. Download a free app and go on an adventure to collect golden stars on a circuit inspired by the Julia Donaldson book. From now, visitdeanwye.co.uk
The Box, Devon
Not far from Plymouth city centre, this award-winning museum is the perfect place to stroll around on a wintry day. There are works of art, thousands of historical specimens, such as a full-size replica woolly mammoth, and a collection of archive film and photography. New exhibition Dutch Flowers from the National Gallery is on now until 7 January. theboxplymouth.com
Manchester Art Fair, Greater Manchester
Immerse yourself in contemporary art at Manchester Central this weekend, with various galleries and independent artists showcasing their best. Expect artist talks, panel discussions, performances and installations. You could even pick up a painting or sculpture as Christmas presents. The event is ticketed, but iWeekend readers can enjoy complimentary tickets using the eventbrite booking link below. Sat-Sun, manchesterartfair.co.uk, eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-art-fair-2023-tickets-611140797577?discount=iweekend
‘Nectary’ at The Hepworth, West Yorkshire
This weekend, award-winning art gallery The Hepworth Wakefield hosts a free garden exhibition of six huge glowing flowers handcrafted from recycled materials and created by artist Alison Smith and scientist Dr Chris Hassall. Sat-Sun, hepworthwakefield.org
Arctic exhibition, Hampshire
Inside the 30s-built Southampton City Art Gallery is a collection of 5,000 works spanning eight centuries by artists such as Turner, Renoir and Monet as well as contemporary pieces by Lucian Freud. New for winter is Arctic Mirage, a glacier-themed exhibition by Southampton-based artist Julian Grater. To 3 Feb, southamptoncityartgallery.com
Milford Winterfront Nutcracker Trail, Pembrokeshire
Milford Waterfront will be transformed into a hub of yuletide entertainment with Christmas crafts, reindeers on stilts and elf meet-and-greets. Enjoy a live line-up of the Milford Haven Town Band, The Operatic Society and the Gelliswick Choir and follow the Nutcracker Trail for your chance to win a prize. Trail runs from 22 Nov-4 Jan, entertainment every Sat from 21 Nov, milfordwaterfront.co.uk
River of Light Lantern Parade, Caerphilly
Get down to a lantern-making workshop to show off at the parade through Caerphilly Town Centre, which will also include bagpipes, drums and a spectacular fireworks’ display above Caerphilly Castle. Arrive early to check out the Winter Food and Craft Fair. Workshops 8-19 & 25-26 Nov, parade 2 Dec, visitcaerphilly.com
Georgian Weekend, Co Armagh
Armagh’s Georgian heritage will be on full display during this special weekend. Listen to musicians roaming the streets, browse the artisan market and take in the lights. There are ticketed events, such as guided walks, but much is entirely free. 23-26 Nov, visitarmagh.com
Pontefract Castle Light Up, West Yorkshire
Pontefract Castle is putting on two days of festive cheer with a new 125m light installation entitled For Peace by artists sedemminut. Drinks will be served from the tipi bar, there is street food and live music performances, free ice-carving sculpture workshops and a carousel. 24-25 Nov, experiencewakefield.co.uk
Swansea Christmas Market, South Wales
Two streets in Swansea will be transformed into a Christmas market with festive chalets selling crafts and street food vendors. Head to the Caroller’s Cabin for festive entertainment such as school choirs and live music or visit Santa’s grotto and capture a family photo with the big man. 24 Nov-20 Dec, visitswanseabay.com
Richmond Winter Wonderland, London
Expect elf workshops, a selfie sleigh and North Pole post box at this festive riverside pop-up in Richmond, south-west London. There is a market with 30 festive stalls and on 9 December, join Buddy the Elf to launch the Christmas Family Reindeer Trail. Download a map, find the reindeer, crack the code and win a festive treat. Winter Wonderland 25-26 Nov, berichmond.london/christmas
Elf street party, Dorset
If this sounds like a rowdy affair, it is – thousands of mischievous elves will take over Weymouth town centre. Expect live music, a grotto, food stalls and elf-based activities including workshops and North Pole letter-writing. Weymouth’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm. 25 Nov, visit-dorset.com
Festive Sundays, Manchester
Manchester is celebrating Christmas with a series of Festive Sundays. Each week street performances, parades including a giant snow globe, Arctic fox puppet, walking trees and living lampposts will take to the streets. Sundays from 26 Nov-17 Dec, visitmanchester.com
Autumn tree walk, East Sussex
Enjoy a free tree-themed guided walk through Peasmarsh, near Rye. Explore the High Weald, a medieval wooded landscape of rolling hills and ancient routeways, and learn how to identify trees by their leaves and bark. 28 Nov, eventbrite.co.uk
The Worcester Victorian Fayre, Worcestershire
This fun-filled Victorian-themed Christmas event combines street entertainment with more than 200 stalls across the city of Worcester. Enjoy traditional fairground rides, stilt walkers and live pop-up performances with Victorian characters roaming the streets. 30 Nov-3 Dec, visitworcestershire.org
Christmas Reindeer Trail, Devon
Download a free map and take a guided tour around Plymouth in search of the reindeers’ favourite locations. Collect stamps and return the map to the Tourist Office for a special treat. Today, you can also catch the Christmas lights switch-on at The Barbican with an afternoon filled with music and magic, a dog show and a sighting of Santa arriving by lifeboat. Throughout Dec, visitplymouth.co.uk
Mousehole Christmas Lights, Cornwall
From early December until early January, the historic harbour of Mousehole will be lit up with twinkling lights in the annual Christmas by the Sea experience. Traditional pubs and cute cafés edge the waterfront and live singing events will take place between 11 and 21 December, with local musicians performing. Dec-Jan, mouseholelights.org.uk
The Whitby Krampus run, North Yorkshire
Celebrate ancient European folklore by joining the Krampus Run when it returns to Whitby. The mythical horned creature arrives in the coastal town to punish the wicked, alongside a free parade from 3.30pm. Expect fire dancers, drummers and live music. 2-3 Dec, discoveryorkshirecoast.com
Christmas at the McManus Museum & Gallery, Dundee
Dundee’s museum and art gallery is playing host to its first Christmas market, including free family craft activities and storytelling. 2 Dec, dundeecity.gov.uk
Oswestry Christmas Live, Shropshire
Top off a day exploring Oswestry by visiting this festive market. Expect fairground rides, a curling alley, an ice rink, delicious street food and local late-night shopping as well as live music by local bands. 2 Dec, visitshropshire.co.uk
Deal Castle Christmas market, Kent
The atmospheric grounds of Deal Castle in Kent will host a Christmas market, with street foods, artisan gifts, local produce and a festive-themed bar. 1-3 Dec, whitecliffscountry.org.uk
The Art of Recycling, North Yorkshire
The immersive installation Grue: A Magical World in Scarborough is built by the community out of recycled materials and designed by artist Steve Wintercroft. This year, Grue can be reached through a portal in Scarborough Library. 2-23 Dec, hello-arcade.com/grue-2023
Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market, Warwickshire
Find a traditional funfair with an original Victorian-era carousel and stilt performers. The market offers 300-plus stalls selling seasonal treats and stocking fillers with traders dressed in Victorian clothes. 7-10 Dec, stratford.gov.uk/markets
Christmas Tree Festival, North Wales
Carols from the choirs of St Mary’s Church will be sung under the lights of Christmas trees, which have been decorated with individually designed themes by local businesses and schools from across the community. 7 Dec Conwy, 15 Dec Llandudno, stdavidshospice.org.uk
Carols at Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire
Get your traditional Christmas carol fix with the Cathedral’s “Carols on the Hour” Event. Enjoy 30 minutes of carols every hour, on the hour, from 11am-3.30pm. 9 Dec, gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Bowhouse Market Weekend, Fife
Taste Scottish artisan food and drink from award winning cheeses to homemade sausage rolls in the Market Hall at Bowhouse. Buy Christmas treats and homeware and jewellery gifts. Try wreath-making and festive craft workshops and enjoy cooking demos while a DJ spins festive tunes. 9-10 Dec, bowhousefife.com
Meet the reindeers, Kent
Ever wanted to meet a real-life Rudolph or Blitzen? You now have your chance in Dover Market Square. Meet residents of the Bethersden Reindeer Centre, chat with handlers and even feed the magical animals. 9 Dec, whitecliffscountry.org.uk
Whiskey Distillery Christmas market, North Wales
Nothing will warm you up like a Christmas market in Aber Falls, the first whisky distillery in North Wales with more than 100 years of history. Located on the foothills of Snowdonia, in the village of Abergwyngregyn, this festive market will sell local produce and Christmassy treats including whisky-based drinks. 9 Dec, aberfallsdistillery.com
An Evening of Cheese, London
Dive into a gooey brie at Borough Market. Gather expert advice on putting together the perfect festive cheese board at this free-to-enter annual event and take home cheeses from across the world. 13 Dec, boroughmarket.org.uk
Miracle on Leake Street, London
Enjoy the celebrations inside London’s longest graffiti tunnel, located in Waterloo, including free graffiti workshops, wreath-making workshops, face-painting and a Christmas craft market. Plus there’s a cabaret performance, a Santa DJ set anda screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Donations go to Waterloo Foodbank. 15 Dec, leakestreetarches.london
Cambs Youth Panel Christmas Fair, Cambridgeshire
Spreading festive joy in Cambridge is this fair with Christmas films by Enchanted Cinema, musical performances, crafts workshops and a Santa’s Grotto. Fill up on food and drinks from Cambridge’s best food trucks such as wood-fired pizza from Pizza Mondo. 17 Dec, eventbrite.co.uk
Darts Farm Christmas tasting weekend, Devon
Taste food by local artisans from Salcombe Dairy to Sharpham Cheese as well as honey products from the farm. There is also an assault course and play area to occupy the children. 18-19 Dec, dartsfarm.co.uk
Peter Pan Cup, London
If you’re in the Hyde Park area on Christmas Day, make a new tradition by cheering on one of London’s oldest (and most fun) Christmas traditions. The Peter Pan Cup has taken place on Christmas mornings since 1864. You need to be a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club to swim the 100-yard race, starting at 9am, so wrap up and cheer loudly from the river bank. Christmas Day, serpentineswimmingclub.com/our-special-races
