The best Christmas markets in Bristol and beyond

Buying Christmas gifts for friends and family is made all the better with a mulled wine in hand and a dusting of snow on the rooftops of wooden chalets. Here are some of the best markets to visit this festive season if you want to keep things local, handmade and extra special.

Nov 10-Dec 24
Broadmead Christmas Markets

As the Christmas lights are switched on, the Christmas markets will open in style, with a magical festival atmosphere and over 40 wooden chalet-style stalls full of unique gift ideas. Many are handmade and Fairtrade. It’s also a great place to eat and drink, with the Jägerbarn bar and beer garden.

Nov 13-Dec 24
St Nicholas Christmas markets
Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ

The various markets around The Corn Exchange are home to more than 60 independent businesses that have everything you’ll need this Christmas. Expect to find unique gifts, original fashion, hand-crafted accessories and delicious food, both indoors and outdoors, as the market opens every day in the lead up to the big day.

Nov 16-Dec 17
Exeter Christmas Market

Visit Exeter this Christmas for the wonderfully atmospheric Christmas market on Cathedral Green, and shop for unique and artisan gifts from local retailers. Exeter Philharmonic Choir and the Cathedral Choir will hold candlelit carol concerts in the Cathedral itself in the run up to Christmas, with doors opening on November 7-8 for a winter fair of over 60 stalls.

Weekends from Nov 25-Dec 24
Bristol Harbourside Christmas Market
1 Canon’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5UH

With an expansion in size this year, the Harbourside Christmas market is going all-out with festive decorations everywhere, bustling bars selling mulled drinks and live bands with covered seating to watch from. Of course, as well as all this there will be a maker’s market, full of all things creative, and a street food market stuffed with great produce.

Nov 25 & Dec 2, 9 & 16
Made in Bristol Gift Fair
Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Colston Hall will turn into a glittering gift emporium, full of Bristol’s most talented artists and artisans, as the Made in Bristol Gift Fair returns for its ninth year. Find more than 200 stalls, from jewellers to toy-makers, glass-makers to weavers, and this year there will also be an outdoor food market, curated by Love Food, to bring you the best of the region’s foodie gifts too.

Dec 1-22
Bzzaar Christmas Makers Market
47 Picton Street, BS6 5QA

A brilliant pop-up makers market offering ceramics, zines, illustrations, prints, original pieces, jewellery, textiles, flowers, plants and more, all handmade by a team of exceptional creatives.

Dec 1-23
Bristol Bazaar Christmas Pop-Up Shop
The Island, BS1 2LE

Festive selling exhibition featuring 50 Bristol-based artists, designers and makers. “A pop-up shop in Bristol curiously curated entirely with Bristol based artists, designers and makers. Providing everything you need to dazzle the ones you love, whilst supporting the city’s famous creative community. “From ceramics to artist prints, and glittering jump suits to underpants, all made with passion; objects of beauty, quality and flavour!”
Mon-Sat 10am-8pm/Sun 11am-4pm.

Dec 2 & 3
Christmas Easton Art Trail
Various venues, BS5

Think local when you’re doing your shopping, and buy straight from the artists, makers and creative types that Bristol makes such a natural home for. Doors around BS5 will open throughout the weekend, with an amazing array of products available.

Dec 3, 10am-4pm
Arnos Vale Christmas market
Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, BS4 3EW

With free entry all day, this one-off market day will display talent from many local craft and produce suppliers. With a fireside and ice theme, there will be Christmas story sessions and festive refreshments to keep you topped up and feeling good all day long.

Dec 9
SouthBank Club’s Christmas Market
SouthBank Club, Dean Lane, Bristol, BS3 1DB

Step into the warmth and enjoy this eclectic one-day market. There will be live music from local bands, a bar and hot snacks, as well as stalls selling all sorts of fashion, craft, prints, books, clothes, toys and soft furnishings. The venue is accessible and children and families are welcome.

Dec 9
Bristol Viva! Vegan Festival
Bristol Student Union, Richmond Building, 105 Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1LN

Over 100 vendors will attend this festive bazaar, selling everything from vegan food to cruelty-free cosmetics. Expect cooking demos, workshops, plenty of food and drink to sample, a free kid’s craft area, information about going, being or staying vegan and all things Christmassy.

Dec 9
Southville Christmas market
Southville Centre, Bristol, BS3 1QG

A one-day market celebrating the plethora of creative talent in south Bristol. With the emphasis squarely on everything local, you’ll be able to pick up original gifts for all the family, and support Bristol’s artisan makers in the process.

Dec 16
Little Elves Festive Fair
Redland Park United Reformed Church, Bristol, BS6 6SA

A Christmas fair for the whole family, in support of CLIC Sargent. Little ones can write a litter to Santa, visit his grotto and tell him their Christmas wishes in person, and make tree decorations, gift tags and cards in the craft area. For grown-ups, there will be traditional stalls, games and sparkly refreshments.

Various dates and locations
German Christmas markets

For a truly authentic Bavarian market, gluhwein and bratwust, you can’t beat a trip to the continent. Germany’s Christmas markets are as varied as they are spectacular, and you’re spoiled for choice if you fly from Bristol. From Munich’s giant 15-metre tall Christmas tree, to Dusseldorf’s famous Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Germany is within reach as bmi regional one-way fares from Bristol start from £85.