Hands up, who’s still not been to Birmingham’s Christmas Market yet? Well, luckily, you’ve still got seven weeks left to go, but with the quietest days quickly approaching, you’d better act fast—one of the UK’s best Christmas markets, the Frankfurt Market, is a must-visit for all festive fans, not just Brummies.
Merrymakers will be training, flying and driving all over the country to check out the best Christmas markets in the UK over the next two months. With millions expected in the Second City to check out the official best Christmas market in England, just missing out on the UK top spot to Edinburgh.
THIS is the definitive festive getaway bucket list, this year, as a recent study by European travel specialist Tollwayr has ranked the UK’s best Christmas markets for 2025. The study analysed factors including days open, hotel costs, and the number of Instagram and TikTok posts, to identify the most memorable experience.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market takes the crown for the UK’s best Christmas market with an overall score of 7.73/10. It is the UK’s second-longest-running market, offering 51 days of festive cheer, plus plenty of photo opportunities, with over 58,000 Instagram posts and 4,368 TikTok posts.
Meanwhile, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market ranks second with a score of only 5.65/10. The longest-running of any UK market at an impressive 54 days, it also boasts the lowest average nightly price for 3-star hotels (£56), making it the most budget-friendly Christmas Market stay on the list.
Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Tollwayr, commented on the findings: “The most interesting thing we’ve seen is how value plays such a key role in the rankings. Birmingham offers the longest market season… making it ideal for families, couples, school groups, and friends looking to make the most of their festive budget without compromising on the authentic market experience.”
Finally, London’s Winter Wonderland secures third place with a score of 3.31/10, and a generous run of 49 days. It’s the fourth-most-searched market, with 16,000 Google searches, making it a popular choice for those looking for something to do in the Capital. Others in the list include Nottingham, Glasgow and Manchester.
The UK’s Top 10 Christmas Markets of 2025:
- Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Birmingham Christmas Market
- London Winter Wonderland
- Nottingham Christmas Market
- Glasgow’s St Enoch Square Christmas Market
- Winchester Christmas Market
- Manchester Christmas Markets
- York St. Nicholas Fair
- Bath Christmas Market
- Oxford Christmas Market