Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market & Craft Fair
17 Nov to 23 Dec 2011
Hours: 10:00 to 21:00
Victoria Square and New Street
Visit 180 picturesque stalls at this traditional German Christmas market, enjoy the feel of a small village within the heart of the bustling city centre.

Winter Wonderland at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
10 Nov 2011 to 22 Feb 2012
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00
Sundays: 10:00 to 19:00
This outdoor Christmas market at Cribbs Causeway features 21 small wooden chalets outside The Mall. A range of traditional German handicrafts, as well as mulled wine and food is on offer. Also 135 of your favourite shops open till 10pm every weekday evening.

Belfast Christmas Continental Market
29 Nov to 19 Dec 2011
Hours: Mon to Wed 10am - 8pm, Thurs to Sat 10am - 10pm, Sun 1pm - 6pm
The City Hall grounds come alive with dozens of market stalls offering a stunning range of crafts, food and decorations from across Europe, and beyond, to delight the Christmas shopper seeking original gifts. More than 750,000 people visited the market last year - and this year it promises to be even bigger and better than ever with traders from as far afield as the North Pole, Asia, Africa and the United States.

 London street on 24 December

Caerphilly Medieval Christmas Fayre
10 Dec to 11 Dec 2011
The Caerphilly Christmas Market has a medieval flavour. This Christmas Market in Caerphilly is set in front of the imposing backdrop of the castle. This Xmas market in Caerphilly attracts around 90 stall holders and is popular for it's extensive entertainment and activities. (Wales)

Annual Craft Fair at the Forum - Norwich
5 Dec to 24 Dec 2011
Norwich’s festive fayre takes to the streets in front of City Hall and in and around The Forum with more than 80 stalls offering the perfect gifts for Christmas. Discover a wide selection of high quality Norfolk crafts from handmade jewellery, soaps and stained glass to Christmas decorations, textiles, cards and unusual household items. Sample the delights of French, Italian, Polish and German food, wine and delicious home-made sweets. Explore Norwich market under a sea of multi-coloured roofs where products range from exotic spices to useful house wares on more than 160 stalls.

Bankside Frost Fair - Southbank
18 Dec to 24 Dec 2011
Times: Mon - Wed 10:00 - 19:00, Thurs - Sat 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 6:00
Every December the Bankside riverside between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges will come alive as London’s largest free winter festival recreates the tradition of the medieval fairs held on the frozen river - with Husky dog sledding, a larger than ever winter market with over 70 stalls, a variety of music and entertainment, street theatre, adult and children’s participatory workshops, ice sculptures, a drinks marquee serving mulled wine and ale and festive food to keep you warm.

Oxford Christmas Market
2 Dec to 18 Dec 2011
Hours: Thur – Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun – Wed 10:00 – 18:00
Oxford celebrates Christmas with its annual Christmas Market at the stunning Oxford Castle. People of all ages will get together to enjoy the magical and festive atmosphere of the German-style Christmas Market.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market & Ice-rink
24 Nov to 21 Dec 2011
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Ice Rink: 24 Nov – 31 Dec
The Christmas Market is situated within the historic Inner Close at the foot of Winchester Cathedral providing a wonderfully unique and memorable experience.

Liverpool Christmas Markets
25 Nov to 21 December 2010
Throughout the city centre in Lord St, Paradise St, Whitechapel, Church St, Richmond St, Houghton St, Elliot St and Parker St.
Liverpool is set to stage one of the biggest Christmas markets in the country this year. Stallholders will bring a variety of festive arts & crafts, decorations and jewellery to accompany the ever popular delights of a Continental Christmas with the licensed bar selling Glühwein, German beers and other seasonal specialties such as bratwurst and crepes.

Leeds Christkindelmarkt Traditional German Christmas Market
11 Nov to 18 Dec 2011
Hours: 10:30 to 21:00 Mon - Sat and 10:30 to 20:00 Sun
Millennium Square
‘Christkindelmarkt’, Leeds is one of the largest and most established German Christmas Markets in the UK. This Xmas market in Leeds is located in the Millennium Square. Visitors are urged to visit this authentic Christmas Market in Leeds.

Glasgow Traditional Christmas Market
20 Nov to 23 Dec 2011
Hours: Mon to Wed 10:00 - 19:00, Thur to Sat 10:00 - 20:00, Sun and Holidays 11:00 - 18:00
The Glasgow Christmas Market will take place in the city centre on St. Enoch Square. This traditional Christmas Market in Glasgow will attract traders from all over ther world.

Oxford Street, London
On 10 & 11 December 2011 Oxford Street and Regent Street will be traffic-free to celebrate Shop West End VIP weekend, the festive shopping extravaganza.
General Oxford Street opening times:
Mon to Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Thur 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00
This centrally located site, situated between Bond Street and Marble Arch underground stations, has one of the most magical festive backdrops – the Oxford Street Christmas lights the heart of the world’s busiest shopping street.

Durham City Christmas Festival
2 December 2011, 10:00 - 18:00
3 December 2011, 9:00 - 17:00
4 December 2011, 10:00 - 4:30
The Durham City Christmas Festival shows off our beautiful City to its best - cobbled streets, with the sound of entertainers plenty, reindeer in the Market Place, childrens lantern procession, carols for all in the Cathedral, fire juggling as twilight sets over the Market Place, as well as over 150 quality craft, gift and gourmet food stalls in a huge marquee on Palace Green offering that extra special something as a Christmas gift.

Hyde Park, London - Winter Wonderland
19 Nov 2011 to 3 Jan 2012
Open 10-10 everyday
This Christmas Market in London will be known as Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. With around 40 German-style wooden chalets this London Christmas Market will appeal to all who enjoy the atmosphere of a German Christmas Market.

Cheltenham Christmas Market
18 Nov to 4 Dec 2011
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 Mon – Wed, 10:00 – 20:00 Thur – Sat, 11:00 – 17:00 Sun
Now in its eighth year, 2010 offers an excellent opportunity for those with an eye for quality to experience one of the best Christmas markets in the United Kingdom. A huge range of newly designed wooden chalets selling a wide range of festive crafts and gifts is situated inthe beautiful setting of Cheltenham Promenade.

Christmas Market - Newcastle Gateshead
7 to 11 December 2011, from 11:00 to 16:00
Grey’s Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Old Eldon Square.
With the famous city centre backdrop there are over 50 stalls showcasing many local traders with a wide variety of original hand crafted gifts, and tasty treats. Traders sell everything from alpaca hats and gloves to boozy Christmas cake, cheeses, delicious jams, beautiful glassware and gorgeous jewellery.

Bath Christmas Market
24 Nov to 11 Dec 2011
Bath Christmas Market is located in front of the imposing Bath Abbey. The popularity of the Christmas Market in Bath continues to grow. This Christmas Market in Bath has 123 stall holders selling quality seasonal gifts and produce.

Cologne Christmas Market at Southbank Centre/London Eye
21 Nov to 23 Dec 2011
Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
This Cologne Christmas Market is located on the Southbank adjacent to the London Eye. It will attract numerous stallholders all selling unusual and high quality gifts. The centrepiece of this Christmas Market in London, Southbank will be a beautiful, traditional carousel.

Lightwater Shopping Village (Ripon) Dickensian Festival
1 Dec to 4 Dec 2011
10:00 – 17:00 daily
Now firmly established as one of North Yorkshire’s foremost Christmas festivals, the Lightwater Shopping Village Dickensian event just keeps getting bigger and better every year. With over 75 stalls selling a huge range of high quality contemporary and traditional merchandise, as well as special Christmas displays from our permanent outlets, why not come along and soak up the enchanting atmosphere?

Canterbury Traditional Christmas Market
18 Nov to 24 Dec 2011
Hours: Mon to Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Thur until 20:00, Sun and Holidays 10:00 – 22:00
This small Christmas Market in Canterbury is located just inside the old city walls not far from the cathedral. Canterbury Christmas Market is a traditional German style ideal for visitors who want the authentic experience without having to travel to Germany.

Manchester Christmas Markets
17 Nov to 21 Dec 2011
European Christmas Market, Albert Square: 10:00 - 21:00 daily
Opening Times and locations for all other markets: November 10:00 - 19:30, December 10:00 - 20:00
Weekend Market, King Street: Thursday - Sunday 10:00 - 19:00
Every year the Christmas Markets transform the City with their charming wooden chalets. While you browse the bustling stalls, soaking up the atmosphere beneath the twinkling lights you cannot help but get wrapped in the Christmas spirit! Download the print guide. For maps and more information, visit www.manchestermarkets.com.

Sheffield Christmas Market
23 Nov to 24 Dec 2011
Fargate, Sheffield City Centre
The Sheffield Craft markets offer a great selection of things a little out of the ordinary, from handmade jewellery and carvings, to clothing and artwork.  There is something there for everyone and you will find the traders have a wealth of knowledge about the products they are selling.

Nottingham: Christmas craft, Fine Food and Frankfurt German markets

Old Market Square, Nottingham
23 Nov - 24 Dec 2011
Pick up traditional food and crafts, then enjoy a glass of Glühwein at the German market located in Long Row, Smithy Row and in front of the Council House. Christmas cakes and cookies, smoked sausages, traditional wooden toys, nutcrackers, lanterns, waffles, candied fruit, jewellery, glass and lots more.

Wollaton Hall Christmas Craft fair is located in both Wollaton Hall and the stunning backdrop of the ELizabethan mansion's courtyard. Browse amongst the array of colourful, festive stalls selling everything from crafts to traditional christmas food.

York International Christmas Fayre
3 - 18 December 2011
Open daily from 9:00 till late
Parliament Street, York
York's Parliament Street offers a festive market with a global edge in the lead up to Christmas. Following the success of its inaugural visit in 08, the International Christmas Fayre returns with its modern festive atmosphere bringing gifts, smells and tastes from around the world. Liveried chefs offer the best in continental fayre for your Christmas larder, along with tasty snacks and warming gluhwein to fuel your festive shopping expedition!

Petya Vetseva/Expatica

Photo credits: teamaskins; ell brown