‘Tis the season for twinkling lights and mulled wine. Where better to usher it in than at York Christmas Market? 

Over 75 bauble-decked chalets make up this award-winning fair, selling everything from roasted chestnuts and gin spritzes to handmade candles and Viking drinking horns. However, the Christmas market is not the only draw here. York is an ancient city with a Harry Potter feel, thanks to its gothic cathedral, cobblestone streets and city walls.

Ready to shop? Here’s our guide to this year’s York Christmas Market.

Shambles street in York during Christmas. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexey_Fedoren

When is the York Christmas Market?

Christmas is coming to York from Thursday 14 November to Sunday 22 December 2024. The market will be open every day from 10am to 7pm.

Where is the York Christmas Market located?

This award-winning Christmas market takes over Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square in the heart of York city center.

How to get to York Christmas Market by train?

York is well connected to the rest of the UK by train. London is over 200 miles south, but it’s a relatively quick train ride away (from 1h 45m). Direct trains are also available from Leeds (from 21m), Newcastle (from 54m) and Manchester (from 1h 28m). From York station, the Christmas market is a 10-15-minute walk or short bus ride away.

Christmas tree in central York town square. Image Credit: Getty Images, benedek 

Why is the York Christmas Market famous?

The York Christmas Market is undoubtedly one of the best festive celebrations in the UK. The city itself is over 1,000 years old, encircled by ancient city walls with a 15th-century gothic cathedral called the Minster at its center. Over the holiday season, it’s illuminated by over 160,000 lights. It’s easy to see why it’s an atmospheric spot for a Christmas market. This year, it also won Best Large Speciality Market at the Great British Market Awards. 

Is the York Christmas Market worth visiting?

Yes, 100 percent. The York Christmas Market is a highlight of the year in this corner of England, drawing in over one million visitors. It’s also a super accessible market with a designated quiet period from 10am to 12pm daily, plus its part of the Take A Seat initiative providing for seating those with reduced mobility. 

Best hotels near the York Christmas Market

Sleep inside a piece of York history at the Galtres Lodge Hotel. This 12-room boutique hotel sits inside a former Georgian townhouse. Original oak beams, sash windows and brick fireplaces add to its charm. Book the Romantic Room in the eaves with its copper freestanding bathtub and views of the Minster. The market is three-minutes away on foot. 

Alternatively, splurge on a few nights at The Grand, York’s finest five-star hotel. Rooms range from cozy doubles and family rooms to an opulent penthouse suite. Indulge in a muscle-melting massage at the spa, lap the indoor pool or learn to bake cinnamon buns at the onsite cookery school. The Christmas market is a ten-minute walk across Lendal Bridge.

Apple crisp dessert. Image Credit: Getty Images, vm2002

What foods are popular at the York Christmas Market?

Pies are popular across Great Britain, but Yorkshire is known for its giant Christmas pie, filled with turkey, goose, partridge and hare. Try The Crusty Pie Company's pork and black pudding version at the market. 

Apple crumble is another favorite, the British version of an apple crisp. Think hot cinnamon apple filling with a sugary-oat crust, served with custard. Try yours at Crumbles in York. Wash it down with a sample of Nidhoggr Mead, an ancient honey-based spirit, best served over ice. 

Fun facts about the York Christmas Market

  • York Christmas market has been running for nearly 30 years. It first started in 1997 with just 12 stalls.
  • It used to be called St Nicholas Fair after the patron saint of children and toymakers.
  • 80 percent of traders come from Yorkshire, giving the market an authentic, regional feel.

York Minster Cathedral in York, England. Image Credit: Getty Images, James Osmond

5 things to do in York besides the Christmas market

You can’t visit York without stepping inside the Minster. This enormous 15th-century cathedral is renowned for its beautiful gothic architecture. Admire the vaulted ceilings and glittering medieval stained glass windows, especially the Great East Window which is the largest of its kind in the UK. 

From here, follow the historic city walls, which date back to the Roman period. At two-miles long, they are the longest surviving city walls in England. Soak up excellent views of the city and the Minster. History buffs should also visit the Jorvik Viking Centre to learn about the city in 975 AD; the reconstructed Viking village is a real multisensory experience.

Ready for a sweet treat? Head to York’s Chocolate Story, a museum charting the history of York’s famous chocolate factories. British favorites, like Terry’s Chocolate Orange and KitKats, were first created here — so the shop is worth a visit for this visit alone. Finally, finish with a wander through The Shambles, a storybook alleyway of shops, selling everything from artisan tea to cashmere jumpers.

Ready to embrace the yuletide spirit? Download the Trainline app for cheap train tickets to York as well as live service updates. And see more of our guides to Christmas markets throughout Europe below: 

Festive street with Christmas decorations in York, England. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Shuyu Luo 

Why choose Trainline?

Ready to book your tickets?