Inspiration, Tips and Advice
Five Crafty Christmas Markets to Visit in 2025
With the festive season fast approaching, you may be planning to visit a few Christmas markets to get you into the spirit. There are hundreds of markets to choose from across the UK, from huge events like London’s Winter Wonderland to smaller, artisan Christmas craft markets.
These markets are a great place to shop for gifts, support independent makers, and get the festive feeling!
As a creative bunch, we can’t resist a Christmas craft fair, so we’ve put together a list of five Christmas craft markets for you to visit this season.
Table of contents
Top five Christmas craft markets
Prepare your Christmas craft market stall
Christmas market history
Every year, millions of people visit major cities and local markets to soak up the festive atmosphere, shop for gifts, eat, drink and be merry!
The earliest Christmas markets took place in European cities such as Munich and Frankfurt. However, Vienna’s market is thought to be the oldest, having first been held around 1294.
But did you know the first UK Christmas market was in Lincoln? It was first held in 1982, after Council leaders Jim Sullivan, Bob Hodson and Charles Ireland visited Lincoln’s twin town, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse in Germany.
Impressed by Neustadt’s Christmas markets, the councillors set up their own Christmas market, consisting of only 11 stalls. Lincoln Christmas market ran for over 40 years before being permanently cancelled in 2023.
Without Lincoln paving the way, who knows if we’d have all the amazing markets to choose from that we do now? Fortunately, there are hundreds up and down the country to explore. So without further ado, here are our top five Christmas craft markets to visit this season!
Top five Christmas craft markets
1. Yarm Christmas Makers Market
When: Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, 10am – 3pm
Where: Worsall Village Hall, Yarm, North Yorkshire, TS15 9QB
Entry: £1.50, kids free.
Additional information: Free parking. Wheelchair accessible. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Cash and card accepted across the event.
The popular Yarm Makers Market makes a return for the 2025 festive season. Enjoy an excellent line up of over 30 makers, designers, artists and small businesses from Teesside, North Yorkshire and beyond. Yarm’s Christmas Makers Market is the perfect place to shop for thoughtful gifts for loved ones while enjoying the scenic village setting and soaking up the festive atmosphere. There will also be a pop-up cafe serving a range of warming drinks and treats.
Image credit: Tees Valley Combined Authority
2. Christmas Markets at Calke Abbey
When: Various dates between 28th and 23rd December, 10am – 6:30pm. See the National Trust website for exact dates.
Where: Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, DE73 7JF
Entry: Free entry to the markets, normal admission fees apply for the venue.
Additional information: Meeting point at The Riding School. Dogs are welcome on a short lead.
This fantastic Christmas craft market takes place at Riding School on the historic site of Calke Abbey in Derbyshire. Expect handmade crafts, local foods and festive refreshments. Visitors can enjoy the 600-acre parkland, walled garden, outdoor play areas and the Baroque-style mansion known as the “un-stately home”.
Image credit: National Trust/Dennis Richardson
3. Rainham Hall Christmas Art and Craft Fair
When: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, 11am – 4pm
Where: Rainham Hall, The Broadway, Havering, London, RM13 9YN
Entry: Free
Additional information: No booking required. Children of all ages welcome with families. Accessible by lift.
Join local artists and makers at The Hayloft and get into the festive spirit with the art and craft fair. Enjoy a visit to the cafe for a break from your crafty Christmas shopping, or explore the relaxed community garden space, second-hand bookshop and the elegant Georgian House.
Image credit: National Trust/Chris Sparrow
4. The Glasshouse Christmas Market
When: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December, 10am – 4pm
Where: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
Entry: Free – no ticket required.
Browse a selection of handmade gifts, artisan food and drinks and crafty creations from local designers and makers. Find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list in the magnificent setting of The Glasshouse, one of the North East’s most iconic music venues.
Image credit: The Glasshouse
5. Rougham Estate Arts & Crafts Fair
When: Various dates throughout November and December, 10am – 4pm. See the Rougham Estate website for exact dates.
Where: Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham, Burt St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9HZ
Entry: Advance tickets available online for £2.50, or £3.00 on the door. Age 16 and under go free. Season tickets are available for entry to all dates at £10 for an advance online ticket, or £12 on the door.
Additional information: Assistance dogs only, card and cash accepted. Free parking available.
Rougham Estate’s Arts and Crafts Fair is brimming with independent designers and makers in a rustic, medieval barn setting. Enjoy the festivities and shop an excellent selection of creative gifts, from weaving, ceramics, glassware and metalwork to natural beauty products, jewellery, books, food and drinks and much more. Whether you are shopping for the perfect gift or ensuring you’re the host with the most, this Christmas craft fair has something for everyone.
Image credit: Rougham Estate
Prepare your Christmas craft market stall with Printed.com
At Printed.com, we can help you make your stall stand out at this year’s Christmas markets. Our Christmas Print Store features everything you need to make a great impression. With everything from custom Banners and Display Boards to branded Tablecloths and Light Boxes, our collection helps your brand stand out from the rest.
Related articles
Christmas Card Design Inspo: Get Festive With Style!
Mastering Corporate Christmas Gifts
Christmas Cards For Businesses That Customers Will Be Happy to See
About the author
When Ellie's not busy crafting content, you will find her at a gig, knitting or crocheting!
