Top 10 things to do in Christmas Market York 2024
There is no doubt that worldwide, Europeans are well-known on how to celebrate Christmas, no wonder as European nations compete to present the best and most authentic Christmas markets, and who doesn’t like a good Christmas market where the cinnamon, mulled wines and hot chocolate smells blends into the icy air of cold festive December!
Been lucky living in this charismatic and old continent, I have been privileged to visit some of the good Christmas Markets And events, perhaps the cities of choice are not among the most popular ones, but nevertheless it is full of authenticity and real Christmas vibes that is attracting the locals of those countries.
Christmas Markets in England
Almost every city and town in England hosts Christmas Markets that usually run between mid of November until Christmas Eve. Christmas is really big in England, people loves celebrating Christmas and Christmas decorations could be seen everywhere you go. Probably the famous Oxford street light decorations and the annual Christmas theme reveal of the well-known Selfridges located on Oxford Street in London.
As much as I love London and it is a must-do destination when visiting England, I will take you to explore a different Christmas market, that is only 2 hours by train from London, this place is called York, it is the place where I lived for nearly 8 years, as it is a beautiful small and historic small city located north of London and famous for being the most west capital of the Romans back in time!
Why York Christmas Market, here are the top 10 Reasons to visit York Christmas Market:
First: Classed as one of the top 10 Christmas Markets in the UK! Located in the city centre, you will find lots of cute little alleys, that probably remind you of Harry Potter Diagon Alley! Those alleys are filled with local shops and food vans and lots and lots of Christmas decorations.
Second: It is just under 2 hours by train from London, which makes it perfect for a day trip. Just make sure you book the train tickets in advance to get good train ticket deals.
TIP: Every Thursday during the month of December, York holds late-night shopping where most of the shops trade until 10:00pm, so make sure you prepare your wallet for some serious shopping!
Third: Due to York being in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun sets during the Christmas month close to 3:30 pm which gives Christmas lights another dimension of magic in the early evenings.
Fourth: York is a small city with lots of local attractions centred around the city centre and close to the Christmas Market, you could have a stroll by the river Ouse and enjoy a nice drink from one of the many local and quirky coffee shops or pubs
What are the best museums in UK outside London?
Fifth: York host the best of two museums in the UK outside London, why not plan your visit to the National Rail Museum, where the entrance is free and it is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the train station. The National Rail Museum, displays the history of trains and the rail in the UK and the old trains for the Royal Family, get ready for some bling bling factor!
The other key museum that is located inside the city centre is the Jorvik Viking Centre Museum, which provides an interactive experience that is family-friendly and suitable for all ages for the history of the Viking in the city of York. My personal highlight of the museum is the smell throughout the place, as they imitate the actual past smells of the Vikings into the museum, and surly you do not want to miss this experience!
Sixth: The Christmas market of York is a suitable market for everyone, where families and adults will have the best memories, filled with individual sellers and unique products of the Yorkshire Region, with lots of free activities, just check the Visit York website for all the events happening, as some events you may need to book well in advance to have guarantee seats!
York Chocolate History
Seventh: Did you know that Smarties Chocolate, was originally made and created in the city of York? Once you disembark from the train station, you may be lucky and smell the hot cocoa smell engulfing the air of the city!
York is really big in chocolates and you will find lots of immersive experiences to make your own delicious chocolate bar using finest cocoa beans, which makes it one of the best activities to do during the festive season.
Why you not to enjoy a mug of delicious hot chocolate while walking and exploring York Christmas Market. Some of the best Chocolate places I personally recommend in York are these 2 places, make sure you book the chocolate-making experience, as this is one not to be missed:
First one: York Chocolate Story– best for both children and adults, you will be loaded with lots of chocolates by the end of the tour. Warning! Not suitable for those trying to watch their waistline!
Second one: York Cocoa House is the best for Hot chocolate drinks and my personal favourite drink and chocolate bar is the Dark Hot Chocolate 90%, it’s really rich in texture and will fill you up for many hours without feeling the guilt of sugar consumption!
Top Attractions in York:
Eighth: One of the most important attractions in York is York Minster, it is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe, and it is located at the heart of the city centre, the building is so charming and massive, which makes it a key attraction to visit any time of the year, and during Christmas time, it definitely turns to a magical place.
Bar Walls York
Ninth: one of the attractions at York City Centre and you could visit during the Christmas season, is the City Bar Walls, those are walls built in the 13th century and they surround the city centre. They are the most completed walls in England, and at 3.4Km length, you will get the chance to wander around the city and explore the main areas of the Bars and the City of York.
Around the walls there are many cafes to stop and enjoy a hot warm drink for a quick rest in between.
Cool places to eat in York during Christmas Season
Tenth: for me, it wouldn’t be an experience if you don’t visit the Shambles Market in York and have a bite and a drink there, loaded with unique food vans and places to sit, it makes the Shambles Market a must-see destination in York, also located at the heart of the city and cannot be missed.
Shambles | Medieval Street in York | Visit York
Shambles Diagon Alley
Bonus Tip: Because it is one of the most preserved medieval shopping centre in Europe and the UK with its cobbles street and unique building designs, it is believed that the Shambles Market was the inspiration behind the famous Diagon Alley from Harry Potter’s movie, and therefore, it is filled with unique magical shops selling magical products, some of which you have to queue for!
Thor Tipi Tent
Another cool places to eat, if you prefer indoors and warm seating areas, York is a key host for Tipi Tents during the festive season, there is usually one placed in Parliament street at the City Centre, THOR’S Tipi Bar – York, Parliament St (thorstipi.com) and another one on the grounds of the Principle Hotel located just as you step outside the train station THOR’S Tipi Bar – York, Principal Hotel Gardens (thorstipi.com)
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