10 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in the UK

Bath is beautiful at any time of year, but Christmas is truly magical. With sparkling lights, festive events, and independent shopping options, it’s hard not to feel the festive spirit here. Bath Christmas Market is one of the best spots for Christmas shopping with unique, artisan gifts made by local businesses.

Many of Bath’s most iconic landmarks open their doors to host exclusive holiday events. Take to the ice in Royal Victoria Park to get lost in a winter wonderland complete with an alpine bar or spend a day at one of the National Trust properties to meet Father Christmas himself. If you need space to relax after all the festive fun, Bath is well equipped with luxury spas.

If you visit London at Christmas, you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of festive activities. A great place to start is the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland which features merry markets, over 100 rides, and live shows. The dark nights mean lights truly shine, as you’ll see if you visit Kew Gardens with its 1 million lights sparkling in the trees and glittering tunnel of bells.

London is also a great place to watch some of your favourite festive films at the Luna Drive-In Cinema or even the Royal Albert Hall. You could experience a traditional British pantomime at the West End. Whatever you do, make sure you stop by the Miracle at Henrietta Hotel for a Christmas themed drink.

Edinburgh at Christmas is synonymous with the Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens where you’ll find gift stalls, street food, mulled drinks, and fairground rides. Another Christmas icon is The Dome, a restaurant and bar, where the Neoclassical ‘Greco-Roman’ pillars are decked in lights and a Christmas tree stretches to the ceiling.

If you’re travelling to the Scottish capital with children, make sure you visit the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens Light Trail where music, lasers, and a tunnel of light transform the gorgeous gardens. Afterwards, you can warm up with a monster marshmallow hot chocolate nearby from The Marshmallow Lady café.

All of Cardiff’s landmarks step it up another level to get into the Christmas spirit and Cardiff Castle is no exception with an undercover ice rink and ice walk, suitable for all ages. The festive spirit continues at the City Hall Lawns’ Winter Wonderland, which includes the Sur La Piste alpine bar, the Ice Bar (where everything is made of ice), and the family fairground.

If you’re visiting Wales’ capital to do some Christmas shopping, head to the Christmas Market where you’ll find original work at every stall including jewellery, textiles, wooden gifts, and artwork. The Cardiff Indoor Market, City of Arcades, and St David’s Dewi Sant are also great shopping spots with both family-owned businesses and big brands.

Home to Frankfurt Christmas Market, the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria, Birmingham, West Midlands, is guaranteed to get you excited about Christmas. This market is the place to enjoy glühwein (mulled wine), schnitzels, stollen, pretzels, and bratwurst. It also includes an ice rink and Ferris wheel.

You’ll also find Winter Funland, the largest indoor Christmas funfair in the UK, in Birmingham. With funfair rides, ice skating, and fairground snacks, this is a great activity for kids and the young at heart. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a more romantic option, book one of Gas Street Social’s hangout igloos, complete with fairy lights, blankets, and great food.

Christmas in Aviemore is like escaping to a charming Scandinavian village. Head to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre to meet a wild herd of friendly yet mischievous reindeer. There are lots of other activities for children to enjoy such as wildlife exhibits and the “Elf house,” featuring miniature toys and beds, and Christmas activities and quizzes.

Aviemore also hosts an annual Santa Run and a Christmas Parade, which takes place on Christmas Eve, where you’ll see Santa and his reindeer, festive floats, fireworks, and pipers. In the Spey Valley you can also head to the slopes and ski or board your way down, assuming there’s a good snow season.

All aboard the Santa Special Train – take an enchanting voyage through the Irwell Valley which includes Christmas characters, carols, festive treats, and a visit from the big man himself. Families will also enjoy the Lightopia at Heathon Park, an illuminated trail with interactive exhibits and immersive light installations. You can find more magical light displays at RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Adults don’t need to fret as there are also plenty of Christmas treats just for them. Escape to Winter Island with its rooftop ice rink for stunning views across the city and try your hand at a wreath making workshop. Manchester centre is also home to the Backyard Cinema, an immersive cinema experience which will transport you to a different world.

Christmas in Keswick, Cumbria, is like nowhere else. Not only does it look beautiful, it’s also home to several independent retailers and galleries selling gorgeous and unique gifts. The town centre is compact so you can easily wander the streets for that all important present, just don’t forget to stop for a hot chocolate to warm up along the way.

Keswick also has some unusual festive experiences. Visit the Wordsworth Grasmere and go back in time 200 years to enjoy Georgian Christmas traditions including garland making, gingerbread decorating, and Cumbrian step dancing. If you’re a dog lover, don’t miss the legendary Deck the Howls Christmas Dog Walk complete with dog treats, prizes for the best dressed dog, and mulled wine for humans.

Lego plus Christmas equals a dream come true. When you arrive in Legoland Windsor, the first things you’ll see are the giant Duplo Christmas trees which offer the perfect backdrop for a festive family photo. You’ll also be amazed by the Lego Santas, built with thousands of the little bricks.

Around a 1-hour drive from London, exploring Legoland will turn up all the usual rides and entertainment, but you’ll also get oodles of festive scenes in Miniland where your little ones will be able to take part in holiday activities and Lego builds. To make the most of your visit, consider the Festive Sleepover to enjoy an overnight stay in a Lego-themed room complete with evening entertainment.

An old fishing village in North Devon has become one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in the UK thanks to its beautiful Christmas traditions. Make sure you’re in town for the annual light switch-on where a parade is led by a local brass band and carols are sung. You can enjoy a hog roast and Christmas grog as you marvel at the entire village and harbour lighting up the night.

Clovelly is perched on a 400-ft. cliff and is known for its cobbled streets and charming cottages. A break away in a cosy cottage with a roaring fire is the perfect way to switch off and relax if you’re after a quieter Christmas this year.