As you wander through the winter streets, you can enjoy the glow of festive lights and Worcester Christmas Market stalls. Continue reading for confirmed 2024 dates and opening times.
Worcester Christmas Market 2024
Dates and Location – Confirmed
Worchester Christmas Market dates: 28th November to 1st December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: New Street, Friar Street, Pump Street, High Street, Cornmarket and Cathedral Square.
Opening times:
Thursday: 12pm to 9pm.
Friday: 11am to 9pm.
Saturday: 10am to 8pm.
Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Opening ceremony: Thursday 5th December from 4:45pm to 5:45pm (unconfirmed).
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, some options.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead in outdoor areas.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Victorian-era ambience unique to Worcester. Carousel and fun fair rides. Street entertainment.
Specialities: Worcestershire pork pies; locally brewed cider, traditional plum puddings, freshly baked mince pies.
Where to stay: Boutique By Browns is a highly-rated hotel 5-minutes from event.
Convenient Hotels
If you’re visiting the city, Boutique By Browns is an excellent place to stay because of its location in the city centre and high ratings. The area has many restaurants and shops, making it a convenient base for your visit.
Check out my UK Christmas Markets List to help you plan your trip and discover other winter destinations.
Event Location
Christmas in Worcester
The Christmas market in Worcester, known as the Victorian Christmas Fayre, is a great opening to the Christmas season, presenting a festive event that beautifully evokes the spirit of the Victorian era.
With 200 stalls lining the streets, the market provides a fabulous selection of Christmas goodies, handmade items, and locally sourced food and drink from many local producers.
The atmosphere of the Fayre is further enhanced by the presence of Victorian characters from 150 years ago.
Adding to the festive merriment is a traditional carousel and fun fair, where guests can enjoy the Galloper and other rides to the sound of a barrel organ.
Food Specialties
- Roast Chestnuts: A popular street food snack.
- Mulled Wine: The traditional festive drink.
- Mince Pies: Traditional British mince pies are integral to the festive season.
- Hog Roast Sandwiches: Providing a hearty meal for many market-goers, the hog roast sandwiches at Worcester are renowned. Local pork, slow-roasted and shredded, is piled into a fresh roll with apple sauce and stuffing.
- Stollen: This German Christmas bread is filled with nuts, spices, and dried fruits and often dusted with powdered sugar.
- Fudge: Homemade fudge, available in various flavours from chocolate to classic vanilla, is a must-try.
- Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream: For the young and the young at heart, stalls serve steaming cups of hot chocolate, often topped with whipped cream, a marshmallow, or a sprinkle of cocoa.
- Sausage Rolls: These savoury pastries are made with flaky puff pastry and filled with seasoned pork, spinach and feta.
- Cheese Toasties with Local Cheeses: These toasties are a beloved vegetarian option made with locally sourced cheeses.
- Candied Nuts: Like almonds or pecans coated in crunchy caramelised sugar.
- Traditional Ale and Cider: Stalls serve traditional British ales and ciders, including options from Worcester’s own breweries.
- Vegan Gingerbread: A festive treat for those following a plant-based diet.
- Pretzels: A nod to the international influence, classic salted pretzels are available.
- Bratwurst Sausages: Bringing a taste of Germany to Worcester.
- Artisanal Jams and Chutneys: Local producers often sell their handmade jams and chutneys, including festive cranberry sauce or spiced apple chutney.
- Tea and Scones: A true British classic, some stalls serve tea with scones, clotted cream and jam.
- Gluten-Free Pastries: For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free pastries and treats are usually available.
Gifts and Stocking Fillers
- Wooden Ornaments: Local artisans often showcase their woodworking skills by creating unique wooden ornaments.
- Locally Produced Honey: Vendors from the region present their locally sourced and produced honey. Packed in beautifully designed jars, it can be a sweet gift or stocking filler.
- Worcester Porcelain: Renowned for its quality, look out for decorative plates, figurines, or tea sets.
- Soap and Bath Products: For a pampering present, handmade soaps, bath bombs, and lotions use natural ingredients and essential oils.
- Traditional British Tweed: Hats, scarves, and bags.
- Cheese Selections: A curated selection of artisanal cheeses from Worcester and nearby regions makes for a popular gourmet gift.
- Wrought Iron Decorations: Unique decorative items like candle holders, wall art, and garden ornaments.
- Local Ale and Cider Gift Sets: Reflecting Worcester’s brewing tradition, gift sets of local ale and cider can be found, often complemented with branded glasses or other accessories.
- Jewellery: Handmade earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, often crafted with semi-precious stones or unique materials.
- Christmas Pudding and Cake: Traditional Christmas puddings and cakes, made using local recipes and ingredients, are often available pre-packaged to gift.
- Knitted Scarves and Mittens: Perfect for the winter season, hand-knitted scarves and mittens in various designs and colours can be a cosy gift.
- Children’s Toys: Wooden toys, puzzles, and dolls dressed in Victorian attire.
- Garden Decor: Garden decorations like wind chimes, bird feeders, or planters.
- Vintage Books and Prints: Selection of vintage books, maps, and prints related to Worcester’s history and culture.
- Specialty Tea Blends: Packaged in festive tins or elegant boxes.
- Scented Candles: Hand-poured scented candles with fragrances inspired by Christmas or the local landscape, presented in decorative jars.
- Local Art: Paintings, sketches, or photographs showcasing Worcester’s scenic beauty.
Sustainability Tips
- Eco hotels: Many local businesses are working towards greener practices, including renewable energy. Support these places where possible.
- Minimise Food Waste: Enjoying the local culinary delights is part of the experience, but it’s important to be mindful of food waste. Be aware of portion sizes when ordering at food stalls, and consider sharing larger dishes with your travel companions to reduce waste.
- Shop Ethically: When shopping for gifts at the Fayre, choose products made by local artisans using sustainable materials.
- Sustainable Diets: You can make choices that reflect a sustainable diet even when indulging in the market’s treats. Choose plant-based options, such as trying the vegan pastries at some food stalls or choosing an apple cider over a meat-based snack.
- Transport: Consider walking, cycling, or public transport to explore Worcester. Bus routes connect the city centre well, and numerous bike rental services are available.
If you want to leave a Xmas Market review, comment below.
—
Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Worcester, UK. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply