York is so much more than The Shambles, the famous cobblestone street lined with half-timbered houses. The city is filled with iconic attractions like York Minster and Clifford’s Tower.
York Christmas Market, also called St. Nicholas Fair, is the winter highlight. This is one of the UK’s most popular markets. Read on for confirmed 2024 dates and tips for planning your visit.
York Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
York Christmas market dates: 14th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in April. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the city’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
Opening times: 10am to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Take a city highlights walking tour.
Public transport: Bus stop – Museum Street or Piccadilly.
Parking: York Park & Ride is available for £3.60 return per adult. Shuttle buses are every 12 minutes.
Travel tips: Explore one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals.
Where to stay: Galtres Lodge is a small, locally-owned hotel near St Sampson’s Square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Switch-on date is 14th November (unconfirmed), from 12pm to 9pm.
Santa: Yes, Santa’s Grotto
Ice skating: Yes, at Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet.
Reason to Visit: The historic Shambles and the vintage carousel on Kings Square.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: International Food Court.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not advised.
Convenient Hotels
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in York, Galtres Lodge is a 2-minute walk to St Sampson’s Square making it the closest hotel to the markets.
Alternatively, you might prefer Hotel Indigo York, which is a 10-minute walk away but is one of the top boutique hotels in York.
Here are some additional hotels in York if you can’t find anything.
Recommended Tours
This city tour of York is worth considering, as it allows you to discover many of the city’s highlights accompanied by a local guide. It’s particularly well-suited if this is your first visit to the city.
As an alternative, you might want to take this fish and chip cruise and tour for something different.
York is one of the best markets in my UK Christmas Markets List. It makes my top 10!
Location Map
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
Christmas in York
Enjoy the stalls and sample seasonal food as you walk towards St Sampson’s Square, which is lined with alpine-style chalets.
Continuing a little further to Kings Square, you’ll find the beautiful vintage carousel, the perfect spot for those with a young family.
Major Events
- Christmas in Narnia: Engage in a winter adventure at the Great Hall in Castle Howard for their ‘Christmas in Narnia’ event. Designed with children and families in mind, it whisks you away to C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia.
- Christmas Afternoon Tea: If you’re after a more tranquil experience, indulge in an Afternoon Tea at Chez Mel Brasserie. Savour the sweet Christmas cakes or savoury dishes paired with your choice of tea and an optional glass of prosecco.
- York’s Big Christmas Concert: At St Michael Le Belfry, Holy Trinity Church, featuring traditional Christmas songs, carols and acoustic music.
- Chocolate Making Class: York Cocoa Works hosts a chocolate-making workshops for those interested in a hands-on activity.
- Santa’s Post Box: The post box in Museum Gardens becomes a Santa’s Post Box.
Food Specialties
- Mulled Wine: The classic cosy drink, usually served in a commemorative mug.
- Yorkshire Pudding Wrap: A fluffy Yorkshire pudding, flattened and used to wrap up roast meat and a dash of gravy.
- Parkin: A Yorkshire speciality, this moist, sticky ginger cake is made from oatmeal and treacle.
- Roasted Chestnuts: Another common street food.
- Bratwurst: Delicious German sausages.
What to Buy
- Yorkshire Tea: A wonderful gift for any tea lover.
- Handmade Crafts: Ranging from crafted jewellery to pottery, textile crafts and beyond.
- Wensleydale Cheese: A mild cheese, often paired with fruit such as cranberries.
- Decorations: Look out for hand-painted baubles, wooden ornaments and festive wreaths.
- Yorkshire Ale: The region is known for its brewing tradition, and a selection of local ales would be an ideal gift for beer enthusiasts.
Things to Do in Winter
- York Minster: As one of the UK’s grandest cathedrals, its vast space filled with intricate details and centuries of history. The detailed stained glass windows, stone carvings, and the crypt give you an appreciation for the artistry and devotion poured into this structure.
- National Railway Museum: Showcases railway memorabilia spanning more than 300 years of railway history, including locomotives, vintage carriages and royal trains.
- York Castle Museum: Exhibits range from recreated Victorian streets to displays about the First World War.
- Castle Howard: This 18th-century residence is home to breathtaking architecture and interiors, and a noteworthy art collection.
- York Art Gallery: This diverse collection spans several centuries and includes works by renowned artists such as L.S. Lowry and David Hockney.
- York Cocoa Works: A family-friendly location providing insight into the art of chocolate making. Hands-on classes are available.
Travel Information
For more things to do in York or further details on how to spend your getaway, such as places to eat out or museum opening times, visit the official tourist site, Visit York.
Sustainability Tips
- Local Food: Stalls are bursting with local produce, which supports the local economy and producers.
- Zero Waste: Make a conscious choice to shop at lower impact stores and refuse single-use plastic wherever possible.
- Renewable Energy: Book your stay in a hotel that prioritises sustainability with initiatives like using renewable energy sources and energy-efficient lighting.
- Transport: York is a compact city, and many attractions are within walking distance. The city also has an extensive bike infrastructure and many bike rental shops. Public transport in York, including buses and trains, is an excellent option for longer journeys.
- Mindful Consumption: Try to minimise food waste by ordering only what you can finish.
- Choose Vegetarian or Plant-based: Consider incorporating more vegetarian or plant-based meals into your diet during your visit.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
Are the market stalls open during the week?
Yes, they are.
Which park and ride bus is best to get for the Christmas Market, as in the nearest bus stop to get off and return please.
All park and ride information can be found here.
which park and ride is the one for the christmas market
I think the council would be best to answer that question.
How can we purchase your guide?
There is no guide for sale, the information is provided here for free.
i am very interested in exhibiting at the xmas market 2023
is the Christmas market suitable for 2 elderly lady’s on mobility scooters and is there disabled parking near by me and my husband will be bringing our mothers
There are cobblestone streets but I think it should be fine for mobility scooters as the ground is generally quite flat. If you look at the Shambles on Google Maps, you’ll see some photos to get an idea of what the streets are like. You could park at Q-Park but it might be easier to drop them off before parking.
It’s chaos. My daughter is in a power chair. You won’t see much from a scooter. Be prepared to wait a long time and have a bumpy ride.
Does York Christmas Market open on a Sunday?
Yes, it does, from 10am to 7pm. I’ve updated the article for clarity.