Christmas Markets in York

Updated 16/10/2024

Thinking of visiting the Christmas markets in York? I visit the Xmas markets in York every year and there is always something new to discover. It’s a great way to get into the festive spirit.

Christmas in York is a magical time and York Christmas Markets are the centrepiece of the six-week long, citywide St. Nicholas Fair. The Christmas markets in York attract visitors from all over the U.K and abroad and it’s regularly voted one of the top ten ‘Best Christmas Markets UK’.

I’ve put together this comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help you plan a successful Xmas markets York trip. If you’re visiting the market as part of an extended stay, check out my guide to the best hotels near York Christmas market. 

Christmas markets in York – planning your trip

 

Is York Christmas market on this year? 

Yes. The Christmas markets in York 2024 will have 75 wooden Alpine-style chalets selling locally made crafts, gifts, food and drink.

 

What are York Christmas market dates and opening hours? 

It runs from 14th November to 22nd December and is open everyday from 10 am to 7 pm.

 

Where is the Christmas market held?

The open-air market is on Parliament Street, a pedestrianised street in the heart of the city centre. It’s got a fun festive atmosphere as it’s adorned with twinkling lights and popular with local buskers.

You’ll be able to browse two lines of chalets plus more chalets centred around St. Sampson’s Square at the top of Parliament Street.

You can also pop into The Shambles markets for more gift shopping. There are also festive fairground rides on King’s Square outside York Chocolate Story.

 

Is it possible to do a day trip to York Christmas market? 

Yes, absolutely. The market is in one location so getting around to all the stall is easy. Plus, as York is compact with pedestrianised city streets, getting around the wider city is also quick and easy.

I recommend arriving as early as you can to avoid the busiest crowds. If you have any extra time in your day, check out my guide to York at Christmas 2024.

 

What can I buy at the market? 

You can buy woollen clothes, artwork and photography, home decor items, seasonal crafts, Christmas decorations and so much more.

You’ll also be able to buy locally made food and drink gifts such as Yorkshire wine, York Gin and chocolate. It’s a good place to pick up local cheese and some delicious chilli jam. In fact, 80% of the Christmas market traders come from Yorkshire so shopping here is a great way to support local, independent businesses.

There’s also a range of hot food and drink for sale – don’t miss the Baileys hot chocolate and the apple crumble dessert.

 

How many Christmas markets in York are there? 

In addition to the large market on Parliament Street, there are a few smaller York markets Christmas shoppers can browse.

The ‘Yorkshire Yuletide Village’ is an artisan market run by Made In Yorkshire. It’s held in the historic Guildhall behind the Mansion House on St. Helen’s Square. The market is open everyday from 3rd December to 20th December from 10 am to 4.45 pm.

All the stallholders are local Yorkshire artists so this is a great place to pick up unique, one of a kind gifts.

You can buy jewellery, ceramics, fine art, textiles, glassware, sculpture and homewares.  You can also have a go at making your own gift at one the workshops run by the artisans. These include make your own felt wreath, a felt brooch and a metal rose.

The market is set in a historic hall and is free to enter so don’t miss it!

 

How many days do I need to spend at York Christmas Market? 

If you’re looking for a one day Christmas markets trip, York is the perfect option as all the markets can easily be visited in one day.

Getting around York is quick and easy. The city centre is compact and its pedestrianised streets are easily covered on foot. You won’t need to use public transport or walk miles to cover the market as you have to do in other U.K cities.

So, if you want easy to visit, one day Christmas markets York is the perfect choice!

However, there is so much going on in York at Christmas 2024 that I recommend staying longer if you can. Check out my guide the best festive hotels in York here.

 

Are the Xmas markets in York child friendly? 

I have three children and I bring them to the Xmas markets in York every year.

However, the markets get very busy at peak times especially in school holidays and on weekends. If you’re visiting York with kids I advise going to the markets early or going later on in the day.

There are a few stalls selling toys and gifts for kids plus food stalls selling chocolate, brownies, fudge and hot chocolate. Plus, if weary little legs need to take a break, there are a few benches along the edge of Parliament Street.

I recommend walking 5 minutes from the Christmas market to King’s Square, in front of York Chocolate Story. This is where you will find magicians and street performers. It also has an old fashioned carousel and helter-skelter during the Xmas fair period.

There’s also a drop-in Santa’s grotto in Coppergate near Jorvik Viking Centre.

 

Are York Xmas markets wheelchair accessible? 

Yes. The main Christmas market is flat and paved so it’s wheelchair accessible. However, as the market gets very crowded at peak times, getting around easily could be difficult. If possible, avoid weekends and visit at quieter times during the week.

There are disabled parking bays available in nearby Castle Car Park and Q Park Shambles.

Plus, there is a fee-paying wheelchair accessible toilet in The Shambles Market on Silver Street. There’s also a free disabled access toilet on the ground floor of Brown’s department store on St. Sampson’s Square.

 

Can I bring my dog to the Christmas market? 

York is a dog friendly city but whether you bring your dog to York Christmas markets depends on how your dog is able to cope with crowds.

The market gets very busy so moving around with a dog could be challenging.

 

Getting to York Christmas markets

 

Where is the nearest parking to York Christmas market? 

There are several car parks within a 10 minute walk of the Christmas market on Parliament Street. However, be warned – parking in York is not cheap!

Wherever you choose to park, arrive early to secure your spot. Parking spaces fill up quickly, particularly at weekends.

 

Castle Car Park York 

📍Tower Street, YO1 9SA

Known locally as Clifford’s Tower car park (as it surrounds the tower), the open air, flat level car park is open 24 hours a day. It’s a short 6 minute walk to the market.

Castle Car Park charges £3.40 per hour so if you go Christmas shopping in York for 5 hours, you will pay £17.00 to park here. Additional hours after 5 hours are also charged at £3.40 per hour.

It’s a little cheaper to park in the evening at £4 for any time between 6 pm and 8 am.

 

NCP Piccadilly 

📍 15 Piccadilly, YO1 9PB

This multi storey covered car park in the Coppergate shopping area is open 24 hours. It’s  cheaper than Castle Car Park as any parking lasting between 4 – 24 hours costs £13.95.

Plus, it’s only a 3 minute walk to the market. Cashless payment is available on the NCP app.

 

Q Park Shambles

📍Garden Place, YO1 7NT

This covered multi storey car park has 248 spaces including 3 disabled spaces and 2 electric charging points.

It’s open 24 hours and charges either £3 or £3.50 per hour depending on the time of day you enter.

The market is only a 5 minute walk away.

 

Which is the way to travel to the market? 

As parking in York is expensive, I think the best way to get to the markets is to visit by train. Alternatively, park outside the city and use one of York’s Park and Ride routes.

York rail station is 1.5 km or a short 15 minute walk from the market. You will avoid heavy traffic and high parking fees if you travel to York by train. 

If you’re staying in York for an extended time, parking fees can add up quickly. Either arrive by train and stay in a hotel near York rail station or book one of the hotels in York with free parking.

If you’re driving to York to visit the market for one day, use one of the Park and Ride schemes stationed around the city. Buses run approximately every 15 minutes with a journey time into York of around 10 – 15 minutes depending on traffic.

Return fares cost £3.60 per adult with up to 3 children under 16 travel free with each paying adult. For a little extra hassle, using the Park and Ride buses works out much cheaper than parking in York.

 

 

Which Park and Ride bus do I need to catch?

If you’re arriving from the west along the A1237 or the A59, use Poppleton Park and Ride and catch the No.59 into the city centre. It will drop you off outside York rail station which is a 15 minute walk to the market).

Alternatively, stay on the bus until Skeldergate which is just 5 minutes to the market.

If you’re arriving from the north along the A19, park at Rawcliffe Park and Rideand catch the No 2 bus.  It drops you outside Museum Gardens or Exhibition Square, opposite Bootham Bar. It is a 7 minute walk from both stops to the Christmas market.

Arriving from the south of York?  Park at MacArthur Glen Park and Ride and catch the No. 7 bus. It drops you on Clifford Street near York Dungeon, a 5 minute walk from the market.

Alternatively, if you want to walk as little as possible to get to the Xmas markets in York, park at Vangarde Shopping Centre and catch the No. 9 bus. Get off at The Stonebow, which is 4 minute walk from the market.

Read my guide to using York Park and Ride here. 

 

Xmas markets in York – FAQ’s

 

Are the Christmas markets free to enter? 

Yes. All the Christmas markets mentioned in this article are free for everyone.

 

When is the best time to visit the Christmas market in York?

If you want a lively, festive atmosphere visit the market on weekends. However, it will be VERY busy so if you prefer a quieter shopping experience, visit during the week.

I like to visit the market at any time of the day but my favourite time is after dark. The illuminated trees along Parliament Street and the lit up chalets look so pretty!

 

Is there a public toilet in the market? 

There isn’t a public toilet in York Christmas market itself but there are three toilets within a one minute walk.

Go into The Shambles market off Parliament Street, turn left and you’ll find the fee-paying Silver Street toilets.

There are also free toilets on the ground floor and first floor of Brown’s department store on St.Sampson’s Square and on the third floor of Marks and Spencers department store. Both shops are on Parliament Street next to the market.

You can read my guide to public toilets in York here. (Parents will understand why I wrote an article about loo’s!).

 

Can I buy food and drink at the Christmas market?

Yes. There are several pop up stalls selling crepes, hot chocolate or mulled wine. Plus, there are lots of street food options in The Shambles market. It also has a covered communal seating area if you want to sit down.

Parliament Street is a central venue so you are only a minute away from pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants.

If you have time, I recommend popping into Museum Gardens to visit Thor’s Tipi.

This huge tipi is specially erected for the York Christmas festival and has a welcoming, convivial atmosphere. It serves hot and cold drinks and alcohol. We take our kids every year for a hot chocolate piled high with marshmellows! Visitors sit around a roaring log fire on communal benches covered in sheepskin rugs.

You’ll find it easy to strike up a conversation with a Yorkie in the Tipi.

 

What else is there to do in York at Christmas?

There is something for everyone in York at Christmas no matter what your age, budget or taste.

You can visit the Christmas themed displays in one of York’s historic houses, go to a carol concert at York Minster, shout yourself hoarse at a pantomime, indulge in a festive afternoon tea or go ice skating at York Winter Wonderland.

You won’t be bored and you’ll leave York with magical memories. Read my essential guide to York at Christmas 2024 here.

Plus, if you are spending Christmas Day in York, discover my top picks for Christmas dinner in York here. There is an option for every budget.

 

Are there other Yorkshire Christmas markets I can visit from York? 

There are a few other notable Christmas markets in Yorkshire that are easy to get to from York.

Leeds is 30 minutes by fast train from York. Its city centre Christmas market has several different locations so expect to do a lot of walking.

Locations include Dortmund Square, New Briggate and City Square. The stalls are open everyday from 22nd November to 22nd December. Opening hours are 10 am – 7 pm weeknights, 9 pm on weekends and 6 pm on Sundays.

We love visiting Knaresborough Christmas Market. This charming market town is 20 minutes by train from York.

This market gets very busy but it has a great festive atmosphere. In 2024 it’s being held on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December. Visitors can use the free Park and Ride bus from Manse Lane (HG5 8LF) use for the weekend of the fair.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre takes place between 29th November and 15th December. It’s open daily from 10 am – 7 pm and from 11 am – 4,30 pm on Sundays.

The fair has over 50 chalets in lining pedestrianised Cambridge Street and Market Place. Plus you can ride the Candy Cane road train and the 32-metre high ferris wheel.  There is also a Festive Artisan Fayre in Valley Gardens on December weekends.

 

I know I’m biased but of all the Christmas markets Yorkshire has to offer, I think York is the best!

Happy shopping!