Our guide to the best Christmas markets in Wales

As Christmas draws near, one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit is to visit an enchanting Christmas market. What could be better than picking up your presents amid a backdrop of twinkling lights and the aroma of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts?

Here in Wales, cities, towns and villages turn into veritable winter wonderlands in the lead up to 25 December. From Victorian Christmas markets to market towns bedecked with trees and tinsel, it's the perfect place to get all your Christmas shopping done. We've selected some of the best Christmas markets from across Wales to help you make the most of the festive season.

If you'd like to visit some of Wales' festive markets, then why not turn it into a yuletide holiday? We have over 2,700 holiday cottages right across Wales, ideal for a pre-Christmas break to remember.

Skip to:

• Christmas markets in South Wales
• Christmas markets in North Wales
• Christmas markets in West Wales
• Christmas markets in Mid Wales

Christmas markets in South Wales

Cardiff Christmas Market

Cardiff Christmas Market has been running for over 30 years and is an institution in the capital city. Located in the city centre, it's open from mid-November to just before Christmas. Over 100 vendors offer everything from delicious food and drink to unique gifts, so picking up something for everyone will be a breeze. And throughout the opening period the stalls change, so there'll be something new to discover at every visit.

But it's not just the market that will get you in the festive mood in Cardiff. Visitors can also enjoy the festivities at the city's Winter Wonderland, where ice skating, a family funfair and an alpine ski-lodge are amongst the offerings. 

Swansea Christmas Market

Once again wooden cabins will pop up in Swansea's main shopping area, signalling the start of Swansea Christmas Market. Filled with a variety of traders, you can buy everything from cocktails and Christmas decorations to gifts and gadgets. And once you're all shopped out, relax at the Bavarian Bar with a deluxe hot chocolate or a mulled wine.

Just don't leave the city centre before you've also visited Swansea's Waterfront Winterland. There is something for everyone here. Families will love the ice-skating rink and visiting the funfair. Visiting on date night? Then why not enjoy a romantic trip on the Big Wheel before a drink in the Alpine Bar. 

Caerphilly Winter Fair and Christmas Market

On Saturday 30 November, Christmas comes to Caerphilly. Throughout the day you can browse over 50 craft, gift and food and drink stalls, warmed as you go by a mince pie and a mulled wine. You'll also be entertained as you shop by a variety of street theatre performances.

And as the sun sets over castle the Christmas magic continues. At 5pm there will be River of Light Lantern Parade, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Caerphilly Castle. 

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in South Wales

If you've been wanting to visit South Wales' fantastic Christmas markets and festive attractions, check out our magical range of cottages here. Just perfect for a Christmas break in South Wales.

Christmas markets in North Wales

Beaumaris Victorian Christmas

Visitors to Anglesey can step back in time this Winter at the Beaumaris Victorian Christmas. This is an enchanting festive weekend filled with entertainment, tradition and nostalgia.

For those looking to shop until they drop there will be ample opportunity to browse the festive market stalls. Local shops and producers will be selling a variety of food, drink and artisanal gifts. But for children the highlight of the weekend will no doubt be visiting Santa's grotto and receiving their own special gift.

Ruthin Christmas Extravaganza

The Ruthin Christmas Extravaganza is back for 2024, and it's even bigger than before. With over 200 stalls spread across 7 locations in the town, it's now the biggest Christmas market in North Wales. 

With that many stalls you'll definitely be able to get all your Christmas shopping done. There will also be plenty of festive entertainment to get you in the Yuletide mood as you browse. For those visiting with children, make sure you also visit Father Christmas while in the town.

Portmeirion Food and Craft Fair

You'd be hard pushed to find a place that’s quite as magical as the stunning Italianate village of Portmeirion this Christmas. 

This lovely Christmas Food and Craft fair will be packed with delicious locally produced food and drinks, ideal for making an extra special Christmas dinner this year. There will also be a wide variety of artisanal crafts on sale, so you can pick up all your gifts ready to be opened on Christmas Day.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in North Wales

If you like a Christmas market with a difference then North Wales is the place to go. And after a magical winter day out, crossing gifts off your to buy list, you can return to your cosy cottage for a festive night in.

Christmas markets in West Wales

Aberglasney Winter Fair

Set within the mansion house and gardens of Aberglasney, this Christmas market is a special one. One of Wales' biggest festive events with almost 70 traders will be in attendance this year.

Inside the Grade-II listed building there will be a variety of stalls selling everything from handmade wooden games to beautiful ceramics. Outside in the world-famous gardens there will be a craft marquee and a food and drink marquee. So, whether your Christmas shopping list contains locally made clothes and candles, or handmade chocolate and Welsh beer, you'll be able to find them all here.

Throughout the weekend shoppers will be entertained by a variety of choirs, bands and singers, so you're sure to be feeling the festive mood. Santa will also be taking time out of his busy schedule to visit, so make sure you take your little one to his grotto while you're there.

Llys y Fran Christmas Fair

There's always plenty of wonderful things to do at Llys-y-Fran Lake, and on one weekend a year that includes doing all your Christmas shopping. This December the visitor centre will transform itself into a festive hub for their annual Christmas Fair, filled with stalls selling all manner of treats.

Whether you're in the market for gin and cider, soaps and candles, or jewellery and clothes, you'll find the perfect gift here. All lovingly handmade by local producers and crafters.

Pembroke Castle Christmas Market

Set within the walls of this magnificent Medieval castle is an annual festive delight - the Pembroke Castle Christmas Market. With over 80 stalls you'll be spoilt for choice whether you're picking up the perfect present or rewarding yourself for finishing your Christmas shopping already.

There will be a huge variety of gifts available at the market, such as local produce, gifts for children and jewellery. The festive fun doesn't stop there though. Father Christmas will be in his grotto ready to gift the little visitors, and there will be carol singing by school choirs and local musicians.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in West Wales

It seems the key to Christmas markets in West Wales is location, location, location. And thankfully here at Wales Cottage Holidays, location, location, location is what we do. We have hundreds of beautiful cottages right across the region, ideal for resting up between days out exploring Christmas Markets.

Christmas markets in Mid Wales

Hay Christmas Fayre

Hay-on-Wye is a beautiful market town, and an absolute delight to visit at Christmas with its narrow streets adorned with twinkling lights. It's also great for Christmas shopping as it has plenty of independent boutiques selling all manner of gifts and trinkets. And perhaps unsurprisingly considering its nickname is the Town of Books, it also has more than 20 bookshops to browse.

And the shopping gets even better at Hay Christmas Fayre. Over 100 stalls will be dotted through the streets, and in the square and castle, selling a wonderful range of gifts and produce. There will be street food to keep you fuelled as you shop and carol singing to ensure you're in the merriest of moods.

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

If you like the sound of a Christmas market with plenty of non-shopping activity, then the Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground is perfect for you. There will be livestock, equine and hound competitions to watch, as well as a whole host of floral art and homecrafts to admire.

But if you can tear yourself away from the competitions there will be plenty of shopping available. The food hall will be jam-packed with Welsh food and drink producers offering a delicious range of culinary treats. Elsewhere the shopping pavilions and gift hall will have a range of stalls selling a wide variety of gifts.

Llanidloes Christmas Craft Fair

The Minerva Arts Centre brings Christmas to Llanidloes with their Christmas Craft Fair. They have over 40 local craft and arts stalls to peruse with the most wonderful selection of handmade goods.

There are handmade stuffed animals, chocolate treats, beautiful artworks and hand-poured soaps available, and that's just for starters. There's so many lovely locally made creations, we're sure you could get all your Christmas shopping done in one go.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Mid Wales

With snow-covered mountain tops, the best places to meet Santa, and beautiful market towns, Mid Wales is a perfect spot for a festive break. And at Wales Cottage Holidays we have perfect rural retreats for your Christmas holiday.

Christmas cottages in Wales

Bwthyn Y Baedd - Boar Cottage

Would you like a holiday in Wales in the lead up to the big day? Perhaps a festive city break with the kids, visiting Santa Claus and enjoying some Christmas activities. Or would you like nothing more than waking up on Christmas morning in a beautifully decorated cottage, maybe even looking out to discover it's a white Christmas? Book one of our magical holiday cottages in Wales and make your Christmas wish come true.