Winchester Christmas Market

Winchester, Hampshire

 

This wonderful Christmas Market is situated in the historic Close at the foot of Winchester Cathedral. Find over 100 wooden chalets brimming with festive goodies, homewares, British arts and crafts, accessories, decorations and a good selection of festive foods to enjoy at the event and take home.

 

Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe, renowned for its unique location, handpicked high quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere. The Christmas Market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets and attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year. The authentic wooden chalets are situated in the Cathedral’s historic Inner Close, selling a range of tempting seasonal treats and delightful Christmas gifts.

 

Winchester holds its own with any European destination for those in search of an authentic Christmas experience and is regularly recognised as being in the top 10 in Europe. The Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s celebration, with its many Christmas services, Christmas Market, and festive activities that offer a truly unique and magical experience.

 

This year, the Christmas Market will be running from Friday 17th November – Thursday 21 December 2023.

 

Winchester is a must-visit destination for all those wishing to experience a traditional Christmas. The city justly claims to be England’s Christmas Capital and its Cathedral is at the heart of the festivities with a stunning Christmas Market and real Ice Rink dominating its beautiful and historic Close. 

 

From its relatively modest beginnings, the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market now attracts over 350,000 visitors each year and has achieved a reputation as being amongst the very best in Europe. Within the stunning surroundings of the Cathedral’s historic Inner and Outer Close you’ll find over 100 attractive wooden chalets brimming with goodies. The stallholders are individually selected by the Cathedral’s in-house team to ensure superior quality, uniqueness and that a wide range of products are available. Each year there’s a rotation of stallholders and a good percentage of invited new traders to keep the market fresh. There’s a strong emphasis on British and artisan amongst the stallholders. Look out for Hampshire’s finest cheese and sourdough toasties – these alone are reason to return regularly!

 

A large outdoor Ice Rink sits at the centre of activity, providing the perfect winter playground for adults and children alike and, like the Christmas Market, it’s regularly listed as one of the best rinks in the country. With the dramatic medieval architecture as a backdrop, it’s an idyllic setting at any time of day, but it really comes into its own after twilight when the Cathedral is lit up and a warm glow radiates from the market stalls. The Ice Rink continues to operate beyond the Christmas Market into the New Year.

 

Drop off and pick up at The Broadway by the memorial.

 

Depart Back Home Approx. 17.30

 

Winchester Christmas Market Visit Winchester