Christmas is coming, which means one thing, it’s time to plan your Christmas shopping trip!
At Daniel Footwear, we’ve researched and curated our guide to the best Christmas markets the UK has to offer in 2022. Whether you’re looking for a new location to visit for festive cheer or a market closer to home, there’s something festive for everyone on our Christmas market list.
Analysing the number of posts and mentions for each Christmas market, we’ve pulled together a leaderboard of the top five most Instagrammable picks for 2022 and rounded up what they have to offer, so you can get to planning the perfect Christmas shopping experience!
So without further ado, let’s spread some Christmas cheer and get Christmas Market ready!
Table of contents:
1 Manchester
When: 10th November – 22nd December 2022
Where: Piccadilly Gardens
Topping the Christmas market list on Instagram is Manchester’s Christmas market, which currently features in a whopping 62,44 Instagram posts, including 54,327 under #manchesterchristmasmarkets and 8,117 for #manchesterchristmasmarket.
A great place to snap up some festive Christmas gifts, this year’s market also sees the return of the festive ice rink at Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens, featuring a 7m tall Christmas tree as part of the city’s fabulous Winter Wonderland experience.
Like last year, Piccadilly Gardens will host the main Christmas market and feature the iconic Manchester Windmill and Winter Gardens. Still, many other markets around the city will feature all kinds of stalls, from independent sellers to delicious festive food.
2 Edinburgh
When: 25th November 2022 – 3rd January 2023
Where: East Princes Street Gardens
Another popular Christmas market favourite, second on the leaderboard, is Edinburgh, racking up a whopping 47,211 posts and mentions across the hashtags #edinburghchristmasmarket (44,374) and #edinburghchristmasmarkets (2,837).
Christmas takes over the city of Edinburgh every year, with East Princes Street Gardens hosting the traditional Christmas market alongside the Forth 1 Big Wheel and other exciting rides.
And that’s not all. George Street sees the return of the Christmas ice rink. So, if you want to shop ’til you drop at some of Edinburgh’s finest designer boutiques and then skate your cares away, Edinburgh is the place for you.
West Princes Street Gardens hosts Santa Land, which includes a family-friendly fairground and Santa himself, so there’s something for the whole family at the Edinburgh Christmas market this year.
In Edinburgh, it could be cold, so why not invest in some over-the-knee boots to keep you warm, comfortable and stylish for your trip there? They’re the perfect pick for strolling around the Christmas market and then sipping champagne in The Ivy for essential transitional style!
3 Birmingham
When: 3rd November – 23rd December 2022
Where: Victoria Square and New Street
Birmingham’s famous Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria. A great place to fully immerse yourself in Christmas spirit, it’s no surprise that both #birminghamchristmasmarket and #birminghamchristmasmarkets feature on a total of 17,665 Instagram posts.
A great place to catch up with friends and family over a traditional glass of weissbier or a tasty hot chocolate, you can also indulge in traditional German Christmas food such as schnitzels, bratwursts and pretzels.
From live music and entertainment to traditional Christmas gifts, Birmingham is the perfect place to experience Christmas in all its glory. Open from 10 am to 9 pm every day, get ready to wrap up in your favourite faux fur jacket and shop ’til you drop before you enjoy some traditional German Christmas food and drink to finish off your trip.
4 York
When: 17th November – 23rd December, 2022
Where: Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
York’s famous St Nicholas Fair Christmas Market celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you love a traditional Christmas.
And it seems many of you do, with York Christmas Market featuring heavily on our Instagrammable Christmas Market list, with a total of 9,223 posts found either mentioning #yorkchristmasmarket (8,498) or #yorkchristmasmarkets (734) in their hashtags.
From local produce to artisan gifts, it’s the perfect stop for unique gift ideas, traditional alpine chalets and an extra dose of Christmas cheer! And if you live nearby, there are generous discounts for residents of York. So what are you waiting for?
Because you’ll be laden with gifts for your friends and family, why not invest in one of our designer backpacks for stylish, hands-free shopping? With options from leading designer brands such as Lauren By Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, you’ll surely find a style to suit!
5 Belfast
When: November 19th – December 22nd 2022
Where: Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square
Beautiful Belfast City Hall hosts Northern Ireland’s biggest Christmas market every year, and it seems that Instagram can’t get enough of it. With a total of 8,670 Instagram posts sharing the Belfast Christmas experience, 8,007 of that featuring the tag #belfastchristmasmarket, it’s no surprise that Belfast comes in fifth in our most Instagrammable Christmas market list.
Attracting over a million visitors every year, the Belfast Christmas market boasts an outdoor food court with over 32 different cuisines, Christmas rides, a beer tent and much more.
Before you plan your visit to Belfast Christmas market, browse our designer tote bags at Daniel for a stylish pick to have on your arm when strolling through the stalls. Including options from Marc Jacobs, Valentino and our Daniel range, our larger options are perfect for doubling up as a stylish overnight bag to take on your trip.
Other notable mentions
Glasgow
Mentioned in a total of 4,467 Instagram posts, Glasgow’s Christmas market usually runs from the end of November to December 23rd. Although it’s been confirmed that the traditional market at George Square won’t take place this year, Glasgow’s west-end Christmas market will return, alongside the Christmas light switch on Sunday, 27th November.
Cardiff
From 10th November to 23rd December 2022, you can find Cardiff’s Christmas market on St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hayes. Boasting a whole host of incredible stalls with everything from children’s wooden toys, clay jewellery, fruit wines and glass works, it’s the perfect spot to find a gift for that special someone. With 4,054 Cardiff Christmas market-related posts on Instagram, it’s definitely worth a visit!
Get Christmas market ready with Daniel Footwear
If you’re looking to attend your first Christmas market, why not let Daniel help you to look good whilst staying warm, stylish and comfortable? From designer ladies’ trainers to keep your feet chic and comfortable when strolling around the stalls to cosy coats and jackets, and hats to beat the winter chill, it’s never too early to get yourself Christmas market ready this winter!
Or, if you’re looking for designer gifts for the special person in your life, you’ll find all of the latest designer bags from fashion-forward brands, including Valentino bags, Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs, alongside stylish footwear and accessories.
