Bath Christmas Market: Top Stalls, Food and Festivities to Check Out
- GirlWellTravelled
- Dec 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
You know, I have always wanted to do a Christmas market. Nuremberg, Salzburg, Bruges, all of those swing to mind. Never have I thought Bath. Yet here we are. Google 'best Christmas markets UK' and there Bath is, proudly celebrating its 25th year. And as one stallholder said, if Bath is my first Christmas market, I’ve peaked. He should know. They have a stall there too.
Now, it helps that we’ve got boots on the ground. Our starting point already decided: the top of Milsom Street, just off George Street. Then wandered our way back towards Abbey Green. If you want to follow a similar route, here’s the official Bath Christmas Market map.
But first, the big decision: do you make Bath Christmas Market a weekend away or a simple day trip? We made ours a late-afternoon-into-evening outing, but here’s a little guidance to help you weigh things up.
While daylight lets you see better, handy when you’re scanning for gifts. After dark is when the market truly permeates with festive cheer. Hones in on your sense of smell. It is also when it most felt like what I thought Christmas Markets were really about. The mood, warm. Lights twinkling everywhere, couples strolling arm in arm, groups of friends juggling cups of hot chocolate and mulled wine and their unmistakable festive cheer echoing through the streets.
Must-See Stalls to Check Out
Pollyfields
A favourite for many regulars, you'll find them in Kingston Parade.
Think handmade wreaths of scents of winter spices and plenty of gifting ideas. These given as gifts will be well received. And it is too, one of those stands you spot by smelling it before you see it.
Ezpresso
A new discovery for us and ideal for the coffee lover in your life. Beans, blends, kits… all the good stuff. If you’ve got someone who can’t function without their morning brew, this is your stop.
Shires Yard
Shires Yard (Just Off Milsom Place): Not a stall but absolutely worth detouring through. This little courtyard is lined with independents and small eateries. A relaxed vibe and too, where you’ll grab one of the best photos of Bath Abbey’s spire. A wander off Bath's Christmas Market path but definitely memorable.
What to Eat While You Explore Bath Christmas Market
Bath Christmas Market is a mission for your gift list as much as your taste buds.
Ciccio’s Kitchen
There's is Cannoli you won’t want to share. They've even got vegan options, so no one is left out. The smell alone lures you in from metres away. And I'm particularly enticed by the pistachio flavour.
And who says you've got to eat your cannoli on the spot? The cannoli from Ciccio's Kitchen has so much crunch that two days on, they still eat as the day I bought them. Well, what's left of them.
Colombian Company Café
At the end of Milsom Place and on the corner of New Bond Street, this tiny café gives you a great view for people-watching from its bonsai-sized upstairs floor. A little break before heading deeper into the crowds.
The Christmas Courtyard
Then we found this place. Well, we stumbled upon it, The Christmas Courtyard. Wandered a little off the beaten path, towards the south eastern corner of Bath Abbey. And lucked out on this find far from a madding crowd.
So if you or your party is a little gaga for some warming mulled wine or boozy hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream, bookmark The Christmas Courtyard.
Why You Should Stay Into the Evening
When daylight fades, the market gifts you a whole lot of twinkle and sparkle. The Abbey towers above everything like a storybook backdrop and musicians sleigh a tune. It’s relaxed, warm (in mood if not in temperature) and very easy to get merry.
You'll simply miss the show-stopping light projection onto Bath Abbey, if you don't stay late into the evening.
You'll really notice how many independents and creatives are set up here. You’ll see glasswork, woodcraft, local spirits, handmade skincare, art prints, textiles and all sorts of pieces with actual character. You arrive with one or two people in mind and then you’re ticking off your entire Christmas stocking list.
When Is the Market On?
If Bath is on your list this year, the market runs Thursday 27th November to Sunday 14th December. It’s free to enter and with around 250 stallholders, you’ll want to give yourself a good chunk of time to take it all in. Even with a planned route, you’ll likely stumble upon unexpected corners pulling you in.
So… Day Trip or Weekend Away?
If you’re nearby Bath, a day is sufficient to enjoy the market itself. If you’re travelling from further afield or have never been to Bath, a weekend lets you:
Browse the stalls without rushing
Explore Bath’s other highlights (Thermae Spa, Roman Baths, indie shops, riverside walk and more)
Dip back into the market at night, even if you’ve already visited in daylight
Either way, go with comfy shoes, layers and luggage space to spare. You’ll most probably need it.
Bath Christmas Market, sincerely Christmassy...
What to Know Before You Go
Dates: Thursday 27th November to Sunday 14th December
Entry: Free
Stalls: Around 250 across the city centre
Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon into evening
Footwear: Comfortable shoes — you’ll cover more ground than expected
Weather Prep: Layers, gloves, maybe an umbrella
Payment: Most stalls take card, but bring a little cash
Map: Use the official market map to avoid missing stalls
Parking: Park & Ride is often easier than city-centre parking
And if Bath has sparked your Christmas Market wanderlust… Book your flights here.
Dreaming of sipping mulled wine beneath Vienna's City Hall, wandering through twinkling stalls along London’s Southbank, discovering delicious treats at Brussels Winter Wonders, ice-skating through New York’s Bryant Park Winter Village or soaking up the tradition of Nuremberg’s iconic Christkindlesmarkt?
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