York Christmas Market – also known as St Nicholas Fair – is set to return from 14th November to 22nd December 2024, with twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine and lots of unique gift ideas. The famous alpine chalets will return to line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, creating a festive wonderland of local traders and artisan products.

Just around the corner, don’t miss Shambles Market, home to a wide range of local independent traders selling everything from Yorkshire flat caps to delicious cakes to hand-crafted products. All that browsing is hungry work, so follow your nose to Shambles Food Court where there’s a range of street food: we love Krep, which serves tasty filled crepes and galettes, and The Dark Horse Espresso where you can enjoy some of the best coffee in York. You might notice that the bar on Parliament Street has gone, but there are lots of other options in the city centre. If you’re looking for Thor’s Tipi, we’ve got good news: you’ll find it in the gardens of the Principal Hotel.

Top tips if you’re visiting York Christmas Market with kids: avoid peak times as it can get very busy. Go early or late (we like to go in the evening if we can, for extra excitement) and combine it with a wander around the city to see the lights. The best way to get into York at Christmas (or any other time of year, for that matter) is by public transport. We’re big fans of York Park and Ride; it’s a great way to avoid the scramble for (expensive) parking spots, and which kid doesn’t love a trip on the bus? For more ideas for things to do around York this Christmas, take a look at our guide to Christmas in York.

14th November to 22nd December 2024 – Visit the Visit York website for details