Bath Christmas Market runs from 26 November to 13 December 2026 and fills the streets around the Abbey with wooden chalets, most of them run by local makers and producers. Set against honey-coloured Georgian stone, it’s one of England’s prettiest festive weekends, and a good fit for couples, gift shoppers and anyone who wants a slower, crafts-led market.
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GarfieldJAustin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Bath Abbey
The Abbey Quarter is the heart of the market, with wooden chalets gathered around the honey-coloured church, which glows after dark.
Stay the night; the lights look best after dark.
Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Roman Baths
Beside the chalets, the Roman bathing complex makes the perfect winter visit, with steam rising from the warm water on cold evenings.
Book ahead on market weekends.
Tristan Surtel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bath Street
One of the market's main streets, lined with chalets of local makers selling handmade jewellery, ceramics, prints and West Country cheese.
Go at 10am opening for the calmest hour.
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Union Street
Chalets run along this central shopping street too, ideal for a last loop to pick up fudge, chocolate and Somerset cheddar to take home.
Buy food gifts on your last loop.
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Royal Crescent
A sweeping curve of Georgian terraces within walking distance of the market, with the streets in between at their best under the Christmas lights.
Bath Christmas market 2026 dates and opening hours
Bath Christmas Market runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026, according to the official market site. Bath & North East Somerset Council confirmed the dates after the 2025 market closed.
- Monday to Wednesday: 10am–7pm
- Thursday to Saturday: 10am–8pm
- Sunday: 10am–6pm
It’s a shorter run than many UK markets, at under three weeks, so weekends get busy. Plan your day before you go.
Where it is
The market spreads across the historic centre, with more than 180 chalets around Bath Street, Union Street and the Abbey Quarter. The streets around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths form the core, with chalets running along the cobbled lanes nearby. The official site has an interactive market map, which is worth checking before you arrive.
What makes it special
Most UK markets lean on imported German stock. Bath leans local. In 2025, around two-thirds of the 250-plus traders came from Bath and the surrounding area, so you’ll find handmade jewellery, ceramics, textiles, prints and food from West Country producers. It’s a market for buying presents, not just browsing. The setting adds a lot: Georgian terraces, the Abbey lit up after dark and the steam from the Roman Baths on cold evenings.
What to eat and drink
- Mulled wine and mulled cider: cider is the West Country choice.
- Local cheeses: Somerset is cheddar country, and cheese stalls are a highlight.
- Hot pies and pasties: filling food for the cold.
- Bath buns: the city’s own sweet bun, topped with crushed sugar.
- Fudge and chocolate: handmade treats that travel well as gifts.
- Hot chocolate: for kids and a break from the mulled drinks.
Tip: Buy food gifts on your last loop. Cheese and chocolate keep better in your bag than in a warm café.
How to avoid the crowds
- Visit on a weekday. Monday to Wednesday are much calmer than Friday and Saturday.
- Go at opening time. The first hour after 10am is the most relaxed.
- Come in the first week. The opening days, from 26 November, are quieter than the final weekend.
- Avoid Saturday afternoons. That’s the peak, when coaches and day-trippers arrive.
- Stay the night. The streets clear out after the day-trippers leave, and the lights look better after dark.
Tip: Don’t drive into the centre. Use the train to Bath Spa or the Park & Ride services, as city-centre roads and car parks fill quickly on market days.
Getting there and around
Bath Spa station sits at the southern edge of the centre, a short, flat walk from the chalets. Direct trains from London Paddington take around an hour and a half, and Bristol is a short hop away, which makes Bath an easy day trip from London, though a night or two in the city gives you the market without the peak-hour crush.
Once you arrive, walk. The centre is compact and most of it is pedestrian-friendly, but the cobbles and crowds make it slow going with a pushchair or wheelchair at busy times. The official site has an event accessibility page worth reading before you travel.
If you’re driving, use the Park & Ride services on the edge of the city rather than heading for central car parks. The official market site links to current travel and parking guidance.
Make a weekend of it
Pair the market with the Roman Baths and a walk up to the Royal Crescent. Both are within walking distance of the chalets, and the Georgian streets between them are at their best with the Christmas lights on. Book the Roman Baths ahead on market weekends, when the city is at its fullest. For more ideas across the country, see our guide to the best places to visit in England. For more festive trips, read the best Christmas markets in the UK and our guide to the London Christmas markets, a direct train away. For the classics on the continent, see the best Christmas markets in Europe.
FAQ
When is Bath Christmas Market 2026?
Bath Christmas Market runs from 26 November to 13 December 2026.
What are the Bath Christmas Market opening times?
It’s open 10am–7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am–8pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am–6pm on Sunday.
What is the best day to visit Bath Christmas market?
Monday to Wednesday, arriving at the 10am opening, is the calmest time. Saturday afternoons are the busiest, and the final weekend, 12–13 December, draws the biggest crowds.
Where is the Bath Christmas market?
It’s in the historic city centre, around Bath Abbey, Bath Street, Union Street and the Abbey Quarter. Bath Spa station is a short walk away.
Do you need tickets for Bath Christmas Market?
The official site lists no booking requirement for visitors. Check the site before travelling in case anything changes.
How many stalls are at Bath Christmas Market?
The official site lists more than 180 chalets across the city centre.
