York Christmas Market – A Christmas Tradition

5 Christmases ago saw the birth of a Firth family tradition – a trip to the York Christmas market. This year is no exception, we’re already incredibly excited to visit one of our favourite cities and enjoy the atmosphere of the best Christmas market!

York Christmas Market – St Nicholas Christmas Fair

The York Christmas Market (or to give it its proper title, St Nicholas Christmas Fair) began today, 15th November 2018 and runs until 23rd December. The Christmas market begins every day at 10 am and closes at 6pm Monday – Wednesday; 8pm Thursday to Saturday and 6pm on Sundays. Unlike many other Christmas fairs we have frequented, York Christmas market has a huge variety of traders. (I find that some Christmas markets fill the stalls with the same type of traders selling similar goods). The York Christmas market is located on Parliament Street but this extensive market also runs along a number of other streets, such as Church Street and the Shambles.

York Christmas Market – A Great Place for Christmas Shopping

The market is filled with hundreds of traders selling unique, quality gifts. Visit York have provided a really useful list of traders who are to pitch up at the York Christmas market this year as well as a description of the items they sell. The website also includes a map and list of Christmas activities. Visitors to the market can purchase gifts such as children’s toys, handbags, art and beautiful bespoke jewellery. For foodies, jams and pickles are on sale as well as cheese and chocolates. Stalls selling candles, hats, jumpers and stocking fillers adorn the streets. Therefore, you are sure to find a gift for everyone. Last year, Brian and the children picked out a beautiful necklace for me which I was delighted to open on Christmas day.

And I was also treated to this beautiful silver ring.

Feeling Festive

As has become one of our traditions, mulled wine and mulled cider can be bought and enjoyed at York Christmas Market.

This year, York Christmas Market features a Santa’s grotto (located at Coppergate). This will provide a welcome break (and a bribe) for some tired children. A shop selling gifts and Christmas trees is located next to the grotto.

Aurelia’s favourite feature of the York Christmas market is the fair on Kings Square, complete with a helter-skelter! The fair features a few rides suitable for children.

After walking around the York Christmas Market for much of the day, we headed into Thor’s tipi for some much-needed rest and refreshment. We warmed ourselves up in the tipi at the open log fire and rested our weary feet on the beautiful wooden benches. Sitting in the tipi was a wonderful experience for Aurelia and only added to the Christmas atmosphere. 

To break the day up for Aurelia, we paid a visit to Clifford’s Tower. As we are English Heritage members, admission was free.

Head to York Christmas Market for Some Festive Fun!

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas for us now without a visit to York Christmas market. It truly is the best Christmas market in the UK. Furthermore, York is an amazing city. As you find yourself walking down as side street when wondering off the main drag, it can feel like you have stepped out of a time machine. York is full of history, the ancient walls and the Minster make you realise just how special and historic York truly is. The atmosphere  encourages you get into the Christmas spirit. The sites, the sounds and the smells emitting from York Christmas market are a treat for the senses and will undoubtedly lift your spirits.