Check out these unmissable Christmas markets in the South West; buy locally made gifts, eat delicious festive food and soak up the magic of Christmas!
Christmas markets are definitely up there with our favourite things about the festive season. You can browse beautiful items, sip mulled wine whilst wrapped up warm, and see a town glow in the sparkle of the Christmas lights.
We’ve put together a list of Christmas markets in South West England so you can add a trip to your South West winter break itinerary.
Read on to find out where the South West Christmas markets are this year…
Looking for something specific? Use these quick links to jump to a different region:
Christmas Markets in Devon
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market will have over 100 twinkling festive chalets, spread across the Cathedral Green.
This Devon Christmas Market has everything from local craftspeople selling unique gifts, to global cuisine, to its award-winning Cathedral Tavern bar.
Devon’s biggest Christmas markets also have live seasonal entertainment too.
Exeter Christmas Market Info
Opening times: Monday – Wednesday 10am-7pm; Thursday – Saturday 10am-9pm; Sunday 11am-5pm
When: Friday 17th November – Sunday 17th December 2023
More info: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market website
Plymouth Christmas Market
This year, Plymouth Christmas Market is putting on an amazing schedule of live music and entertainment alongside its many Christmas market stalls.
Hear festive tunes from the Rock Choir, a saxophone quartet, The Sea Choir, Cure Parkinson’s Choir and many more.
Find unique and individual gifts for your loved ones among over 40 traders, as well as delicious food and drink. Some of our favourites include earrings from Sally’s Handmade, James Lewis Art, and Harmony Dogs Devon.
Plymouth Christmas Market info
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm, Thursdays late night shopping until 9pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
When: Thursday 30th November – Sunday 17th December 2023
More info: Plymouth Christmas Market website
Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair, RHS Rosemoor
This Devon Christmas Market on a smaller scale was a new venture for 2021 and it’s back for 2023!
Showcasing some of the best crafters in the West Country, this Christmas fair is the perfect opportunity to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one.
Magic of Christmas Craft & Food Fair info
Opening times: 11am-4pm and 4:40pm-7pm
When: Thursday 23rd November – Saturday 25th November 2023
More info: RHS Garden Rosemoor website
Christmas Markets in Cornwall
St Ives Christmas Market
Hosted in St Ives Guildhall, the St Ives Christmas Market will see over 30 artisans and crafters showcase their beautiful wares.
Grab a mulled wine from the bar and enjoy the sounds of the choir as you peruse the stalls.
St Ives Christmas Market info
Opening times: TBC
When: Friday 30th November – Sunday 2nd December 2023
More info: Artisan Markets Cornwall website
The BIG Christmas Market, Truro
Enjoy an uplifting festive experience on Truro’s Lemon Quay. Hosted once again by Truro Farmers Market, The BIG Christmas Market is sure to be a fun outing.
Beginning on the 2nd December, you’ll find everything here from street food and entertainment to sought-after crafts and makers. This fantastic event is not to be missed and even made our Ultimate Guide to What’s on in Cornwall 2023!
The BIG Christmas Market info
Opening times: 9am – 5pm every day (open till 9pm on Wednesdays)
When: Wednesday 29th November – Sunday 24th December 2023
More info: Truro Farmers Market website
Fowey Christmas Market
This long-standing Christmas market in Cornwall opens with a Father Christmas and Lantern Parade through the town of Fowey, with live music on each day!
Almost 200 hand-picked traders will be selling their wares, offering a one-stop-shop for all your festive purchases.
This Cornwall Christmas Market is one of the region’s best known, hosting around 10,000 visitors to the beautiful, historic harbour town.
Fowey Christmas Market info
Opening times: Friday 5:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday 10am-5:30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
When: Friday 8th December – Sunday 10th December 2023
More info: Fowey Christmas Market website
Christmas Markets in Somerset
Bath Christmas Market
The Bath Christmas Market is back! After last year’s virtual event due to Covid precautions, the market is up and running in the flesh in 2023.
The streets of Bath are adorned with over 170 chalets and stalls, showcasing some of the best crafters and makers in the South West.
There’ll be mulled beverages, delicious food stalls and sparkling gifts as far as the eye can see. All set against the stunning Georgian architecture.
Bath Christmas Market info
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 10am-7pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
When: Thursday 23rd November – Sunday 10th December 2023
More info: Bath Christmas Market website
Frome Christmas Vegan Fair 2023
Join the lovely hosts at Cheese and Grain for the Frome Christmas Vegan Fair in December.
You won’t just find delicious plant-based food here, although there’ll be plenty in abundance.
Discover amazing gift ideas for your planet-conscious companions, from cruelty-free makeup and cosmetics, to sustainable clothing and accessories.
Catch some cooking demos, talks and free tasters too.
Frome Christmas Vegan Fair info
Opening: 10am-3pm
When: Sunday 26th November 2023
More info: Frome Christmas Vegan Fair Facebook event
Christmas Markets in Dorset
Handmade for Christmas, Sturminster Newton
This beloved Dorset Christmas market has an emphasis on showcasing only handmade and hand-crafted products and gifts.
The Workhouse Chapel is transformed into a wonderful Christmas shopping venue selling handcrafted work from over 60 of the West Country’s finest makers and artists.
Enjoy a drink beside the open fire and browse the tempting treats, from handmade baskets to jewellery to leather and metal work. You will probably come away with a few presents for yourself too!
Handmade for Christmas info
Opening times: 9:30am-4.30pm
When: Thursday 9th November – Sunday 24th December 2023
More info: Workhouse Chapel website
Poundbury Christmas Market, near Weymouth
Falling every year on Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday in December, is the Poundbury Christmas Market.
This Dorset Christmas market has been a festive season staple since 2015, inviting visitors every year to Buttermarket in the town of Poundbury.
Tuck into delicious hot food, or get some gift shopping sorted for those special people in your life.
Poundbury Christmas Market info
Opening times: 10am-4pm
When: Saturday 2nd December 2023
More info: Poundbury Christmas Market website
Dorset Team Christmas Fair, Wimborne
This popular Dorset Christmas event has been running for nearly 10 years.
Head to Allendale Centre in Wimborne and browse the 60+ stalls spread across two rooms.
There’ll be makers and sellers from across Dorset, offering an array of items.
Dorset Team Christmas Fair info
Opening times: 10am-4pm
When: Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November 2023
More info: Dorset Team Christmas Fair 2023 Facebook event
Recharge your energy levels before the whirl of the holiday season with trips to these brilliant South West Christmas markets. Bring a shopping basket, browse top-notch goodies, enjoy an evening or two relaxing by an open fire and head home with a smile and a car full of presents.
We have cosy cottages of all styles and sizes available in the run-up to Christmas – take a look at our collection of fantastic holiday cottages and reserve your home-from-home for a fun, festive break with the family. Happy Holidays!
Article adapted from original content written by Christine Phillips for Helpful Holidays.
Image credit: Alison Day – CC BY-ND 2.0; Andy Milham – CC BY 2.0; Derek Harper – CC BY-SA 2.0; Andrew Gustar – CC BY-ND 2.0; Patrick Mackie – CC BY-SA 2.0; Andrew Bone – CC BY 2.0; Lets Go Out Bournemouth and Poole– CC BY 2.0
