Christmas festivals and markets full of foodie treats and gift ideas within 90 minutes of Hull
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You can tell Christmas is coming when the aromas of sweet spices, mulled wine and hot chocolate start to fill the air and pretty stalls packed with food, drink and gift ideas seemingly pop up out of nowhere.
There’s nothing like a Christmas market to get you in the mood for the season. You can take the kids to see the sights of twinkling lights adorning Christmas trees, enjoy some festive treats and listen to a soundtrack of some Christmastime favourites in the background – maybe even being played live by a traditional silver band – as you browse around a beautifully decorated market.
Finding something different for a friend or loved one on your Christmas list can often be a problem, especially for the person who seems to have everything already, which is where a festive market can come into its own. The stallholders are often the makers of the goods they are selling, and have all kinds of unusual products on offer, from the practical to the quirky.
Read more: The weird and wonderful decorations at Hull's Christmas Crazy Megastore
We are fortunate in East Yorkshire to have one of the best Christmas events there is – Beverley Festival of Christmas – but there are a number of other super Christmas market events to consider, all within a 90-minute drive of Hull.
Enjoy the very best of Christmas cheer on offer in one of the UK's most festive cities as York's beautifully decked out restaurants, shops and attractions form the backdrop to the traditional St Nicholas Fair. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event that has been a staple of York’s quaint streets during the festive period since 1992.
Seventy alpine chalets will line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, creating a festive wonderland, with an array of local traders and artisan products and brand new to York’s Christmas offering for 2022 is a traditional Swiss chalet, The Winter Hütte, providing a “Swiss with a Twist”dining experience from one of Yorkshire’s best-known chefs, Michelin-starred Andrew Pern.
From Thursday, November 17 to Friday, December 23, 10am to 7pm daily.
A place to make some magical memories, as well as a spot to stock up on everything from Christmas baubles to cosy handmade socks, Lincoln Christmas Market has been a firm festive favourite for many for years.
Visitors to this very popular market at the beginning of December say it marks the true start of feeling "Christmassy" for them. You can stroll around the beautiful city and enjoy the traditional Christmas market of over 200 stalls, nestled within the medieval square and surrounding area.
A contemporary cathedral city with over 2,000 years of history, Lincoln is the perfect place to visit over the festive period – stroll along the cobbles of the cultural quarter, see the impressive Norman castle and magnificent Gothic cathedral that form the perfect backdrop for the Christmas market, which has grown dramatically over the years since it first began with just 11 stalls.
Thursday to Sunday, December 1 to 4, opening times vary across the days
Every year, on the second Sunday in December, the historic market town of Beverley is transformed into a Christmas shoppers’ wonderland. You will find more than 110 stalls brimming with gorgeous Christmas gifts and local treats to enjoy.
The festival includes not one but four Victorian Christmas markets with family-friendly entertainment in them, and around them. There will be a huge range of market stalls in Saturday Market, Wednesday Market, North Bar and Flemingate.
The event includes a parade, featuring Santa Claus himself, plus Rudolph and the rest of his reindeer, and there will be live music, comedy and much more besides. A free park and ride service operates on the day.
Sunday, December 11, 10am to 4pm
In the run-up to the one-day Beverley Festival of Christmas, that draws thousands of visitors into the town of Beverley, Visit East Yorkshire is delighted to announce the return of the Made in East Yorkshire Christmas Market.
In this its second year, the event will have additional themed entertainment each day and promises a festive feel throughout. The market, in the Saturday Market area, will celebrate produce and crafts made exclusively by East Yorkshire businesses and there will be a free park and ride from Beverley Racecourse.
Wednesday to Friday, December 7 to 9, 10am to 6pm
Experience the joy of Christmas in the heart of Yorkshire at Harrogate’s famous Christmas market event. Expect an eclectic mix of local traders and traditional European Christmas stalls, plus music and entertainment.
The Harrogate Christmas lights will be on and the festive season well under way, making it the perfect time to engage in some Christmas fun for the family. A free Candy Express road train runs each day that the Christmas fayre is on to help people get around.
Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 11
Sheffield Christmas Market is spread out between Fargate, the Town Square and Peace Gardens. It has a particular focus on Sheffield suppliers, with 80 per cent of stall-holders being from the city, and has grown to 50 wooden cabins all showcasing a variety of gifts and produce.
There is an exciting Alpine Bar, a traditional German sausage grill, pizza, chimney cake, churros and many other food and drink experiences. Meet the Big Man himself at Santa’s grotto and get a bird’s eye view of the festive proceedings from the iconic big wheel.
Due to open on Saturday, November 12 (date unconfirmed at time of publishing) and due to run until the end of December, daily from 10am
It wouldn’t be Christmas without some special food and drink, so a visit to Yorkshire’s Food Capital should be on your festive agenda. Malton is an award-winning food town and the Christmas version of its popular monthly food market offers non-food gift ideas as well.
Expect fabulous food, festive gift stalls, street food, live chef demos and music. The Christmas market, set in and around the Milton Rooms and located in Malton’s central Market Place, will be awash with goodies such as figgy puddings, perfectly-prepared turkey and goose, award-winning macarons, mulled wine, chestnuts, gin and more.
Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 9am to 3.30pm
An earlier version of this article listed the Leeds Christkindelmarkt as happening this year. Unfortunately, the event has been cancelled. However, the popular 'Ice Cube' event, featuring an ice rink, rides and street food will return to Millennium Square in Leeds from Friday November 25.
Read next:
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Hull's Santa Arrival Parade date set as countdown to Christmas gets under way
The Range's 'dodgy' Christmas decoration leaves shoppers in fits of giggles
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