Copyright dailyrecord
A popular Scottish Christmas market has been crowned the best in the UK for 2025. Another festive market in the country was also named among the nation's best. Travel website Locals Insider shared a list of the top Christmas markets in the UK this year based on criteria such as annual visitors, number of stalls, duration, online reviews, accessibility, and setting. According to the experts, the "ultimate Christmas experience" is the market in Edinburgh. Edinburgh's Christmas market at East Princes Street Gardens came out on top thanks to its lengthy 12-week run, its scenic backdrop, and its high number of visitors. Also noted was the attraction's strong reviews and overall value. Taking place between November 15 and January 4, Edinburgh's Christmas transforms the Scottish capital's city centre into a winter wonderland. The attraction features stalls selling a variety of festive goods, as well as food and drink . Edinburgh's Christmas also includes funfair rides and an ice rink, as well as other live entertainment . Additionally, there will be a Santa’s Stories experience, where little ones can meet Santa Claus and his elves. A spokesperson for Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas market, commented: "We’re delighted that Edinburgh’s Christmas market has been ranked as number one in the UK by Locals Insider. "With over 85 beautifully decorated chalets lining East Princes Street Gardens offering everything from locally made crafts, bespoke gifts and ornaments to an array of festive food and drink, we’re proud that Edinburgh’s Christmas continues to attract visitors year on year to experience the magic of winter in Edinburgh. "Last year over 2.3 million visitors enjoyed the markets, experiencing impressive views of the city’s historic skyline from the LNER Big Wheel and exhilarating Starflyer, and taking in the twinkling market set against Edinburgh’s iconic castle backdrop. "Added to that there is a brilliant programme of community and charity concerts and dances, an Ice Bar and of course an ice rink, as well as lots for families to enjoy. "We’re excited to open the gates once again on Saturday 15 November, and hope that visitors from around the world will join us to see for themselves what makes Edinburgh’s Christmas truly special." Elsewhere, the Christmas markets in Glasgow were named by Locals Insider as the fifth-best in the UK this year. Scotland's biggest city will host festive attractions on Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square this winter. Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square opened on November 6 and runs until December 24, and features the world’s first solar powered observation wheel alongside a range of festive stalls. Meanwhile, the Glasgow Green attraction opens on November 21 and will run until December 18. Following behind Edinburgh as the second-best Christmas market in 2025 according to Locals Insider is London's Winter Wonderland, which was praised for its huge scale with more than 200 stalls. Rounding out the top five are Manchester and Birmingham in third and fourth place respectively. Spokesperson for Locals Insider Martin Danemaq said: "Edinburgh continues to set the standard when it comes to festive markets in the UK. Its spectacular city-centre setting, variety of stalls and long-running event make it a favourite for locals and tourists alike. "London’s Winter Wonderland and Manchester’s range of markets are unbeatable for sheer scale, but our analysis shows that smaller, more atmospheric destinations like Bath and Glasgow also offer incredible festive experiences—often at a more affordable price point." See below for a list of the top 10 Christmas markets in the UK in 2025 according to Locals Insider.
