Our Guide To The Bath Christmas Market

The Bath Christmas Market is truly a magical event. This special, award-winning market has been returning for over 20 years and will be staying in the city for a whopping 18 days this year (2023), giving its guests tonnes of time to shop around and experience that holiday feeling.

There are going to be over 150 chalets spread across Bath’s Georgian-style streets; a far cry from many, more cramped Christmas Markets that take place in town and city squares.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video
West Country Games Home Page Logo

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Sparkling Gift Options...

The city of Bath knows how to treat its visitors and its residents. Giving them an array of sparkling gift options; from candles and crystals to homeware and house decorations.

All ages will find something to love about this mystical market event, no matter how long they spent there.

Tour the stalls during the day for some light shopping but remember to return during the darker hours to see the lights twinkling up close.

Parents, rejoice! There are plenty of hot drinks stands selling delicious treats to warm you right up while your children lovingly drag you from stall to stall.

Couples, this is the time of year for the type of romance that only cold weather can bring; share marshmallow-topped hot chocolate and treat each other to something unique.

Or, for those local to the market’s area, pop out during your lunch break and sneakily pick something up for someone you love.

No matter what brings you to Bath this winter, find a new reason to keep coming back each year with the Bath Christmas Market.

Bath Christmas Market Food Highlights

Bath Christmas Market Dates 2023

This year’s Bath Christmas Market takes place over the days between November 23rd and December 10th, 2023.

While the market is certainly the main attraction, the city of Bath has never done anything halfway – so there’s plenty more to see and do in and around the market area.

As for opening times, just so you don’t show up when things are closed and end up waiting around in the cold, check out this quick list:

  • Open Dailly (Mon - Wed 10am to 7pm / Thurs-Sat 10am - 8pm / Sundays 10am to 6pm)

  • Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HA

  • Free

As you can see, that’s between eight and ten available shopping hours every day in the lead-up to Christmas! With over two weeks of daily holiday shopping right at the heart of Bath.

Hen Do Bath Christmas Market

The Highlights Of Bath Christmas Market

One highlight of this picturesque market is Paperstarlights, which has been making paper star lanterns for over 20 years. This Christmas Market chalet can help you bring the magic of winter right into your home; without bringing the cold in, as well. Each lantern is handcrafted using traditional techniques and the materials are responsibly sourced. They use natural dyes, too.

No Bath Christmas Market is complete without sweet-smelling food stalls. So, next, let us introduce you to Suzette's pancakes Sweet or savoury, there’s a huge range of choices of fillings and toppings for your crepes. They’re happy for you to get creative with it and the owners are very friendly.

And lastly, for the vegans among our readers: Plant.Eat.Licious. This Bath based family business offers an entire menu of delicious vegan festival food.

Bath Christmas Market Activities

Base Your Hen Do Around A Visit To The Christmas Markets

How can you make a hen do around a Christmas Market, you may ask? Why with a sprinkle of glitter, some bubbles, and a bonkers activity of course!

Bath Is a fantastic destination for a hen party all year round but there is really something rather magical about the way it comes to life with all the twinkling lights in the winter months.

Start the weekend off with a real icebreaker, taking part in some hilariously silly games at West Country Indoor Games. Bounce off the inflatables and take on their Sheep Rodeo while splitting your sides with laughter!

Then seamlessly glide into a classy two-course Champagne lunch at The Ivy Bath Brasserie to share anecdotes and photos and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Feeling a little merry after a delicious lunch, wander down around the corner to a festive wreath-making workshop in the afternoon. Spend two hours getting in the Christmas zone and creating some stunning keepsakes to take home with you.

Then spill out onto the streets and meander through the Christmas markets, picking up a mulled wine here and a warm sugary doughnut there, while perusing all the beautiful stalls and soaking up the atmosphere.

A night out in Bath could take you anywhere, will you end the evening dancing on a table in an alpine ski chalet or will you be pulling all the moves in an underground Greek Taverna?

Wherever you end up, we guarantee you will feel a million times better the next morning once you spend some time soaking in the healing waters at the fantastic Thermae Bath Spa.

Things To Do In Bath After You Have Been To The Market

bath on ice christmas

Bath On Ice

Bath on Ice, the infamous outdoor ice rink, is also returning to the city once again. Over 1000 square meters of rink are waiting for you and your friends, all you need is the opening hours and days below:

  • Open Dailly (Mon to Fri - 11:45am to 9:30pm / Sat & Sun - 10:30am to 9:30pm / Not open on Christmas Day)

  • Royal Pavilion, Royal Ave, Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR

  • £12.50 for kids - £14.50 Adult - £47.00 Family of 4

The ice rink prices vary, but an hour for an adult is just £14.50, while it’s £12.50 for an hour for a child. Skate aids are available at £5 per session, and the rink is open from 17th November 2023 to 3rd January 2024. Located just five minutes away (on foot) from Milsom Street’s Bath Christmas Market chalets. You’ll find the rink, and some other attractions, in Royal Victoria Park.

glow golf bath christmas

Glow In The Dark Mini-Golf

Right next to the ice rink, you’ll find some great glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, too! This brightly coloured game has fluorescent golf balls and a botanical course with 18 holes. Prices start from £7.50 for kids, and £8.75 for adults. Days and times below:

Just like the ice rink of Bath on Ice, the golf course is open until 3rd January 2024. To book, head over to the Bath on Ice website. Embrace the true winter wonderland of Bath by starting with the Christmas Market and then heading straight over to Royal Victoria Park for more fun.

  • Everyday: 4pm to 8:45pm (except Christmas Day)

  • Royal Ave, Bath, BA1 2NR

  • £7.50 for kids - £8.75 Adult - £29.00 Family of 4

Stool Bath Christmas Market
Something Different...

If you’re looking for something a little less Christmas-themed, try roaming the streets for some of the quirky and unique cafés and restaurants of Bath. Colonna & Small’s is just a stone’s throw away from Royal Victoria Park, and has been named as one of the best coffee shops in the UK.

 

Other related blogs...