Start (or finish) your Christmas shopping, warm yourself up with a hot chocolate and spend a weekend walking in a winter wonderland.
Here’s our guide to some of the UK’s best Christmas markets to visit for 2022’s festive season – and luckily enough, all are within reach of Hertz car hire branches.
So, grab your gloves and your favourite people, hop in a car rental and get into the Christmas spirit.
1. Oxford Christmas Market
Broad Street, Oxford City Centre, OX1 3AS
What: Oxford’s annual Christmas market is back and promises to be more musical than ever, as on the 10th December 2022 you’ll be treated to two performances by brass bands: Kidlington Concert Brass (10am-12pm) and Oxford Cherwell Brass (2pm-4pm).
On the fourth day of the market (4th December), the family can get involved in tuning up those vocal cords and perfecting those harmonies, as there’ll be a family choir club from 2-3pm.
To help raise funds for ExVac (The Exeter College Vacation Project), Oxford Guild of Tour Guides will be hosting a tour of Oxford, from 5-6pm on the 9th December.
Artisan produce will also be available at the various stalls, from Oxford-based Colombia Coffee Roasters to the utterly delectable Edward’s Fudge Kitchen, offering unique flavours such as Christmas pudding or clotted cream fudge.
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire Oxford:
Oxford Hertz 24/7
Osney Mead
OX2 0ES
When: 1st-18th December 2022
Thursday-Saturday, 10am-8pm
Sunday-Wednesday, 10am-6.30pm
Entry: Free
Find out more by visiting Oxfordshire’s tourism board
2. The Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL
What: The picturesque surroundings of Blenheim Palace will be highlighted in all its beauty as the illuminated trail returns for 2022. Wander through the twinkling tunnels of lights to the mesmerising lakeside reflections, and stop in your tracks to take in the hypnotic flames in the fire garden.
New for 2022 is The Kingdom of the Snow Queen attraction, inspired by the well-known Hans Christian Andersen tale The Snow Queen. Located entirely within the rooms of Blenheim Palace, each room is dedicated to a different chapter. Will the Snow Queen allow everyone a happy ever after? Or will she remain frozen in her icy, wicked ways? You’ll have to explore this winter wonderland to find out!
An Ice Kingdom themed afternoon tea will also be available at the Orangery and will run from 18th November 2022-2nd January 2023.
Cosy Swiss chalets will play host to various independent Oxford-based traders.
When: 18th November-18th December 2022, 10.30am-8:30pm
Entry: Tickets are available to purchase online and are to be pre-booked. If you’re only visiting the market, entry is free.
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire Oxford:
Oxford Airport
Langford Lane
Kidlington
OX5 1RA
Oxford is connected to London, the M25 and the Midlands by the M40, and the Oxford ring road provides direct access to Southampton, Portsmouth, and Bristol via the A34.
Find out more by visiting Blenheim Palace’s official site
3. Edinburgh’s Christmas
East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2HG
What: Traditional chalets will be home to independent traders at the market, from the finest Bavarian produce to mouth-watering Scottish delicacies. Dedicated bars will also serve warming winter favourites such as hot chocolate, plus other tipples to get you in the festive mood.
The Forth 1 Big Wheel makes its grand return to this year’s market so you can take in the breath-taking views of Edinburgh’s skyline and all the markets below too! There’ll also be thrill-seeking family rides (for those who dare…).
Keeping with the festive theme there’ll be the showstopping ‘Lidl on Ice’, an alpine themed ice rink on Edinburgh’s famous George Street. Skate hire is included in the price of the ticket. Exclusive to Edinburgh residents is a 20% discount on skating sessions.
If that isn’t enough to get you in the festive mood, there’ll also be a Christmas tree maze that promises adventure for adults and children alike.
When: 25th November 2022–3rd January 2023
Markets are open 10am-10pm
Although there are some exceptions, the following dates have some restricted opening hours:
25 November: 2pm-10pm
24 December: 10am-8pm
25 December: Closed
26 December: 12pm-8pm
31 December: 10am-6pm
1 January: 12pm-8pm
4 January: 10am-8pm
Entry: Free and un-ticketed; during peak times queuing mechanisms will be put in place.
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire Edinburgh Airport:
Edinburgh Airport
175 Jubilee Road
Car Rental Centre
Edinburgh
EH12 9FT
Find out more by visiting Edinburgh’s tourist board
4. Cardiff Christmas Market
St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes, Cardiff, CF10
What: If you love bespoke gifts, Cardiff’s Christmas market is the place to be! With over 200 independent stall traders who put their passion and love for Wales at the very heart of everything they do, you’ll wish you could stay longer to fully appreciate and understand the process of their craft.
Fancy a sheep shaped footrest? EweMoo has you covered. Share your visit to Cardiff with someone special by paying a visit to handmade ceramics maker, Welsh Connection.
When: 10th November-23rd December 2022
Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Last day (23rd December) 10am-4pm
Entry: Free
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire in Cardiff:
Bessemer Road
South Glamorgan
Wales
CF11 8BA
Find out more by visiting Cardiff’s tourist board
5. York Christmas Market
Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, Y01 8LR
What: York’s St Nicholas Fair returns for 2022 as one of the recommended UK’s Christmas markets – celebrating in style for its 30th year! To commemorate the festivities, the fair promises a brand new traditional Swiss chalet, The Winter Hütte, as well as an exciting light switch-on, to kick off the opening day of the Christmas markets, 17th November 12pm-9pm.
Begin the Christmas cheer as one of the best UK Christmas markets promises angelic choirs, bands, festive workshops and more.
From an accessibility standpoint, all main bars (Winter Hutte, The Tree House & Apres Ski Bar) have serving windows accessible to wheelchair users.
Unique to York residents (with proof of address) are discounts of 10-30% on the items sold at the stalls. The list of merchants who offer these discounts can be found here.
When: 17th November 2022-23rd December 2022
Monday-Sunday: 10am-7pm
Entry: Free
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire York:
Hull Road
York
YO10 3JA
Find out more by visiting York’s tourism board
6. Manchester Christmas Market
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1AF
What: Manchester’s Christmas market is back as one of the best UK Christmas markets! Returning for its 24th year, it will celebrate by hosting seasonal skates at the returning spot of Cathedral Gardens, organised by Skate Manchester – fun for all the family!
Also returning for this year’s Christmas fair is the Manchester Christmas lights trail: wander the winter wonderland with vibrant illuminations that will fill you with festive cheer.
You better watch out for him in front of Central Library in St Peter’s Square, as there will be a special visit from the big man himself: Santa Claus, as ever keeping note of who’s made the nice list and who’s made the naughty list.
When: 10th November-22nd December 2022
Time: 10:00am-9:00pm (Monday-Sunday)
Entry: Free
Closest Hertz branch: For car hire Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station
Boad Street
Level 3, Long Stay Car Park
Manchester
M1 2RP
Find out more by visiting Manchester’s tourism board
If you want to explore these Christmas markets and more this year, book online to travel with ease over the festive season.