The UK’s Top 10
Most Scenic Christmas Markets Ranked
Come November, the UK is packed with beautiful Christmas markets, and no matter where you are, you're sure to find something magical nearby. With independent vendors offering everything from seasonal food and drink to activities like ice skating, there's plenty to enjoy.
Christmas markets also provide fantastic photography opportunities, with sparkling lights, decorations and bustling crowds – the ideal setting for capturing those festive moments.
But which UK Christmas markets are the best for snapping the perfect shot? To find out, we've compiled a list of Britain's most populated cities and ranked the top 10 based on Instagram hashtags for each location.
And to help you take stunning photos on your visit, we've asked Jessops Product Specialist Lizzie James for her top tips on photographing the Christmas markets with your digital camera.
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What are the top 10 most scenic Christmas markets in the UK?
What are the top 10 most scenic Christmas markets in the UK?
1. Manchester Christmas Markets (62,000 hashtags)
Manchester's Christmas Markets claim the top spot for photography, boasting over 62,000 hashtags on Instagram – and it's easy to see why! With more than 200 stalls spread across nine locations around the city, the markets offer something for everyone. Opening in early November, visitors can explore festive treats, browse handmade gifts, and even enjoy an ice skating rink.
The giant Santa Claus, usually towering above St Peter's Square, is a must-see for visitors and a popular photo spot at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Every year, people flock to capture a picture of this festive icon.
For a unique shot, try photographing Santa from a low angle to highlight his impressive size against the backdrop of the market lights.
With so much going on to photograph and free entry, these markets are a go-to for both locals and tourists alike!
2. Edinburgh Christmas Markets (55,000 hashtags)
Edinburgh's Christmas Markets come in as the second best markets to photograph in the UK. Set in the heart of Edinburgh's historic city centre, it offers a magical festive experience.
In 2023, the market attracted over 3 million visitors across Edinburgh's 51 days of Christmas, according to Edinburgh City Council, making it a must-visit destination during the festive season.
One of the highlights is the illuminated walk, where visitors can enjoy stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. It's a perfect spot for photos, as the historic backdrop and twinkling lights create a beautiful scene, really capturing the spirit of Edinburgh at Christmas.
3. London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (35,000 hashtags)
London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is one of the UK’s best Christmas markets for photography. It's a six-week open-air market that transforms one of the city's most iconic parks into a Christmas wonderland. Running from mid-November to early January, the market is filled with everything from thrilling rides to live shows and even an ice bar. The vibrant lights and decorations offer endless photo opportunities, making it a photographer's dream during Christmas time.
Entry is free during off-peak times, but you might need a paid ticket for peak visits or certain activities. And if you're planning to bring along professional gear like a DSLR camera or tripod, just remember you'll need to get permission first!
Joint 3. Bath Christmas Markets (35,000 hashtags)
Bath's Christmas Markets ties for third place with London's Winter Wonderland, also with an average of 35,000 Instagram hashtags.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Bath's historic city centre, the market's charming chalets line the cobbled streets, offering a truly picturesque scene. With over 200 different stallholders, visitors can browse a wide variety of handmade gifts and festive treats.
What makes Bath so perfect for photography is the combination of its heritage architecture, twinkling lights, and the market's cosy atmosphere. The contrast of the festive stalls with Bath's iconic Georgian buildings creates a magical setting!
Photo by Sam Headland on Unsplash
4. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Markets (21,000 hashtags)
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. It’s famous for its traditional gifts, food, and drink – think giant pretzels, bratwursts, Glühwein and Weissbier (wheat beer), all served up in a festive atmosphere that captures the heart of German Christmas culture.
The market is perfect for photography, with its wooden stalls and lively crowds creating a warm and inviting scene. Plus, the contrast between Birmingham’s modern cityscape and the traditional German market setup makes for striking images.
5. York Christmas Markets (11,000 hashtags)
York is a magical place to visit, especially during Christmastime. And the Christmas markets are up there with some of the best in the UK, coming in at fifth place.
The city's historic streets are transformed during the Christmas season, with a towering tree in St Helen's Square and lights draped along the cobbled streets. You can browse over 75 stalls filled with unique gifts and food, and you may even find a choir perfect for getting you in the festive spirit.
Lizzie recommends: "A stroll down the iconic Shambles, York's famous mediaeval street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, is a must for photographers any time of year, but it's particularly special during Christmas. For the best shot, visit at dusk when the lights glow softly against the historic buildings."
"Since the street is quite narrow, it's best to go on weekdays to avoid the crowds. This will give you more space to set up the perfect shot."
6. Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland (6,400 hashtags)
Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is one of the most scenic Christmas markets in the UK.
Located in the heart of Old Market Square, the space is filled with twinkling lights, charming stalls, and festive food, creating the perfect setting for photos.
One of the market’s unique features is the Sky Skate, where you can glide above the crowds and take in the views from an elevated ice rink. It’s also a fantastic spot for snapping the perfect image, offering panoramic views of both the market below and the city skyline.
7. Leeds Christmas Markets (5,700 hashtags)
Leeds' Christmas Markets made a long-awaited return in 2023, welcoming thousands of visitors for the first time since 2019. And with over 5,700 Instagram hashtags, it's one of the best for photography.
The outdoor market celebrates independent producers and makers in Yorkshire, offering unique gifts, delicious food, and festive cheer.
However, if you need a break from the winter cold, head inside the historic Corn Exchange – a stunning Victorian building with a domed roof and grand architecture. It's a great spot for photos, where you can capture the market stalls set against the impressive interior, offering a unique backdrop to your festive shots.
8. Glasgow Christmas Markets (5,100 hashtags)
Glasgow's Christmas Markets is an excellent spot for photography. The combination of Christmas lights, the bustling market, and the Ferris wheel against the city skyline offers plenty of opportunities to capture the festive spirit in a vibrant urban setting. The view from the top of the Ferris wheel also provides a great vantage point for panoramic shots of the market below!
It's set right in the heart of the city and is spread across two central locations: St Enoch Square and George Square. With over 50 stalls offering everything from German bratwurst to Dutch pancakes, it's a festive food lover's paradise.
9. Liverpool Christmas Markets (4,400 hashtags)
Liverpool's Christmas Markets feature more than 40 stalls offering everything from festive food and drinks to unique gifts and ornaments from independent sellers.
For photography, this market offers more than just pretty lights and festive decor. The striking contrast between the market's warm, twinkling atmosphere and the grand neoclassical architecture of St George's Hall makes for dramatic, visually compelling shots.
Lizzie recommends: "To capture a unique shot, try focusing on the blend of old and new – like the intricate details of the St George's Hall with the lively market below."
10. Exeter Christmas Markets (4,300 hashtags)
Last but not least on our list is Exeter's Christmas Markets, with 4,300 Instagram hashtags. The market has a cosy, intimate feel, with fewer crowds than in larger cities, allowing visitors to soak in the Christmas atmosphere at a more relaxed pace. This also makes it a fantastic spot for photography – you'll have more space and time to capture the perfect shot.
Exeter's Christmas Markets are set against the stunning backdrop of Exeter Cathedral, one of England's most beautiful mediaeval buildings, dating back to 1050. It's a wonderful setting for your images!
Our top tips for photographing the Christmas markets
1. Don’t overlook smaller markets
"While larger markets like Manchester and Winter Wonderland in London are, of course, beautiful, smaller markets like Exeter offer equally stunning opportunities for capturing great photos," says Lizzie.
"These markets often have a rich history and are less crowded, picturesque backdrops, such as the mediaeval Exeter Cathedral or Leeds' Victorian Corn Exchange. Buildings like these look especially striking during golden hour or at dusk when the softer light brings out the textures and highlights the intricate architectural details."
"It's a good idea to use a wide-angle lens to capture both the scale of the market and the surrounding architecture in one frame. These lenses allow you to include more of the scene, giving your shots a sense of depth and context, from the historic details to the festive lights and bustling stalls."
2. Get creative with bokeh
Lizzie says: "One technique I love to use is creating a bokeh effect, which is when parts of the image, typically the background, are intentionally blurred and unfocused."
"This effect works beautifully when photographing market stalls or festive details with lights in the background that blur into soft, glowing orbs."
"To achieve bokeh, you need the right lens – one with a wide aperture of at least f/2.8. A wide aperture allows you to focus on your subject while creating that dreamy, blurred background. Your subject could be anything from a close-up of a vendor's hands preparing festive food to someone admiring the twinkle of the lights."
“The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens is a great choice for the price – the large F1.8 maximum aperture and 7-blade circular aperture work together to create beautiful background bokeh.”
"To make things easier, set your camera to Aperture Priority (AV) mode, where you control the aperture, and the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed."
"Once you've set this up, test the effect by looking through your camera's viewfinder or digital screen. You should see your subject in sharp focus with the market lights softly blurred behind them."
3. Experiment with movement
"Christmas markets are always bustling with life, and capturing that energy is key to showing the true essence of the experience," says Lizzie.
"One way to do this is by experimenting with slower shutter speeds, like 1/30 or 1/15 seconds, to create motion blur. This works because, with a slower shutter speed, the camera's sensor stays open longer, letting in more light and allowing movement to blur across the frame. It's a great technique for showing the flow of people or the rotation of a carousel."
"Just remember, when using a slow shutter speed that lets in more light, use a lower ISO to reduce the risk of overexposure and ensure you don't lose any detail."
To learn more, read our Beginner's Guide to ISO in Photography.
"To keep the rest of your shot sharp while allowing the motion to blur naturally, it's a good idea to use a tripod. They keep your camera steady, preventing any unintentional camera shake that can blur the entire image."
If you want to freeze the action instead, you'll need to switch to a faster shutter speed – something like 1/200 seconds. This will give you crisp, clear shots of people moving through the market.
4. Edit your images afterwards
"Post-processing is where you can truly bring your photos to life, with software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop," says Lizzie. "Christmas markets are filled with lighting, from illuminated stalls to glowing decorations, and it's easy to misjudge the right exposure."
"Images can sometimes come out overexposed, where details are washed out by too much light, or underexposed, where darker areas lack clarity. For example, if you've taken a shot of a dimly lit market scene, you might need to increase the exposure and highlights and adjust shadows to ensure the scene looks well-lit and that all the details are clear."
"Photo editing software can also help you remove unwanted distractions from your images that ruin the overall composition. For instance, removing a bin in your shot with tools like the healing brush in Adobe Photoshop can instantly clean up the scene and draw attention back to your subject."
Read our guide to the best photo editing software for beginners to find out more.
5. Capture the details
Lizzie says: "It's easy to get caught up photographing the popular attractions, like the giant Santa at Manchester's Christmas Market, but some of the best shots come from focusing on the smaller things."
"Instead of just snapping a wide shot of the whole market, look for the details – like the steam rising from a cup of mulled wine or the glow of lights reflecting off a glass ornament at a stall. Focusing on macro photography, which is all about capturing extreme close-ups, allows you to really highlight those intricate, often overlooked details that bring a lot of character to your photos."
"A macro lens, like a 100mm, is perfect for capturing fine details because it allows you to get close to your subject while maintaining sharpness and depth."
"If you're there with family, why not try to capture those candid moments, like your kids watching the lights in awe or picking out a treat from a stall? It's these types of shots that really stand out when you're looking back on your photos, and they make for some great Christmas cards, too."
The best equipment for photographing Christmas markets
A mirrorless camera
A camera with manual settings, like a mirrorless model, gives you complete control over exposure, aperture, and shutter speed – essential for managing the tricky lighting often found at Christmas markets.
"While compact cameras are convenient due to their small size, they lack the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and manual control," says Lizzie. "On the other hand, DSLRs, though powerful, can be bulky and difficult to carry around for long periods, especially if you’re at a market all day."
"That's why I think mirrorless cameras are the best choice. They offer the perfect balance – they're lighter and more portable than DSLRs but still provide the versatility of interchangeable lenses and full manual control. This makes them ideal for navigating busy markets while achieving high-quality, professional-looking shots."
Lizzie recommends: "The Nikon Z6III Mirrorless Camera is a fantastic choice for Christmas market photography. First of all, it's lightweight and has a tough build, which is perfect when you're moving through crowded markets."
"It also features a 24.5 MP full-frame sensor, which is brilliant for capturing intricate details like decorations, lights, and market scenes. The full-frame sensor really excels in low-light conditions, which is a huge advantage when you're shooting after dark at Christmas markets."
"Plus, the camera is built to handle cold weather, with both the body and battery working in temperatures as low as –10°C. It has premium weather sealing, which means it's protected from rain, snow, and dust – absolutely essential for shooting in the cold, wet UK winter."
A tripod
A tripod is a useful tool for photographing Christmas markets, especially in low light or when you're using slower shutter speeds to capture a moving crowd or festive lights. It helps keep your images sharp and steady, even in tricky lighting conditions.
Lizzie says: "I know carrying around a tripod isn't ideal for a busy market, but at Jessops, we have lightweight, portable options that are perfect for these situations."
"The Kenro Karoo Compact Travel Tripod, for example, extends to a maximum height of 162cm, giving you plenty of flexibility for different shots, but it collapses down to just 39.5cm, making it super easy to carry.
"Even though it weighs only 1.15kg, it can support up to 6kg of gear, so it's sturdy enough for all your photographic needs without being a hassle to lug around."
A polarising filter
Lizzie says: "A polarising filter is a really handy tool for Christmas markets, especially with all the lights and shiny surfaces around. It helps cut through reflections, whether they're bouncing off market stalls, glass ornaments, or even wet streets, so you can capture richer colours and more defined details."
"It also helps deepen the contrast in the sky or festive lights, giving your photos more depth and vibrancy."
"I'd recommend the Hoya Fusion One Next Circular Polariser Filter, as it's made with high-quality optical glass and 18 layers of coating that provide ultra-high light transmission. It's also stain-resistant and water-repellent, which is perfect for those cold, wet winter days at the market."
Capture the festive magic at Christmas markets with Jessops
Now that you know the most scenic Christmas markets in the UK, it's time to wrap up warm and head out with your digital camera.
Whether you're capturing the hustle and bustle of the crowds or focusing on the finer details, we have a wide range of products to level up your photography. Browse our selection of digital cameras, lenses, tripods, lighting and more.
For more advice and inspiration, take a look at our blog. Or, if you have any questions or you're unsure about which product is right for you, contact us today.
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