Experiences
Bath Christmas Market 2026: dates, opening times and where to stay
Bath Christmas Market runs from 26 November to 13 December 2026. Opening times, where the chalets are, Bath on Ice and the hotels we would book.
Gita Simonsen
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In short
Bath Christmas Market runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026, with free entry. Around 170 wooden chalets line the streets around the abbey and the Roman Baths. Our first choice for a stay is The Gainsborough Bath Spa, a five-minute walk from the market and with its own pools of warm spring water.
Our first choice: Check availability and prices at The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Bath has held a Christmas market for more than 25 years, and it is regularly named among the best in the UK. The city is small enough to walk from market to ice rink to thermal bath in an afternoon, and the golden 18th-century stone does the rest.
Dates and opening times 2026
Dates: 26 November to 13 December 2026.
Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm.
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm.
Sunday: 10am to 6pm.
Entry: free, no booking needed.
Weekends are the busiest. Come on a weekday, or early in the morning, if you want to wander between the chalets in peace.
Where are the chalets?
The market has no single square but spreads through the centre. Abbey Churchyard by the abbey is the heart of it, and chalets continue along Abbeygate Street, Bath Street, Abbey Green, Kingston Parade, Union Street and up Milsom Street. Most of what you find is local craft, gifts and food from Somerset and the rest of the South West.
Bath on Ice
The Bath on Ice skating rink returns to Royal Victoria Park in November 2026. The park is a short walk from the centre, below the Royal Crescent. Last year the rink also had its own Christmas tree maze. Check dates and tickets on the Bath on Ice website before you travel.
More to do in Bath at Christmas
Bath Abbey: During the festive season the abbey has run tower tours, 212 steps up, with views over the city.
Thermal bathing: Thermae Bath Spa has a rooftop pool filled with warm spring water and views over the city.
Royal Crescent: Walk over to the curved terrace, known from Bridgerton, on an evening with Christmas lights.
Getting there
The train from London Paddington takes around an hour and a half. If you are driving, park and ride is easiest, and during the market the buses stop right by Bath on Ice. Bath has a charging Clean Air Zone, but it does not apply to private cars.
Hotels near the Christmas market
Thermal water
The Gainsborough has its own pools filled with Bath's natural spring water.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough is a five-minute walk from the Roman Baths and the market, and has its own pools filled with Bath's warm spring water. It is the quickest way to thaw out after a cold day between the chalets. More than a thousand guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.2.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Queen Square
Francis Hotel looks out over Queen Square.
Francis Hotel Bath
Francis Hotel looks out over Queen Square, a few minutes on foot from Milsom Street where the chalets begin. The hotel has a spa and the Emberwood restaurant serving British food. Guests rate it 9.2.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Francis Hotel Bath
The Queensberry
The lounge at The Queensberry Hotel.
The Queensberry Hotel
The Queensberry occupies a row of Georgian town houses, ten minutes on foot from the market. After a day out, dinner at the Olive Tree Restaurant is a cosy way to finish. Guests rate it 9.6.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Queensberry Hotel
Great Pulteney Street
Bright rooms with chandeliers at No.15 Great Pulteney.
No.15 by GuestHouse
No.15 is across Pulteney Bridge, ten minutes on foot from the abbey. The rooms are colourful, and the hotel has its own spa. Guests rate it 9.4.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at No.15 by GuestHouse
For more hotels, including ones with parking, see our guide to the best hotels in Bath.
Frequently asked questions about Bath Christmas Market
When is Bath Christmas Market 2026?
Bath Christmas Market runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026. It opens at 10am every day and closes at 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 8pm Thursday to Saturday and 6pm on Sundays.
Is Bath Christmas Market free?
Yes. Entry is free and you do not need to book. You only pay for what you buy at the chalets.
Where should you stay for Bath Christmas Market?
Stay in the centre so you can walk to the market and back. The Gainsborough Bath Spa is five minutes away and has thermal pools. Francis Hotel and The Queensberry are also within walking distance.
Is there parking for Bath Christmas Market?
The centre fills up on market weekends, so park and ride is easiest. The buses stop at Royal Victoria Park, home to Bath on Ice. The nearest car park to the ice rink is Charlotte Street.