The Germans have always known how to do Christmas, which is why the rest of the world has delighted in copying them and rolling out our own magical versions of their Christmas market culture. But Christmas isn’t just about the mulled wine and wooden cabin shops, it’s about all kinds of markets, from the Christmas fayre to flea markets and vintage stalls.
The joy of the market is taking a wander and connecting with artisan and local producers. It’s about finding that special gift or treat. And, yes, maybe having a glug of mulled wine or hot chocolate on the way.
Abbotsford Christmas Market
Abbotsford House, November 27 and 28, 10.30-4pm
“I am well again, by dint of drinking gin,” wrote Sir Walter Scott, and one of the products you can get at the Christmas market at Abbotsford House, the former home of Scott, is gin from Selkirk Distillers. A marquee in the house’s grounds is host to a market selling locally produced gifts for two weekends in November. Amongst the stalls are Border Candles, Selkirk Distillers, The Colourful Edit and The Soap Farm. Book to visit the house and gardens while you are there - tickets are currently half price, thanks to Visit Scotland’s Great Days Out in Scotland scheme. Among the house’s eccentricities are Scott’s armoury, an extensive collection of weapons and the “religious corridor”, home to religious stones and statuary. £2 entrance fee, children free.
www.scottsabbotsford.com
This Is Not A Christmas Market
The Deepend, 21 Nithsdale St, Glasgow, December 4, 11 and 18, 11am-4pm
Well, yes, it is kind of a Christmas market though, but just of the sort that’s got a lot of emphasis on local makers and having a bit of a sustainable vibe. It’ps organised by Govanhill Bath’s Rags To Riches award-winning upcycling social enterprise. There will be coffee and pizza (from Caesars) as part of the 40 vendors who will be selling there. Hosted both outdoors and inside the venue, and with workshops including wreath making, on December 4, and digital embroidery, on December 11. Family and dog friendly.
3D/2D
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sauchiehall Street, November 27-27, 10.30-5pm
The 3D/2D Fair is an event that brings together some of the finest contemporary arts, crafts and design-work from across the UK. Over 65 makers, designers and artists exhibit their work, spanning a wide range of gift-worthy categories from jewellery to fashion to home-ware. The organisers say, “We pride ourselves in carefully selecting exhibitors to ensure standards are kept high, resulting in a wonderful mix of high quality and unique products sold to you by the exhibitors themselves.” Entrance fee £3. The fair shifts to Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms the following weekend, December 4-5.
https://www.3d2d.co.uk/royal-concert-hall
Glasgow’s Farmers Markets
Alternating Saturdays between Shawlands (Langside Halls) and Partick (Mansfield Park), 10am-2pm
Where better to go for your Christmas food shop than Glasgow’s main farmers market which specialises in seasonal meat, fruit, veg and street food, and always, as Christmas approaches, turns its focus towards festive favourites? Over twenty traders will be selling on site. The market will be at Shawlands on November 20 and December 4 and 18, and at Partick on November 27 and December 11 and 23.
www.citypropertymarkets.co.uk
Craft & Flea
The Briggait, Glasgow, November 27, 11am-5pm
Craft + Flea markets take place across the UK, and they’re all about bringing together a collection of independent makers, collectors, creators, designers, curators and local small business heroes. It’s as if the traditional flea-market has been given a crafty twist, bringing vintage bric-a-brac together with plants, jewellery, ceramics, candles and more. It’s about collectibles and the handmade.
Entry is £2.50 but Under 12s go free.
Helensburgh Winter Festival
Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, November 27-28, 10am-5pm
The Christmas Market is back, as are the fairground rides, including their ever-popular bungee trampoline and the Festival Stage, host to local music and dance acts over the weekend. There’s even the Classic Car show, best dressed pet competition and Christmas lights switch on. The market itself will include over 70 stalls and 12 hot food vans. Helensburgh proving it knows what Christmas was made for.
https://www.helensburghwinterfestival.co.uk/
Bowhouse Christmas Market Weekend
Bowhouse, St Monans, Fife, December 11-12, 10m-4pm
Bowhouse, the biggest food and drink market in Fife, is the kind of buzzing hub that is all about the local artisan producers. A selection of Scotland’s finest makers of food and drink, crafts and gifts will be there over the weekend. Pick up a Christmas tree from Blinkbonny Trading, make a wreath, choose a book from the Little Travelling Bookshop, which is housed in a Citroen van, or browse craft traders and artists for ceramics, knitwear, jewellery and home décor. Foodies will also find plenty of Fife-produced quality treats from Balcaskie Estate meats and Woodmill Game to seasonal root vegetables craft drinks and beers. The vibe is upbeat and chilled - with local band providing the sounds.
Glasgow St Enoch Market
St Enoch Square, Glasgow, November 21 to December 23
The disappointment that George Square market had been cancelled, was replaced with the joy that many of its favourite stalls would be moving to St Enoch Square It’s set to be a Christmas Village in German Christmas market style, but with more treats than Gluhwein and gingerbread - including an international spread. Take your pick of French crepes or Dutch pancakes, try an ostrich, wild boar or crocodile, or just stick to a classic giant bratwurst from the famous Schwenkegrill.
Teasses Christmas Market
Teasses Estate, Leven, December 4, 11am-4pm
Teasses is a working sporting estate on the East Neuk in Fife, and it’s stunning the setting of this Christmas market that adds to its charm: food and drinks stalls in the Stables Courtyard and a craft market in the wintery Walled Garden. It’s also not just about the gift buying. Teasses delivers festive entertainment in the form of music, storytelling and an appearance from Santa. There are even wreath-making workshops by Jill from Flora Alba in the Peach House at the Walled Garden – book now, as they’re bound to sell out.
teasses.com
Glamis Castle Christmas Market
Glamis Castle, Angus, November 27-28, 10am-4pm
The fairytale-like castle, with pointed towers and beautiful gardens, that was once home to HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, is opening its gates to festive shoppers and visitors. The market is set to host a wide range of local traders, selling almost everything you could imagine, including candles, clothing, cheese, dog products, jewellery, condiments, jams, spirits, plants, soaps, cakes. You can also dine out here, either at one of the street food stands or at the Castle Kitchen and enjoy entertainment including the sounds of The Forfar Instrumental Band on Saturday and The Vintage Girls on Sunday. Pre-book tickets via the website, choosing a time slot.
www.glamis-castle.co.uk/
Out of the Blue Christmas Arts Market
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, December 4 and 11
A yearly favourite in north Edinburgh, this bringing together of artists and makers always has a great buzz about it. Over the two dates it will host over 11 vendors selling their own work, ranging from paintings, prints and photography through fashion, jewellery and textiles to ceramics, soft furnishings and design. It’s a real chance to meet the makers. The licensed Drill Hall cafe will also be open serving meals, snacks and refreshments.
www.outoftheblue.org.uk/xmasartsmarkets2021/
Glow Scottish Design Fair
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, December 4-5, 10am - 5pm
This is a curated selling event, so you know everything here is going to be special, all of the makers chosen by the creators of this and its sister event CLOTH. A total of 26 Scottish designer makers will be featuring their work, in the tapestry studios. Includes plant-inspired resin jewellery by Carla Edwards, lambswool scarves by Emma Geddes, eco homewares by Dominique Saag and much more.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, November 20 to January 4
The grandmother of all Christmas markets and the one people come from across the world to visit. For, of course, Edinburgh delivers not just a market but a German-style market wrapped up in a winter festival, complete with fairground rides and ice rink, and tied up in the bow of Edinburgh romance. You don’t go here just for the Gluhwein, you go for one of the things we have been missing over the past year, a mass event fix. A ride on the big wheel, followed by Bratwurst and a beer.
Haan Christmas Design Market
Marischal Quad, Aberdeen, various dates throughout December
Haan, is Doric for hand, and this is a market that celebrates the handmade, from textiles and jewellery through to homeware and ceramics. Luckily enough, it also sits alongside Aberdeen’s FINE pop-up cafe. Those with a keen interest in the skills of crafting might also like to check out the programme of events in the nearby Anatomy Rooms in which industry professionals will talk about their work. And, if you want to try your own haan at something there are family friendly workshops in upcycling and card and decoration making.
The Night Market
Cottiers, 93-95 Hyndland Street, Glasgow, December 2, 6.30-11.30pm
Where market night is party night. Created in 2019 by two friends (Becc Sanderson and Jess Sykes), The Night Market is all about shining a light on the breadth of Scottish creatives and small business talent, but also making it a proper evening out. There’s street food on sale and live music, as well as sounds provided by DJ Rebecca Vasmant (with special guest Chris Greive) . The feel is local, ethical and independent with plenty of artisans, vintage, jewellers, bakers, candlestick makers and more selling their wares. Children (12 and under) are free and welcome until 8.30pm (due to licensing). Book your tickets in advance. Food service stops at 10pm, but the bar will stay open. #
Instagram and Facebook - @thenightmarketuk
Christmas Market On The Croft
Leith Links, Edinburgh, December 13-24, 10am-4pm
Last year’s Christmas Market on this wonderful community garden at the corner of Leith Links, was a hive, buzzing with activity - and this year sees it return for a 10-day stretch of stalls, music and carol singing. But the Croft isn’t just host to this week of Christmas market, there’s also its regular Sunday market, and its new Saturday events, called Coorie In with flea market, mulled wine, and other entertainments, including on November 27, a St Andrews Day ceilidh. Pick up a snack or drink at the Hingabootery outdoor cafe while you’re there.
Cawdor Castle Christmas Market
Cawdor Castle, Nairn, December 11 to 12, 10am-4pm
A stroll in the grounds of beautiful Cawdor castle, browsing artisan food from Highland producers and local crafters and designers. What more could you ask for to get you in the Christmas spirit? Well, there’s also the street food stands to keep you fuelled up, the children’s activities and the live festive entertainment, all of which make this more of a winter festival than mere market.
Christmas vintage market Roseangle Cafe
Roseangle Kitchen Cafe, Perth Road, Dundee, December 4
A vintage present is for the most part a unique and special one, as well as being green. So rake through the rails at this regular vintage Christmas Market, selling clothing, jewelery, furniture and mid-century items, and find that treasure. The event is part of the West End Christmas fortnight in Dundee, which also includes the popular Christmas Fayre at Verdant Works on November 27 and 28 and the Community Wardrobe on December 11, offering free clothes and accessories - a gift to whoever pitches up.
Ayrshire farmers markets
Kilmarnock December 18, Paisley December 11, Ayr December 4, plus an extra Paisley Christmas market on December 19
Whether it’s just one of the regular farmers markets, or a special Christmas market, there’s no better place to stock up on the kind of goodies and treats that add delight to the festive season.
Up to 30 producers bring their wares to these Ayrshire towns, and products often include Ayrshire hill lamb, seasonal game, Dunlop cheeses, Ayrshire veg, home baking, sweet treats and even a Christmas pressie for your hound from The Ayrshire Dog Deli. You can also stock up on local(ish) booze, for instance, Hebridean whisky liqueurs and award winning beers from a nearby micro brewery.
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