A Very British Christmas: The Best UK City Breaks for the Holiday Season
Whether you’re looking for family friendly trips or a romantic getaway, the holiday season is the perfect time to take in a new city. Cities both big and small take on a different look and feel around Christmas time, and no country quite does the festive season like the UK. With cold winter nights and ancient architecture adding to the Christmas cheer, we’ve picked out the best UK cities to visit during the holiday season.
London
It’s by far the most visited city in the UK, but there’s good reason for that, and we simply couldn’t overlook England’s capital. In truth, there’s no bad time to visit London and the city offers something for everyone whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, as a family or with friends.
But there’s no denying that London is extra magical around Christmas, with iconic lights dotted around the city and a whole range of Christmas markets to choose from. The most visited Christmas event is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, an enchanting Christmas world featuring delicious food, child-friendly attractions and so much more — perfect for a festive date night or an evening with the kids!
The only downside of London over the Christmas period is the sheer volume of people flocking to the city, which can lead to busy crowds and even busier roads. Familiarise yourself with London’s reliable tube network before visiting, and research your nearest car park in London to make things easier.
Manchester
Manchester is quickly becoming a mini London. With tonnes of things to do and see, different areas complementing each other and a handy tram network to get around, it’s easy to see why more and more tourists are choosing to head north. In comparison to London, Manchester also offers a nice balance in terms of business, with enough hustle and bustle to generate a vibrant atmosphere without the infamous London traffic.
That said, expect Manchester crowds to double if not triple over Christmas. This is in large part due to the city’s fantastic Christmas markets. With a few locations all within walking distance of each other, you’ll find everything from street food to handmade souvenirs.
If you’re planning to work in an afternoon of Christmas shopping into your trip, Manchester has you covered as well as one of the UK’s best shopping cities. In the city centre, you’ll find the Arndale Centre, home to over 200 stores. While a short drive/tram journey outside of the city centre, you’ll find one of the UK’s biggest shopping malls in the Trafford Centre.
Edinburgh
If you’re looking for a cosy winter night spent wandering ancient cobbled streets against the backdrop of ancient buildings, look no further than Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is one of the UK’s most historic and picturesque cities, which lends itself perfectly to a Christmas trip.
The bulk of Edinburgh’s festivities occur in the centre of the city, where you’ll find traditional Christmas markets, funfair rides and food & drink stalls. From the 20th of November, you’ll also be able to take in the sights of Edinburgh on skates thanks to a temporary ice rink for the festive period. If you’re travelling with small children, of course there is an opportunity to meet the main man himself via Edinburgh’s Santa’s Stories.
Liverpool
In 2024, Liverpool was named Which?’s best large UK city for a break, so it’s no surprise to see the northern powerhouse make our list. While commonly associated with a thriving nightlife scene, that’s not to say that Liverpool doesn’t cater for families too. In fact, Liverpool’s North Pole Experience is one of the best child-friendly days out to get your little ones into the Christmas spirit.
That said, if you are looking for a boozy getaway with your friends over Christmas, Liverpool won’t disappoint. Known for its fantastic live music scene and lively late night bars, Liverpool is a great location if you’re looking to arrange a Christmas meetup with friends or relatives.
Honourable mentions
With such a diverse mix of cities in the UK, it’s hard to narrow down the best festive cities. It also depends on what you’re looking for, so here are a few extra options that may suit your needs.
York: A historic, picturesque UK city with charming medieval streets that make for a romantic, festive getaway.
Cardiff: The Welsh capital and home to the popular Winter Wonderland, which features things to do for all ages.
Bath: Voted the best UK city according to Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, it’s definitely worth paying Bath a visit over Christmas.
Durham: Quieter than larger cities, which may suit some travellers, but only a short train journey to the lively city of Newcastle, Durham offers the best of both worlds over Christmas.