12 Christmas markets in Wales that are not to be missed
What better way to get in the festive spirit, and solve your gift dilemmas, than a trip to one of the Christmas markets in Wales?
Cardiff is already celebrating Christmas – its market opened last week along with the Winter Wonderland on the grounds of the civic centre. Santa even made a quick stop.
But there are plenty of yuletide markets yet to set up their stalls across the country: you can go back in time with a trip to Caerphilly’s Medieval-themed Christmas fair, or while away the hours tasting the food and admiring the crafts on offer at the National Botantical Garden’s fair.
Just remember to wrap up warm and don’t feel guilty about keeping the insides toasty with some mulled wine and roasted chestnuts – it is Christmas after all.
Cardiff Christmas Market
November 14 to December 23, 2013
CraftfolK’s Cardiff Christmas Market is set in the Hayes, Trinity Street, Working Street and St John’s Church.
www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com
Swansea Christmas Street Market
November 23 to December 16
A traditional German food quarter will be among the traditional wooden cabins selling arts, crafts, handmade goods and foods.
Llandudno Christmas Fayre
November 21 to 24, 2013
The fayre attracted 30,000 visitors last year, and is going bigger for this season. The traders will be based on Madoc Street near Llandudno’s main retail area.
www.llandudnochristmasfayre.co.uk
Erddig Christmas Market, Wrexham
November 23 to December 15 (weekends only), 2013
The National Trust house is decked out for Christmas, enjoy mulled wine while you enjoy the various stalls and festive music.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig
Blackwood Christmas Market
November 30 to December 1, 2013
Stalls along the high street, funfair rides and entertainment. Santa and reindeer will also be visiting Blackwood.
Aberglasney Annual Winter Fair, Carmarthenshire
November 30 to December 1, 2013
There is a full programme of entertainment, and stalls selling handmade gifts, crafts, art and christmas decorations.
Royal Welsh Winter Fayre, Builth Wells, Powys
December 23, 2013
The main attraction is the livestock, but there is also a food hall, cookery, produce and handicrafts, floral art, antiques, demonstrations and Christmas gifts.
Cardiff Bay Christmas Market
For the third year the Oval Basin will host traditional stalls selling gifts, decorations and food. There will be live music, street theatre, lantern workshops and a chance to meet Father Christmas. There will be a firework display on the Saturday night.
December 6 to 8, 2013
Caerphilly Medieval Market
December 78, 2013
The 10th year of the market with 100 stalls around the two, including 25 within the castle’s walls, and Medieval magician, dragon puppeteers, jester and stiltwalker.
The National Botanic Garden’s Christmas Craft Fair
December 78, 2013
The the craft and food fairs will be held in the Great Glasshouse, with three Santa shows throughout the day.
Abergavenny Christmas Fair
December 8
Festive produce, specialist exhibitions, and SweetieFest – a celebration of the Great British Sweet.
www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market
December 12, 2013
Seventy stalls selling everything from toys to jewellery, crafts to decorations, with Welsh cakes, mulled wine and hot chestnuts.
