UK’s ‘most searched’ Christmas market is in breathtaking little historic city

A new tinsel-tinged top ten has revealed the “most popular” Christmas market in Britain and it’s a new location that has topped a table for the first time. 

The ancient Roman and Viking-influenced city of York, in North Yorkshire, has been crowned the winner based on the average number of monthly searches on Google this year. 

SEO agency, Nomada Digital, analysed trends on the search engine site from 2023 and 2024 to identify the most popular Yuletide location to enjoy a mulled wine this festive season. 

York took the title with a 22% increase in searches for the event this year, beating the usual heavy hitter Edinburgh into second place, with the Scottish capital’s offering seeing an -18% drop in related searches. 

Midland powerhouse Birmingham took third place with the Frankfurt-themed Christmas extravaganza attracting 60,500 searches in October this year. 

Danny Sullivan, Founder of Nomada Digital, said: “Our research into Christmas market searches shows how much people value these festive experiences.

“It’s fantastic to see York ranking so highly, and for Leeds to also feature in the top 10, a great result for Yorkshire.

“What also stands out is the rising popularity of smaller markets like Winchester, which is a testament to the unique charm these places offer during the holiday season.”

York’s award-winning Christmas Market features 75 alpine chalets along Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of local crafts, artisan products, and seasonal treats, with 80% of the traders coming from Yorkshire. The market also offers a vintage carousel in King’s Square.

Edinburgh’s East Princes Street Gardens hosts a festive market with around 70 stalls offering handmade gifts, food, and drinks, plus the 46m-tall Big Wheel with views of the city.

Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, the largest authentic German market outside of Germany or Austria, brings festive cheer with traditional food like bratwurst, pretzels, and mulled wine, alongside handcrafted gifts.

Located in Victoria Square and along New Street, the market offers live music, a carousel, and a unique singing moose named Chris.

The table below might provide the perfect inspiration if you’re still undecided about which Christmas market to explore this year.

1. York Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 90,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 74,000

22%

2. Edinburgh Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 74,000

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 90,500

-18%

3. Birmingham Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 60,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 49,500

22%

4. Bath Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 60,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 60,500

0%

5. Manchester Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 60,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2022: 74,000

-18%

6. Winchester Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 40,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 40,500

0%

7. London Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 40,500

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 40,500

0%

8. Liverpool Christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 22,200

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 14,800

50%

9. Nottingham christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 14,800

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 22,200

-33%

10. Leeds christmas market

Avg monthly searches Oct 2024: 9,900

Avg monthly searches Oct 2023: 12,100

-18%