The festive season is just around the corner, and with it comes one of Britain’s most beloved traditions: Christmas markets.
The twinkling lights, warming mulled wine, and smell of roasted chestnuts are hard to resist. But with living costs still tight for households across the nation, finding a market that won’t drain your wallet matters more than ever.
Fortunately, Sweepstakes Table has crunched the numbers to find out which UK Christmas markets offer the best value for money. Their study examined food prices, drink costs, accommodation rates, and rail travel expenses to create a Christmas Market Affordability Score for markets across the country.
The analysis looked at typical Christmas market staples (bratwurst and mulled wine) alongside overnight accommodation costs (based on 3- or 4-star hotels) and rail fares from London on 5 December 2025.
Each factor was weighted based on its typical impact on a market visit: accommodation (35%), food (30%), rail travel (25%), and drinks (10%). Markets with lower combined costs received higher affordability scores out of 100.
The Top 5 Cheapest Christmas Markets In The UK
Canterbury Christmas Market, Canterbury — Affordability Score: 88
Taking the top spot, Canterbury Christmas Market combines reasonable prices with accessibility. At just £11.00 for food and drink, it’s among the cheapest places to grab a bratwurst and mulled wine.
Accommodation averages £110.00 per night, so it’s possible to enjoy a full festive weekend without spending a fortune. The historic cathedral city provides the perfect backdrop for a budget-friendly Christmas experience.
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham — Affordability Score: 86
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market comes in a close second with an affordability score of 86. Food and drink costs sit at £12.00, while accommodation averages £116.00 per night.
As one of the UK’s largest German-style markets, it delivers an authentic festive atmosphere without the hefty price tag you’ll find at some other major city markets.
Cardiff Christmas Market, Cardiff — Affordability Score: 74
Wales’ capital offers festive fun at a fair price, scoring 74 for affordability. With food and drink costing £11.00 (matching Canterbury for value) it’s the slightly higher accommodation rate of £127.00 that pushes it to third place.
Still, Cardiff provides excellent value for those looking to combine Christmas shopping with a city break.
Bath Christmas Market, Bath — Affordability Score: 73
Bath might be known for its upmarket Georgian charm, but its Christmas market surprises with the cheapest food and drink on the list at just £10.00. The catch? Accommodation averages £216.00 per night, the highest among the top five.
However, for day-trippers or those willing to splurge on a room, Bath’s stunning setting and affordable refreshments make it worth considering.
Holkham Hall, Norfolk — Affordability Score: 73
Rounding out the top five, Holkham Hall offers something different: a Christmas market set in the grounds of a stately home. Food and drink cost £11.00, while accommodation averages £200.00 per night.
The rural location provides a quieter alternative to busy city-centre markets, with the same festive spirit but fewer crowds.
Budget-Friendly Festive Travel
The data reveals interesting patterns in Christmas market affordability. Markets in smaller historic cities like Canterbury, Sheffield (£118.00 accommodation, £12.00 food and drink), and York (£110.00 accommodation, £13.00 food and drink) tend to offer better value than their big-city counterparts.
Chester presents an unusual case: despite having the lowest accommodation cost on the list at £80.00, its slightly higher food and drink prices (£13.50) combined with travel costs result in an affordability score of 63. Worcester Christmas Fayre, despite reasonable food prices of £12.50, scores lowest at 54, mainly due to accommodation costs of £193.00.
For those watching their pennies this Christmas, the message is clear: you don’t need to sacrifice festive cheer to stick to a budget. Whether you fancy exploring Canterbury’s medieval streets or sampling authentic German treats in Birmingham, affordable Christmas magic is out there. You just need to know where to look!