Bath Christmas Market 2026 runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December. Entry is free, and the stalls near Bath Abbey are about five minutes on foot from Bath Spa station. If you want time to browse without squeezing past a crowd, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. If you’re coming from London on the opening weekend, check your departure station before booking. Visit Bath’s Christmas market guide
Bath Christmas Market 2026 dates and opening times
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 10 am to 7 pm |
| Thursday to Saturday | 10 am to 8 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am to 6 pm |
The public opening day is Thursday 26 November. The event on Wednesday 25 November is a residents’ preview. If you’re booking a train for the last day, Sunday 13 December, plan around the 6pm close. Official Bath Christmas Market event information
When is the best time to visit?
For quieter browsing, go on Tuesday 1 or 8 December, or Wednesday 2 or 9 December. Visit Bath identifies Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10am and noon as the quietest times. An early start gives you more room to stop at the stalls and time for a sit-down lunch before the afternoon. If you use a wheelchair or pushchair, check the market’s access information before setting off. Some of the lanes are cobbled. Visit Bath’s advice on quieter visits and accessibility
For the lights, try a Thursday afternoon. Start around the Abbey while there’s still daylight, take a break indoors and go back out once it’s dark. The market stays open until 8pm on Thursdays, so you can see the stalls lit up and still give yourself time to get back to the station.
If Saturday is your only option, decide how you’ll get home before you leave. GWR says Bath Spa station uses a queueing system between 1pm and 6pm on market Saturdays. Leave extra time to get to the platform, especially if your ticket is tied to a particular train or you have a connection. GWR’s Bath Christmas Market travel advice
How to get to Bath Christmas Market 2026 by train
Search for Bath Spa when booking. From the station, head towards Bath Abbey for the first part of your visit. You can browse the stalls around the Abbey, then continue towards Bath Street, Milsom Street and New Bond Street. If you’re only staying for a couple of hours, stick to the streets around the Abbey and leave time for a food stop before you head back. The market’s journey guide
From London
Check the exact date in the journey planner before buying a ticket. GWR says that on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, its Bath services to and from London will use Euston instead of Paddington because of engineering works. Check both legs of your journey, particularly if you’re meeting someone at the station or travelling across London first. GWR’s opening weekend timetable notice
From Bristol
Bath Spa is around 15 minutes by train from Bristol Temple Meads, according to the market organiser. That makes a morning visit manageable if you’re local. If you’re changing at Bristol on the way home, look up that connection before deciding how long to stay in Bath. The market’s rail travel information
A simple plan for half a day in Bath
- Start around Bath Abbey. Give yourself time to browse the nearby chalets before moving further into the centre. If you’re shopping for gifts, note the stall and street when you see something you like. It’s surprisingly easy to lose track once you’ve been around a few corners.
- Eat before you’re ready to stop walking. Pick up something hot from the market, or choose a café for a proper break if it’s raining. If you’re meeting friends later, pick a named spot by the Abbey so nobody has to find the same stall twice.
- Finish on Milsom Street or New Bond Street. That gives you another stretch of stalls before you turn back towards Bath Spa. If you’re visiting with children or carrying shopping, allow more time for the walk back than you did on the way in.
If you’re staying overnight, pack a waterproof layer and leave room for anything you buy at the stalls. FEAST’s three-day city break packing list
Do you need a ticket for Bath Christmas Market?
No. Entry is free and there’s no booking required for the market itself. Check opening hours for the day you’re visiting, especially if you’re coming late on a Sunday. Official Bath Christmas Market information
