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Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Times
18 of the best Christmas markets in the UK for 2025
Who says you have to travel to the continent for an excellent Christmas market? The UK has a brilliant array to suit all tastes, whether you're looking for a fun family day out or some handy gift-shopping solutions. Expect magnificent, tall trees laden with twinkling lights, chalet-style stalls stretching out like miniature Alpine villages, and mulled wine and mince pies on tap as ordinary urban squares are transformed into winter wonderlands. Some of the larger examples, such as those in Birmingham and Edinburgh, also feature ice rinks — hosting a curious mix of wobbly beginners and aspiring Torvill and Dean wannabes — where Mariah Carey, Wham! and co belt out their holiday classics over the speakers. Others throw in walking trails, interactive exhibits or a funfair for good festive measure. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Dates November 13 to December 23, 2025 Best for independent local sellersFor 30 years, Cardiff Christmas Market has been populating the pedestrian areas of the city centre with stalls showcasing the original work of its craftspeople and artists. Visitors can expect 70 stalls that rotate weekly; over 200 individual businesses selling a wide variety of goods will set up stalls here over the winter months. Wander round the Hayes, Trinity Street, St John Street and Working Street to find the perfect handmade stocking and come with an appetite — there's plenty of seasonal food and drink to dive into while you're there. Check out the taster stalls on Trinity Street, where new arrivals showcase their products. • Best hotels in Cardiff Dates November 14 to December 21, 2025 Best for a lavish settingThe splendid home of the Duke of Marlborough is transformed into a Christmas fantasy as dozens of wooden chalets spread around the Great Court. Once you've sampled the craft vodka, local cheeses and picked out a few gifts, take a stroll along the magical Illuminated Light Trail, which follows a path through the incredible palace gardens. Book tickets in advance for the opulent Palace rooms, which this year tells the story of Peter Pan in Neverland. • Best hotels in Oxfordshire Dates November 1 to December 24, 2025 Best for bratwurst and glühweinThe Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square is the biggest German market outside Germany and Austria — and it's just as buzzing. Enjoy glühwein, German beer, bratwurst and pretzels while listening to live bands and carol singers. Take a spin on the ice rink after a ride on the big wheel and look out for one of the market's unmissable sights — and sounds — the singing Christmas moose (called Chris Moose, naturally). He'll be serenading passers-by in front of the Council House in the heart of the city. • Best hotels in Birmingham Dates November 13 to December 21, 2025 Best for Instagram-worthy photosYork's venerable streets somehow manage to get even prettier when the St Nicholas Fair transforms Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square into a Christmas fairyland. Wooden chalets are draped in lights and the smell of chestnuts is everywhere. It's just as festive in King's Square, where there's a vintage carousel, and the party continues in Shambles Market and Food Court — the perfect place to taste street food from around the world. If you want to rest your legs and need a bit of a break, look out for Thor's Tipi where you can warm up with a hot drink in cosy surroundings. • Best hotels in York Dates November 19 to December 22, 2025 Best for gothic splendourIn an enchanting setting in front of the Victorian gothic town hall, the medieval cathedral and the rebuilt Chester Market, Chester's Christmas market brings together 70 wooden cabins piled high with festive treats. As you gather around the giant Christmas tree in the square, fill up on rib-sticking hog roasts and hot dogs. • Best Christmas train rides in the UK Dates November 27 to December 14, 2025 Best for varietyBath Christmas Market is both of one of the country's biggest and most enchanting; more than 170 stalls are squeezed into the cobbled streets around the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Traders are chosen for the calibre of their products, with the food stalls coming from Bath and the southwest, and local charities taking part. Grab some craft ale as you settle in for the street entertainment provided by brass bands and local choirs under the sparkle of the Christmas lights displays. • Best hotels in Bath Dates November 13, 2025 to January 4, 2026 Best for sustainable stocking fillersBrits can't seem to get enough of German Christmas markets, and Southampton obliges with its German-style festival that takes over the Above Bar pedestrian zone and Bargate Street. Bratwurst and waffles — along with German beer and mulled wine — accompany live music from open-air bars and a roving Bavarian musician. It's the place for a green Christmas, with plenty of chances to pick up ornaments made from recycled materials. • Discover our full guide to the UKDates November 15 to December 23, 2025 Best for a helter skelterBelfast Christmas market brings a glittering glow to the City Hall gardens when dozens of wooden chalets are set up in the grounds. Get a taste of international as well as local treats from the food court as you wander around the stalls with their Christmas trinkets and gifts, and get a fabulous view of the city from the top of the helter-skelter. • Best hotels in Belfast Dates December 12-14, 2025 Best for stately home ambienceThis beautiful country estate in North Norfolk puts on a magical show for Christmas. Wander around the Lady Elizabeth Wing and enjoy the spectacle of 60 stalls vying for your attention. The best of Norfolk's artisan food and drink producers and craftspeople will tempt you with delicious and gorgeous gifts. • Best hotels in Norfolk Dates November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026 Best for high-flying ridesAncient Edinburgh is tempting enough as it is for a long weekend, but it gets even better at Christmas when it majors on festive fun. Markets are spread all around the city centre — the European Market in the Mound Precinct, the Children's Market in the Princes Street Gardens, the Scottish Market in George Street, where there's usually an ice skating rink. You'll get your thrills from a ride on the Star Flyer or the Big Wheel. Time your visit with the Hogmanay celebrations that take over Princes Street. • Best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas• Best Airbnbs in Edinburgh Dates November 2025 to January 2026 (exact dates TBC) Best for sheer scaleLondon never does anything by halves and its enormous Winter Wonderland, which sprawls across Hyde Park, is a prime example. Everything here is on a huge scale, from the outdoor ice-skating rink — the biggest in the UK — to the giant observation wheel and circus shows. Colourful lights fill the park, where 100 stalls offer temptation in the form of Christmas presents and festive food and drink. • Best affordable hotels in London Dates November 21 to December 22, 2025 Best for filling up with festive foodStep into Winchester Cathedral's Inner Close to become cocooned by twinkling lights and traditional wooden chalets selling gifts and fresh-from-the-oven mince pies. When you're not checking out the stalls in the British Crafts Village, try some of the amazing food on offer, including mac 'n' cheese at the Mac Shack and a hog roast and halloumi roll at Wild Garlic Catering — and listen out for the soothing sounds of the cathedral's choir services throughout November 8 to December 22, 2025 Best for a party atmosphereManchester's Christmas markets are always guaranteed to put on a show. There are eight of them spread across the city centre, bringing together more than 225 stalls for one giant party. Start in Albert Square and make your way along King Street up to the stalls at Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens before meandering back to Piccadilly Gardens. In all, you'll find a pan-European flavour among the food stalls, along with a string of wooden chalets selling gifts from around the continent. • Best things to do in Manchester at Christmas• Best Airbnbs in Manchester Dates November 13 to December 31, 2025 Best for traditional family funGather around the giant Christmas tree in Nottingham's Old Market Square for a bird's-eye view of the festivities from the observation wheel while the kids ride the carousel. Pop-up bars and traditional wooden chalets line Long Row and Smithy Row, selling hot food and gifts, with more stalls and food and drink offerings filling the Christmas Village in Trinity Square. • Most affordable Christmas market breaks in Europe Dates November 29-30 and December 6-7, 2025 Best for entertainment More than 200 stalls fill Stratford-upon-Avon's historic streets during its Christmas market, which runs over two consecutive weekends. As you wander under twinkling lights and past wooden chalets selling Christmas gifts and seasonal snacks, you'll be entertained by roaming street entertainers to get you into the festive spirit. • Best UK hotels for a Christmas break Dates November 15 to December 23, 2025 Best for a stunning backdropWith the imposing columns of the neoclassical St George's Hall as its backdrop, Liverpool's Christmas market is a grand affair. The stalls, bedecked with fairy lights, are laid out in St John's Gardens, selling everything from personalised decorations to jewellery and assorted stocking fillers. Around it you have a choice of bars selling German beers, hot ciders and fruity cocktails. Children will enjoy Santa's village while an observation wheel will offer a bird's eye view of the festivities. • Best hotels in Liverpool Dates November 7 to December 23, 2025 Best for skiing vibesBristol city centre goes big on the Bavarian ski scene during its Christmas market in Broadmead piazza. Enjoy the rustic setting of Jäger Barn Bar while you can sip glasses of glühwein and mulled cider and tuck into plates of bratwurst, all to a soundtrack of live music. Book one of the ski gondolas or igloos for a festive party with up to six friends, and browse the stalls selling homemade crafts and goodies. • Best Airbnbs in Bristol Dates November 20 to December 19, 2025 Best for West Country waresWhen Devon's biggest Christmas market pitches up every year at Exeter Cathedral, you get free admission to this magnificent 12th-century structure as well as the chance to browse more than 100 stalls. Among the chalets selling Christmas gifts and handmade crafts are others showing off delicious West Country produce as well as pop-up bars and street-food stalls. Set aside time for a good look round the cathedral, with its awe-inspiring stone vaulted ceiling and medieval astronomical clock. • Best hotels in Exeter Additional reporting by Richard Mellor Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
SIMON MILLS: At 60, can I pull off skimpy short shorts à la Paul Mescal and Harry Styles?
I am standing in front of the sun-dappled, pine-tree boulevard that leads to the five-star Bellevue Hotel in Lošinj, Croatia, trying my best to pull off what fashionable, Instagramming men are now calling the ' Harrison Ford Short Shorts' shot. My version (right) involves a long-sleeved navy-blue merino crew neck, a pair of beaten-up brown leather deck shoes, aviator sunglasses and dark-blue shorts, crucially with an inseam less than four inches. With exposed knees, calves and thighs, the look has the same bare-legged swagger that miniskirts instilled in Chelsea girls during the swinging 60s. This now-iconic (and much imitated on Instagram) Ford image was snapped at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France, during the Cannes Film Festival, back in 1982 when the Star Wars and Raiders Of The Lost Ark actor was a ruggedly handsome 39-year-old. In the picture he looks bronzed and sporty – a bona-fide film star (whose Blade Runner was about to be released) but also still very much the effortlessly hip, pot-smoking California carpenter dude. And his shorts are short. Wimbledon Centre Court short. Kevin Keegan circa the Spanish World Cup 1982 short. This was the way men dressed for the warm months back then. Following the lead of other 80s summer style icons – Tom Selleck as Magnum PI, tennis player Björn Borg, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley from Wham! in their badminton-ready Filas – shorts were styled to compliment the super thigh-guy decade of body-consciousness, step aerobics and Jazzercise. Men wanted to look fit, healthy, tanned and leggy. The hamstring was an erogenous zone. And now they're back, helped by Ford's cross-generational influence, Josh O'Connor's sweaty but desirable dirtbag tennis player style in the sexually charged Challengers movie and the leg-focused deadlifts, lunges and squats fast taking over from ab crunches and bicep curls in the gym. The past two or three summers have seen a vibe shift, moving the inseam of men's shorts in an audaciously upward direction. Back in Croatia, your reporter is examining his attempt at the famous Harrison Ford Short Shorts shot. Oh dear. Some intense sessions in the gym are needed. Lunges, squats, curls, maybe that hip-abductor machine thing. And those dark-blue Sundek shorts I'm wearing? Yes, for a middle-aged dad who has spent the past two decades in Bermudas and board shorts, they do feel short to me. But with summer 2025 hotting up, they need to be shorter. Hard to believe in the slobby 21st century, I know. With one in four adult Brits now obese, as soon as the temperature climbs into the 20s, men more commonly reach for 'shorts' that extend way over the knee and have the voluminous proportions of culottes. With bellies to hide and calf tattoos to show off, it has now become socially (if not aesthetically) acceptable for dads on holiday to wear oversized cargo shorts or even those heinous, clam-digger length abominations, pockets bulging with mobile phone and wallet. But new designer collections are dominated by short shorts with versions by Gucci, Hermès and Dior all channelling John Travolta in the 1985 movie Perfect. Celebrities including Paul Mescal, Harry Styles, Pharrell Williams, Jeremy Allen White and Donald Glover have been snapped chasing the summer high of a five- or four-inch inseam. The fashion is going mainstream with even Marks & Spencer's shorts now shorter, more tailored and thigh-minded. Its latest summer campaign, fronted by Mark Wright and Spencer Matthews, asks customers if they're ready for a 'thigh-guy summer'. What's more, a survey from the brand reports 66 per cent of men liking the 'short shorts' trend, with an incredible 76 per cent saying they feel more body confident than ever before and 46 per cent planning on purchasing a pair this summer. 'The biggest flex at the moment isn't a designer item. It is your body,' says Robbie Williams' stylist Luke Day, himself a seasoned, short shorts pioneer. 'Men want to show how hard they have been working out.' Orlebar Brown, the British label launched in 2007, has elevated shorts and swimmers to the rank of tailored garments (and gained a 24-carat brand ambassador in Daniel Craig's James Bond in Skyfall) by hoiking up shorts to vertiginous heights and reducing inseams. Male customers in the flamboyant Mykonos/South Beach Miami/Ibiza triangle proved early adopters. During Orlebar Brown's early seasons, co-founder Adam Brown recalls a creative moodboard that included images of Timothée Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name, JFK on his yacht, Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii and Sean Connery rocking a teeny towelling shorts onesie in Goldfinger. Still, fearing that going 'Chalamet-short' too quickly would be a mistake, he initially suggested testing the water with four different inseam lengths, ranging from the Dane style, which are a relatively safe nine inches, to the thigh-positive Springer, a skimpy three inches. At first customers played it safe with the longer lengths. Now, with every passing summer, the preferred shorts get shorter, with the upper-quad-grazing Springer becoming increasingly popular while longer cuts are harder to shift. 'Men used to think it was OK to look sloppy, cheap and uncool when they were on holiday,' says Brown. 'Normal sartorial rules didn't seem to apply.' Baggy board shorts, designed for willowy Florida teenagers, were co-opted by tubby middle-aged Brits, apparently unaware that their vacation attire was garish, ugly and infantilising. 'Rather than let themselves go, we wanted men to actually dress for their holiday,' adds Brown. 'We made shorts that you could swim in and then have lunch in, or wear on a walk into town for some shopping.' Skimpy shorts caught on, nowhere more so than on the football pitch. During the past few seasons, football shorts have edged into Speedo-ish hotpants territory, with players like Lukas Podolski, Neymar, Alexis Sánchez and Jack Grealish affecting an 80s-style, nigh-on illegal, tuck on their shorts for training. Fifa's kit rule book is very prescriptive on shirts but offers no restrictions on shorts, giving players like Cristiano Ronaldo permission to yank his shorts up ballet-dancer high on his shredded thighs to showcase his impressive quads. A consequence of this radical styling is that Ronaldo may be the first-ever professional male footballer to display camel toe during the run up to a penalty kick. Grealish copied the look… often with just one shorts leg rolled up. (Nope, me neither.) On the tennis courts – Wimbledon and the French Open being the shorts equivalent of Paris Fashion Week – Jannik Sinner's Borg-length cutaway Nikes and Lorenzo Musetti's muscle-mary-ish kits by Asics x APC have counted as key moments in tennis style evolution. Gentleman tennis fan Jeremy Hackett, founder of the eponymous Hackett menswear and a holidays-only shorts-wearer himself, is mostly approving but also cautious of the trend. 'Every summer Hackett sells thousands of pairs of quite conservative, mostly mid-length shorts. But, yes, we have seen seams rising in the past few summers,' he says. There is, however, a 'but' here. 'A big butt, actually,' says Hackett. 'Anyone who has a waist larger than 32 inches should avoid them. Short shorts suit a slight frame. You need to be slim and tanned. A six-foot plus frame will help. And great legs, of course.'
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New dupes of classic 2000s sweets land on Sainsbury's shelves as shoppers scramble to stock up
The original sweets were discontinued in 2003 SUGAR RUSH New dupes of classic 2000s sweets land on Sainsbury's shelves as shoppers scramble to stock up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS have spotted a dupe of an iconic noughties sweet on Sainsbury's shelves. Rowntree's Bursting Bugs first hit shelves back in 2000, with confectionery fans loving their creepy crawly shapes and gooey filling. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Rowntrees sweets were discontinued in 2003 Credit: Facebook 2 The Sainsbury's sweets are thought to be similar Credit: Sainsbury's However, they didn't stick around for long, and were discontinued in around 2003, due to low sales. Despite their short time on supermarket shelves, the insect-shaped sweets have remained a nostalgic memory for many sweet treat fans, with a petition even started to bring them back. And now, snack fans have spotted a similar treat on the shelves at Sainsburys. Posting the Newfood's UK Facebook group, one excited snack lover said: "New Bugs & Beetles Sweets from Sainsburys!" Attached the post was a picture of the new Sainsbury's snacks which are a very similar shape to the Rowntrees sweets. The post was flooded with comments from shoppers excited about the discovery. One shopper, tagging a friend said: "OMG we need some of these. "They should be like them old squirty bugs Rowntrees made." Anotheer person said: " I remember these sweets back when I was a kid and they got discontinued!" Tagging a friend, a third person said: "Could they be as good as Bursting Bugs?!" Iconic 80s retro sweet RETURNS to UK supermarket shelves after a decade A fourth added: "I remember when Rowntrees used to make them." However, another shopper was left disappointed to find that the Sainsbury's sweets, which are priced at 75p, are not gooey inside, like the originals. Wham bar return This comes as eagle-eyed shoppers recently spotted that iconic 80s sweet, the Wham bar has returned to supermarket shelves, in an ice lolly version. Posting to the NewfoodsUK Facebook group, one shopper said: "Wham Ice Cream Lollies are back at Iceland Foods." How to save money on chocolate We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs... Go own brand - if you're not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you'll save by going for the supermarket's own brand bars. Shop around - if you've spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it's cheaper elsewhere. Websites like let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you're getting the best deal. Look out for yellow stickers - supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they've been reduced. They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged. Buy bigger bars - most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar. So if you've got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger. The sour raspberry flavoured ice cream lolly features "cosmic crystals" and has no artificial colours or flavours. The lollies are available exclusively at Iceland and a pack of four sweet treats costs just £2.50. Shoppers raced to the comments section of the Facebook post to share their excitement at the new lollies. One person said: "These sound amazing". A second person added: "I wonder if rockets are back too!"
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
George Michael Returns To The Top 40 With One Of His Most Celebrated Singles
Decades after release, George Michael's "Careless Whisper" reenters the U.K. top 40 on the Official ... More Physical Singles Sales and Official Vinyl Singles charts. George Michael during George Michael In Concert At The Arena - Amsterdam - June 26th, 2007 at Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Greetsia Tent/WireImage) Among all of George Michael's huge singles, there is one that stands out when it comes to listeners in the United Kingdom, his home country. Decades after it was released and years after the singer's passing, 'Careless Whisper' remains the track that fans in that nation seem to return to regularly. It is the one that appears on the charts most frequently — at least outside of Christmas, when his Wham! cut 'Last Christmas' becomes a favorite once again. Michael scores a pair of top 40 hits in the U.K. this week with the same tune, as sales of the classic surge once more. 'Careless Whisper' Appears on Several Charts 'Careless Whisper' appears on only two song rankings in the U.K. at the moment, and it's a top 40 win on both of them. The song jumps up the Official Physical Singles Sales chart, which ranks the bestselling tracks on formats like CD, vinyl, and cassette. Last week, it sat at No. 62, but now it rises to No. 36. Coincidentally, it hits that mark in its thirty-sixth frame on this roster. 'Careless Whisper' Reappears Inside the Top 40 At the same time that 'Careless Whisper' bolts back into the top 40 on the Official Physical Singles Sales chart, it reenters the Official Vinyl Singles chart. Michael's cut didn't appear on the list of the bestselling individual tunes on wax in the U.K. just days ago, but now it's back at No. 38. George Michael and Wham! 'Careless Whisper' was originally released on Wham!'s sophomore album Make It Big, but the tune is credited solely to Michael in the U.K. The track dropped in the summer of 1984, but it didn't become a hit on either the Official Physical Singles Sales chart or the Official Vinyl Singles chart until October 2024. Since then, the tune has departed the vinyl ranking several times, while it has never disappeared entirely from the Official Physical Singles Sales tally. 'Careless Whisper' Reached No. 1 All Around the World 'Careless Whisper' was a quick No. 1 hit in a number of countries all around the world in the mid-80s. The tune easily topped the main list of the most consumed songs in the U.K. and also brought Wham! to the summit on the Hot 100 in America. The track was credited to both the group and Michael as a soloist in the U.S. and still stands as one of his and the duo's most popular compositions to this day.
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 80s retro sweet RETURNS to UK supermarket shelves after a decade – and it's perfect for hot weather
The retro sweet is exclusively available in a beloved budget food store SUGAR RUSH Iconic 80s retro sweet RETURNS to UK supermarket shelves after a decade – and it's perfect for hot weather SHOPPERS are in a frenzy after spotting the return of an iconic 80s sweet on supermarket shelves - and it's perfect for hot weather. With temperatures set to soar to 30C again this weekend, many Brits will be doing all we can to try to cool down. 1 The Wham bars are priced at £2.50 for a pack of four Credit: Facebook/Newfoodsuk And while many will be purchasing fans and making DIY air conditioners, there's nothing more cooling and refreshing than treating yourself to an ice lolly. Eagle-eyed shoppers recently spotted that iconic 80s sweet, the Wham bar has returned to supermarket shelves, in an ice lolly version. Posting to the NewfoodsUK Facebook group, one shopper said: "Wham Ice Cream Lollies are back at Iceland Foods." The sour raspberry flavoured ice cream lolly features "cosmic crystals" and has no artificial colours or flavours. The lollies are available exclusively at Iceland and a pack of four sweet treats costs just £2.50. Shoppers Share Their Excitement Shoppers raced to the comments section of the Facebook post to share their excitement at the new lollies. One person said: "These sound amazing". A second person added: "I wonder if rockets are back too!" On the Iceland website another shopper raved: "These are so good they're literally addictive and a favourite in my house, multiple boxes bought a week and they always get demolished. "They do taste exactly like a wham bar." A second person added: "Taste like a wham bar. "Myself and the kids love these." Wham Bars were first introduced back in the 80s by Scottish confectioners McCowan's, and at their peak sold 30 million bars a year. In 2011, it was announced that McCowan's were going into administration, but the sweet has since been bought by Tangerine Confectionery. More Iconic Sweet Returns Shoppers were recently treated to a burst of nostalgia after another iconic sweet returned to shelves after 27 years. Opal Fruits, which were re-branded as Starburst in 1998, are now available across major UK retailers. The individually wrapped chewy squares will be up for grabs in Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Morrisons stores for shoppers to enjoy a taste of nostalgia. The relaunch has sparked excitement amongst 80s and 90s babies, who grew up with the strawberry, orange, lime and lemon treats. And chocolate fans are convinced that white Malteasers are returning to stores after being axed 11 years ago. TikToker Minstrel Munches has sparked a buzz on social media after stating that the sweet could return to shelves in June or July.
