Christmas lights over Regent Street at night
December to February

UK in winter: Christmas markets, lights and Hogmanay

Christmas markets and lights, then New Year in London and Edinburgh.

Winter events start before December. Christmas markets in Bath, York and Edinburgh open in November. New Year is the biggest night, with fireworks in London and a three-day Hogmanay in Edinburgh.

Dates below are the ones the organizers have published for this winter, each with its source page. Where they have not, we say when it usually happens.

Dates: where a date is shown, it comes from the organizer's own page (last checked Oct 25, 2026). Where it says "usually", the date is not confirmed: use the official link.

Dated events

Christmas markets and lights

These markets open in November, before the season we count as winter. Opening hours change, so check each organizer before you travel.

New Year and Lunar New Year

  • Edinburgh

    Edinburgh's Hogmanay

    29 to Dec 31, 2026

    Usually over the last days of December, ending on December 31.

    The page names Unique Assembly Ltd as producer and the City of Edinburgh Council as principal funding partner.

    Edinburgh's Hogmanay (opens in new tab) · checked Oct 25, 2026

  • Trafalgar Square and Chinatown, London

    Lunar New Year festival

    Usually a weekend around Lunar New Year, with events in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, Dean Street and Leicester Square.

    Mayor of London (opens in new tab) · checked Oct 25, 2026

Bank holidays (public holidays)

Banks and many offices close on these days. Trains and some attractions run to different schedules, so check before you travel.

Before you go

  • Open the organizer's page before you go. Hours change around Christmas Day and New Year.
  • Some tickets for rides, rinks and Hogmanay events are sold in advance. The organizer's page says which.
  • Scotland has bank holidays that England and Wales do not, so check which applies to your trip.

Sources

Pages we opened to write this guide. Organizers change dates: check before you book.

More: All events · Edinburgh · Bath · When to visit the UK

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