This year WhichBingo is taking bingo into the heart of the UK & Ireland’s most magical markets. Introducing Christmas Market Bingo 2025: a fun, festive challenge that brings together the joy of bingo with the magic of exploring the quirkiest and best Christmas markets across the UK and Ireland.
Whether you’re sipping mulled wine by the sea (yes please!) or hunting for unique handmade artisan gifts in a cathedral courtyard, this is your chance to discover hidden festive gems worth travelling for and tick them off your very own bingo card.
Simply download your free Christmas Market Bingo card found at the bottom of this page, head off to a market from our list below, and see how many festive finds you can spot before Christmas Eve. From dogs in Santa hats to carol singers under fairy lights, it’s the perfect excuse to get out, explore, and make this season truly social.
Play, Share, and Make This Christmas Social Again
Bingo isn’t just about numbers, it’s about connection, laughter, and those shared little moments that make the season special, the same spirit you’ll find across the UK’s best bingo sites.
Here’s how to join the fun
- Download your bingo card (we’ve got one for families and another for couples or friends).
- Pick a market from our list of quirky UK & Ireland gems to experience true Christmas spirit.
- Tick off each square as you spot festive finds, from a dog in a Santa hat to a candle-lit stall selling mulled wine.
The goal is to complete a line, a column, or even a full house as you explore, a fun new take on tradition, just like uncovering new bingo sites. Because Christmas is better when it’s shared, snap a photo of your bingo adventure and post it on social, and tag @WhichBingo to be featured on our pages.
We’d love to see where your festive travels take you. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Christmas Market Bingo giveaway happening across our social channels later this season, and in the meantime, check out our Black Friday Bingo Bonanza where you can win a £1,000 gift card.
Ready to start ticking? Here’s a fresh long list of quirky Christmas markets across the UK and Ireland to inspire your route.
12 of the Best Christmas Markets (UK&IE)
Every year, WhichBingo searches for the UK and Ireland’s most charming markets, often overlooked during festive season. For 2025, we’ve ranked 12 hidden gems that capture the true spirit of the season: local makers, magical backdrops, and plenty of bingo moments waiting to be ticked off your card.
Below you’ll find the full Christmas Market Bingo Index 2025, revealing our top 12 quirky markets across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
- 1. Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair – Cambridgeshire, England. Majestic cathedral backdrop, independent makers, and a magical candle-lit setting.
2. Wintervale Waterford – Waterford, Ireland. Ireland’s most creative city-wide festive trail, heritage quarter meets modern light shows, set in the quaint Irish city on the South East coast.
- 3. Oban Winter Festival – Argyll & Bute, Scotland. Highland charm by the sea; coastal crafts, ceilidh tunes and twinkling harbourside stalls.
- 4. Guildhall Craft Fair – Derry, Northern Ireland. All-handmade Northern Irish wares in a neo-Gothic hall, intimate and full of artistry.
- 5. Abergavenny Christmas Fair – Monmouthshire, Wales. Foodie heaven in market halls and courtyards; Welsh producers and winter choirs.
6. Yulefest Kilkenny – Kilkenny, Ireland. Medieval streets, pop-up artisan cabins and live music under fairy-lit arches.
- 7. St Andrews Christmas Market – Fife, Scotland. University-town tradition with local gin, knitwear, and coastal views.
- 8. Hay-on-Wye Winter Weekend & Christmas Fayre – Powys, Wales. Book-town cosiness, independent stalls tucked between bookstores and cafés.
- 9. Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market – Warwickshire, England. Costumed traders, Shakespearean streets, and horse-drawn carriages galore.
10. Totnes Late-Night Christmas Markets – Devon, England. Bohemian energy, sustainable crafts, and live buskers, perfect “bingo” territory.
- 11. Beverley Festival of Christmas – East Riding of Yorkshire, England. One-day market with reindeer parade and brass bands; community-run and full of heart.
- 12. Hexham Christmas Market – Northumberland, England. Abbey-side market square with local cheeses, candles and charity choirs.
Hidden Gem Award – Oban Winter Festival – Argyll & Bute (Scotland)
Tucked along Scotland’s west coast, Oban Winter Festival transforms this harbour town into a sparkling seaside wonderland. Ceilidh tunes fill the streets, local makers sell Highland treasures, and fairy lights dance across the bay creating bingo moments at every turn.
Oban is easily reached by direct trains from Glasgow, with cosy harbour B&Bs starting from around £95–£120 a night, making this festive escape both magical and surprisingly accessible.
Best UK Christmas Market Getaway – Abergavenny Christmas Fair (Wales)
Looking to make a weekend trip of it? Escape the funfair rides and big queues. Direct trains from London Paddington, Bristol Parkway and Birmingham New Street make this foodie haven one of the easiest weekend escapes. With charming B&Bs averaging £100 a night and the Brecon Beacons just beyond, it’s a perfect festive season getaway, a true Winter wonderland.
How We Graded the Markets
To uncover the most magical, yet often overlooked destinations for Christmas Market Bingo 2025, WhichBingo rated festive markets across five key categories, each worth up to 10 points:
- Quirkiness & Setting: Unique themes or locations that stand out from the crowd.
- Indie & Local Flair: Local makers, community traders, and small-batch produce.
- Atmosphere & Aesthetic: Festive cheer, live music, lighting, and photo-friendly details.
- Ease & Value: Travel access from major cities and affordability of accommodation.
- Bingo Factor: Variety of experiences that fit our Christmas Market Bingo squares, from Santa hats to carol singers.
The final result has determined each market’s position, giving a balanced snapshot of the quirkiest festive experiences across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
Have fun, and merry Christmas!
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