Cardiff Christmas Market 2026: Dates, locations and tips

Le Cardiff Christmas Market It's the largest in Wales. Every winter, its wooden chalets are set up in the streets of the town center, at the foot of the castle, while Winter Wonderland brings the neighboring park to life with its ice rink and Ferris wheel. Here are the 2026 dates and our tips.

In short: Cardiff Christmas Market 2026 takes place from Thursday, November 12th to Wednesday, December 23rd, 2026, around St John Street and Working Street. Cardiff Winter Wonderland, with its Castle Ice Rink, is open from November 12th, 2026 to January 3rd, 2027. Admission is free.

Dates for the Cardiff Christmas Market in 2026

According to the tourist office Visit Wales, The market opens on November 12 and closes on December 23, 2026. In addition, some artisans are only present for a few weeks: their dates will be published closer to the opening.

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Event	Dates 2026-2027
Cardiff Christmas Market	From November 12 to December 23, 2026
Winter Wonderland and Castle Ice Rink	From November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Market hours	From 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm on Sunday

Where are the chalets located?

The chalets are spread throughout the pedestrian streets of the city centre: St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street, around St John's Church. This allows you to easily walk from the market to the Victorian arcades, those covered galleries so typical of Cardiff.

Welsh crafts and local products

First, the market primarily showcases Welsh artisans: ceramics, woolens, jewelry, carved wooden love spoons, soaps, and decorations. In addition, visitors can sample local specialties such as Welsh cakes, Welsh cheese, and cider.

Cardiff's Winter Wonderland

Just a short walk away, Winter Wonderland offers a funfair, a Ferris wheel, and an ice rink located at the foot of Cardiff Castle. While entry to the site is free, the attractions require payment: book your skating slots online.

What to do in Cardiff at Christmas?

• Visit Cardiff Castle, with its Norman keep and sumptuous Victorian interiors.
• Stroll through the Victorian arcades, ideal in rainy weather.
• Next, explore Cardiff Bay, the Wales Millennium Centre and the Senedd.
• Visit the National Museum Cardiff, it's free.
• Finally, attend a Welsh choir concert, a very much alive tradition in December.

To discover the rest of the country, read our guide to find out more What to see in Wales and our advice for plan your trip to Wales.

Our tips for visiting Cardiff's Christmas market

First, come during the week: the city center is very crowded on Saturdays. Second, take the train: Cardiff is about two hours from London, and the central station is a ten-minute walk from the market. Also, on Thursdays in December, the market closes later, at 7 p.m.

Finally, pack an umbrella: December is often rainy in Wales, with temperatures between 4 and 9 °C.

Combine Cardiff with a trip to Wales

Indeed, Cardiff is an ideal gateway. Extend your trip, for example, to Bannau Brycheiniog, less than an hour away, or the Gower Peninsula. To plan your itinerary, check out our dedicated page. trip to Wales. Compare also with the Bath Christmas market, an hour away by train, and our calendar of Christmas markets in the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions about the Cardiff Christmas market

When will the Cardiff Christmas market take place in 2026?

Specifically, it takes place from November 12 to December 23, 2026, in the city center.

Is entry free?

Yes, access to the market and Winter Wonderland is free. Only the attractions and the ice rink require payment.

Is the Cardiff Christmas market open on Sundays?

Yes, from 10am to 5pm. It is also open every other day from 10am to 6pm, and until 7pm on Thursdays in December.

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