Cardiff Christmas Market is back from Thursday 12th November to Wednesday 23rd December 2026, with wooden stalls lining St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street. Stay within walking distance and you can browse at opening time, drop your shopping back at your apartment, and head out again for the lights after dark.
Cardiff Christmas Market 2026 at a glance
Dates: Thursday 12th November to Wednesday 23rd December 2026
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm
Late nights: Every Thursday in December until 7pm (3rd, 10th and 17th December)
Where: St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street
Entry: Free
The market has been organised by local makers for around 30 years, and traders change through the season, so check the full list of exhibitors before you go.
Why Cardiff’s Outdoor Christmas Markets Are Worth A Visit
As the temperature drops, dark evenings become the norm, there’s nothing better to get you in the festive mood than a leisurely amble through the twinkling streets of the shopping capital of Cardiff, with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine in hand! Nestled in amongst the leading shopping streets and a stone’s throw away from the city centre Winter Wonderland and Bute Park Christmas illuminations, they add another element of Christmas magic to any visit to Cardiff, be it with loved ones, friends or family.
Shopping locally is becoming ever-more popular, and finding a Christmas gift for the person who has everything is made easier with a little help from the hundreds of local crafters, makers, artisans and artists showcasing their treasures in each little wooden cabin currently stationed along several of the main shopping high streets.
You’ll even find curated makers market stalls and local pop-ups exhibiting within John Lewis Cardiff too, throughout the festive season!
Where to find Cardiff’s Outdoor Christmas Markets
You’ll find Cardiff’s Christmas Market stalls on St John’s Street, Woking Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street.
You’ll find plenty of signposted car parks throughout the city, and many roads offer pay and display parking meter options. Cardiff also operates several Park & Rides across the city.
Best places to stay near Cardiff’s Christmas Markets
Park Lane Aparthotel: in the city centre Studios and apartments a 10-minute walk from St John Street. Cook breakfast in your own kitchen, then be at the stalls when they open. Meetspace is on site if you need to fit in some work. Stay at Park Lane
The Lane, Pontcanna: our newest apartments Opened in October 2026 in one of Cardiff’s most popular neighbourhoods, full of independent cafés and restaurants. The city centre is a 5-minute walk away. Stay at The Lane
Pontcanna Place: a quieter base A leafy street close to Sophia Gardens and Cardiff Castle, and a 10-minute walk to the market. Good for couples and families who want a calm evening after a busy day. Stay at Pontcanna Place
Quayside and Century Wharf: Cardiff Bay Quayside sits in Mermaid Quay, opposite the Wales Millennium Centre, and Century Wharf is a quieter base in the Bay. Both suit a trip that pairs the market with a festive show at the Millennium Centre. The city centre is 5 minutes away by bus/. Quayside · Century Wharf
Why an apartment works for a market trip
- A kitchen, so you can eat at the market in the evening and have breakfast in
- Room for shopping bags and gifts
- Separate bedrooms for families and groups of friends
Save 15% on a mid-week market break
Stay three nights or more, Sunday to Thursday, and save 15% on our best available rate with code MIDWEEK. The offer runs until 31 January 2027 at Park Lane Aparthotel, The Lane, Pontcanna Place and Goodstay, and is only available when you book direct.
Try arriving on a Tuesday and staying three nights, so your last evening is a late-night Thursday at the market.
Booking at short notice? Our Late Availability Deal gives 15% off when you book within 7 days of arrival.
Planning which days to go
For the quietest days, the late-night Thursdays and everything else on in Cardiff this Christmas, read our mid-week Christmas guide to Cardiff. Book direct to access our best rates.
Questions about staying for the market
When is Cardiff Christmas Market 2026? Thursday 12 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Is Cardiff Christmas Market free? Yes, entry is free.
Where is the best place to stay for the market? Park Lane Aparthotel puts you in the city centre, a [X]-minute walk away. For a quieter stay, choose The Lane or Pontcanna Place in Pontcanna.
Is there a discount for staying mid-week? Yes. Book three nights or more, Sunday to Thursday, with code MIDWEEK for 15% off.