Bath Christmas Market returns

The famous event will be on until Sunday 10 December

The market features more than 200 stalls this year
Author: James DiamondPublished 23rd Nov 2023

Bath's internationally famous Christmas Market has opened for 2023.

More than 200 chalet stalls will be in place around the city centre until 10 December offering residents and tourists alike the chance to indulge in the festive season.

We paid a visit as final preparations were underway to chat to stallholders about what the market means to them.

Robin Coetzee runs a glass design stall and first took part in the market in 2006.

She said: "It's really well organised, it's the only market I do.

"it's really busy, you get people from all over the world, the architecture is stunning...and I do really well.

"It's just brilliant, I wouldn't do any other."

In contrast, David has brought his chili sauce stall to the market for the first time.

He said: "I was brought up in Bristol so we used to come to the Christmas Market here going back a few years ago now, but the reputation of Bath's market (is so good), Bath's such a beautiful place anyway...

"The market just adds to the features of it I guess."

During increasingly tough times for businesses many stall holders tell us the market is hugely important for them.

Gemma, who runs a pudding stall and is at the market for her eighth year, said: "I think events like this are really important.

"It's really important for people like me that have a small business, that it allows them to get out and meet consumers, let people try their product.

"You never know who you're going to meet when you're out and about."

Bath's Christmas Market is back in full for the second time this year since the Coronavirus Pandemic.

It was cancelled or held in a different form in 2020 and 2021.

This year the market features 268 different stalls, with opening hours of 10am-7pm Monday to Wednesday.

Thursday to Saturday it stays open an hour later, till 8pm, while on Sundays it closes at 6pm.

You can find out much more about the market on its official website here.