Where to Stay for the Christmas Markets 2026: Manchester, Glasgow & London

The 2026 markets. At a glance.

Most markets take Christmas Day off, so if the 25th is part of the plan, check the organiser’s own page first.

Manchester. Ten sites, one big wheel.

Manchester’s Christmas Markets are spread across ten city centre sites this year: Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Corn Exchange, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Market Street, Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens. Most wrap up on 22 December, but Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens keep going until Sunday 3 January 2027. So a trip between Christmas and New Year still gets you mulled wine, the 50-metre big wheel on Albert Square and the Skate Manchester rink at Cathedral Gardens.

Been before? Lincoln Square is new for 2026 and all about food and drink, and St Ann’s Square has a fresh layout. The council’s Christmas markets page has the full map, so you can find your favourite stall before you set off.

Our base here is Native Manchester, inside Ducie Street Warehouse. Grade II listed. Two minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly, five from the nearest tram stops. Train in, bags down, back out. Driving? Book a space in our underground car park ahead of your stay. And one small extra: a Manchester City Visitor Charge applies per room, per night, at all accommodation in the city.

Glasgow. Two Winter Wonderlands.

Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland is split across two sites this year. St Enoch Square runs from Friday 6 November to Sunday 27 December, with artisan gift and craft stalls, street food, a covered festive bar and a solar-powered giant wheel. Glasgow Green follows from Friday 20 November to Sunday 3 January 2027, and that’s where you’ll find the open-air ice rink, an observation wheel, fairground rides, a circus and Santa’s grotto. Both are free to enter. You pay for the rides, the rink and the extras, and both close on Christmas Day.

The timings are worth a look. Until 20 December, St Enoch opens at noon, or 10am on Saturdays, while Glasgow Green doesn’t open until 3pm on weekdays. Our weekday plan? Slow morning in. Afternoon at St Enoch. The Green once it’s dark and the lights are on.

Our base here is Native Glasgow, in the Anchor Line building. Edwardian, once the headquarters of a transatlantic shipping company, with George Square right on the doorstep. Glasgow Central, Queen Street and Buchanan Street subway and bus station are all five minutes on foot, and St Enoch is a short walk from Central and Queen Street too. Reception’s open 24 hours, and downstairs, The Anchor Line and The Atlantic Bar & Brasserie are ready for dinner after a late one at the Green.

London. Southbank or Hyde Park.

The Southbank Centre Winter Market runs along the Thames until Sunday 3 January 2027. Alpine-style chalets, street food, craft stalls, pop-up bars. Stalls open from 11am to 10pm, the bars stay open until 11pm, and it’s free to wander through. Native Bankside, our former tea warehouse near Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, is on the same side of the river. A south bank evening, then something winter-spiced in a paper cup on the way home.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the big, ticketed one. It’s open every day from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, Christmas Day aside, with more than 150 rides, attractions and shows alongside the festive food, drink and market stalls. Everyone needs a timed entry ticket booked online. Want it quieter? There are £1 off-peak slots from Monday to Thursday throughout November.

For Winter Wonderland, two of our London aparthotels make it easy. Native Hyde Park is within walking distance of the park, with Paddington and Lancaster Gate stations five minutes away on foot. Native Mayfair is under ten minutes’ walk from Marble Arch and under fifteen from Hyde Park Corner, with Bond Street close by if the market turns into a full Christmas shopping day. Compare all our London locations on our London aparthotels page.

Why an aparthotel works for market season.

A day at the Christmas markets is mostly standing, grazing and carrying more bags than you planned on. An aparthotel handles all three. Most of our apartments come with their own kitchen, so the cheese, fudge and stollen that somehow came home with you have a fridge to go in, and breakfast can be a slow one before round two. Travelling as a group? Everyone gathers in one place, rather than knocking on doors down a corridor, which makes the “right, who’s ready?” moment a lot quicker.

Bringing the dog.

Dogs are welcome at selected Native aparthotels in London, Manchester and Glasgow, so they don’t have to miss Christmas. Smaller dogs only, up to 12kg, at £25 per pet per day. In Glasgow they can come to the market too, as Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland allows dogs on a lead at both St Enoch Square and Glasgow Green. Elsewhere, each organiser sets its own rules, so check their visitor information before you go.

Heading to Hyde Park or the Southbank without them? London guests can book dog walks or in-room dog sitting through our partner, London Pet Club. Our dog-friendly stays page has the details, including which properties welcome dogs and the Denzel’s Package, with a bed, bowl and treats waiting when you arrive.

Pick your city. Then your dates.

Manchester? That’s Native Manchester. Glasgow? Native Glasgow. London? Compare Bankside, Hyde Park, Mayfair and the rest on our London aparthotels page. Check your dates, book your stay, then plan everything else around hot chocolate and mulled wine.