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It’s the time of year for festive cheer, and a trip to a Christmas market is one of everyone’s favourite ways to brighten the chilly winter days. We’ve done the homework to uncover which English university cities get top marks for hosting the coolest Christmas markets.

So, if you’re swotting up on where to go for a festive break, check out our guide to campus cities this Christmas.

Score a First in Cambridge

Officially ranking as the second-best university in the UK, when it comes to Christmas Cambridge is our number one. The city is pulling out all the stops for Christmas 2024/2025 with a real first – the Festive Village at Parker’s Piece.

From 14th November to 5th January, the historic park is transformed into a wondrous winter wonderland packed with top tier holiday cheer, and an ace alpine twist.

At the heart of the action lies an ice-skating rink and a Christmas tree maze, and for those who fancy a unique view of the city, a big wheel offers breath-taking vistas of Cambridge in all its glittering glory. As well as the perennial wooden chalets filled with unique gifts and seasonal treats, you’ll find a ski-inspired alpine lodge, plus private heated dining domes offering a luxurious and snug retreat from the cold.

For an extra slice of alpine adventure, try the après-ski terrace which brings Chamonix to Cambridge, complete with curling lanes and ski gondolas. It’s a charming way to spend your day, blending shopping, fun and relaxation in a unique festive setting.

Cambridge’s Christmas credentials extend beyond the Festive Village. The Botanic Gardens light trail brings a touch of seasonal magic with its decorative illuminations and you’ll want to carve out some time to explore the city’s cobbled streets for independent artisanal Christmas shopping.

There are carol concerts aplenty, featuring beautiful choir performances at colleges like St. John’s, or you can opt to soak in the historic beauty of King’s College Chapel, where the architecture and stained-glass windows evoke a timeless seasonal atmosphere.

Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum also has two new exhibitions opening in December 2024, including, aptly for the Christmas season, Picturing Excess.

Complete your Christmas in Cambridge with a stroll along the Backs to take in frosty views of the iconic colleges and don’t forget to check out the Christmas lights on King’s Parade. Whether you’re shopping, skating, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Cambridge has graduated top of the class in 2024 for a Christmas break.

Where to Stay:

Homerton College, Cambridge

Homerton College offers a unique and relaxing stay in Cambridge, combining spotless rooms and mod cons with historic charm. Set within 25 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and orchards it provides a tranquil retreat, while being conveniently located close to Cambridge’s main train station.

Aspire to Christmas in Oxford

Home of the world’s top university and the famous dreaming spires, it’s only fitting that Oxford Christmas Market is aspiring to be the best in class. It’s returning bigger and better than ever in 2024/2025, and rebranded as Christmas in Oxford, making this year the perfect time to visit.

With a traditional feel, a selection of over 50 chalets taking over Broad Street, and extended opening times, you’ll be in for a festive treat of handmade goods and enticing food, set against the picturesque and historic backdrop of the Oxford colleges.

This year the market is open from 23rd November 2024 all the way through to 5th January 2025, bringing the heart of Oxford to life for Christmas and New Year with a giant Christmas tree, a live music stage and of course plenty of carol singing.

Continue your Christmas shopping in the quirky shops and food stalls of Oxford’s Covered Market, which dates back to the 18th century, or hit the 100+ shops in Oxford’s Westgate centre for a more modern Xmas shopping experience.

Looking for more atmospheric additions to your Christmas trip to Oxford? You can take a candlelit tour of Christ Church College, enjoy a wintry walk along the River, or head to one of Oxford’s best viewpoints to see the festivities framed beautifully from above.

Where to Stay:

Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Just 10 minutes’ walk from all the action in the centre of Oxford, and set in a stunning historic building, this college offers exceptional value bed and breakfast accommodation - helping you save more of your budget for gift buying.

A Tale of Two Cities: Christmas in London

Home to 2 of the top 5 UK universities, London is no slouch when it comes to both academia and advent. The city is a Christmas-lover’s dream, with more markets, events, concerts, festive lights, and shopping opportunities than we can pack into a post.

Let’s study London’s Yuletide highlights:

Christmas in Central London

The Southbank Centre Winter Market is an atmospheric seasonal market, snaking alongside the Thames. It features wooden chalets offering artisan gifts and festive street food, and you can warm up with mulled wine right up to Boxing Day.

Located alongside art scene stalwart the Southbank Centre, and a short stroll over from theatreland, you can easily combine a Christmas mooch with some festive entertainment.

A walk around central London, ticking off the top tourist spots, will reveal plenty more Christmas markets which are open throughout the holiday season and free to enter – including compact bustling outposts at Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.

For a more mainstream experience that will keep you entertained all day and night book tickets to the sprawling Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, which has a Bavarian beer hall, ice skating, ice sculptures, live music and funfair rides alongside its market stalls. There’s also a vast array of pop-up markets around town helping you buy for every possible person in your life, whether they’re into the ceramic or the Satanic.

‘Tis the Season for South London

‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’ so the saying goes, but unless you’ve got the energy of 100 elves, London at Christmas will tire you out, so consider doing London at Christmas with a twist, by staying South of the River.

Credit: Winter by the River

Winter by the River at London Bridge runs from 29th November 2024 to 5th January 2025, stretching along the banks of the Thames near Tower Bridge and offering unbeatable views of London’s iconic illuminated skyline along with craft stalls and street food.

Battersea Power Station Winter Village is a new festive hotspot with pop-up food stalls, a vintage carousel, and plenty of family-friendly fun beneath the striking backdrop of the refurbished iconic power station.

Credit: Kew Gardens

South London’s prettiest little villages are ideal for gift buying; the charming riverside village of Richmond is known for its elegant streets, boutique shops and high-end brands.

The views over London from King Henry’s Mound and Richmond Hill are ideal for a spot of contemplation and a wintry selfie in between shopping, making Richmond feel like something out of a Christmas romcom – or an episode of Ted Lasso.

Nearby Richmond Park and Kew Gardens are perfect for crisp winter walks - spot the park’s famous deer or take in Kew’s acclaimed Christmas light trail.

Pop over to Putney for a delightful mix of high street favourites and quirky independent stores, with riverside pubs which are perfect for unwinding after a busy day conquering your Christmas list in the capital.

Where to Stay

Goodenough College, London

Described as the best value accommodation in central London, Goodenough College is perfectly located in trendy Bloomsbury, offering multiple transport links within easy walking distance. A straightforward room-only option with a generous 11am check out time, it’s a good choice for those who want to enjoy London’s festive nightlife.

Elm Grove (University of Roehampton), London

Basing yourself in peaceful Roehampton is the perfect way to enjoy London’s seasonal southern sights while escaping the chaos of the city centre. Elm Grove at the University of Roehampton offers hotel-standard ensuite rooms complete with free hot drinks and complimentary toiletries and is set in leafy landscaped grounds.

Honorary Mentions: Christmas in York and Durham

They may not have quite made the grade, but these university cities can still teach us all a thing or two about Christmas spirit.

York: Best Christmas Market for Accessibility

Credit: Visit York

York’s award-winning Christmas Market transforms the cobbled streets of the city centre into a winter extravaganza from 14th November to 22nd December 2024.

Around 75 alpine chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, bringing a festive buzz complete with local crafts, artisan products, and seasonal gourmet treats – including Yorkshire pudding wraps. And York Christmas market isn’t just about shopping - 80% of the traders proudly hail from Yorkshire and there’s a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

There’s a special scheme providing spaces for those with reduced mobility to rest while enjoying the festive surroundings, and a daily quieter period from 10am to 12pm to aid comfort and accessibility.

Complete the yuletide experience in York at the Shambles - voted the most picturesque street in Britain – with artisan stalls and charming indie shops, visit the York Minster for its festive services or take a guided walk along the ancient city walls to see the Christmas lights twinkling over the medieval streets.

Durham: Best Cathedral at Christmas

Durham’s Christmas Festival, running from 6th to 8th December 2024, is short but incredibly sweet. Set in the stunning surroundings of Palace Green, between the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, this market makes a delightful way to soak up Durham’s festive atmosphere. Expect handmade crafts, unique gifts, and locally produced food and drink.

The festival also features a children’s lantern procession and live entertainment. While you’re in Durham, don’t miss a tour of the cathedral, which has been called ‘the best Cathedral on planet earth’ - and its medieval architecture looks even more stunning adorned with festive decorations.

From London’s lauded Christmas shopping to Durham’s cathedral-side festivities, these university cities are all top of their class. And with the students heading home for Christmas, don’t be a Krampus, stay on a campus!