Off-island
Christmas markets you can reach from Guernsey in 2026
A market weekend is one of the easiest winter breaks from the island. These are the markets with a direct flight or an easy connection from Guernsey, with this year's dates.
By Peter G., founder & editor
Updated · 6 min read
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The quick answer
For a classic market weekend with a direct flight, go to Birmingham or Manchester. For something closer and calmer, fly to Southampton and take the train to Winchester. For a proper continental market, Aurigny's Friday and Monday flights to Paris make a long weekend easy. And if you'd rather stay in the islands, Jersey has its own market on two December weekends, and Guernsey has its own festive events: see Christmas in Guernsey.
Markets you can reach from Guernsey in 2026
Dates are for 2026 as published by each market. Check them, and the flight days, before you book: winter timetables change.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
- Dates
- 5 November to 24 December
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Birmingham, five days a week in winter
Smaller and shorter than in past years; the ice rink and big wheel stay until 3 January.
Manchester Christmas Markets
- Dates
- 6 November to 22 December (Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens to 3 January)
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Manchester
Spread across about ten sites in the city centre.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
- Dates
- 19 November to 3 January (closed Christmas Day)
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Gatwick or London City; British Airways to Heathrow
Rides, shows and a market. Check the official site for entry tickets before you go.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
- Dates
- 20 November to 22 December
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Southampton, then a short train ride
Wooden chalets in the cathedral close.
Bath Christmas Market
- Dates
- 26 November to 13 December
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Bristol, then a bus or train
A short run, so weekends book up early.
Edinburgh's Christmas
- Dates
- 14 November to 3 January
- Getting there
- Aurigny's Christmas flights (last year 20 December to 6 January), or connect via London
The market is in East Princes Street Gardens.
Paris: La Défense Christmas Market
- Dates
- 12 November to 31 December
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Paris CDG, Mondays and Fridays
One of the biggest in the Paris area. The Friday-to-Monday flights make a neat long weekend.
Jersey: Simply Christmas market, St Helier
- Dates
- 3 to 6 December and 17 to 20 December
- Getting there
- Aurigny to Jersey, daily except Sundays
Local makers in the Royal Square, two weekends only.
Still waiting on 2026 dates: the Tuileries market in Paris, and the markets in St Malo and Rennes, reachable by Brittany Ferries. Dublin's markets run from late November, with flights from Guernsey over Christmas.
Tips for a market trip
- Go early or midweek. Late-November and early-December weekends are the busiest, and hotel prices follow.
- Match the market to the flight days. Birmingham, Paris and London City don't have flights every day in winter, so plan the trip around them.
- Pick a central hotel you can walk back to, and a flexible rate in case fog delays your flight.
- Flying early? See our airport hotels guide.
Compare hotel prices near the markets
Choose a city and add your dates to see live hotel prices near the market.
Questions
Which Christmas markets can I fly to directly from Guernsey?
In winter 2026, Aurigny flies to Birmingham, Manchester, London (Gatwick and London City), Southampton for Winchester, Bristol for Bath, Paris and Jersey, with extra Christmas flights to Edinburgh and Dublin. British Airways flies daily to Heathrow.
When does Birmingham's Christmas market open in 2026?
The Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from 5 November to 24 December 2026.
Is there a Christmas market in Guernsey?
St Peter Port has its Christmas lights switch-on and festive events through December. See what's on for this year's dates.
Sources
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