The Bath Christmas Market has opened for 2023, with hundreds of thousands of people set to take to the city’s historic streets for some festive shopping.
More than 200 traders and 36 community groups are occupying Christmas-themed chalets at the event, which runs until December 18.
There are plenty of Christmas gifts available - including snow globes, candles and more obscure items such as wooden ties and pop-up board games.
The food offer includes burgers, macaroni cheese and donuts, and there are drinks such as hot chocolate and mulled wine.
The market is based near Bath Abbey - where a Christmas tree has been placed - and the surrounding central streets where more trees, lights and stalls have been placed.
An estimated 426,000 visitors attended the market in 2022, boosting the local economy by about £50m.
Jules Cooper, of Paper Starlights, has attended the market for the last 18 years run, selling handmade star lanterns.
“I think Bath Christmas Market is the best in the country because of the commitment of the people that run it,” she said. “It comes from the ground up and it works so well.”
Melissa Chartan, who runs Planted, natural and handmade skincare line, travels from her studio in Stokes Croft, Bristol to partake in the Bath market.
“I think Bath is already beautiful and the market adds to that,” she said. “The shoppers are especially interested in things that are handmade.”
Zoë Rose, who sells woodland-themed products at the market, agrees it brings the festive spirit as well as supporting local businesses.
“I think it’s so popular because the traders are local and mostly sell handcrafted products with nice personal touches. Everybody puts so much effort into the chalets.”
Scroll through to see 20 festive photos of Bath Christmas Market.
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