The sleepy Nottinghamshire town with a Christmas market that’s ‘much better and cheaper’ than Nottingham’s

The calendar may have only just ticked over into November, but we all know that attention is already turning to Christmas.

Despite being only one day of a 365-day year, the hype surrounding Christmas Day seems to start earlier every year.

As early as September you’ll start seeing supermarkets selling tins of chocolates and butchers taking orders for turkeys.

In recent years the popularity of European-style Christmas markets has soared here in the UK, with many running from early November all the way through to January.

Here in Nottinghamshire we have one of the UK’s biggest and most popular Christmas markets, that of course being Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland.

But it’s no secret that many of these large Christmas markets can charge eye-watering prices when it comes to food, drink and attractions.

A family of four looking to spend an evening at a Christmas market can easily leave £100 lighter.

The good news is that smaller Christmas markets are often much more reasonable than the big ones, and usually provide a more intimate experience.

It just so happens that one Nottinghamshire town has already announced plans for its own Christmas market this December - and you won’t need to break the bank to have a great time.

Newark Christmas Market 2025

Newark’s annual Christmas Market will return to the town’s Market Place on Saturday, December 6.

Taking place between 10am and 4pm, the festive market will feature a range of stalls selling all things Christmas.

As with any Christmas market worth its salt, the Newark Christmas Market will once again offer visitors a selection of tasty festive foods and drinks, including roast chestnuts and mulled wine.

The market looks set to be an ideal shopping destination for those in search of a locally-made Christmas market, with dozens of artisan market stalls.

Newark’s Christmas Market may not be on the same scale as Nottingham’s, but that should only be viewed as a positive by visitors.

With local suppliers selling locally-made products at reasonable prices, the market provides a perfect opportunity to support independent businesses.

A week prior to the Christmas market, Newark’s Market Place will host the town’s annual Christmas light switch-on.

Much like the Christmas market, the light switch-on is described by Newark Town Council as a fun-filled day of activities and entertainment.