December 2026
Events in Bath this December
December is Bath's most visited month. The Christmas Market runs through the first two weeks; Bath Abbey hosts carol services and Christmas Day services; the Theatre Royal panto sells out fast; and Thermae Bath Spa needs booking 4–6 weeks ahead. Hotels fill by October. Here's what's on and how to plan it.
170+
Christmas Market chalets
Free
Market entry
Mid-Dec
Market close date
What's on in December 2026
Bath Christmas Market
Late November to mid-December (exact 2026 dates TBC — check bathchristmasmarket.co.uk)
Abbey Green, Orange Grove, and Saw Close, Bath city centre · Free entry
Bath Christmas Market is the headline December event — 170+ chalets spread through the city centre streets. The market typically closes mid-December (around 14 December), so the first two weeks of December are peak trading. Abbey Green and Orange Grove carry the food and drink chalets: mulled wine, hot chocolate, Bath sausages, cheese. Orange Grove is the main thoroughfare; Saw Close is the widest, least crowded section. Weekday evenings between 5pm and 7pm are the most manageable combination of atmosphere and crowd.
Bath Abbey — Christmas services
Throughout December, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Bath Abbey, Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LT · Free (donation encouraged)
Bath Abbey runs a full December programme of carol services, candlelit concerts, and Christmas services through the month. The Advent carol service and the Christmas Eve service in one of England's finest medieval church settings are worth attending regardless of whether you're religious. Services are open to the public. Check bathabbey.org for the confirmed 2026 programme, usually released by October.
Theatre Royal Bath — Christmas panto
Running from late November through January 2027
Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET · From £15, family tickets available
Theatre Royal Bath's Christmas pantomime is one of Bath's most popular seasonal events — a proper professional production in one of England's most beautiful theatres. The panto runs from late November through January, making it available throughout December. Book well in advance; popular date/time combinations sell out. Check theatreroyal.org.uk for the 2026 production and booking.
Thermae Bath Spa — December
Daily (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reduced schedule late December)
Hot Bath Street, Bath BA1 1SJ · From £40 for 2-hour session
Thermae Bath Spa in December is an excellent antidote to Christmas Market crowds — the rooftop pool with thermal mineral water is best in cold weather. Book well in advance; December is one of the busiest months. Check thermaebathspa.com for their specific December 2026 schedule and holiday closures. Evening sessions and mid-week slots are easier to secure than weekend afternoons.
Bath Farmers Market
Every Saturday until mid-December (check local listings for Christmas break)
Green Park Station, Bath BA1 1JB · Free entry
The Farmers Market under the Victorian roof of Green Park Station runs through December, carrying seasonal produce — Christmas tree decorations, game birds, artisan preserves and chutneys, cider, and local cheese alongside the usual bread and vegetables. The last Saturday market before Christmas is typically one of the most popular of the year. Check bathfarmersmarket.co.uk for December 2026 dates.
Planning a December visit to Bath
- Book hotels for December Bath at least 3 months in advance — the Christmas Market period fills the city and rates rise sharply after November.
- Arrive by train — Bath Spa station is 8 minutes on foot from the Christmas Market and the city centre car parks are expensive, limited, and closed Christmas Day.
- Use the Park and Ride (Lansdown, Odd Down, or Newbridge) if driving — significantly cheaper than city centre parking with a direct bus to the market.
- The Christmas Market closes mid-December (typically around 14 December). Plan accordingly if you want the market.
- Christmas Day in Bath is peaceful rather than festive — most attractions and restaurants are closed. Christmas Eve evening is the better choice for atmosphere.
- Thermae Bath Spa is best booked 4–6 weeks ahead for December sessions. Evening weekday slots are the easiest to secure.
Book hotels for December in Bath
December Bath hotels sell out fast — especially Christmas Market weekends. Search now for best availability.
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Frequently asked questions
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