Christmas markets and pop-ups in the North

As festive hysteria sets in, it's easy to lose sight of what really matters: not wasting all your hard-earned cash on total shit that nobody wants. So put down the overpriced tat from the bigger, official Christmas markets, and get a bit more creative while also supporting local, independent trade. 

Here's the lowdown of the best markets and pop-up shopping events this December across the North.

Christmas markets in Liverpool

Winter Arts Market

Merseyside’s largest arts and craft market returns to kickstart December's prime Christmas shopping period, this year taking over the regal Liverpool Cathedral with over 200 of the region’s best artists, designers and makers, along with a vintage fair in the downstairs concert room and a food fair serving up classic fare like homemade chutneys and chocolates. Sat 3 Dec, Liverpool Cathedral, 10am, £2

The Kazimier Festive Arkade

The Kaz’s latest incarnation, North Docklands venue Invisible Wind Factory, becomes the new home for The Kazimier Festive Arkade, which continues the legacy of previous Christmas Kazmarts with a trading zone of food and craft vendors (including IWF studio members), plus mulled drinks and more. Sun 11 Dec, Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool, 11am, free

Buyers Club Christmas Night Market

Hardman Street favourite Buyers Club will be ramping up the festive spirit with a Christmas Night Market, celebrating the hands-down best thing about the Christmas period: food and drink. The al fresco market will be firing out festive hot food including pastries from local baker The Wild Loaf, along with hot mulled drinks served from the outdoor bar. There'll also be a record fair so you can peruse vinyl in between bites to eat, while inside you'll also find the usual Christmas fare in the dining room and bar. Fri 16 Dec, Buyers Club, Liverpool, 6pm, free

Where else to do your Christmas shopping in Liverpool:

We love Cass Art, Cow & Co, Reid of Liverpool, BEEcycle, Bluecoat Display Centre and Whisky Business.

Christmas shopping in Leeds

Make Merry

The very lovely folk of Fred Aldous will be helping you inject some creativity and independent spirit into your Christmas shopping with Make Merry, a Christmas shopping event taking place at their Leeds and Manchester stores and online. With 15% off all purchases, they'll also be giving away free Fred Aldous tote bags or free shipping online with every purchase over £15, and their iconic black and white photobooths are free to use on the day. If buying online just enter the code 'MakeMerry15' when checking out. Fri 2 Dec, Fred Aldous, Leeds, Manchester and online, all day

Brandon Street Night Market

Brandon Street Night Market returns for a very special Winter Market edition, where German beer, mulled wine, hot cider and winter cocktails add to the classic spread of street food, music and art. Sat 3 Dec, Canal Mills, Leeds, 5pm, free

Etsy Made Local

Creative marketplace Etsy returns with its Made Local Christmas market series, heading to Leeds City Museum to showcase Yorkshire-made goods from local crafters and designers in the categories of: handmade, vintage and supplies. There'll be different sellers on each day, but entry's free so you can always bob down to check out the talent on both. Sat 3-Sun 4 Dec, Leeds City Museum, 11am, free

Leeds Hidden Christmas Market

Step through secret doors and into a world of mysterious and magical festivity, as the Leeds Hidden Christmas Market takes over Kirkstall Abbey, ramping up the Christmas shopping experience with a smattering of live acts, performances, cocktails and craft ales, bratwurst and stollen, craft stations and more. Fri 16-Thu 22 Dec, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, times vary, £5.50-£7.50

Where else to Christmas shop in Leeds:

We love Colours May Vary, Fred Aldous, Tall Boys Beer Market, Village Bookstore, Travelling Man, Chirpy and Little Leeds Beer House.

Manchester Christmas markets and pop-ups

Christmas at the Mill

Carbooty and One to One team up with much-loved venue Islington Mill for the annual Christmas at the Mill festivities, which see residents of the Salfordian cultural institution sprawl out from their studios to host stall upon stall of original prints, art works, clothing, bags, ceramics, jewellery and more from the likes of Aliyah Hussain, Caroline Dowsett, The Engine House collective, Mariel Osborn, Moderate Realism and Textbook Studio. It's all tied together by sterling vegan grub from Mother May I, cakes, drink and performance throughout. Wed 30 Nov-Thu 1 Dec, Islington Mill, Salford, times vary, free

Etsy Made Local 

And just like its sister event in Leeds, Etsy will be taking on the People's History Museum for the Manchester Made Local Christmas market, where local crafters, collectors and artisans will be pitched up for a long weekend of alternative Christmas shopping that champions the independent trader and small business. Thu 1-Sun 4 Dec, People's History Museum, Manchester, 11am, free

Frost Fair

The Whitworth braces itself for a Scandi takeover with the Frost Fair, transforming the venue and grounds into a winter wonderland inspired by the Danish word Hygge (what isn't?), which means warmth and cosiness. Promoting art, togetherness and wellbeing, the two-day fair will feature a craft market along with ice skating, outdoor cinema, street food, live music, beers from Cloudwater, fireworks and art activities. Sat 3-Sun 4 Dec, The Whitworth, Manchester, 11am, free

Christmas Pop-up Print Shop

The always-ace Manchester Print Fair presents the second Christmas Pop-Up Print Shop, this time at B.Eat Street's new gallery space. Browse through some of the best local prints, illustration and homewares, before rewarding yourself with a bite to eat and a drink or two 'pon the Street. Sat 10 Dec, B.Eat Street, Manchester, 11am, free

Merry Christmas Craft Fair

Elizabeth Gaskell's House gets a festive makeover with the Merry Christmas Craft Fair, bringing together a variety of makers from the North selling lovingly crafted decorations and gifts, plus a book sale, local choirs and seasonal refreshments. Wanna sell your stuff? Call 0161 273 2215 to find out more about booking a table. Sun 11 Dec, Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Manchester, 11am, normal entry charges apply

Oddbod Art Market

The Beagle and its inner-city sister bar Common will be hosting the Oddbod Art Market, a Christmas event from the beautiful minds of One of One and Colouring Club. Providing a marketplace for local artists, designers and makers, throughout the weekend you can catch great stuff from the likes of DR.ME, Mariel Osborn, Caroline Dowsett, Stina Puotinen, Hannah Marshall, David Bailey, Emily Tilzey, Aliyah Hussain, Ali Gunn, Dean Brierley and Textbook Studio, who'll be selling original art, prints, ceramics, jewellery, zines, comics, textiles and more. Sat 17 Dec, The Beagle, Manchester, 11am, free & Sun 18 Dec, Common, Manchester, 4pm, free

Grub Food Fair 

Grub is getting a Christmassy twist, too, with all remaining fairs this year now also featuring gift stalls from locals including Hannah Marshall, Aliyah Hussain, Love Me Blue, Carafe, Lydia Meiying, Peter Swain, Young Explorer, Tread Softly and Colour Crafts By Claire, along with all the usual local street food and mulled drinks, carol singers, DJs and even a stollen beer. Every Saturday, Alphabet Brewing Co., Manchester, 12pm, free

Where else to shop in Manchester:

We love Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Oklahoma, Fred Aldous, Fig and Sparrow, One of One, Travelling Man, Beermoth, Cup + Cloth, Magma, Eastern Bloc, Bury Art Shop and Chapter One Books.