From Gloucester’s twinkling forest lights to the festive markets of Cambridge, a getaway to any of these spots will leave you in the Christmas spirit.
But which UK cities and towns are the most festive? The experts at CasinoTop3.com compared festive-themed data across 31 of the UK’s major towns and cities in order to determine the UK’s most and least festive cities and towns.
The UK’s most FESTIVE towns and cities, revealed!
|
Rank |
City |
Christmas Carol Events (Per 10k People) |
Meet Santa Events (Per 10k People) |
% Increase of Christmas Lights |
Av. Days of Snow in December |
Instagram Christmas #’s |
TikTok Christmas # Views |
Total Festive Score /10 |
|
1 |
Cambridge |
65 |
57 |
21% |
1.25 |
5,697 |
15,569 |
8.75 |
|
2 |
Oxford |
74 |
65 |
16% |
1.04 |
4,189 |
99,345 |
8.66 |
|
3 |
Winchester |
234 |
196 |
9% |
0.10 |
9,576 |
322,675 |
8.33 |
|
4 |
Worcester |
78 |
69 |
15% |
0.11 |
965 |
7,428 |
7.85 |
|
5 |
Gloucester |
60 |
53 |
31% |
0.06 |
827 |
2,838 |
7.77 |
|
6 |
Durham |
60 |
50 |
-10% |
3.62 |
1,098 |
9,785 |
7.69 |
|
7 |
Norwich |
11 |
9 |
21% |
1.43 |
3,076 |
11,103 |
7.54 |
|
8 |
Cardiff |
9 |
8 |
47% |
0.40 |
4,059 |
3,962,423 |
7.50 |
|
9 |
Luton |
46 |
40 |
3% |
1.43 |
113 |
792 |
7.44 |
|
10 |
Exeter |
21 |
19 |
22% |
0.29 |
3,917 |
42,635 |
7.40 |
|
11 |
Manchester |
15 |
14 |
5% |
0.31 |
67,070 |
40,213,962 |
7.38 |
|
12 |
Coventry |
36 |
32 |
10% |
0.30 |
821 |
27,895 |
7.20 |
|
13 |
Southampton |
42 |
35 |
18% |
0.01 |
758 |
840,353 |
7.18 |
|
14 |
Northampton |
56 |
50 |
17% |
0.01 |
398 |
13,209 |
7.14 |
|
15 |
Bristol |
9 |
8 |
35% |
0.12 |
8,490 |
302,908 |
7.05 |
The well-trodden cobblestone of Cambridge snags the top spot on the list to be crowned the most festive UK city, with a festive score of 8.75/10.
The city comes to life in December, with festive lights Increasing its overall brightness by 21%. With a full day of snowfall also predicted in December, it's no surprise this joyful city takes the festive crown.
The county town also boasts over 65 Christmas carol events per 10k people to enjoy throughout the month, as well as an impressive 57 opportunities to meet Santa (per 10k people).
Cambridge festive recommendations: Cambridge Ice Arena, The Polar Museum, Knights Park Festive Market
In second is Oxford, as the two age-old rivals clash once again, with a festive score of 8.66/10.
The famous university city proves its Christmas spirit with a monumental 99k+ Christmas hashtag views on TikTok, capturing the city's festive beauty in video.
Oxford however trails behind Cambridge with five percent less (16% in total) Christmas lights throughout the season, along with fewer images captured on Instagram (4,189).
Oxford festive recommendations: Oxford Christmas Lights Festival, Broad Street Christmas Market, Christmas Lights at Blenheim Palace
Winchester claimed third place in the rankingst, with a festive score of 8.33/10, whipping up an impressive 322,675 TikTok views of the winter wonderland, as well as 9,576 Instagram hashtags to testify to its holiday spirit.
Whilst the cathedral city is sadly one of the least likely places to capture a white Christmas, with just a 0.10% chance of snow, the city is a winner when it comes to festive events, with 196 opportunities to meet Santa (per 10k people) and 234 Christmas Carol events throughout December.
Winchester festive recommendations: Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Star of Wonder, Festive Lights Trail at Marwell’s
The second cathedral city on the list, amassing a respectable 69 opportunities to meet Santa, Worcester has garnered a greater choice of festive grottos per 10k people than neighbouring city, Gloucester (53).
Worcester also boasts a 15% increase in night time lighting from October through December, giving the city an extra shine during the holiday season Worcester earns a total festive score of 7.85/10.
Worcester festive recommendations: Christmas Tree Festival, Hartlebury Castle, Cathedral Square Christmas Market
Rounding off the top five most festive UK cities is Gloucester, with a respectable total festive score of 7.77/10.
With a respectable 2,838 Instagram hashtags, Gloucester has entranced Christmas lovers for decades, boasting a 31% increase in Christmas lights, coming second only to Cardiff and Bristol for festive night time lighting.
Gloucester festive recommendations: Gloucester Quays Ice Rink and Winter Markets, Meet Santa at Coal Kitchen, Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market
Behind on Christmas Shopping? Dread spending more time than usual with the in-laws? If you’re feeling a bit bah humbug this year, you’re not alone, because these UK cities are the least festive.
The UK’s SCROOGIEST cities and towns, revealed:
|
Rank |
City |
% Increase of Christmas Lights |
Av. Days of Snow in December |
Instagram Christmas #’s |
TikTok Christmas # Views |
Total Festive Score /10 |
|
1 |
Plymouth |
1% |
0.2 |
962 |
31,041 |
4.51 |
|
2 |
Glasgow |
-10% |
0.64 |
20,295 |
6,271,262 |
5.84 |
|
3 |
Liverpool |
2% |
0.05 |
9,099 |
4,055,100 |
5.92 |
|
4 |
Newcastle |
-9% |
1.24 |
5,634 |
1,133,865 |
6.00 |
|
5 |
Derby |
6% |
0.45 |
1,119 |
4,360 |
6.23 |
|
6 |
Nottingham |
2% |
0.20 |
2,111 |
650,440 |
6.35 |
|
7 |
Wolverhampton |
0% |
0.50 |
73 |
531 |
6.40 |
|
8 |
Birmingham |
-1% |
0.59 |
20,485 |
4,104,900 |
6.54 |
|
9 |
Bradford |
-1% |
2.33 |
189 |
494 |
6.66 |
|
10 |
Bournemouth |
-4% |
1.81 |
1,027 |
134,912 |
6.73 |
On the opposite end of the scale, Plymouth has been crowned the UK’s scroogiest city, according to the study from CasinoTop3.com. Owing to the port city’s meagre one percent increase of Christmas lights and just 0.2 average snow days in the month of December, Plymouth claimed the rather unfestive title.
Additionally, the city also boasts just 962 Christmas hashtags on instagram, and just 31,041 TikTok Christmas views, meaning Plymouth secured a total festive score of just 4.51 out of a possible 10 - the lowest score out of the 31 towns and cities compared in the rankings. Joining Plymouth at the top of the list of the UK’s SCROOGIEST cities, is Glasgow (5.84/10), Liverpool (5.92/10), Newcastle (6.00/10), and Derby (6.23/10).
