The quick answer
Choose Oxford for grand architecture and a classic Christmas market on Broad Street, right in the middle of the colleges. Choose Cambridge for the riverside Backs, King's College Chapel and the fair-style Christmas in Cambridge on Parker's Piece. Both are about an hour from central London.
The Christmas markets
Oxford
The Oxford Christmas Market sits on Broad Street, between Balliol, Trinity and the Bodleian, so the setting does a lot of the work. Wooden chalets, mulled wine, crafts and street food, and everything is walkable from the market.
Cambridge
Christmas in Cambridge on Parker's Piece is more of a festive fair, with food and drink stalls on the open green, a short walk from the historic centre. The traditional Market Square in the middle of town is also worth a look.
Book a guided Christmas tour
Small groups with a local host and tastings included. No booking fees, free cancellation.
The sights
Oxford: the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, the Bridge of Sighs and the college fronts, plus the Covered Market for lunch.
Cambridge: King's College Chapel, Trinity and St John's, and a walk along the Backs by the river.
In both cities the colleges charge for entry and keep their own hours, especially in December, so check before you go if there's one you really want to see inside.
Getting there
By train, Oxford is about an hour from Paddington or Marylebone and Cambridge about an hour from King's Cross or Liverpool Street. Booking ahead is cheapest, and Saturdays in December are busy. Both city centres are a walk (or a short bus) from the station.
The easy way: our small-group day trips
If you'd rather not plan trains and routes, our Oxford Christmas Day Trip (Saturdays 28 November, 5, 12 and 19 December 2026) and Cambridge Christmas Day Trip (Sundays 29 November, 6, 13 and 20 December) do it for you:
Return minibus from near Victoria at 08:30, back about 17:30, with fuel, parking and road charges included.
A guided city walk with a local host, the Christmas market with 2 tastings, and free time for lunch and shopping.
£125 per person (£99 child), a group of 12 at most, no booking fees, free cancellation up to 72 hours before.
Lunch and college entry aren't included, so you can spend your free time however you like. Staying in London instead? See our guide to London Christmas tours.
