Stocking fillers, ice-skating, mulled wine are all on offer in the coming weeks.

Browsing a Christmas market is the ultimate Yuletide activity for getting in the festive spirit and West Oxfordshire is blessed with some of the best.

An extra attraction is that rather than handing your cash to national chains you will be supporting local traders while soaking up the atmosphere.

Here are the Christmas markets and events coming to the district soon.

Witney Craft and Gift Market

A treasure trove of handcrafted goods and unique presents, the market takes place at the Corn Exchange, Witney, on December 7 from 10am to 4pm.

Witney Christmas Market

The market at Marriotts Walk is back by popular demand following the success of last year’s event which saw 15,000 visitors across three days. In fact, following visitor feedback it has been expanded to four days this year, running from December 5 – 8.

The free event will offer handmade gifts, baked goods and freshly made food.

Woodstock Festive Fayre

The five-year-old fayre returns on November 29 from 5 – 8pm and November 30 from 10am to 7pm, expanding into three separate venues to showcase over 50 crafters with an array of gifts, decorations, trinkets, speciality chocolates and artisan beers.

St Mary Magdalene Church, The Oxfordshire Museum and The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum all on Park Street, Woodstock.

Long Hanborough Christmas Market

The Recreation Hall will be buzzing with Christmas cheer on November 30 from 9.30am until 12pm offering handmade crafts and jewellery as well as tea, coffee, mince pies, cakes, cookies, preserves and hot bacon rolls while you shop.

Eynsham Country Market

It will feature fresh, locally produced seasonal baking including Christmas cakes, mince pies, decorated cookies, tray bakes, treats and preserves. Plus a selection of handmade crafts, including jewellery, crafts, sewn, knitted and felted gifts and stained-glass decorations. Free entry and refreshments are available on Eynsham Market Square on December 7.

Carterton Christmas Lights and Lantern Parade

Fun begins at 11am on Saturday November 30 with children’s activities and entertainment and the lantern parade will begin at the Methodist Church at 5.30pm, making its way to the Market Square. The lights will be switched on by a special guest at 6pm followed by an evening of live music, food and drink until 10pm.

Combe Mill Christmas Fayre

This historic mill will host its annual fayre from 11am to 4pm on December 1.

As well as a Christmas market with a range of handcrafted gifts there will be a raffle, tearoom, BBQ, mulled wine and chestnuts. Blacksmiths will be in action in the forge making unique items for stockings. Children can listen to a story with Santa and receive a gift. Entry is free.

Blenheim Palace Christmas Market

The traditional village of wooden chalets is open now in the Great Court and runs until December 22 offering a variety of gifts and goodies plus street food stalls. Tickets for the full Blenheim Christmas experience, including a new covered ice rink, can be pre-booked online.