Durham Christmas Festival
Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December, 2026
Durham Christmas Festival 2026
Welcome to Durham Christmas Festival 2026.
It might be summer now … but work is underway behind the scenes to make Durham Christmas Festival a real treat again this year. We have now closed our Expression of Interest forms and are planning our markets. Please come back later in the summer for more information about traders and events you can expect at Durham Christmas Festival.
Imporantly, we are open for coach bookings to bring parties to Durham Christmas Festival 2026. Please follow the link below.
Durham Christmas Festival is a fabulous time to enjoy the city of Durham, with Christmas carolling on the streets, Carols for All in Durham Cathedral, and plenty of places to take a break from your shopping and enjoy the city’s hospitality. Durham, with its cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and world-class attractions, is a city to fall in love with.
We will update this site with information about events in the city during the festival as that information becomes available.
What's on, where and when!
Our Markets
Family Entertainment
Discounted Craft & Producers' Marquee - opening Summer 2026
Lantern Parade - reservations - opening Summer 2026
Markets
Christmas Markets
Markets
Christmas Markets
The huge, heated Craft and Gift Marquee on Palace Green will feature over 180 stalls across all three days of the event.
In the Cloisters of Durham Cathedral, discover our Regional Food and Drink Producers' Market featuring more than 30 traders.
Durham Market Hall, home to 40 small local busineses, will be open each day of the Christmas Festival, and there will be a Festive Outdoor Market in Durham Market Place.
For a more in-depth look at the markets, click here.
Family Entertainment
Family Entertainment
Family Entertainment
Family Entertainment
Festive entertainment includes lots of local entertainers and musicians performing throughout the city centre. In Durham Cathedral, Carols for All services take place on both Saturday and Sunday and entertainment on Palace Green will include a static falconry display, storytelling, a children’s entertainer, and Father Christmas in his Festive Grotto.
Want to trade at Durham Christmas Festival 2026?
Sorry, but we have closed our Expression of Interest forms for our 2026 festival. For 2027, we expect to open the Expression of Interest forms in February or March 2027.
Thank you to our Festival Partners 2026
Durham Christmas Festival 2024
Durham Christmas Festival Newsletter - sign up here
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If you’d like to know about Markets and Traders, festive events, the Children’s Lantern Parade, discounted entry to the Craft & Producers’ Marquee and more, subscribe to our newsletter by completing the form below.