Christmas Markets in Cambridgeshire 2026
Updated 28 October 2026
3 Christmas markets and fairs in Cambridgeshire are listed for 2026, in Ely, Peterborough and Wisbech, and the Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair opens first, on Thursday 19 November. At Ely and Peterborough the cathedrals themselves fill with stalls. Ely adds a vintage carousel and an Observation Wheel, alongside a Festive Village next door that is free to enter, and the Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Craft & Gift Market follows from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, with handmade gifts beneath the Cathedral's Norman arches. On Sunday 13 December Wisbech Christmas Fayre spreads stalls through the Market Place and the surrounding streets and buildings, with live music and dancing, as one of Fenland's Four Seasons events.
Markets in this guide: Ely, Peterborough and Wisbech.
- Markets listed
- 3
- First to open
- Thu 19 Nov
- Last to close
- Sun 13 Dec
- Accessible toilets at
- 2 of 3
All 3 at a glance
| Market | Dates 2026 | Town | Entry | Dogs | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair | Thu 19 – Sat 21 Nov | Ely | Paid entry | — | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Craft & Gift Market | Fri 20 – Sun 22 Nov | Peterborough | Paid entry | — | Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Wisbech Christmas Fayre | Sun 13 Dec | Wisbech | — | — | — |
- Thu 19 – Sat 21 NovEly Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair
- Fri 20 – Sun 22 NovPeterborough Cathedral Christmas Craft & Gift Market
- Sun 13 DecWisbech Christmas Fayre
A dash means the market has not said. Ordered by opening date.
The markets
Questions about Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire
When do Christmas markets start in Cambridgeshire?
In 2026 the Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair opens first, running from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November. The Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Craft & Gift Market follows from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, and Wisbech Christmas Fayre is on Sunday 13 December, from 10am to 3pm. The dates for each are on its card.
Are dogs allowed at Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire?
Ely Cathedral permits only assistance dogs inside, and the fair has given no rule for the outdoor Festive Village. Peterborough Cathedral welcomes guide dogs and assistance animals throughout the building and has not given a rule for other dogs. Wisbech Christmas Fayre has published no dog rule.
Which Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire are free to enter?
The Festive Village next to Ely Cathedral can be entered free at any time while the fair is open, but the fair inside the Cathedral is ticketed, by timed session or all-day ticket, and the Cathedral strongly recommends booking ahead because numbers are limited. Peterborough Cathedral's market sells shopper tickets for adults, under-16s go free, and the market's terms also allow entry on arrival at the door. Wisbech Christmas Fayre has not published an entry price, but Fenland District Council says much of what is on offer for children and families is free of charge.
Is there parking at Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire?
For Ely, the Cathedral recommends booking the Park & Ride, which starts at Ben's Yard, runs from Thursday to Saturday and stops outside the Cathedral's main entrance; spaces are limited, and Ely city centre has free parking, including disabled parking, although spaces there are limited too. Peterborough Cathedral has no general parking, but designated Blue Badge spaces are provided within the Cathedral Precincts. The council's three free car parks for the Wisbech fayre are Chapel Road, Somers Road and Church Terrace. Roads in Wisbech are closed from 5am to 7pm on the day.
Can I get to Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire by train or bus?
Ely station is about 10 minutes' walk from the Cathedral, and regular trains serve Cambridge, Peterborough, King's Lynn, Norwich and London. The Park & Ride bus runs about every 15 minutes from Thursday to Saturday. The Market Place in Wisbech is about 150 metres from the bus station. The Peterborough Cathedral market has published no train or bus details.
Are any Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire open in the evening?
Yes, at Ely and Peterborough. Ely has evening sessions from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November, and the Almonry Kitchen opens late for supper on those two evenings. The Peterborough Cathedral market is open until 8pm on Friday 20 November. Wisbech Christmas Fayre closes at 3pm.
Are Christmas markets in Cambridgeshire wheelchair accessible?
Ely Cathedral reports step-free access and ramps throughout and welcomes visitors with wheelchairs, mobility aids and buggies, though some floor surfaces are uneven and some areas will be busier at times. Wheelchair-accessible Park & Ride buses run from Thursday to Saturday, and accessible toilet and baby changing facilities are near the Lady Chapel and beside the temporary outdoor toilets. Reaching the Stained Glass Museum means climbing 45 spiral stone stairs, and free Essential Companion tickets are offered to eligible visitors. At Peterborough Cathedral the South Transept door gives level, step-free access, the Nave has a hearing loop, and visitors follow a one-way system through the Cathedral with volunteer marshals on hand; some areas may be dimly lit. Wisbech Christmas Fayre has published no access details.
More Christmas markets nearby
Every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish.
