Christmas Markets in County Durham 2026
Updated 28 October 2026
5 Christmas markets and fairs in County Durham are listed for 2026, and Ushaw Christmas Craft Fair begins the county's season on Saturday 14 November. Ushaw, a former Catholic seminary in parkland four miles out of Durham City, holds its fair over a November weekend, with entry through a Day Pass or membership. Raby Castle's market sits a mile out of Staindrop, in the Riding School and Dutch Barn of the estate, with real Christmas trees for sale in the Coachyard. The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle hosts The Winter Market each December, its stalls reaching from the grounds into the galleries, and in Durham itself the Christmas Festival spreads from the Market Place to Palace Green, up the city's cobbled streets.
Markets in this guide: Barnard Castle, Brancepeth, Durham, Staindrop and Ushaw Moor.
- Markets listed
- 5
- First to open
- Sat 14 Nov
- Last to close
- Sun 13 Dec
- Dogs welcome at
- 1 of 5
All 5 at a glance
| Market | Dates 2026 | Town | Entry | Dogs | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushaw Christmas Craft Fair | Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov | Ushaw Moor | With admission | Dogs welcome on a lead | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair | Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov | Brancepeth | — | No dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law) | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Raby Castle Christmas Market | Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov | Staindrop | Paid entry | — | Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Durham Christmas Festival | Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec | Durham | — | — | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| The Winter Market at The Bowes Museum | Fri 11 – Sun 13 Dec | Barnard Castle | Paid entry | — | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
- Sat 14 – Sun 15 NovUshaw Christmas Craft Fair
- Fri 27 – Sun 29 NovBrancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair
- Fri 27 – Sun 29 NovRaby Castle Christmas Market
- Fri 4 – Sun 6 DecDurham Christmas Festival
- Fri 11 – Sun 13 DecThe Winter Market at The Bowes Museum
A dash means the market has not said. Ordered by opening date.
The markets
Ushaw Christmas Craft Fair
Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov · Ushaw MoorWith admissionDogs welcome on a leadStep-free accessBrancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair
Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov · BrancepethNo dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law)Accessible toiletsStep-free accessRaby Castle Christmas Market
Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov · StaindropPaid entryAccessible toiletsDurham Christmas Festival
Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec · DurhamAccessible toiletsStep-free accessThe Winter Market at The Bowes Museum
Fri 11 – Sun 13 Dec · Barnard CastlePaid entryAccessible toiletsStep-free access
Questions about Christmas markets in County Durham
When do Christmas markets start in County Durham?
The County Durham season opens with Ushaw Christmas Craft Fair, open Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026. Raby Castle's market follows from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November, Durham Christmas Festival takes Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December; the Bowes Museum's Winter Market closes the run, Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December. The cards list the dates for each.
Are dogs allowed at Christmas markets in County Durham?
Ushaw is the only one to welcome pet dogs, on a lead in its gardens and some areas of the Main House, though not in the chapels or exhibition rooms. Raby Castle's advice is to leave dogs at home for its Christmas market, which gets very busy. Durham Christmas Festival admits only assistance dogs to its Craft and Gift Marquee, and The Bowes Museum has given no dog rule for its market, though guide and assistance dogs are welcome inside the museum.
Do I need a ticket for Christmas markets in County Durham?
Yes for most of them, though some visitors go free. Raby sells market tickets and lets children in free; a Winter Market ticket at The Bowes Museum also opens the galleries and exhibitions, with under-18s free; and Durham Christmas Festival charges for its Craft and Gift Marquee, with accompanying children aged 16 or under free. Ushaw sells no separate fair ticket: a Day Pass or membership gets you in.
Is there parking at Christmas markets in County Durham?
Raby Castle and The Bowes Museum both have free parking, the museum's on site and first come, first served. Ushaw has its own Visitor Centre car park. Durham's city centre car parks are likely to fill early each day of the festival, so its organisers point visitors to public transport or the Park and Ride.
Can I get to County Durham's Christmas markets by bus or train?
Yes. Bus 52 runs from Durham bus station to Ushaw's main visitor entrance from Monday to Saturday, and Arriva 75 between Darlington and Barnard Castle stops in Staindrop, about a mile from Raby. Durham railway station is about a 10-minute walk from the Market Place.
More Christmas markets nearby
Every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish.