Christmas Markets in the East Midlands 2026

In 2026 the Lustre Craft and Design Market at Lakeside Arts and the Southwell Minster Winter Craft Fair open first, both on Friday 6 November, and the Christmas Market at Chatsworth and the Artist and Designer Fair in Buxton follow on Saturday 7 November. Mercatum at Haddon Hall opens on Wednesday 11 November, Bakewell Christmas Market is on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, Bosworth Battlefield Christmas Fair takes Saturday 21 November, and Burghley Christmas Fair takes Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November. The Curly Magpie Christmas Markets at Calke open every day from Friday 27 November to Wednesday 23 December, and Lamport Hall Christmas Market and the Christmas Fair & Santa's Grotto in Buxton both begin on Saturday 5 December, as does Normanby Hall Christmas Market, which finishes on Sunday 6 December, and every card gives the dates.

Several East Midlands markets welcome dogs on a lead, while Mercatum and the Buxton fairs' building admit only assistance dogs. Chatsworth welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads at its Christmas market, Lamport Hall welcomes friendly dogs on short leads, and at Calke dogs on a short lead are welcome at the markets and in the Stableyards. Burghley does not advise bringing dogs to its busy fair, but any you bring must be on a lead and stay out of the indoor areas. At both Buxton fairs, only assistance dogs may go into the building, though dogs are welcome in the park, and Haddon Hall allows only assistance dogs at Mercatum. Bosworth Battlefield welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads on its site, but only trained service animals may enter the Heritage Room, the exhibition or the shop. Normanby Hall welcomes dogs at its market as long as they stay on a lead, though not in the Hall.

Both fairs at Pavilion Gardens in Buxton are free to enter, and so is the Christmas Market at Chatsworth, though its car park ticket must be booked ahead. At Calke, one admission covers the market, the house, the tunnels and the wider estate, and National Trust members get in free. Burghley Christmas Fair and Mercatum at Haddon Hall must be booked in advance, with no tickets sold on the day, and at Lamport Hall you can pay on the gate or book in advance. Bosworth Battlefield Christmas Fair is free to enter, though car park charges apply, and Normanby Hall's market is free to Normanby annual members, with everyone else paying only for parking.

Yes, but the rules differ at each market. Burghley's standard parking is free and mostly on grass, and Lamport Hall's free parking is in grass fields, so it advises wellies or sturdy boots. Calke makes no parking charge, and Haddon includes parking with its adult Mercatum tickets. At Chatsworth, everyone, Blue Badge holders included, books a car park ticket before arriving. Bosworth Battlefield and Normanby Hall both charge for parking, and Normanby takes cash only.

It varies from market to market. The Octagon Hall at Pavilion Gardens in Buxton has one-level access from the car park, and the Riding School at Calke has step-free access through its rear doors or the restaurant courtyard. Burghley says there is step-free access to all the fair's shopping areas, though the courtyards have cobbles, and the Chatsworth market is on an incline, with ramps on request. Haddon says wheelchair access is not available at Mercatum. Bosworth Battlefield has accessible toilets at its Heritage Centre and at Shenton Station, and a platform lift where the exhibition has steps, though it has not confirmed step-free access to the fair. Normanby Hall has a Changing Places toilet, and wheelchairs, mobility scooters and adapted bicycles can be hired there, subject to availability.

Yes. Lamport Hall Christmas Market is all under cover in the Edwardian stable block, so rain makes no difference. Both Buxton fairs are held in the Octagon Hall at Pavilion Gardens, and the Festive Makers Market at Lincolnshire Showground is indoors in the EXO Centre.