ShowDayGuide

Christmas Markets in the North East 2026

Updated 28 October 2026 · 13 markets · County Durham, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Tyne and Wear

13 Christmas markets and fairs in North East England are listed for 2026, across County Durham, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees and Tyne and Wear, opening with Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre at Stocksfield on Thursday 12 November. Several are held at historic places. Alnwick Castle gives its Guest Hall over to a two-day fair, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens hosts a weekend of local craftspeople, and Raby Castle Christmas Market fills the estate's Riding School and Dutch Barn. The Winter Market at The Bowes Museum spreads into its galleries, and Durham Christmas Festival runs from the Market Place up the cobbled streets to Palace Green. Newcastle Christmas Market runs to Wednesday 23 December, with a Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square.

County Durham · 5Northumberland · 6Stockton-on-Tees · 1Tyne and Wear · 1
Map of the eleven guide regions with North East highlightedA tile map, one square per region: North East, North West, Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland, London.North EastNorth WestYorkshireEast MidsWest MidsEastSouth EastSouth WestWalesScotlandLondon
Markets listed
13
First to open
Thu 12 Nov
Last to close
Wed 23 Dec
Dogs welcome at
5 of 13

All 13 at a glance

MarketDates 2026TownCountyEntryDogsAccess
Brocksbushes Christmas FayreThu 12 – Sun 15 NovStocksfieldNorthumberland——Accessible parking / blue badge parking
The Sill Christmas FairSat 14 – Sun 15 NovBardon MillNorthumberlandFree entryDogs welcome on a leadWheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Ushaw Christmas Craft FairSat 14 – Sun 15 NovUshaw MoorCounty DurhamWith admissionDogs welcome on a leadWheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Newcastle Christmas Market19 Nov – 23 DecNewcastle upon TyneTyne and Wear———
Wynyard Hall Christmas FayreFri 20 – Sun 22 NovWynyardStockton-on-TeesPaid entry——
Blanchland Artisan Christmas MarketSat 21 – Sun 22 NovBlanchlandNorthumberlandFree entryDogs welcome on a leadAccessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall, Castle and GardensSat 21 – Sun 22 NovBelsayNorthumberlandWith admissionDogs welcome on a leadAccessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Alnwick Castle Christmas FairTue 24 – Wed 25 NovAlnwickNorthumberlandPaid entryNo dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law)Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft FairFri 27 – Sun 29 NovBrancepethCounty Durham—No dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law)Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Raby Castle Christmas MarketFri 27 – Sun 29 NovStaindropCounty DurhamPaid entry—Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Ford & Etal Christmas MarketSat 28 – Sun 29 NovEtalNorthumberlandPaid entryDogs welcome on a lead—
Durham Christmas FestivalFri 4 – Sun 6 DecDurhamCounty Durham——Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking
The Winter Market at The Bowes MuseumFri 11 – Sun 13 DecBarnard CastleCounty DurhamPaid entry—Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking

A dash means the market has not said. Ordered by opening date.

Christmas markets in County Durham

The County Durham guide →

Markets in this guide: Barnard Castle, Brancepeth, Durham, Staindrop and Ushaw Moor.

Christmas markets in Northumberland

The Northumberland guide →

Markets in this guide: Alnwick, Bardon Mill, Belsay, Blanchland, Etal and Stocksfield.

Christmas markets in Stockton-on-Tees

Markets in this guide: Wynyard.

Christmas markets in Tyne and Wear

Markets in this guide: Newcastle upon Tyne.

Questions about Christmas markets in the North East

When do Christmas markets start in the North East?

In 2026 the first to open is Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre, from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November. Ushaw Christmas Craft Fair follows on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, Newcastle Christmas Market opens on Thursday 19 November and runs to Wednesday 23 December, Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre is open Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, and Blanchland Artisan Christmas Market and the Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall are both on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November. Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair is on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November, Raby Castle Christmas Market from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November and Ford & Etal Christmas Market on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. December brings Durham Christmas Festival, from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December, and The Winter Market at The Bowes Museum, from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December. Each card shows the dates.

Are dogs allowed at Christmas markets in the North East?

Several North East markets welcome dogs, but not all of them. Ford & Etal Christmas Market welcomes dogs on a lead at every venue, Blanchland Artisan Christmas Market says dogs are welcome, and at Belsay dogs on a short lead may go in the grounds but not in the hall or castle. Alnwick Castle allows only assistance dogs, and Raby Castle advises against bringing dogs to its market because of how busy it gets. Newcastle Christmas Market gives no dog rule.

Which Christmas markets in the North East are free to enter?

Blanchland Artisan Christmas Market is free to enter. Children get into Raby Castle Christmas Market free, under-18s go free at The Winter Market at The Bowes Museum, and English Heritage members get into the Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay free; for everyone else the Belsay fair is included in the site's standard admission. Ushaw's fair needs no separate ticket because entry comes with a Day Pass or membership, and other markets sell tickets. Newcastle Christmas Market has not published an entry charge, though the shows and experiences at its Christmas Village are ticketed.

Is there parking at Christmas markets in the North East?

Yes, and at several it is free. Raby Castle, The Bowes Museum and Brocksbushes say parking is free, and Ford & Etal's single admission charge includes parking. At Belsay, parking is free for English Heritage members and charged for others. For Durham Christmas Festival, the organisers recommend public transport or the city's Park and Ride.

Are Christmas markets in the North East wheelchair accessible?

Access varies, and several markets publish detailed information. The Bowes Museum says all its floors have level access and that it lays outdoor matting for the stalls in its grounds. Durham Christmas Festival's Craft and Gift Marquee has ramp entrances, and a free taxi service with wheelchair-accessible taxis runs from just below the Market Place to the rear of the Cathedral for anyone who cannot walk up the cobbled streets. At Blanchland, the Square and the Village Hall are accessible, while the Lord Crewe Gatehouse and the Abbey have stairs.

Christmas markets in other regions

Christmas markets in the North WestChristmas markets in YorkshireChristmas markets in the East MidlandsChristmas markets in the West MidlandsChristmas markets in the East of EnglandChristmas markets in the South EastChristmas markets in the South WestChristmas markets in WalesChristmas markets in ScotlandChristmas markets in London

Every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish.