Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire 2026

In 2026 the first to open is York Christmas Market, which starts on Thursday 12 November and stays open until Monday 21 December. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire follows, from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, then Ripon Cathedral's Christmas Food & Gift Fair on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November. Knaresborough Christmas Market comes last, on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. Every card gives the dates.

It depends on the market. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire admits only assistance dogs. Ripon Cathedral does not permit dogs, citing hygiene and safety, though assistance dogs are welcome. Knaresborough's organisers call it a very dog-friendly town but suggest that pets stay home where possible because the market gets busy, particularly on the Sunday, the day of the fireworks, and its park and ride buses are described as dog friendly. York Christmas Market has not said if dogs are welcome.

For some, yes. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire sells tickets, with under-12s free. Ripon Cathedral's fair sells a separate ticket for each day, and under-16s go in free without one. At Knaresborough the Christmas Tree Festival in St John's Church and the castle grounds are free to enter, while Mother Shipton's Christmas Experience is by pre-booked ticket only. York Christmas Market has published no entry charge.

In York, yes. York Christmas Market is open until 7pm from Wednesday to Monday, closes on Tuesdays for a rest day, and closes at 5pm on its last day, Monday 21 December. The others finish by the late afternoon: Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire closes at 4pm on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 5pm on Saturday, Ripon Cathedral's fair opens at 9.30am and closes at 4.30pm on both days, and Knaresborough closes at 5pm on the Saturday and at 4.30pm on the Sunday, with the fireworks.

Some have free parking. Parking is free at Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire. At Knaresborough the organisers' strong recommendation is the free park and ride from Manse Lane, which runs all weekend, as road closures limit spaces near the Market Square; the town also has paid car parks. Ripon Cathedral says its nearest parking, about 150 yards away, is the St Mary Gate and Cathedral car park. York Christmas Market has published no parking details.

Yes, for several. York Christmas Market is in the city centre. In Knaresborough, buses to and from Harrogate use the bus station beside the Market Square, bus 36 carries on to Ripon and Leeds, and trains run from York and Leeds. Ripon Cathedral's fair is on the 36 bus route from Harrogate and Leeds, and Harrogate is the nearest railway station. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire has published no bus or train details.

Some have published access details. Living North Christmas Fair Yorkshire describes its venue as fully accessible for wheelchair users, with accessible toilets throughout, and it strongly advises against bringing prams. York says its stalls are either counter service or ramped, though tree roots make some of the pavement uneven, and Shopmobility York hires out mobility scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs. The main entrance to Ripon Cathedral opens automatically and has level access. At Knaresborough wheelchairs and pushchairs can use the park and ride buses, and a disabled toilet at Fisher Street car park is open round the clock.