Christmas Markets in Northumberland 2026
Updated 28 October 2026
6 Christmas markets and fairs in Northumberland are listed for 2026, and the county's first is Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre, held at a family-run farm shop in Stocksfield from Thursday 12 November. Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, near Morpeth, gives a weekend to handmade work from local craftspeople, and Alnwick Castle opens its Guest Hall for a preview evening and a market day. Ford & Etal Christmas Market spreads across Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw, with stalls in Ford Castle and vintage buses between the venues. Blanchland's market fills a village on the county line with Durham, where the traders sell only work they have made themselves.
Markets in this guide: Alnwick, Bardon Mill, Belsay, Blanchland, Etal and Stocksfield.
- Markets listed
- 6
- First to open
- Thu 12 Nov
- Last to close
- Sun 29 Nov
- Dogs welcome at
- 4 of 6
All 6 at a glance
| Market | Dates 2026 | Town | Entry | Dogs | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre | Thu 12 – Sun 15 Nov | Stocksfield | — | — | Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| The Sill Christmas Fair | Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov | Bardon Mill | Free entry | Dogs welcome on a lead | Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Blanchland Artisan Christmas Market | Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov | Blanchland | Free entry | Dogs welcome on a lead | Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens | Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov | Belsay | With admission | Dogs welcome on a lead | Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair | Tue 24 – Wed 25 Nov | Alnwick | Paid entry | No dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law) | Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking |
| Ford & Etal Christmas Market | Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov | Etal | Paid entry | Dogs welcome on a lead | — |
- Thu 12 – Sun 15 NovBrocksbushes Christmas Fayre
- Sat 14 – Sun 15 NovThe Sill Christmas Fair
- Sat 21 – Sun 22 NovBlanchland Artisan Christmas Market
- Sat 21 – Sun 22 NovChristmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
- Tue 24 – Wed 25 NovAlnwick Castle Christmas Fair
- Sat 28 – Sun 29 NovFord & Etal Christmas Market
A dash means the market has not said. Ordered by opening date.
The markets
Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre
Thu 12 – Sun 15 Nov · StocksfieldThe Sill Christmas Fair
Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov · Bardon MillFree entryDogs welcome on a leadAccessible toiletsBlanchland Artisan Christmas Market
Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov · BlanchlandFree entryDogs welcome on a leadAccessible toiletsChristmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov · BelsayWith admissionDogs welcome on a leadAccessible toiletsAlnwick Castle Christmas Fair
Tue 24 – Wed 25 Nov · AlnwickPaid entryNo dogs (assistance dogs are welcome by law)Accessible toiletsFord & Etal Christmas Market
Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov · EtalPaid entryDogs welcome on a lead
Questions about Christmas markets in Northumberland
When do Christmas markets start in Northumberland?
Northumberland's first is Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre, which runs for four days from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November 2026. Blanchland and Belsay follow on the weekend of 21 and 22 November, Alnwick Castle holds its preview evening on Tuesday 24 November and its market day on Wednesday 25 November, and Ford & Etal closes the run on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. Each card shows the dates.
Are dogs allowed at Christmas markets in Northumberland?
At several, yes, though Alnwick Castle admits only assistance dogs. Ford & Etal asks for dogs to stay on a lead at every venue and for owners to pick up after them, and Blanchland's market says dogs are welcome. Belsay lets dogs on a short lead into its grounds, with dog bowls at the entrance and the castle, but not into the hall or castle. Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre has not published a dog rule.
Do I need a ticket for Christmas markets in Northumberland?
It depends on the market. Blanchland's market costs nothing to enter. At Ford & Etal, one admission charge covers every venue, the entertainment, all-day travel on the vintage buses and parking. Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre is booked online for a one-hour arrival slot, with no time limit once you are in. Belsay's fair comes with the site's standard admission, which English Heritage members get free, and Alnwick Castle sells separate tickets for its preview evening and its market day.
Is there parking at Christmas markets in Northumberland?
Yes, at all of them, though not always free. Brocksbushes has free parking and Ford & Etal includes parking in its admission. Belsay's car park is free to English Heritage members and charged to others, and Alnwick Castle's main car park, off Denwick Lane, charges for the day. In Blanchland you can use honesty-box parking by the Village Hall, Blue Badge parking at the front of the Hall, or free parking at Baybridge, about half a mile's walk away.
How do I get to Northumberland's Christmas markets?
By road, and for some by train or bus too. Brocksbushes is about 10 minutes' drive from Hexham, with easy access off the A69, and Belsay is 14 miles north-west of Newcastle on the A696. Alnwick Castle is less than a mile off the A1, with Alnmouth station about 4 miles away. For Ford & Etal, the nearest railway station is Berwick-upon-Tweed, and bus 267 between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Wooler stops at Etal, Heatherslaw and Ford, though not on Sundays.
More Christmas markets nearby
Every market is listed from the details its organisers and venues publish.