Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair
Thursday 19 November – Saturday 21 November 2026
Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire(CB7 4DL)
Once a year, Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire fills with Christmas shopping. At the Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair, 160 exhibitors sell artisan food, crafts and gifts inside the Cathedral, at least a third of them first-timers, while live entertainment plays. For a seated break, the Lady Chapel has mulled wine, hot spiced apple juice and seasonal bakes. You can ride a vintage carousel or go up on the Observation Wheel for a look across the city and the land around it. Next door, the Festive Village is free to enter and has an upgraded marquee and covered seating this year, and on Thursday and Friday the Almonry Kitchen opens late for supper in candlelit surroundings, ahead of the evening sessions. Tickets are limited, so the Cathedral recommends booking ahead.
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What to expect
Date & times
Thursday 19 November – Saturday 21 November 2026
Getting there
Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire (CB7 4DL for sat nav)
Dogs
Information coming soon
Accessibility
Available: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
Ely Cathedral says the Cathedral has step-free and ramp access throughout, and welcomes visitors who use wheelchairs, mobility aids or buggies. Some floor surfaces are uneven, both inside and in the outdoor spaces, and some areas will be busier than usual at certain times. An accessible toilet and baby changing are near the Lady Chapel and next to the temporary outdoor toilets. Wheelchair-accessible Park & Ride buses run Thursday to Saturday, and free disabled parking is available in Ely city centre, though spaces are limited. The Stained Glass Museum is reached by 45 spiral stone stairs. Free Essential Companion tickets are available for eligible visitors.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair?
It runs from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November 2026. On Thursday and Friday the timed sessions are 9.30am to 1pm, 1pm to 4.30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and an all-day ticket covers 9.15am to 4.30pm. On Saturday the sessions are 9.30am to 1pm and 1pm to 4.30pm, with no evening session. The Cathedral interior and the outdoor Festive Village keep slightly different hours.
How much are tickets, and do I need to book?
The Cathedral's 2026 prices are £10 for a session ticket (£5 for ages 3 to 15 with an adult) and £15 for an all-day ticket on Thursday and Friday. Book through the Cathedral's website: numbers are limited, the Cathedral strongly recommends booking ahead and cannot guarantee tickets on the day. Cathedral passes are not valid for this event, and group bookings are closed for this year. Tickets are refundable only if the event is cancelled or the date changes.
How long is my ticket valid for?
An all-day ticket is valid until 4.30pm with unlimited re-entry through the day. A session ticket is valid for its timed session only, and you cannot re-enter outside it. You can come in at any time during your session, so leave enough time to browse the stalls inside the Cathedral before it ends. The Festive Village next to the Cathedral is free to enter at any time during the Fair's opening hours.
How do I get there, and is there parking?
The Cathedral recommends the Park & Ride from Ben's Yard (CB7 5TR), pre-booked through its website: £3 per person aged 16 and over and £1 for ages 3 to 15, running Thursday to Saturday from 9.15am to 5pm, about every 15 minutes, and dropping off outside the Cathedral's main entrance. Spaces are limited and first come, first served; on the day tickets are cash only, subject to availability. Free parking, including disabled parking, is available in Ely city centre, though spaces are limited. The road outside the Cathedral (The Gallery) is closed to general traffic during the event. The Cathedral's address is The Chapter House, The College, Ely, CB7 4DL.
Can I come by train?
Yes. Ely station is a short walk of about 10 minutes from the Cathedral, with regular trains to Cambridge, Peterborough, King's Lynn, Norwich and London.
Are dogs allowed?
Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Cathedral. The Fair's information does not give a rule for dogs in the outdoor Festive Village.
Is the Fair accessible for wheelchair users and buggies?
The Cathedral has step-free and ramp access throughout, and wheelchair users, people with mobility aids and buggies are very welcome. Some floor surfaces are uneven, both inside the Cathedral and in the outdoor spaces, and some areas will be busier than usual at certain times. Wheelchair-accessible Park & Ride buses run Thursday to Saturday. An accessible toilet and baby changing are near the Lady Chapel and next to the temporary outdoor toilets. If you cannot stand for long periods, tell a member of staff or security, who will help. The Stained Glass Museum is up 45 spiral stone stairs.
Can a companion come with me for free?
The Cathedral offers free Essential Companion tickets to people who need significant extra support to take part, beyond what family or friends already with them could reasonably give. The companion must be over 16 and with you at all times. They are not usually available for children under 16. Eligibility includes Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, a War Disablement Pension, evidence of severe sight impairment, a recognised assistance dog, or a Nimbus or Access Card with the +1 symbol. Book through the Cathedral Box Office.
What is there to eat and drink?
Refreshments are available in the Festive Village, and mulled wine and hot spiced apple juice are served in the Lady Chapel, which has seating. The Fair also has artisan food stalls. The Cathedral asks that you do not bring food or drink into the Cathedral. The Almonry Kitchen in the Cathedral grounds opens late for food and drinks on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November, with table bookings at 5.00pm, 5.15pm, 5.30pm and 5.45pm; booking is through the Cathedral's website.
What is there to see and do?
The Fair has 160 exhibitors, more than a third of them new this year, with artisan foods, crafts and gifts, and live entertainment inside the Cathedral. There is a vintage carousel and an Observation Wheel with views over the city and surrounding landscape. The outdoor Festive Village has an upgraded marquee and covered seating. Entry to the Stained Glass Museum, upstairs in the Cathedral, is an extra £4 per person (under 16s free with a paying adult) and only within your Fair session time. Cathedral tours do not run during the Fair.
Is there anywhere to leave bags, and will I be searched?
There is no left-luggage or shopping storage, so the Cathedral encourages visitors to avoid large bags. Have your ticket ready to scan on arrival and expect bag searches, with CCTV, first aiders, security and stewards on duty. Some items may be refused entry.
How do I get a stall?
Stallholder applications for 2026 are closed. The Cathedral's Fair page has a form to register interest for 2027. The Cathedral also warns of scams claiming to represent it, so use only its own website.
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