Knaresborough Christmas Market
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December 2026
Market Place, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
For more than 700 years the Market Place has been the heart of Knaresborough, a North Yorkshire market town on the River Nidd, and for one December weekend the Christmas Market spreads into the streets around it. Old and new stallholders sell chocolate and sweets, cheese and pickles, gifts and decorations, alongside hot food, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and mince pies, while local performers take turns in the square. Down Kirkgate, St John's Church fills with more than 70 decorated trees, Santa could appear in Green Dragon Yard and Mother Shipton's cave puts on its own Christmas experience. Run not for profit by a volunteer committee, the weekend closes on Sunday afternoon with fireworks over the viaduct and Nidd Gorge, and free park-and-ride buses run on both days.
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What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December 2026
Getting there
Market Place, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Dogs
Dogs welcome on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible parking / blue badge parking, 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
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead.
Notes
Knaresborough is a very dog friendly town, but the organisers suggest leaving pets at home if you can, as the market gets busy, especially on the Sunday, when the firework finale takes place. The park and ride buses are dog friendly.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The park and ride buses are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. A 24-hour disabled toilet is at Fisher Street car park, behind Sainsbury's Local and the Bus Station, and public toilets are at the castle grounds entrance. Roads near the square are closed to widen the pedestrian area.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Knaresborough Christmas Market?
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026.
What are the opening times?
Saturday 5 December: 10am to 5pm. Sunday 6 December: from 10am, with the market weekend closing at 4.30pm with the firework finale. Performances in the Market Place run in timed slots: Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00 and Sunday from 10.15 to 16.45. The park and ride buses run from 8am to 5.30pm.
Where is it?
Centred on Knaresborough's Market Place in North Yorkshire, with festive events around the town, including the High Street, Castlegate, Kirkgate and the railway station, and Waterside. For the market, the organisers give the what3words address ///legend.grownup.immune.
Where do I park?
The organisers strongly recommend the free park and ride, which runs all weekend from the GSPK car park on Manse Lane (HG5 8LF) to Chapel Street, next to the Market Square. Buses run 8am to 5.30pm and the gates stay open until 7pm. Paid parking is at the Chapel Street, Fisher Street and York Place council car parks, but spaces near the Market Square are limited because of road closures; Conyngham Hall and Waterside are pay and display car parks run by North Yorkshire Council. From the A1, the organisers say to take the A59 exit towards Harrogate; at the second roundabout take the third exit signed for Knaresborough A59, then after about half a mile turn left for the GSPK park and ride site. Coaches drop off at Chapel Street, which has a designated coach drop-off bay.
How do I get there without a car?
Buses run to and from Harrogate and leave from the bus station next to the Market Square; the number 36 continues to Ripon and Leeds. Trains run from York and Leeds about every 30 minutes, and Northern has released a limited number of £2 advance tickets for the market weekend (northernrailway.co.uk).
Do I need tickets?
The Christmas Tree Festival at St John's Church is free to enter, the castle grounds are free to enter, and Mother Shipton's Christmas Experience is pre-booked tickets only.
Are dogs allowed?
Knaresborough is a very dog friendly town, but the organisers suggest leaving pets at home if possible, as the market gets busy and pets may be happier at home, especially on the Sunday when the firework finale takes place. The park and ride buses are dog friendly.
Is it accessible?
The park and ride buses are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. A 24-hour disabled toilet is at Fisher Street car park, behind Sainsbury's Local and the Bus Station. The organisers are widening the pedestrian area with road closures and ask visitors to allow extra time.
What is there to eat, and should I bring cash?
Stalls sell food and sweet treats, and the Market Place has cafes, a bakery and delis. Most stallholders accept cards, but the organisers advise bringing plenty of cash because the town's cash machines may run out, and the Banking Hub is closed for the weekend.
What else is on?
The Christmas Tree Festival at St John's Church (over 70 decorated trees), Mother Shipton's Christmas Experience, Santa glimpses in Green Dragon Yard, the Castle grounds and Keep (the Courthouse Museum and Keep are open 10am to 3.30pm on both days), a window trail, a Blue Plaque heritage walk and, on Sunday at 4.30pm, a firework finale over the viaduct, best seen from Castle Top or the riverside.
How do I get a stall?
In 2026 all stalls are sold out, and traders can join a waitlist. Hot food vendor applications are by invitation only in 2026.
Is this your market?
This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Knaresborough Christmas Market. If you're one of its organisers, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.
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