Looking for the best Christmas markets in the North East this year? From the big Newcastle Christmas Market around Grey's Monument to craft fairs beside Durham Cathedral and inside Alnwick Castle, the North East of England has a festive market for every kind of Christmas break.

In this guide to Christmas markets in the North East for 2026, we go region by region: Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland and Teesside. For each one you'll find the best markets with confirmed dates, other festive things to do, where to stay and nearby places worth adding to your trip.

Best Christmas markets in the North East 2026 at a glance

• Newcastle Christmas Market: Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December
• Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre, near Billingham: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November
• Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair: Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November
• Raby Castle Christmas Market, Staindrop: Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November
• Ford and Etal Christmas Market, Northumberland: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November
• Durham Christmas Festival: Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December
• Bowes Museum Winter Market, Barnard Castle: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December
• Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair: Saturday 12 December

Christmas markets in Newcastle and Tyne and Wear

Newcastle is the easiest place in the North East for a Christmas city break, with the region's biggest market, late-night shopping and the Metro to take you out to the coast.

1. Newcastle Christmas Market

Dates: Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026

Where: Grey's Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street

Entry: Free

The biggest Christmas market in the North East has more than 70 traders, most of them local. Look out for the Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square with its Ferris wheel, igloo pods on the North Pole Terrace and festive stalls inside the Grainger Market. Last year it opened 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

2. Riverside Sunderland Christmas Market

Dates: Expected mid-November, on the same day as the lights switch-on. Check Sunderland BID for 2026

Where: City Hall and The Beam, with the switch-on in Keel Square

Entry: Free

A one-day market with local makers and street food that leads into Sunderland's Christmas lights switch-on, making it a good free evening out for families.

3. Tynemouth Market and Spanish City, Whitley Bay

Dates: Tynemouth every weekend; Spanish City usually one weekend in late November. Check the organisers for 2026

Where: Tynemouth Metro station and Spanish City, Whitley Bay

Entry: Tynemouth free; Spanish City has been ticketed in past years

Tynemouth's weekend market fills the Victorian station with extra gift stalls in December, and a few minutes up the coast the Spanish City Christmas Market sets up under the famous white dome.

Other Christmas things to do in Tyne and Wear

• Newcastle's Christmas lights switch-on is on Thursday 12 November 2026
• The outdoor ice rink at the Life Science Centre runs from Saturday 7 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
• Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Aladdin at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, and Snow White at the Playhouse Whitley Bay
• On Boxing Day, hundreds usually brave the sea for charity dips at Seaburn and Whitley Bay

Planning your Christmas break in Tyne and Wear

Stay in Newcastle city centre to be within walking distance of the market, the Quayside and the theatres, or in Tynemouth if you'd prefer sea air. The Metro links the city with Sunderland, South Shields and the coast, and Monument station is right beside the market, so you can leave the car at home. For more ideas, see our guide to the best places to live in Newcastle.

Nearby places to add to your trip

• Beamish, about half an hour south, for an old-fashioned Christmas
• Durham, a short train ride away, for the Christmas Festival in early December
• Hexham, on the Tyne Valley line, for the Abbey Christmas Fair

Christmas markets in Durham and County Durham

County Durham pairs a cathedral city market with castle and museum fairs in the countryside, plus one of the best Christmas days out in the region at Beamish.

1. Durham Christmas Festival

Dates: Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December 2026

Where: Palace Green, the Market Place and Durham Market Hall

Entry: Free, but book a free slot online for the Palace Green marquee

The Craft and Producers' Marquee sits between the cathedral and the castle, with street food and live Christmas music on the way up through the old town. It opens 9am to 5:30pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am to 4:30pm on Sunday.

2. Raby Castle Christmas Market

Dates: Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2026

Where: Raby Castle, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle

Entry: £2.50 in advance or £5 on the day

Local makers, food producers and real Christmas trees in the grounds of one of England's great medieval castles. The decorated state rooms open from Saturday 14 November.

3. Bowes Museum Winter Market

Dates: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December 2026, 10am to 4pm

Where: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

Entry: £7.50 before 7 December, then £9. Under-18s, students and carers go free

Over 100 artists, designers and food stalls, and your ticket includes the museum's galleries.

Other Christmas things to do in County Durham

• Christmas at Beamish runs from Saturday 21 November to Christmas Eve, then 27 to 31 December, with ticketed Christmas evenings on selected dates
• Advent services and carol concerts at Durham Cathedral throughout December
• Panto: Rapunzel at the Gala Durham, 19 November to 31 December

Planning your Christmas break in County Durham

Durham city makes the best base, with the cathedral and riverside walks on your doorstep and fast trains on the East Coast Main Line. For a quieter countryside stay near Raby and the Bowes Museum, look at Barnard Castle. Beamish and the castles are much easier by car. Our guide to the best places to live in Durham has more on the area.

Nearby places to add to your trip

• Seaham, about 20 minutes away, for a winter walk along the harbour
• Darlington and Wynyard Hall, an easy add-on from Barnard Castle
• Newcastle, a short train ride north, for the big city market

Christmas markets in Alnwick and Northumberland

Northumberland is the place for a slower Christmas break, with fairs in castles and market towns, winter light trails and some of the darkest skies in England.

1. Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair

Dates: Preview evening Tuesday 24 November, Christmas Market Day Wednesday 25 November 2026

Where: The Guest Hall, Alnwick Castle

Entry: Ticketed, so book ahead

A festive shopping day inside one of England's most famous castles, with a welcome drink and canapés on the preview evening.

2. Ford and Etal Christmas Market

Dates: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026, 10am to 4pm

Where: Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw, near Berwick-upon-Tweed

Entry: Ticketed, including vintage bus rides between the villages

Over 120 stalls spread across three villages and Ford Castle, which is usually closed to the public. Dogs on leads are welcome.

3. Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair

Dates: Saturday 12 December 2026, 9am to 3pm

Where: Hexham Abbey

Entry: Free

A relaxed market in a beautiful old abbey, with plenty of independent shops nearby in Hexham and Corbridge.

4. Belsay Hall Christmas Craft Fair

Dates: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026

Where: Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Entry: Check English Heritage for tickets

Handmade crafts in a Georgian hall, with Father Christmas visits from 5 to 20 December.

Other Christmas things to do in Northumberland

• Winter Lights at The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei, Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
• Festive stargazing at Kielder Observatory, which books up fast
• A coffee and a second-hand book at Barter Books in Alnwick's old railway station

Planning your Christmas break in Northumberland

Alnwick is the natural base for the castle, the garden and the coast, while Hexham suits the Tyne Valley. Trains stop at Morpeth, Alnmouth and Hexham, but for Ford and Etal, Belsay and Kielder you'll want a car, and hill roads can be icy in winter. For more ideas, read our guide to things to do in Alnwick.

Nearby places to add to your trip

• Bamburgh, for a winter walk below the castle
• Corbridge, for independent shops and a late-night shopping evening
• The Scottish Borders, just over the border from Ford and Etal

Christmas markets in Teesside and the Tees Valley

Teesside has a stately home Christmas fayre, free high street markets and a pretty Victorian seaside town to round off your break.

1. Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre

Dates: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026

Where: Wynyard Hall, near Billingham

Entry: £8 adults, £7 children aged 4 to 13 and concessions. Advance tickets only

Gift shopping in a grand country house, and one of the first Christmas fairs of the season in the North East.

2. Stockton Sparkles Christmas Market

Dates: Usually the first weekend of December. Check Stockton Council for 2026

Where: Stockton High Street

Entry: Free

A free street market with a Victorian fair and a lantern parade in past years, which makes it a lovely family evening.

3. Darlington Christmas Market

Dates: Usually early December. Check Darlington Borough Council for 2026

Where: Darlington town centre

Entry: Free

A traditional town centre market that's easy to reach by train on the East Coast Main Line.

Other Christmas things to do in Teesside

• Panto: Beauty and the Beast at Darlington Hippodrome and Sleeping Beauty at the Forum Theatre, Billingham
• Makers' markets in Saltburn's Victorian town centre in late November
• The Boxing Day dip at Redcar

Planning your Christmas break in Teesside

Yarm and Stockton are handy for Wynyard Hall, Darlington works well if you're also visiting Raby Castle, and Saltburn is the pick for a seaside stay. Local trains link Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Saltburn, and while you're here, don't leave without trying a parmo.

Nearby places to add to your trip

• Raby Castle, about half an hour from Darlington
• Barnard Castle, for the Bowes Museum Winter Market
• Durham, an easy train ride from Darlington

North East Christmas market dates 2026

All the main markets in one place. "Check the organiser" means the event usually runs at a similar time but 2026 dates weren't confirmed at the time of writing.

Market	Region	2026 dates
Newcastle Christmas Market	Tyne and Wear	19 November to 23 December
Riverside Sunderland Christmas Market	Tyne and Wear	Mid-November, check the organiser
Spanish City Christmas Market	Tyne and Wear	Late November, check the organiser
Durham Christmas Festival	County Durham	4 to 6 December
Raby Castle Christmas Market	County Durham	27 to 29 November
Bowes Museum Winter Market	County Durham	11 to 13 December
Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair	Northumberland	24 and 25 November
Ford and Etal Christmas Market	Northumberland	28 and 29 November
Belsay Hall Christmas Craft Fair	Northumberland	21 and 22 November
Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair	Northumberland	12 December
Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre	Teesside	20 to 22 November
Stockton Sparkles Christmas Market	Teesside	Early December, check the organiser
Darlington Christmas Market	Teesside	Early December, check the organiser

Tips for visiting Christmas markets in the North East

• Use the Metro and trains for city markets, and save the car for castles and countryside venues
• Book castle and museum markets, Santa visits and Beamish evenings early, as popular slots sell out
• Pack layers and waterproof boots, as it gets properly cold on the coast and in the hills
• Take some cash for smaller stalls
• Visit on a weekday morning if you can, as weekends in December get very busy

Moving home in the North East before Christmas?

The weeks before Christmas are one of the busiest times of year to move, so if you're planning a festive move, book early. Our trained teams handle removals across the North East, from Tyne and Wear and Northumberland to County Durham and Teesside. If your completion dates don't line up, Hoults storage can keep your belongings safe until you're ready.

Frequently asked questions

1. When do Christmas markets start in the North East in 2026?

The first fairs start in mid to late November, such as Wynyard Hall from 20 November. Newcastle Christmas Market opens on Thursday 19 November 2026, and most castle and museum markets run from late November to mid-December.

2. When is Newcastle Christmas Market 2026?

It runs from Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026 around Grey's Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street.

3. When is the Durham Christmas Festival 2026?

It takes place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December 2026. You'll need to book a free slot for the marquee on Palace Green.

4. Are Christmas markets in the North East free?

City markets in Newcastle, Durham, Hexham and Stockton are free to enter. Castle and museum markets such as Raby Castle, Alnwick Castle, Wynyard Hall and the Bowes Museum charge for entry.

5. What is the biggest Christmas market in the North East?

Newcastle Christmas Market is the biggest, with more than 70 traders spread across the city centre.

6. Can Hoults help me move home before Christmas?

Yes. We offer removals and storage across the North East throughout the festive season. Get in touch early, as December dates book up quickly.