Christmas markets & fairs · 2026
Christmas markets and fairs near Leicester
We’ve checked 8 Christmas markets and fairs within 28 miles of Leicester. 7 have confirmed 2026 dates, 1 is still to announce. The first opens on Thursday 12 November (Leicester Christmas Market).
3 are free to walk in. 3 welcome dogs. The closest to the city centre is Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair, about 14 miles from Leicester.
On this weekend
Based on each listing’s first and last dates. Some run on selected days only, so check times before you set off.
- ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Leicester Christmas Market
Gallowtree Gate and High Street, Leicester
- When
- Thu 12 Nov – Sun 27 Dec
- Price
- Price not published.
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Thursday 12 November to Sunday 27 December 2026
Wooden chalets selling handmade gifts, crafts, chocolate, fudge and food and drink, along High Street and Gallowtree Gate in the city centre.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: leicesterchristmasmarket.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Belvoir Castle Christmas 2026
Belvoir Castle, Belvoir
- When
- Sat 14 Nov – Wed 30 Dec
- Price
- Price not published.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Event
Dates: Saturday 14 November – Wednesday 30 December 2026
Castle state rooms decorated on a Deck the Halls carol theme, with Santa's Grotto, Search for Santa, a Christmas mice trail, a bauble shop in the Ballroom and afternoon tea in the Aviary tearoom. The Retail Village and Belvoir Farm Shop stock Christmas goods. A ticketed visit rather than a stall market.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: marketingnottingham.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair
Market Place, Melton Mowbray · 14 miles from Leicester · run by Melton BID, Melton Borough Council and Melton Mowbray Town Estate
- When
- Fri 27 Nov – Sun 29 Nov
- Times
- Fri 11am–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 10am–4pm
- Price
- Free admission
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Friday 27 – Sunday 29 November 2026
Christmas stalls, festive food and drink, a Santa's grotto and a funfair in the town centre. Lights switch-on concert with Rock Choir and Royal Santa on Friday 27 November, 6–8pm.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: discovermelton.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Burghley Christmas Fair
Burghley House, Stamford · 28 miles from Leicester
- When
- Thu 26 Nov – Sun 29 Nov
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Stalls
- 150
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: 26 – 29 November 2026
Prices: Tickets must be booked in advance; prices on the booking page
Over 150 stalls in chalets, pagodas and marquees around the house courtyards. Food includes mulled wine, hot chocolate, raclette and crepes, plus a Victorian carousel. Tickets are not sold on the gate; a limited number of flexible tickets work on any day. Toilets and baby facilities on site.
Parking: Parking listed on siteAccess: Accessible facilities listedDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visitlincolnshire.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Lichfield Christmas Market
Market Square, Bore Street, Conduit Street and Breadmarket Street, Lichfield
- When
- Sunday 15 November
- Times
- 10am to 4pm
- Price
- Price not published.
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: 15 November 2026
Indoor and outdoor stalls, with indoor stalls at the Guildhall and The Hub at St Marys. Staffordshire oatcakes, meat pies, Morris dancers and carol performances. Organisers ask visitors to use public transport to ease congestion.
Access: Described as accessibleDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: ultimatechristmasmarkets.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Loughborough Christmas Markets (Gardeners' Fair, Steampunk and Artisan)
Loughborough town centre, Loughborough · run by Charnwood Borough Council (listing)
- When
- Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec
- Times
- 10am–4pm on each date
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Sun 29 November (Love Loughborough Gardeners' Fair, Christmas Special Market); Sun 13 December (Love Loughborough Steampunk Christmas Festival); Sun 20 December (Artisan Market)
Three Sunday markets in the town centre. Christmas lights switch-on is on 27 November.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: charnwood.gov.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Stamford Christmas Market
Stamford town centre, Stamford · run by Stamford Town Council
- When
- Sunday 6 December
- Times
- 10am–4pm
- Price
- Free admission
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Stalls
- 100
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Sunday 6 December 2026
Over 100 stalls from local charities, businesses and traders, with an indoor artisan market at the United Reformed Church Hall.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: discoversouthkesteven.com Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Oakham Christmas Fair
Oakham Castle and Market Place, Oakham · 17 miles from Leicester
- When
- Last year: 7 December 2025, 11am–4pm
- Times
- Last year: 11am–4pm
- Price
- Last year: free admission
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Christmas fair
Last year: outdoor stalls in the Market Place, Castle Grounds, Mill Street and High Street, indoor stalls inside Oakham Castle, a Santa's Grotto, a funfair and live music. 2026 date not yet published.
Dogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: discover-rutland.co.uk Market details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester Christmas Market | Leicester | Thu 12 Nov – Sun 27 Dec | — | — |
| Belvoir Castle Christmas 2026 | Belvoir | Sat 14 Nov – Wed 30 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair | Melton Mowbray (14 mi) | Fri 27 Nov – Sun 29 Nov | Free | Turn up |
| Burghley Christmas Fair | Stamford (28 mi) | Thu 26 Nov – Sun 29 Nov | — | Book ahead |
| Lichfield Christmas Market | Lichfield | Sunday 15 November | — | Turn up |
| Loughborough Christmas Markets (Gardeners' Fair, Steampunk and Artisan) | Loughborough | Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec | — | — |
| Stamford Christmas Market | Stamford | Sunday 6 December | Free | Turn up |
| Oakham Christmas Fair | Oakham (17 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | — |
Get the Leicester Christmas updates
One email when it happens, nothing else. Unsubscribe with one click.
We use your email only for the alerts you tick. See our privacy notice.
Common questions
When do Christmas markets near Leicester open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Leicester Christmas Market (Thu 12 Nov); Belvoir Castle Christmas 2026 (Sat 14 Nov); Lichfield Christmas Market (Sun 15 Nov); Burghley Christmas Fair (Thu 26 Nov); Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair (Fri 27 Nov); plus 2 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
Are any Christmas markets and fairs near Leicester free?
Yes: Melton Mowbray Victorian Christmas Fair and Stamford Christmas Market are free to get in.
Which Christmas markets near Leicester allow dogs?
Dogs are welcome at Burghley Christmas Fair, Lichfield Christmas Market and Oakham Christmas Fair. The rest don’t say, so check before you go.
More in Leicester
- Pumpkin picking near Leicester6 pumpkin farms
- Halloween events near Leicester12 Halloween events
- Santa’s grottos near Leicester16 Santa’s grottos
- Christmas parties near Leicester11 Christmas party options