Christmas markets & fairs · 2026
Christmas markets and fairs near Newcastle
We’ve checked 9 Christmas markets and fairs within 30 miles of Newcastle. 7 have confirmed 2026 dates, 2 are still to announce. The first opens on Monday 16 November (Twilight Christmas Market at Sunderland Live Arena).
1 is free to walk in. Paid entry starts at £2. 1 welcomes dogs. The closest to the city centre is Christmas Evenings at Beamish Museum, about 7 miles from Newcastle.
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
Newcastle Christmas Market
Grey's Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne · run by Newcastle NE1 Ltd in partnership with Newcastle City Council
- When
- Thu 19 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Times
- Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
- Price
- Free to walk round (listed at £0.00)
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Stalls
- 70
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026
Over 70 traders, mostly from the region, along Grey Street, Grainger Street, around the Monument and on Nelson Street, with hot food traders at Old Eldon Square. The Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square has Santa Stories, Mrs Claus' Bakery, a carousel and a new 22-metre Ferris wheel (ride prices not listed). Metro, bus and Central Station are all close.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: newcastleschristmas.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Durham Christmas Festival Craft & Producers' Marquee
Palace Green, Durham Cathedral and Castle area, Durham · run by Durham University
- When
- Fri 4 Dec – Sun 6 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Stalls
- 120
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December 2026
Times: Fri 4 Dec 9am-5:30pm, Sat 5 Dec 9am-5:30pm, Sun 6 Dec 9am-4:30pm
Prices: Booking confirmation (printed or digital) required; ticket price not shown on the booking page
Over 120 stalls of artwork, handmade gifts, decorations, homewares, clothing and festive food and drink in a marquee on Palace Green. There are also street food traders between the marquee and the cathedral, and live Christmas music. You need a booking confirmation to get in, so book before travelling.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: pay.durham.ac.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Evenings at Beamish Museum
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Stanley, County Durham · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Beamish Museum
- When
- Thu 3 Dec – Fri 18 Dec
- Times
- 5pm-9:30pm
- Price
- From £16
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Event
Dates: Select Thursdays and Fridays between 3 and 18 December 2026 (including Friday 4 December)
Prices: Adult £25.50, child £16, under 2s free (shown for Friday 4 December); Evening Grotto £10 per child (0-16) including a gift
Tickets must be pre-booked online and are not sold at the museum. Includes decorations, entertainment, festive food, crafts, Elf Wood and shopping in the 1900s Town and 1950s toy shop. Annual passes and Friends memberships are not valid, and only assistance dogs are allowed.
Parking: Free parking in the main car parkAccess: Motorised scooters cannot be hired for this event but you can bring your own; call 0191 370 4000 for carer ticketsDogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: beamish.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Daytimes at Beamish Museum
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Stanley, County Durham · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Beamish Museum
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- 10am-4pm; last admission one hour before closing
- Price
- See prices below
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Event
Dates: Saturday 21 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Prices: Included in museum admission (free with an Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish pass); Father Christmas Grotto at Rowley Station costs extra
Festive scenes from Georgian to 1950s times with decorations, seasonal treats, music and activities. Well-behaved dogs are welcome outdoors, with restrictions indoors. No timeslot is needed.
Access: Historic buildings vary in accessibility, with uneven surfaces and steep slopes; a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available on call dailyDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: beamish.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Twilight Christmas Market at Sunderland Live Arena
The Rainton Arena (Sunderland Live Arena), Mercantile Road, Houghton Le Spring · 11 miles from Newcastle
- When
- Monday 16 November
- Times
- 5pm-9pm
- Price
- Price not published.
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Monday 16 November 2026
A one-evening market with food and drink stalls. It runs on a Monday evening from 5pm to 9pm.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: skiddle.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, near Morpeth · 13 miles from Newcastle · run by English Heritage
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Sun 22 Nov
- Times
- 10am-4pm
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026
Prices: Included in the standard site entry price; English Heritage members free; early booking offers 15% off site admission
Handmade gifts, crafts and festive treats from local makers and independent traders, with food traders selling refreshments. The page gives NE20 0DU as the sat nav postcode.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: english-heritage.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Raby Castle Christmas Market
Raby Castle, Park & Gardens, Staindrop, Darlington · 28 miles from Newcastle · run by Raby Estates
- When
- Fri 27 Nov – Sun 29 Nov
- Times
- 9:00am-3:00pm
- Price
- From £2
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Stalls
- 50
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Dates: Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2026
Prices: Market only: adults £2 online, £5 on site; children under 15 free. Deer Park & Gardens adults £14 online / £15 on site
Over 50 festive stalls plus real Christmas trees, a Christmas Emporium and live acoustic and brass band sets. Food includes pulled pork, German sausages, crepes, wood-fired pizza and mulled wine. The estate is dog friendly generally but advises against bringing dogs to the market because it gets busy.
Parking: Not guaranteed with a ticket; arrive early because of crowds and busy lunchtimesDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: raby.co.uk Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair
Guest Hall, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick · 30 miles from Newcastle · run by Alnwick Castle, in aid of the charity Smile For Life
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Stalls
- 16
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Last year: preview evening Tuesday 24 November and market day Wednesday 25 November (2025)
Last year's fair was indoors in the Guest Hall with 16 artisan stalls, and the preview evening included a welcome drink and canapes. Proceeds went to Smile For Life. 2026 dates have not been published.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: christmas.alnwickcastle.com Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Tynemouth Station Christmas Market
Tynemouth Metro Station, Tynemouth · run by Tynemouth Markets
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Times
- Last year: 9:00am-3:30pm
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Last year: weekends in the Christmas season (2025)
The market runs inside Tynemouth Metro station on Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 3:30pm. 2026 Christmas dates have not been published.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: tynemouthmarkets.com Market details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Christmas Market | Newcastle upon Tyne | Thu 19 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | Free | Turn up |
| Durham Christmas Festival Craft & Producers' Marquee | Durham | Fri 4 Dec – Sun 6 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Christmas Evenings at Beamish Museum | Stanley, County Durham (7 mi) | Thu 3 Dec – Fri 18 Dec | £16 | Book ahead |
| Christmas Daytimes at Beamish Museum | Stanley, County Durham (7 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | — |
| Twilight Christmas Market at Sunderland Live Arena | Houghton Le Spring (11 mi) | Monday 16 November | — | Turn up |
| Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall | Belsay, near Morpeth (13 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Sun 22 Nov | — | Either |
| Raby Castle Christmas Market | Staindrop, Darlington (28 mi) | Fri 27 Nov – Sun 29 Nov | £2 | Either |
| Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair | Alnwick (30 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| Tynemouth Station Christmas Market | Tynemouth | Awaiting 2026 | — | Turn up |
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Common questions
When do Christmas markets near Newcastle open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Twilight Christmas Market at Sunderland Live Arena (Mon 16 Nov); Newcastle Christmas Market (Thu 19 Nov); Christmas Daytimes at Beamish Museum (Sat 21 Nov); Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay Hall (Sat 21 Nov); Raby Castle Christmas Market (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 Newcastle free?
Yes: Newcastle Christmas Market is free to get in. The cheapest paid option is Raby Castle Christmas Market at £2.
Which Christmas markets near Newcastle allow dogs?
Dogs are welcome at Christmas Daytimes at Beamish Museum. Christmas Evenings at Beamish Museum and Raby Castle Christmas Market do not allow them. The rest don’t say, so check before you go.
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