Christmas markets & fairs · 2026
Christmas markets and fairs near Nottingham
We’ve checked 11 Christmas markets and fairs within 32 miles of Nottingham. 8 have confirmed 2026 dates, 3 are still to announce. The first opens on Friday 6 November (Vantom Village Christmas Market).
4 are free to walk in. Paid entry starts at £5. 1 welcomes dogs. The closest is Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market, in central Nottingham.
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
Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market
Old Market Square, Nottingham · in central Nottingham · run by The Mellors Group
- When
- Thu 12 Nov – Thu 31 Dec
- Price
- Free entry
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: Thursday 12 November – Thursday 31 December 2026
Prices: Free entry; ice rink, Sky Skate path and observation wheel are ticketed. 20% off rink and wheel bookings made before 11 November.
Market stalls sit around an ice rink with a children's rink, a suspended Sky Skate path, an observation wheel and an ice bar. Father Christmas meet-and-greets and live entertainment run through the season. Nottingham City Transport buses serve the city centre.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Craft Fair Contemporary 2026
Nottingham Contemporary (The Space and Studio 2), Nottingham · 1 mile from Nottingham · run by Nottingham Contemporary
- When
- Fri 4 Dec – Sun 6 Dec
- Price
- Free entry, donations welcome
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Stalls
- 40
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Craft fair
Dates: Fri 4 December (launch evening), Sat 5 December, Sun 6 December 2026
Times: Fri 5pm–8pm (bar until 9pm); Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 11am–4pm
Over 40 local and national makers sell ceramics, textiles, jewellery, homeware, candles, prints and cards across two floors. Friday evening has live music and late gallery access.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: nottinghamcontemporary.org Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Vantom Village Christmas Market
Vantom Village, Patchings Art Centre, Calverton · 6 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Fri 6 Nov – Sun 20 Dec
- Times
- 10am–4pm daily
- Price
- Free entry
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Stalls
- 75
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: 6–8 November and 18–20 December 2026
75+ independent vendors with live cookery shows, seasonal food and drink and music. Two separate weekends, Friday to Sunday.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey cloisters, Newstead, near Hucknall · 9 miles from Nottingham · run by Newstead Abbey
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Dates: Weekends 28/29 Nov, 5/6 Dec, 12/13 Dec, 19/20 Dec 2026
Prices: Fair is free; site charge of £7 per car or £2 per head for walkers or groups
Gifts and treats sold in the abbey cloisters. The wider site runs Christmas events at weekends and school holidays from 28 November.
Parking: £7 per car / £2 per head for walkers or groupsAccess: See newsteadabbey.org.uk/accessibilityChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: newsteadabbey.org.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Newark Christmas Lights Switch-On and Market
Newark Market Place, Newark · 17 miles from Nottingham · run by Newark Town Council
- When
- Sunday 29 November
- Times
- 11:00–17:30
- Price
- Price not published.
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- Festival
Dates: Sunday 29 November 2026
Market and festive food stalls, a fun fair and performances from local school choirs and musicians through the day.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: radionewark.co.uk Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Stubton Hall Christmas Market
Stubton Hall, Stubton, near Newark · 20 miles from Nottingham · run by Stubton Hall Ltd
- When
- Sunday 6 December
- Times
- 11am–3pm
- Price
- £5 per adult, under-2s free
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Dates: Sunday 6 December 2026
Artisan gifts from local makers, festive food and drink, seasonal entertainment and open fires at a country house. Ticket only, non-refundable; no outside food or drink.
Parking: On site but limited; car share and do not park on village streetsAccess: Accessible facilitiesDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visitlincolnshire.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market
Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln · 32 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Thu 3 Dec – Sat 5 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- City Christmas market
Dates: 3–5 December 2026
First Christmas market held at the cathedral; tickets are sold online. Contact 01522 561 600 for opening hours and prices.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: lincolncathedral.com Market details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Sugarplum Christmas Market
Derby Market Hall, Derby · run by Derby Market Hall (Derby City Council)
- When
- Saturday 5 December
- Times
- 10am–6pm
- Price
- Free entry
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Christmas fair
Dates: Saturday 5 December 2026
Sweet-themed market of chocolates, cakes, fudge and pastries from local makers, with live performances. A children's craft workshop for ages 4–10 decorates wooden lollipops and gingerbread figures.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: derbymarkethall.co.uk Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Christmas Market at Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle, Nottingham · in central Nottingham
- When
- Last year: Fri 28 – Sun 30 November 2025
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Stalls
- 90
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- City Christmas market
Prices: Last year: pre-booked £2 adults, £1 children under 15; £15 adults on the day
Over 90 stalls and a Makers Marquee with 25+ artisans last year, plus face painting and a carousel. 2026 dates not yet published.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Christmas Market with Fabulous Places at Norwood Park
Norwood Park, Southwell · 12 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Last year: Thursday 4 December 2025
- Times
- Last year: 3pm–8:30pm
- Price
- Last year: £6.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Stalls
- 45
- Entry
- Paid
- Type
- Estate or castle market
Over 45 stallholders in the house and grounds last year; pre-booking was recommended. 2026 dates not yet published.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Market details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Lincoln Medieval Christmas Market
St Mary le Wigford Church and St Mary's Guildhall, Lincoln · 32 miles from Nottingham · run by Travelling Historical
- When
- Last year: Thu 4 – Sun 7 December 2025
- Price
- Last year: free entry
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Type
- Christmas fair
Times: Last year: Thu 12:00–21:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–19:30, Sun 10:00–16:00
Held in two historic venues on the lower High Street. 2026 dates not yet published.
Access: Toilets on site; linked to public transportChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visitlincolnshire.com Market details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market | Nottingham (0 mi) | Thu 12 Nov – Thu 31 Dec | Free | Either |
| Craft Fair Contemporary 2026 | Nottingham (1 mi) | Fri 4 Dec – Sun 6 Dec | Free | Turn up |
| Vantom Village Christmas Market | Calverton (6 mi) | Fri 6 Nov – Sun 20 Dec | Free | Turn up |
| Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at Newstead Abbey | Newstead, near Hucknall (9 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec | — | Turn up |
| Newark Christmas Lights Switch-On and Market | Newark (17 mi) | Sunday 29 November | — | Turn up |
| Stubton Hall Christmas Market | Stubton, near Newark (20 mi) | Sunday 6 December | £5 | Book ahead |
| Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market | Lincoln (32 mi) | Thu 3 Dec – Sat 5 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Sugarplum Christmas Market | Derby | Saturday 5 December | Free | Turn up |
| Christmas Market at Nottingham Castle | Nottingham (0 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Either |
| Christmas Market with Fabulous Places at Norwood Park | Southwell (12 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| Lincoln Medieval Christmas Market | Lincoln (32 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Turn up |
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Common questions
When do Christmas markets near Nottingham open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Vantom Village Christmas Market (Fri 6 Nov); Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market (Thu 12 Nov); Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at Newstead Abbey (Sat 28 Nov); Newark Christmas Lights Switch-On and Market (Sun 29 Nov); Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market (Thu 3 Dec); plus 3 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
Are any Christmas markets and fairs near Nottingham free?
Yes: Nottingham Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market, Craft Fair Contemporary 2026, Vantom Village Christmas Market and Sugarplum Christmas Market are free to get in. The cheapest paid option is Stubton Hall Christmas Market at £5.
Which Christmas markets near Nottingham allow dogs?
Dogs are welcome at Stubton Hall Christmas Market. The rest don’t say, so check before you go.
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