Durham Christmas Festival returns to Palace Green for three days in 2019
Durham Christmas Festival 2019 will be returning to Palace Green for three days, as well as several other locations across Durham city.
Along with stalls in the central marquee and three other markets across the centre of Durham, there will also be carols as well as a children's lantern procession.
Beginning in late November, the Durham Christmas Festival also includes free entry for carers on the first day.
You can stay up to date with all the latest Christmas events as they're announced on our Christmas in Durham page.
When is Durham Christmas Festival 2019?
It takes place from Friday November 29 to Sunday December 1.
What's going on as part of Durham Christmas Festival 2019?
There are events all across town. Probably the biggest part is the markets, as there are several.
Craft and gift marquee: Located in a marquee on Palace Green, the Craft and gift marquee features more than 180 stalls selling a wide variety of gifts. It's open Friday November 29 10am to 6pm; Saturday November 30 9am to 6pm, and Sunday December 1 10am to 4.30pm.
Tickets cost £4, while accompanied children under 16 get in for free. Save 50p per ticket by buying online at www.durhamchristmasfestival.com. On Friday November 29, carers visiting with the people they care for are entitled to free entry. There is also a free taxi service to Palace Green from the city centre.
Durham Cathedral cloisters market: The Regional Food Producers Market takes up residence in Durham Cathedral cloisters on Friday November 29 10am to 5pm, Saturday November 30 9am to 5pm, and Sunday December 1 12pm to 4.30pm. It will feature locally sourced food and drink from 30 producers. Entrance is free but a voluntary donation of £3 is encouraged.
Durham Market Hall: Durham Market Hall is open on Friday and Saturday November 29-30 from 9am till 5.30pm, and on Sunday December 1 from 9.30am to 5pm, featuring coffee, food, and 50 varied stalls.
Festive Outdoor Markets: There will be a Festive Outdoor Market in Durham Market Place with independent local traders supplying food, drink, gifts, clothes and homewares. It's on Friday and Saturday November 29 and 30 from 9am to 5.30pm, and on Sunday December 1 from 9am to 5pm.
Full Moon Street Food Market: Street Food vendors will be in Millennium Place on Saturday November 30 from 10am to 6pm, serving up fare inspired by cuisines from across the world.
What else will there be as part of Durham Christmas Festival 2019?
There will also be 'Festive Family Entertainment' in Walkergate and Millennium Place, with live music, stilt walkers and fire eating, plus a visit from Santa. It's on Saturday November 30, 11am to 3pm.
On Saturday November 30 (11am and 2pm) and Sunday December 1 (2pm) is Carols for All, which are short services of favourite carols and readings in Durham Cathedral.
There will also be St Nicholas Children's Lantern Procession. Taking place on Saturday November 30, the procession meets in the market place at 3.45pm and walks up to Durham Cathedral in time for the St Nicholas Service at 4.10pm. Lanterns for children must be reserved in advance for £6 each at durhamchristmasfestival.com, but the parade is open to all.
The Durham Christmas Lights switch on is on Thursday November 28 from 5.30pm onwards in Durham Market Place.
There will also be various activities in Children's Corner on Palace Green, including Santa's grotto on Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1, falconry displays, sand art, face painting and storytelling.
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