Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire
Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire – Wrap up warm and explore North Yorkshire at Christmas. Browse handmade gifts, artisan food and independent stalls in historic market towns, Yorkshire Dales villages and coastal favourites. Our 2026 guide helps you discover the best Christmas markets, plan your journey and find even more to explore while you’re there.
Popular Yorkshire Christmas Market invites new stallholders
As Knaresborough turns pink for FEVA, its annual ten day festival of entertainment and visual arts, volunteer groups are already working hard to prepare for the town’s next major event.
Taking place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026, Knaresborough’s traditional Christmas Market weekend is one of the highlights of the town’s events calendar and is popular with stallholders and visitors alike.
This year, organisers are wanting to further build on the market’s reputation for quality stalls showcasing a range of gifts, produce and festive decorations from across the Yorkshire region.
Market Chair, Bill Taylor, comments:
“We’re always delighted with the positive feedback we get from stallholders and visitors following the market. However, this year we’d love to bring even more variety to the event by also inviting new stall holders to apply. We’re particularly interested in original Arts & Crafts or high quality hand crafted goods, products of local and regional excellence and stalls that enhance the seasonal atmosphere of the market”.
Committee member, Charlotte Gale adds:
“Knaresborough is gaining something of a reputation as a festive destination, with the director of last year’s star-studded movie, Tinsel Town, describing the town as the ideal ‘chocolate box’ location for the movie. We’re hoping this has a knock on effect for our market this year and the town’s fantastic local independent businesses”.
She goes on to say:
“Early indications are good, as we’re seeing increasing demand for stalls year on year. Whilst we still have a few silver and bronze level stalls available, our gold tier stalls have already sold out well ahead of time. We also have some excellent affordable sponsorship opportunities available for any local businesses wanting to raise their profile at one of the town’s most popular events”.
If you would like to be considered for a stall at this year’s Knaresborough Christmas Market, or are interested in enquiring about sponsorship opportunities, please visit knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk for more information and contact details. Hot food stalls are by invitation only this year.
Dates, venues, addresses and opening times can change. Check with individual organisers before making a special journey.
Best Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire 2026
Looking for the best Christmas markets in North Yorkshire in 2026? From atmospheric market squares and cathedral fairs to Christmas shopping beside the coast, there are plenty of festive days out to start planning.
We’ve brought together markets across Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Whitby, Grassington, Skipton, Malton, Thirsk and the Yorkshire Dales – with dates and addresses so you can start planning your Christmas adventures.
🎄 Quick tip: Don’t just visit for the stalls. Many of these markets are surrounded by independent shops, cafés, historic attractions and beautiful winter walks. Arrive early and make a day of it.
🎅 Christmas Markets at a Glance – Dates & Addresses
Whitby Christmas Market & Festival
📅 13–15 November 2026
📍 Marina Front Car Park, Langborne Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1YN
Christmas shopping by the sea – with Whitby’s harbour, old town and independent shops waiting to be explored afterwards.
Thirsk Christmas Artisan Market
📅 13–15 November 2026
📍 Market Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1HQ
Browse artisan gifts and independent traders right in the heart of historic Thirsk.
Ripon Christmas Artisan Market
📅 20–22 November 2026
📍 Market Place, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1BP
Three days of festive shopping with Ripon’s shops, cafés and cathedral just a short stroll away.
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food & Gift Fair
📅 20–21 November 2026
📍 Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1QT
More than 100 stalls in one of the most spectacular Christmas shopping settings in North Yorkshire.
Hawes Christmas Craft Fair
📅 21–22 November 2026
📍 Market House, Market Place, Hawes, North Yorkshire, DL8 3QX
Combine Christmas shopping with a winter day out in beautiful Wensleydale.
Husthwaite Village Christmas Market
📅 22 November 2026
📍 Husthwaite Village Hall, Low Street, Husthwaite, North Yorkshire, YO61 4QA
A smaller community Christmas market that’s ideal if you prefer something relaxed and local.
Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair – Harrogate
📅 26–29 November 2026
📍 Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8NZ
Around 180 stands packed with gifts, food, fashion and Christmas inspiration – and it’s all indoors.
Scarborough Sparkle
📅 27–29 November 2026
📍 Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Burniston Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 6PF
Turn your Christmas shopping trip into a winter break beside the Yorkshire coast.
Grassington Christmas Market
📅 28 November & 5 December 2026
📍 The Square & Main Street, Grassington, North Yorkshire, BD23 5AQ
For that picture-perfect Yorkshire Christmas feeling, Grassington is difficult to beat.
Fountains Abbey Artisan Christmas Market
📅 28–29 November 2026
📍 Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
Shop for artisan gifts before exploring one of Yorkshire’s most spectacular historic locations.
Sutton Bank Christmas Artisan Market
📅 28–29 November 2026
📍 Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Sutton Bank, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2EH
Christmas shopping with the North York Moors right on your doorstep.
Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire
🎄 December Christmas Markets
⭐ Knaresborough Christmas Market
📅 Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December 2026
🕙 10am–5pm
📍 Market Place, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8AG
Knaresborough is one to put firmly in the Christmas diary. The historic Market Place and surrounding streets come alive with festive stalls, independent traders, gifts, food, drink and entertainment.
Don’t head straight home after shopping. Explore the independent shops, visit the Christmas Tree Festival, wander down towards the River Nidd and take in that famous view of Knaresborough Viaduct.
🎆 Sunday finale: Fireworks at around 4.30pm over the Nidd Gorge.
🚌 Free Park & Ride: Manse Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8LF.
Harrogate Christmas Market
📅 4–14 December 2026
📍 Cambridge Street & Harrogate town centre, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1RX
Make a day of Christmas in Harrogate with festive shopping, independent businesses, cafés, restaurants, Christmas lights and seasonal attractions around the town centre. For more details – Phone: 01423 556188
Harrogate Little Bird Christmas Market
Saturday, 6th & 13th December – Sunday, 7th & 14th December
Step into a festive wonderland this winter at the Little Bird Artisan Christmas Market in the heart of Harrogate’s beautiful Valley Gardens. Discover independent makers, artisan traders and original Christmas gift ideas in the heart of Harrogate.
Pickering Snowglobe Christmas Market
📅 5–6 December 2026
📍 Galtres Park, Pickering Showground, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8EA
A new indoor Christmas market for 2026 – and a useful one to remember if the December weather turns against you.
Skipton Christmas Market
📅 6 & 13 December 2026
📍 High Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1JZ
Explore the stalls before discovering Skipton’s independent shops, canal and famous castle.
Easingwold Christmas Artisan Market
📅 12 December 2026
📍 Market Place, Easingwold, North Yorkshire, YO61 3AB
A more relaxed festive shopping experience featuring independent makers and producers.
Hovingham Christmas Market
📅 19 December 2026
📍 Hovingham Village Hall, Main Street, Hovingham, North Yorkshire, YO62 4LF
Perfect for discovering local produce and those last few Christmas presents.
Malton Christmas Artisan Market
📅 19 December 2026
📍 Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LX
Come hungry. Yorkshire’s famous food town is an especially tempting place for a Christmas shopping trip.
Thirsk Christmas Artisan Market
📅 20 December 2026
📍 Market Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1HQ
Still missing a present? Thirsk provides one final opportunity to discover artisan gifts just five days before Christmas.
✨ Pick Your Perfect Christmas Day Out
🏰 For spectacular surroundings: Knaresborough, Grassington or Fountains Abbey
🛍️ For serious Christmas shopping: Harrogate, Skipton or the Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair
🍴 For food lovers: Malton or Ripon
🌊 For Christmas by the coast: Whitby or Scarborough
🏔️ For a Yorkshire Dales day out: Grassington or Hawes
🎁 For smaller local markets: Easingwold, Hovingham or Husthwaite
With Christmas markets running from mid-November until just days before Christmas, why visit only one?
Save this guide, choose a different destination each weekend and explore more of North Yorkshire this Christmas.
