Durham Christmas Festival will return for a three-day takeover of the city centre from December 4-6, featuring three markets, festive food and drink, and the Children's Lantern Parade.
Festival Markets and Marquee
The annual event will set up a giant Craft & Producers' Marquee on Palace Green, extending towards Durham Cathedral with street food stalls and festive music. In the Market Square, a pop-up outdoor market will offer additional Christmas shopping, while the adjacent permanent indoor market will also host festive stalls.
Daily tickets for the Craft & Producers' Marquee are on sale now, currently costing from £4.50 on the Friday, granting access to around 120 stalls featuring artwork, hand-crafted gifts, seasonal decorations, homewares, clothing, and festive food and drink. The other two markets are free to browse.
Children's Lantern Parade
The centrepiece Children's Lantern Parade will take place on the festival's final day, Sunday, December 6. Led by the Chester-le-Street Salvation Army Band, it will set off from the Market Place at 3pm and make its way to the cathedral in time for a St Nicholas Service at 3.30pm.
Participants can reserve a £6 lantern, complete with a battery-operated candle, online and collect it on the day from the bottom end of the Market Place from 2pm. The lanterns are suitable for children up to 12, but all ages are welcome to join the parade.
Additional Market Details
While the independent outlets inside Durham Market Hall are familiar to many, traders for the outdoor market have yet to be announced. Regulars can expect more than 30 of them, offering everything from jewellery to clothing.
