Christmas Markets

.. and Winter Craft Fairs, Christmas Tree Festivals and all things Christmas.

T’is the season … for Cathedral Christmas Markets.

Many of our cathedrals are getting ready for their Christmas markets this year supporting hundreds of local independent traders.

This weekend sees Southwell Minster open its doors for its Winter Craft Fair which this year will be a two-day event opening from Friday afternoon with around 60 stalls in the Minster and the State Chamber of The Archbishop’s Palace next door with jewellery, ceramics, glassware, textiles, hand-crafted cards and more from local traders and craftspeople.

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe and opens every day from November 18 until 22nd December, Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market and attracts visitors from around the world each year who come to shop at the wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds.

The 2022 Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market too opens on 18 November and has become a major event in Devon’s festive calendar attracting an estimated 600,000 visitors.

More Christmas markets can be found here.

Hosted and managed by Exeter Cathedral since 2017, it is the county’s biggest Christmas market with a strong focus on supporting local traders and brings together a diverse range of Devon-made gifts, decorations, food and drink – from handcrafted Christmas decorations, to vodka made with Dartmoor spring water.

The market also features live seasonal entertainment, including Exeter Cathedral’s own professional musicians, the Exeter Cathedral Choir, and the cathedral itself will be opening its doors free of charge – the cathedral, founded in 1050AD has been rated as one of Europe’s finest.

The Very Revd Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter, said:

“Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is one of the great highlights of our year. It is a privilege to be able to welcome so many visitors from across Devon and beyond. I encourage everyone who comes here to step inside and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this ancient building for themselves, and for a really festive experience, soak up the choral music at one of our many services.”

Other Christmas markets include Hereford, Peterborough, Ripon and many more. For more details of the Christmas Markets at Cathedrals across the country – click here.