A popular Christmas Festival is set to return to County Durham again this year - showcasing the offerings of hundreds of small businesses from the North East. 

Durham Christmas Festival, made of three different festive markets, will be back in the medieval city for three days of shopping and seasonal fun from Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Once again, Palace Green will host the Craft & Producers’ Marquee– a large heated marquee where shoppers will find gift ideas, Christmas decorations, handcrafted items and art, as well as food and drink for the festive season, with 120 traders to be discovered. 

(Image: Durham Markets Company)

There’s further shopping to be found in the Festive Outdoor Market in Durham Market Place, and in Durham Market Hall, with both these markets open throughout the three days of the festival.

Andrea Cairns, Senior Events and Customer Services Manager for Durham University which organises the festival with Durham Markets Company, commented: “Durham Christmas Festival brings together so many things, all in the heart of Durham.  If you want to get all your Christmas shopping sorted in one go, then there’s going to be plenty of choice. 

"If you’re keen to support small businesses this year, then the festival showcases some of the best from across the North East, as well as several from further afield.”

Once again, Durham Christmas Festival is offering free entry to carers on Friday, December 6, the first day of the festival. A carer visiting on this day with the person they care for can enter free in a ‘two for one’ scheme. 

Andrea added: “Friday is the calmest day of the festival, which is why we introduced the scheme to let a carer enter free when visiting with the person they care for.  We’ve run this scheme for a few years now, and it's been appreciated by those who could find Saturday or Sunday overwhelming.  We’re delighted to be offering this again this year.

“Durham Christmas Festival is a wonderful three days full of smiling faces, Christmas music and as much shopping as you would like.  It is Durham at its best, and, let’s be honest, no Christmas festival could have a more striking backdrop than Durham’s Cathedral, Castle, and stunning city centre.  All in all, it’s a lovely way to start Christmas.”

Most read: 

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

There is also half price entry for university and college students on Friday with a valid Student ID. 

One of the festival highlights will be the Children’s Lantern Parade on the afternoon of Saturday, December 7. 

Young children, carrying lanterns, will parade from Durham Market Place through the city to Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas Service, a service of popular readings and Christmas carols.  Further seasonal entertainment throughout the festival will include carolling, brass bands, circus acts and Carols for All in Durham Cathedral.