Preparations are already underway for the Durham Christmas Festival 2025, set to return from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December.
The popular three-day event will bring hundreds of small businesses, many from across the North East, into the heart of Durham city, offering a festive shopping experience across two bustling market locations.
Alongside the seasonal stalls, visitors can look forward to a packed programme of festive performances and events throughout the city. This year, the much-loved Children’s Lantern Parade will take place on the Sunday of the Festival.
Andrea Cairns, of Durham Christmas Festival, commented:
“The highlight is always the Craft & Producers’ Marquee* on Palace Green, which this year has a mix of favourite stall holders and new faces. We’re expanding the Streetfood Market on Palace Green, between the Marquee and Durham Cathedral. There will be some seating available, and we’ll be organising various performances in this area across the weekend.
“And with the Children’s Lantern Parade on Sunday afternoon, the festival will come to a perfect close as up to 200 children carry their lanterns from the Market Place up to Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas Service. This is always a wonderful family-focussed part of the festival, and many people have told us that, for them, it signifies the real start of the Christmas period.”
*There is an entry charge of £5 per person for the Craft & Producers’ Marquee on Palace Green. A 50p discount per person is available when entry is bought in advance via our website, www.durhamchristmasfestival.com.
For full details of the festival, see www.durhamchristmasfestival.com. The Children’s Lantern Parade will depart from Durham Market Place at 3pm, arriving at 3.30pm at Durham Cathedral. Lanterns can now be reserved via the website.
