Christmas markets · East Midlands
Christmas Markets in the East Midlands 2026
9 Christmas markets in the East Midlands, in 7 towns and cities: 8 of them have 2026 dates announced, and the multi-week markets open between 7 November and 12 November. Best known: the markets of Nottingham, Lincoln and Leicester.
9 markets · checked October 2026
9
Christmas markets in the East Midlands
7
towns where we list markets
7
towns with a full guide
8 / 9
markets with 2026 dates announced
The East Midlands mixes city markets and Peak District estates. Nottingham has its Winter Wonderland, Leicester a city-centre market and Derby the Festive Derby Christmas night market. Lincoln's market is the cathedral market. In Derbyshire, Chatsworth House holds a Christmas market in the grounds, Bakewell has a Winter Wonderland market and the Haddon Hall artisan market, and Matlock a Victorian Christmas market and a December weekend market.
The best-known and prettiest Christmas markets in the East Midlands
Picked by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the strongest market in each town. 2026 dates only where the organiser has confirmed them; otherwise last season's dates, marked as such.
Nottingham
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Winter festival
2026: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
A good-value family evening in the Midlands.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsLincoln
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market
Weekend Christmas market
2026: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed)
The successor to Lincoln's famous market — register for tickets early.
✨ Date nightLeicester
Leicester Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 12 Nov – 27 Dec 2026
A city-centre festive stop — pair it with shopping at Highcross.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsDerby
Festive Derby Christmas Night Market
Christmas market
Last season: 27 Nov 2025 (Sadler Gate Night Market)
Derby's festive evening — come for the night market and the rink.
🎉 With friendsChatsworth
Chatsworth Christmas Market
Christmas market
2026: 7 Nov – 13 Dec 2026
A classic Peak District day out — book the car park first, it sells out.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsBakewell
Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market
Christmas market
2026: Wed–Sun over six weekends from 11 Nov 2026
The most atmospheric artisan market in Derbyshire — book early, sessions sell out.
✨ Date night🎉 With friends
🧒 With kids
- Nottingham Winter Wonderland · Nottingham
- Leicester Christmas Market · Leicester
- Chatsworth Christmas Market · Chatsworth
- Matlock Victorian Christmas Market · Matlock
- Matlock Christmas Market (December weekend) · Matlock
✨ Date night
- Chatsworth Christmas Market · Chatsworth
- Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market · Bakewell
- Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market · Lincoln
🎉 With friends
- Nottingham Winter Wonderland · Nottingham
- Bakewell Winter Wonderland Christmas Market · Bakewell
- Leicester Christmas Market · Leicester
- Matlock Victorian Christmas Market · Matlock
- Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market · Bakewell
- Festive Derby Christmas Night Market · Derby
Christmas markets in the East Midlands by town
All 9 Christmas markets in the East Midlands: dates at a glance
Sorted by town, checked in October 2026. Each market links to its guide with opening times, how to get there and our verdict.
- BakewellBakewell Winter Wonderland Christmas Market2026: 14–15 Nov 2026, in the town centreFree entry; parking around £5 in a field.
- BakewellMercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market2026: Wed–Sun over six weekends from 11 Nov 2026Adult ticket £13.60 incl. parking; cheaper Green Travel ticket if you arrive by bus, bike or on foot.
- ChatsworthChatsworth Christmas Market2026: 7 Nov – 13 Dec 2026Entry comes with a car-park ticket: all day from £25 per car, after 3pm from £15 (2026).
- DerbyFestive Derby Christmas Night MarketLast season: 27 Nov 2025 (Sadler Gate Night Market)Free entry; skating paid.
- LeicesterLeicester Christmas Market2026: 12 Nov – 27 Dec 2026Free entry; skating and wheel paid.
- LincolnLincoln Cathedral Christmas Market2026: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed)Ticket required.
- MatlockMatlock Christmas Market (December weekend)2026: 19–20 Dec 2026Free entry.
- MatlockMatlock Victorian Christmas Market2026: 4–6 Dec 2026Free entry.
- NottinghamNottingham Winter Wonderland2026: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026Free entry; rink and rides are paid.
Tips for your trip in the East Midlands
- Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Lincoln are on the rail network and their markets are in the city centre; Matlock has a station on the Derby line.
- Chatsworth, Bakewell and Haddon Hall are country venues: arrive early, check parking and entry on the guide first, and expect queues on the busiest days.
- Lincoln's cathedral market is a multi-day event that is very crowded on its weekends: go midweek if the dates allow.
How we check the dates
Dates, prices and travel details come from the organisers and councils; ratings are from Google, as a guide only. Where the 2026 date is missing we show last season's, marked as such. Last checked in October 2026: opening times can change, so check the organiser's website before you travel.
Questions about Christmas markets in the East Midlands
- When do the Christmas markets in the East Midlands open in 2026?
- For 8 of the 9 markets in the East Midlands, 2026 dates are already announced. The multi-week markets open between 7 November and 12 November, half of them by 12 November, and most close around 27 December. For example: Nottingham Winter Wonderland: 12 Nov – 31 Dec 2026; Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market: 3–5 Dec 2026 (ticketed); Leicester Christmas Market: 12 Nov – 27 Dec 2026. Smaller markets often run only for a few days or weekends, so check the dates on each town's guide, and check the organiser's website before you travel as opening hours can change.
- What is the best Christmas market in the East Midlands?
- It depends what you like. Going by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the standouts in the East Midlands are: Nottingham Winter Wonderland (Google 4.2 ★, 428 reviews) – Old Market Square; Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market – Three days at the cathedral; Leicester Christmas Market – Chalets on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre. For a quieter visit pick a smaller town; the «with kids, for two, with friends» tags on each market say who it suits.
- How many Christmas markets are there in the East Midlands?
- Our list currently has 9 Christmas markets and festive events in 7 towns and cities in the East Midlands, 7 of them with a full city guide. We list markets announced by the council, the organiser or the tourist board, not one-day school or church stalls, so the real number is higher.
- Do you have to pay to enter the Christmas markets in the East Midlands?
- Not for most of them: street and town-centre markets in the East Midlands are free to walk around. According to our guides, a ticket is needed for a few venues, such as Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market. Rides, ice rinks and grottos are often paid extras, and parking or park and ride can add to the cost.
- How do I get to the Christmas markets in the East Midlands?
- Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Lincoln have mainline stations a short walk from their markets, and Matlock is on the line from Derby. Chatsworth, Bakewell and Haddon Hall are in the Peak District and are easiest by car, with parking (often pre-booked) at the venue; check each market's guide for park and ride and bus options.
- Which Christmas markets in the East Midlands are best for children?
- According to our guides: Nottingham Winter Wonderland (old Market Square); Chatsworth Christmas Market (100+ stalls of Peak District makers on the Chatsworth estate); Matlock Victorian Christmas Market (200+ stalls, many under two large marquees); Leicester Christmas Market (chalets on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre). Some rides and grottos are paid; the guide for each market says which.
- Which Christmas markets in the East Midlands are the most romantic?
- For an evening for two our guides point to Chatsworth Christmas Market, Mercatum — Haddon Hall Christmas Artisan Market (Bakewell) and Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market. Go around dusk or on a weekday, when it is less crowded.