Christmas Markets in the East of England 2026

The East of England's Christmas markets are in cathedral and market towns. Cambridge's Christmas in Cambridge is held in the city centre, Norwich has the Christkindl Market, Colchester and St Albans (the Christmas Cracker) hold their own markets, and Ely and Bury St Edmunds both hold Christmas fairs at their cathedrals. Sandringham, the royal estate in Norfolk, hosts a Christmas craft, food and gift fair. Norfolk and Suffolk markets are covered here along with Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The best-known and prettiest Christmas markets in the East of England

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.

1. 1Cambridge

   Christmas in Cambridge

   Winter festival

   2026: 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027

   Cambridge's one big Christmas event — a family evening rather than a craft market.

   🧒 With kids🎉 With friends
   Cambridge guide →

2. 2Norwich

   Christkindl Market Norwich

   German Christmas market

   2026: 11–20 Dec 2026, 10am–9pm

   Norwich's first proper German-style market — go on a weekday morning for free entry.

   ✨ Date night🎉 With friends
   Norwich guide →

3. 3Colchester

   Colchester Christmas Market

   Weekend Christmas market

   2026: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am–5pm

   One Sunday of local shopping — fine if you're nearby.

   🎉 With friends
   Colchester guide →

4. 4St Albans

   St Albans Christmas Cracker

   Weekend Christmas market

   2026: Sun 22 Nov 2026, noon–6pm

   A free family afternoon — St Albans' Christmas in one day.

   🧒 With kids
   St Albans guide →

5. 5Ely

   Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair

   Weekend Christmas market

   2026: 19–21 Nov 2026

   A popular cathedral fair — book as soon as tickets go on sale.

   ✨ Date night
   Ely guide →

6. 6Bury St Edmunds

   St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market

   Weekend Christmas market

   2026: 26–28 Nov 2026, 10am–4.30pm

   A calm, indoor gift market — go on the Thursday.

   ✨ Date night
   Bury St Edmunds guide →

7. 7Sandringham

   Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair

   Weekend Christmas market

   2026: 13–15 Nov 2026

   A big early-November gift fair — combine with a walk in the country park.

   🎉 With friends
   Sandringham guide →

Christmas markets in the East of England by town

• Cambridge1
• Bury St Edmunds1
• St Albans1
• Colchester1
• Norwich1
• Ely1
• Sandringham1
• Brentwood1
• Ingatestone1
• Saffron Walden1
• Shenfield1

All 11 Christmas markets in the East of England: 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.

Questions about Christmas markets in the East of England

When do the Christmas markets in the East of England open in 2026?

Only 10 of the 11 markets in the East of England have announced 2026 dates. Until they do, each guide shows last year's dates, marked as last season's. Most Christmas markets open in mid to late November, and we add new dates as soon as an organiser confirms them. Announced so far: Christmas in Cambridge: 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027; Christkindl Market Norwich: 11–20 Dec 2026, 10am–9pm; Colchester Christmas Market: Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am–5pm.

What is the best Christmas market in the East of England?

It depends what you like. Going by search interest, visitor reviews and our own verdict, the standouts in the East of England are: Christmas in Cambridge – Festive village on Parker's Piece; Christkindl Market Norwich – 80 wooden huts in Chapelfield Gardens; Colchester Christmas Market – Street market on the High Street. 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 of England?

Our list currently has 11 Christmas markets and festive events in 11 towns and cities in the East of England, 11 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 of England?

Not for most of them: street and town-centre markets in the East of England are free to walk around. According to our guides, a ticket is needed for a few venues, such as St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market (Bury St Edmunds), Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair and Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair. 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 of England?

Cambridge, Ely, Norwich, Colchester, St Albans and Bury St Edmunds have mainline stations a short walk from their markets. Sandringham is reached by car (or by bus from King's Lynn), and the estate's guide gives parking and entry details.

Which Christmas markets in the East of England are best for children?

According to our guides: Christmas in Cambridge (festive village on Parker's Piece); St Albans Christmas Cracker (around 100 stalls); Lighting Up Brentwood (live performances on several stages); Ingatestone Festive Fair (traditional Christmas market stalls). Some rides and grottos are paid; the guide for each market says which.

Which Christmas markets in the East of England are the most romantic?

For an evening for two our guides point to Christkindl Market Norwich, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market (Bury St Edmunds) and Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair. Go around dusk or on a weekday, when it is less crowded.

Christmas markets in other parts of the UK

• The Midlands18
• North West England17
• South East England15
• Yorkshire11
• South West England11
• East Midlands9
• West Midlands9
• Scotland6
• Kent5
• Essex5
• Northern Ireland5
• Devon and Cornwall4
• The Cotswolds4
• North East England3