Tis the season! The dark evenings are made to be spent curled under a blanket by the fireplace, my cheeks turn pink with every stroll down the street while my breath puffs up in clouds, and if Cambridge is lucky we’ll soon see the towering spires of the colleges draped in white.
To further that festive feeling I decided to visit as many of Cambridgeshire’s Christmas markets as I can in 2024. I can’t wait to sink in to that Christmas feeling! Sipping mulled cider whilst I roam the stalls – I can’t imagine a more festive day out.
The Cambridge Christmas Market
14/11/2024 - 05/01/2024
The first Christmas Market opening in Cambridgeshire is one many of us are familiar with. It pops up on Parker’s Piece each year, bringing the North Pole to Cambridge city centre from early November. On top of a variety of food and gift stalls, there will be snow domes, a ferris wheel and ice skating rink. It promises to be big, busy and to fill Cambridge with easily accessible Christmas magic!
The Tram Depo Christmas Market
16/11/24
This well known pub in the centre of Cambridge, will be hosting a smaller Christmas Market just a 5-minute walk from the one on Parker’s Piece. It will feature a small collection of vendors selling handcrafted goods. It’s the perfect place to grab a pint and do some Christmas shopping. Whilst only being a small market, it’s minutes away from The Grafton Centre, The Cambridge Christmas Market and The Grand Arcade.
Ely Christmas Market
21/11/24 - 23/11/24
Ely Christmas Market will soon be sprawled out in the shadow of the Cathedral. Likely to be one of the bigger Christmas markets around Cambridgeshire, there are approximately 100 stalls anticipated for this market, which will be free to explore whilst you enjoy the sights, sounds and chirstmas lights of Cambridgeshire’s smallest city. Although, for an additional £7 and the hassle for pre-booking you can visit the extra Christmas market hidden within the Cathedral’s stone walls.
Ben’s Yard Christmas Market
06/12/24 - 08/12/24
Throughout the year, Ben’s Yard is home to a selection of independent shops, a great walking spot and a few delicious eateries. However for one weekend in December it will become home to it’s very own Christmas Market. The selection of unique, boutique stalls each promise to have as much charm as the little independent shops Ben’s yard is know for. Tickets are under £5, but they’ll go quickly so grab yours while you can!
The Red Lion Chirstmas Craft Fair
07/12/24
Hosted by The Red Lion pub in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, this is likely to be one of the smaller Chirstmas markets happening in Cambridgeshire. However that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of treasures to be found here, and attending is a great way to support local crafters and a community pub in the lead up to the holiday season.
Mill Road Christmas Market
07/12/24
Otherwise known as the Winter Fair, this event closes down one of the busiest streets in Cambridge. Local shops, businesses, stallholders, artists and performers will come together for this festive celebration.
A melting pot of culture in the heart of Cambridge, any and all events on Mill Road promise to be bright, vibrant and filled with character.
Wisbech Christmas Market
15/12/24
Wisbech is on the outskirts of cambridgeshire. Nestled in the fens, at this time of year it’s often surrounded by frosted fields covered in a wintery mist. This Christmas market promises something for everyone, with a range of stalls offering quality products, seasonal treats, live music and family activities.
There are so many fantasic Chirstmas markets in Cambridge over the 2024 festive season. But there are also some brilliant markets happening just outside of Cambridgshire’s borders too!
The Norfolk Artisan Fair At Christmas 09/11/24 - 10/11/24
09/11/24 - 10/11/24
100 stalls will be packed onto Fakenham Racecourse offering delicious food, and quality crafts with fantastic Chirstmas gift potential. The market will be spread accross both indoor and outdoor areas so there will be plenty to explore.
If you’re a national trust member you’ll enjoy exploring the next two Cambridgeshire Christmas Markets (that are not quite in Cambridgeshire). You will need to hop over the border and venture into suffolk to visit these markets, although it seems like they’ll be worth the journey.
Flatford Christmas Craft Fair
30/11/24 - 01/12/24
Flatford is a beautiful little village nestled in the middle Dedham Vale. Despite its small size it has plenty to offer, all year round, but Christmas promises to be an especially cosy affair throughout the village. From gorgeous frosty walks across the suffolk countryside, to a warm cuppa while you browse the Tea Room’s Christmas menu, to the Christmas Craft fair running in at the village granary, there is plenty to explore in Flatford. The craft fair is spans across a weekend and will offer lots of crafty Christmas trickets from talented local makers.
Be warned theres a little ambiguity surrounding the dates. The national trust has the Flatford Christmas Craft Fair down as occuring on the 25/11/24 – 26/11/24, which will be on a Monday and Tuesday this year. However a facebook post from the Bourne Valley Crafters, who will be selling at the market mentions theyll next be in Flatford over the 30th November and 1st of December.
March Hare Collective Craft Fair
23/11/24 - 24/11/24
The collective will be hosting their craft fair in the West Wing Gallery of the Ickford Estate this christmas season. Local, suffolk-based artists, makers and crafters will be be pitching their stalls at this Christmas market and coming along is a great way to support this creative community as they showcase their creations, (it’s also a brilliant opportunity to snag some Christmas gifts!)
As you can see there are a huge number of Christmas markets in Cambridge and the surrounding areas happening in 2024. Some are going to be big, busy and exciting and some will be quaint and cosy, while others offer the perfect blend of both. This list covers a lot of the Christmas markets in Cambridge this year, but I am certain there are plenty of hidden gems I’ve yet to uncover.