A historic Yorkshire town will turn into a festive shopping destination this December, with more than 120 stalls, Victorian fairground rides, live music and an opening parade featuring Santa and his reindeer.
The celebrations will stretch across the town centre, with independent traders selling gifts, crafts, homeware and seasonal food and drink. Visitors can also expect carols, dancing and family-friendly entertainment, while the town’s cafés, pubs and restaurants offer places to warm up between browsing the stalls.
The UK’s largest one-day Christmas market is returning this December
The event is the Beverley Festival of Christmas, widely billed as the UK’s biggest single-day Christmas market. It began in 1995 and has grown into one of East Yorkshire’s best-known festive traditions.
The market takes over Beverley for one day, with stalls spread across Saturday Market, Wednesday Market and North Bar. Expect independent traders selling festive food and drink, handmade gifts, homeware, jewellery, Christmas decorations and locally made produce. The organisers describe it as the UK’s biggest single-day Christmas market; entry is free.
The free, one-day event returns on Sunday 13 December 2026, marking its 30th year.
The festival began in 1995, when local shop owner John Bird rallied Beverley’s traders around the idea of a special day of Christmas shopping. His name lives on in the event’s best-dressed stall award, and his family joins the parade.
Parade, reindeer and Victorian rides
The festival opens with a parade setting off from Wednesday Market at 10am, travelling along Toll Gavel to Saturday Market. Santa and his reindeer will lead the procession, alongside live music, comedy acts, Steampunks and Bernese mountain dogs. After the parade, Santa is due to remain in Saturday Market until mid-afternoon.
Across the day, visitors can also expect traditional Victorian fairground rides, face painting, birds of prey displays, ice sculptures, brass bands and carol singers. The organisers recommend arriving early if you want to catch the parade.
Getting there
The event runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 13 December. Beverley Railway Station is around a five-minute walk from the town centre, while the bus station is about a minute away.
Organisers recommend public transport, as the town is expected to be exceptionally busy.
A free park-and-ride will run from Beverley Racecourse, with space for around 500 cars.
Two buses are scheduled to run every 10–15 minutes, from 9am, with the last bus leaving Beverley at 5pm. The drop-off point is on Wylies Road, outside North Bar.
Road closures and parking suspensions are planned, but full details have not yet been published. Princes Gardens car park is designated for Blue Badge holders. Coach parking is available at School Lane Car and Coach Park, but must be booked in advance.
If you’re staying longer, the festival site also suggests visiting the Beverley Minster Christmas Tree Festival and following the Reindeer Rampage trail through the town’s independent shops.
