Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Salisbury Christmas on the Square
Retail huts, Santa's grotto and Sunday festive markets in Guildhall Square, under the tallest spire in Britain.
The dates below have been reported for this year and fit the calendar, but we have not yet been able to confirm them with the organiser or an official source. Reported as Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026; the weekdays fit, but Salisbury City Council's own page has not yet published 2026 details.
- Dates
- 20 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
- Opening hours
- Reported: 11am–6pm, closed Christmas Day; Sunday festive markets 29 Nov and 6, 13, 20 Dec
- Admission
- Free entry (reported)
- Address
- Guildhall Square, Salisbury SP1 1JH
Salisbury’s Christmas on the Square is run by Salisbury City Council in Guildhall Square, in the centre of the city: festive retail huts, a Santa’s grotto, and a series of Sunday festive markets through December.
The 2026 dates
The 2026 event has been reported as running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December, with Sunday festive markets on 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December. All of those weekdays match the 2026 calendar, which is a good sign. But the council’s own page still says details are to come, so until it publishes them we are treating the dates as provisional.
What to expect
Huts selling gifts and seasonal food and drink, Father Christmas in his grotto, and — on the Sundays — a larger festive market. It has been reported as free to enter and open from 11am to 6pm, closing on Christmas Day; we will confirm those details too once the council publishes.
Getting there
Salisbury station is about ten to fifteen minutes’ walk from Guildhall Square, with direct trains from London Waterloo, Southampton and Bristol. The city has several park and ride sites, which are much easier than central parking in December.
Make a day of it
Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest spire in Britain and holds one of the four surviving original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta. Its Advent procession, by candlelight, is one of the most atmospheric services of the season. Stonehenge is a short drive north.
Whatever the dates turn out to be, dress for standing still outdoors in the cold — see our guide to what to wear to a Christmas market.