Bishop Auckland, County Durham, United Kingdom
Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town
A free four-day Christmas festival in Bishop Auckland Market Place, with a market, funfair rides, giant tipis and Santa’s Grotto.
- Dates
- 3 – 6 Dec 2026
- Opening hours
- Thu 4pm–8pm, Fri 4pm–9pm, Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 10am–6pm
- Admission
- Free entry; optional Golden Pass for rides from £5
- Address
- Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP
Dates last checked 7 November 2026 · source · Always confirm with the organiser before travelling.
For four days in early December, Bishop Auckland’s Market Place and the streets around it become Christmas Town. It is free to walk in and browse the Christmas market, watch the roaming entertainers and see the festive installations, which include a giant snow globe and a Christmas Tree Festival. Food, drink and shopping are paid for as you go.
Golden Pass
The rides need a Golden Pass, booked for a particular day. It gives unlimited goes during opening hours on the Ferris wheel, Twister, helter skelter, fun house, curling lane and a mystery attraction, plus entry to the Giant Tipis (subject to capacity) and 10% off at the Christmas Town bars. Passes are £5 on Thursday, £7.50 on Friday and £10 on Saturday or Sunday. Numbers are limited each day, and box office prices may be higher than online.
Santa’s Grotto
The Grotto is an add-on to the Golden Pass, at £5 per child and £2 per accompanying adult. Children aged two and under who are not receiving a gift can go in with their family without a pass.
Good to know
The Thursday and Friday sessions start at 4pm, so the weekend is the choice for a daytime visit. The Tipis stay open later than the rest of the event, but under-18s are not permitted after 8pm. The organiser suggests North Bondgate car park (DL14 7PG).
The event is run by Baccanalia and Bridge Creative, with Bishop Auckland Town Council as Principal Partner.