Dates and hours revealed for York’s festive market
Make It York has confirmed the dates for the 2026 York Christmas Market, returning to the city centre this autumn with the traditional chalets, lights and seasonal trading that have become a hallmark of the city’s festive season. The market will run from Thursday 12 November to Monday 21 December and will be open six days a week, from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesdays will be a weekly rest day when the market is closed.
The market’s opening hours are set at 10.30am to 7pm on operating days, with an early finish of 5pm on its final day, Monday 21 December. Make It York advises visitors to check visityork.org for a full guide to events and planning a visit.
| Dates | Opening days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov – 21 Dec 2026 | Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesdays) | 10:30–19:00 (final day 17:00) |
Organisation and aims
The event, organised by Make It York, will again bring together independent traders offering gifts, crafts and seasonal food and drink in the heart of York. The town centre’s regular markets will also operate during the period: the Shambles Market and Shambles Food Court are scheduled to be open every day from 9am to 5pm, providing additional trading opportunities for local independent businesses.
Make It York’s managing director set out the organisation’s ambitions for the season, emphasising a desire to provide a high-quality experience while taking account of the needs of residents and businesses across the city.
"Our aim is to ensure the city delivers a world-class Christmas experience that balances the needs of visitors, residents and businesses," said the managing director of Make It York.
Why the weekly rest day?
The introduction of a weekly rest day on Tuesdays is a trial intended to improve access to the city for residents and ease pressure on the city centre during an otherwise busy period. The council’s executive member for the economy highlighted the city’s festive reputation and framed the measure as part of a wider offer of seven-day activity across York.
"During the festive season York is the most Christmassy place in the UK... To ensure easier access to the city centre for everyone, we are trialling a Christmas Market rest day one day a week on Tuesdays," said Councillor Pete Kilbane, executive member for the economy.
- The market runs for 40 days, with a weekly closure on Tuesdays.
- Shambles Market and Shambles Food Court will operate daily, 9am–5pm.
- Visitors are advised of an early 5pm close on the market’s final day, 21 December.
Local impacts and considerations
For shopkeepers, hospitality operators and market traders, the confirmed dates give time to plan staffing, supply and promotions for what is typically one of the busiest trading periods of the year. The presence of a weekly rest day may alter footfall patterns, potentially concentrating visitor activity on the six open days. Businesses and residents will need to factor the change into travel and delivery arrangements.
The decision is also likely to prompt discussion around transport and crowd management on busier days. City attractions, restaurants and hotels that generally benefit from extended visitor stays during market season will be monitoring how the trial rest day influences length of stay and spending patterns.
Planning your visit
Make It York has published guidance and event listings for the festive season on its website. Visitors planning trips should consult the official information for details on individual stall locations, associated events and any travel or access advice issued nearer the time. The city’s long-established mix of heritage sites, cultural attractions and hospitality provide a wider programme of activities that Make It York says can complement a visit to the market.
With the dates now confirmed, York’s businesses, residents and visitors can begin making arrangements for a season that organisers say will celebrate local traders while attempting to balance the needs of the whole city.
