The York Christmas Market, known locally as the St Nicholas Fair, runs from Thursday 12 November to Monday 21 December 2026 on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. Alpine-style chalets line both streets, more than 80% of the traders come from Yorkshire, and entry is free. One change to know before you plan: the market is now closed every Tuesday.
York Christmas Market 2026: key facts
| Dates | 12 November – 21 December 2026 |
| Opening days | Wednesday to Monday. Closed every Tuesday |
| Opening hours | 10:30–19:00 (17:00 on Monday 21 December) |
| Location | Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square |
| Entry | Free |
| Traders | Over 80% from Yorkshire |
When is the market open?
The stalls open on Thursday 12 November and trade until Monday 21 December, from 10:30am to 7pm. Tuesdays are a weekly rest day for the traders, so the market is shut, although the rest of the city’s shops, cafés and attractions stay open as usual. On the last day it closes at 5pm.
Saturdays in December are by far the busiest days, with coach trips arriving from across the country. A weekday afternoon in November is much calmer.
Where is the York Christmas Market?
Parliament Street is the wide street in the middle of the city centre, between Pavement and St Sampson’s Square. The Shambles is a couple of minutes’ walk away, and York Minster about five. That makes it easy to pair the stalls with a walk along the city walls or a look round the Minster.
Food, drink and gifts
Because most traders are local, you’ll find plenty of Yorkshire-made food and drink, alongside hot food stalls doing sausages, hog roast and Yorkshire pudding wraps. Mulled wine and mulled cider are easy to find on both streets.
For gifts there are handmade decorations, ceramics, knitwear and prints. The full trader list is published by Visit York closer to opening day.
Getting to the York Christmas Market
York station has direct trains from London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. From the station it’s about a 15-minute walk to Parliament Street, over Lendal Bridge and past the Minster. Park and Ride buses run into the centre from the edge of the city, which is much easier than driving into the old town in December.
For accessibility information, security advice and the trader list, see Visit York’s official market page.
Luggage storage near the York Christmas Market
York’s streets are narrow and the market gets crowded, so rolling a suitcase through Parliament Street isn’t much fun. If you’re on a day trip or between check-out and an evening train, leave your bags with Radical Storage first. There are partner shops and hotels near the station and in the city centre. You can find luggage storage near Parliament Street and book online in a couple of minutes.
Each bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free, and Radical Storage has 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities, rated 4.8/5 by travellers.
Tips for your visit
- Don’t plan your trip for a Tuesday. The stalls are closed.
- Arrive soon after 10:30am on a Saturday to beat the coach crowds.
- Wear warm, waterproof layers and comfortable shoes for the cobbles.
- Book hotels early for December weekends.
York Christmas Market FAQ
The St Nicholas Fair runs from Thursday 12 November to Monday 21 December 2026 on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
No. It opens Wednesday to Monday and is closed every Tuesday as a rest day for traders.
10:30am to 7pm. On the final day, Monday 21 December, it closes at 5pm.
Yes. Entry is free. You only pay for what you eat, drink or buy.
About a 15-minute walk, over Lendal Bridge and past York Minster.
Radical Storage has partner locations near York station and in the city centre. Book online and each bag is protected up to €10,000.