Market opens 15th November 2024 at 10 am

Canterbury Christmas Market 2024

Quick Access

It's FREE to visit the market

This is a FREE Christmas market to visit and no tickets are required.  The exceptions are bookable activities such as our Virtual Reality Adventures, Santa Paws and Breakfast with Santa.

Location

Canterbury Christmas Market can be found in various locations around the City of Canterbury in Kent, England, all within the city walls, in the heart of the city.  This year there are three sections to the Christmas Market because for the first time in over 200 years, a festive market returns to Canterbury Cathedral. Click here for the details: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/news/posts/historic-christmas-market-returns/?

The three main areas are

  • Whitefriars Shopping Centre and The Marlowe Arcade
  • St George’s St (aka The High Street)
  • Cathedral Precincts

The sections are just minutes apart, with Whitefriars and St George’s just a minute apart and the Cathedral Precincts just a few minutes walk along The Parade and turn right at Mercery Lane.

For Satnav, you can use the postcode CT1 2TF and there are various car parks in the vicinity, including at the Whitefriars shopping centre.

Accommodation in and around Canterbury

Camping & motorhomes

Car parking

Please note, if planning a visit, roads and car parks in and around Canterbury can become extremely busy in the festive season so, please leave yourself plenty of time.

Find a car park

FAQ

Lots of useful answers, hints & tips on our FAQ page

Canterbury BID

Maps

Market Areas

Parade Route

Whitefriars

St Georges Street area

Cathedral Precincts

Santa Paws

Santa's Grotto and VR Attractions

Breakfast with Santa

For coach drivers

Coaches can drop passengers off at the drop-off point located in St George’s Lane, in front of Whitefriars Shopping Centre, where a section of the Christmas Market is located and approximately 400 metres from Canterbury Cathedral.

Canterbury Coach Park is approximately a 10-minute pleasant riverside walk from the city centre. There is no coach parking available within the city walls. The coach park is easily accessible from the main routes into the city with parking machines accepting credit cards and cash. Toilets including disabled, baby changing facilities and water points are available.

Click here for further information.

General info

  • Browse the festive huts for the perfect gifts and stocking fillers
  • Enjoy festive food and drink offerings
  • Meet and greet characters
  • Relax to the live music on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Walk around the three locations enjoying festive piped music
  • Experience interactive historical theatre on selected dates
  • Check out what’s on for our highlight events
  • Spot our competition opportunities along the way
  • Take that perfect snap at one of our photo opportunity points
  • Have fun taking part in our activities
  • Toast marshmallows over an open fire

Market opening hours

November 15th to Christmas Eve, December 24th 2024

  • Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday 9 am to 6 pm
  • Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
  • Christmas Eve closes at 4 pm
  • Keep an eye open on our What’s On Events page for details of late opening nights.

Canterbury Christmas Market is operated by

Rockhopper Events Ltd

Registered office only – 12 Romney Place, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 6LE

Company number 11241742

Email [email protected]

RockHopper Events Ltd