About
Experience the Magic of Christmas Town.
Step into a world of festive wonder at Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, 4-7 December 2025! Join us for four unforgettable days filled with twinkling lights, enchanting markets, live entertainment, and the magic of Santa’s Grotto.
Now in its 5th year, Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town has become a much-loved tradition, transforming the town each December into the Christmas Capital of the North. Since its beginnings, we’ve welcomed thousands of visitors to experience festive magic, markets, entertainment and unforgettable family memories.
Explore the Festive Market - Discover unique crafts, seasonal foods, and gifts from local vendors. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and find the perfect holiday treasures.
Giant Tipis - Get cosy round the fire in our giant tipis, where crackling flames, warm drinks, and sparkling entertainment keep the chill at bay.
Visit Santa's Grotto - Create special holiday memories for your children. Meet Santa, share Christmas wishes, and receive a special gift in our magical grotto.
Fairground Fun - Enjoy thrilling rides at our traditional Christmas fairground. Ride as many times as you like with a Golden Pass.
Delicious Street Food - A specially curated line-up of street food fills the air with the best Christmas smells, from schnitzels to sizzling bratwurst, mulled wine, and sweet churros dusted with sugar.
Live Entertainment Awaits - Experience live music, performances, and entertainment acts for all ages, including our evening shows in the Tipis on Friday and Saturday night.
Wandering Performers - Be enchanted by our roaming performers filling every corner with surprise and delight – from magicians and musicians to stilt walkers and storytellers.
Ice skating - Unlimited ice skating included in your Christmas Town Golden Pass. Glide across the market place whilst lights twinkle all around.
Book your visit at Bishop Auckland Christmas Town
Everything you need to know about Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town
● More than 35 festive market stalls and traders
● Giant heated tipis and a giant snow globe
● Ice skating rink
● Traditional Santa’s Grotto, plus breakfasts with Santa, and ‘Baby meets Santa’ sessions
● Wandering performers – stilt walkers, storytellers and dancing elves
● Ferris Wheel, Shuggy Boats, Kids Carousel and Lighting Skid fairground rides
● Street food vendors, from schnitzels to churros and mulled wine
● Live music from the Motown Gospel choir
● The Big Christmas Quiz – teams battle it out in the Giant Tipi
● Christmas party fun in the Elves Arms (Giant Tipi)
● Christmas Tree Festival – showcasing creativity and community spirit
● Quiet inclusive sessions for SEND children and families, delivered in partnership with local charity LittleSENDsations
● Christmas Town Winter Parade – Samba drumming elves and giant puppet procession by Jack Drum Arts
● The “Golden Pass” grants unlimited ice-skating, fairground rides, access to giant heated tipis and live shows
● The “Tipi & Tidings Pass” offers priority entry to tipis, evening entertainment and a souvenir cup
View the full programme here
Bishop Auckland Town Council funds Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town as the event’s principal partner.
Christmas Town Parade – Friday, December 5
Bishop Auckland Town Council has commissioned Jack Drum Arts, based in Crook, to create a vibrant and inclusive parade featuring Samba Drumming Elves, giant puppets including Santa, dancers, naughty elves and a majestic Ice King and Queen. It’s the first time that Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town has included a procession of artists and musicians in its celebrations.
The parade will travel from the Town Council office on Kingsway, out onto Newgate Street, and make its way along to the Market Place, where it will loop and finish outside of the Town Hall.
For more information, visit Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town.
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