The ‘country’s largest one-day Christmas market’ returns on Sunday, December 14
The Beverley Festival Of Christmas is taking place on Sunday, December 14(Image: East Riding Of Yorkshire Council)
The “largest one-day Christmas market in the country” is returning to Beverley this weekend. Organisers of the Beverley Festival Of Christmas have revealed what’s in store for 2025 as a big shot of festive cheer heads to the town.
For the sixth consecutive year, The Beverley Arms is supporting the annual event, which will take place on Sunday, December 14. The festival promises an array of Victorian-themed market stalls, fairground rides, face painting, food and drink, street performances and more.
From 10am to 4pm, stalls will take over Saturday Market, Wednesday Market and North Bar Within, accompanied by family entertainment. The Georgian Quarter of North Bar will feature businesses and traders from East Yorkshire, along with an ice sculpture. Meanwhile, at 10am, Santa and his reindeer will embark on their parade from Wednesday Market in their sleigh, waving to the crowds along Butcher Row and Toll Gavel en route to Saturday Market, where they’ll be stationed until 2.30pm.
Festive activities will also take place at Flemingate shopping centre, Beverley Minster, St Mary’s Church, The Guildhall, Toll Gavel Church and East Riding Theatre. Champney Treasure House will open its doors for the festival, offering free drop-in craft activities for all visitors.
Attendees can assist the team in adorning their Christmas tree by crafting mini angels to hang on the branches. They’re encouraged to write a Christmas wish on the back of the angels to spread goodwill. There will also be an opportunity to create a festive 3D angel to take home.
Arts activity packs will be supplied by Beverley Library for guests to take home and complete over the festive season. Champney Treasure House Café will be open from 11am until 3.30pm, offering gingerbread lattes and traditional mince pies. The counter will feature a variety of cakes and festive treats too.
The weekly Saturday Market on December 13 will also have a festive theme.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Beverley for the Festival Of Christmas, our flagship tourism event of the year.
“The Festival Of Christmas is the largest one-day Christmas market in the country and provides visitors, residents and businesses the opportunity to buy a range of gifts in the run up to the holidays.
“It provides a huge economic benefit to the town, showcasing some amazing businesses in the markets and on the high street, and we encourage everyone to attend and take part in the festivities.”
Rick Bailey, executive chairman at Thwaites, which owns The Beverley Arms and is sponsoring the Festival Of Christmas event for the sixth consecutive year, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Beverley Festival Of Christmas and to bring something truly magical to the town.
“Our new Narnia-inspired ‘Into The Wardrobe’ festive walkthrough experience invites guests to step through a giant wardrobe façade and into a world of wonder and nostalgia with twinkling lights, Christmas trees and festive cheer. It transforms our outdoor space into an unforgettable seasonal experience, creating the perfect atmosphere for festive dining at The Beverley Arms. We’re enjoying welcoming visitors and sharing a little Christmas magic with our community.”
Beverley Festival of Christmas brochures will be on hand from Hull and East Yorkshire volunteers throughout the town on the day, or beforehand from the tourist information centre at The Treasure House on Champney Road.
Getting there and parking
Due to road closures and limited parking in the town centre, visitors are advised to use public transport. Beverley Bus Station is a two-minute stroll to Saturday Market and Beverley Train Station is a five-minute walk to Wednesday Market.
Limited parking spaces will be available at Norwood, Grayburn Lane, Grovehill, Flemingate, Butcher Row and Lord Roberts Rd car parks. Blue Badge parking will also be accessible in Princes Gardens Car Park off Champney Road, behind the Treasure House.
A complimentary park and ride service will operate from Beverley Racecourse on Saturday and Sunday, with the first bus leaving the racecourse at 9am and buses running every 15 to 20 minutes to and from the drop-off point just outside North Bar on Wylies Rd. The final bus will return to the racecourse at 5pm each day.
Visitors also have the option to walk from the park and ride in approximately 20 minutes.
Road closures and parking suspensions will be in effect in Saturday Market from 6pm on Saturday until 7pm on Sunday along with Wednesday Market, North Bar from 2am on Sunday until 7pm. School Lane and Butcher Row car park will also be closed from 2am on Sunday until 7pm and won’t be available for public use.
The taxi rank will continue to operate on Saturday evening in Saturday Market and will relocate to Cross St on Sunday during the festival.
