Grassington Christmas Market 2026: Two Dates Confirmed

The Grassington Christmas Market takes over the same square for two Saturdays each December, continuing a 40-year tradition that began with the village’s famous Dickensian Festival. It’s a small, community-run event in one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most photogenic settings.

Grassington Christmas Market 2026

Dates

Status: Confirmed
Grassington dates: 28th November and 5th December 2026
Last checked: July 2026

Update: Dates were announced in January. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Discover Grassington.

Location and Times

Location: The Village Square and Grassington Town Hall.
Opening times: Saturday 10am to 4:30pm.

Travel and Accommodation

Public transport: Reliance Bus service connects Grassington with Skipton and Ilkley. On Sundays, the Dalesbus runs direct services from further afield.
Parking: Use the National Park car park on Hebden Road (pay and display, around £2.50 for 4 hours). Street parking is available but limited. Public transport is strongly encouraged to reduce congestion in the village.
Charging: Two EV charging stations in the centre.
Travel tips: Stay the weekend to explore the surrounding Dales countryside, including walks to Linton Falls and the limestone scenery around Kilnsey Crag.
Where to stay: Black Horse Hotel is 1 minute from the market stalls.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Lights switch on: Friday, 20th November at 4pm.
Santa: The Pod at Grassington House. 11am to 3pm.
Ice skating: No.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes.

Where to Stay

If you’re visiting Grassington, there are plenty of hotels in the village centre. I suggest staying at the Black Horse Hotel, which is located just around the corner from the main square.

Read our UK Christmas Markets guide to find other places of interest this year.

To visit nearby, our guide to the Skipton Christmas Market has you covered.

Visitor Feedback

What Visitors Loved

• The village setting is the main draw. Grassington’s cobbled square, stone cottages, and Dales backdrop make it one of the most atmospheric market locations in Yorkshire.
• The indoor craft stalls at the Town Hall consistently receive praise for featuring genuinely local, handmade products rather than mass-produced items.
• Fans of All Creatures Great and Small enjoy spotting filming locations around the square, including The Devonshire pub (the exterior of the fictional Drovers Arms).
• The village pubs and tea rooms are a highlight in their own right. Several visitors recommend warming up by the fire at one of Grassington’s pubs after browsing the stalls.

Common Complaints

• The market is significantly smaller than many visitors expect, particularly those who remember the former Dickensian Festival. Keep expectations modest for a village event with a limited number of stalls.
• Parking can be chaotic on market days. The National Park car park on Hebden Road fills quickly, and village streets become congested with cars. Arriving early or using public transport is strongly recommended.
• Some visitors feel the stalls lack variety, with multiple vendors selling similar products like jams, chutneys, and cheese.
• The event runs for a single day on each Saturday, so timing is important. There’s no midweek or evening market.

The Bottom Line

The market is best enjoyed as part of a wider Dales weekend rather than as a standalone destination. Come for the village atmosphere and the pubs, arrive early to beat the parking rush, and pair it with a visit to nearby Skipton’s Christmas market the following weekend.

Event Location

Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.

What to Expect

Grassington’s market is a small, village-scale event spread across the cobbled square and inside the Town Hall. Outdoor stalls sell regional produce and gifts from local makers, with past vendors including Footprint Pottery, Herd & Hive honey, Northern Lavender, and Millie’s Brownies. The Town Hall hosts indoor craft stalls featuring handmade jewellery, ceramics, and prints from Dales-based artisans.

Live entertainment includes the City of Bradford Brass Band and the Voices of Yorkshire choir. Santa sets up in The Pod at Grassington House on both Saturdays.

For 40 years, this event ran as the Grassington Dickensian Festival, with costumed Dickens characters, lamplit parades, and street theatre throughout the village. The Dickensian format was scaled back due to rising costs and insurance, and the event now runs as a straightforward Christmas market. The village atmosphere remains, but visitors expecting the full Dickensian experience should adjust their expectations accordingly.

Sustainability Tips

• Transport: Grassington’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot. Use public transport to reach the village where possible.
• Shop local: Many stalls sell products made by Dales-based artisans. Buying direct supports local makers and reduces the environmental footprint of your gifts.
• Eat local: Yorkshire Dales lamb, Wensleydale cheese, and locally produced honey are all available at the market and in village restaurants.