Nearly every year since 1995, the small Yorkshire town of Beverley has transformed into an enormous festive paradise. We’re not just talking about the standard Christmas markets and fairy lights you get in towns across the country – the Beverley Festival of Christmas is the UK’s largest one-day market and one of the most anticipated events in the winter calendar. In 2024, the festival had to be cancelled last minute due to Storm Darragh, when 34 flood warnings were issued across the country, but now, it’s coming back.
Beverley Festival of Christmas will return on Sunday, December 14. Once again, the town will fill up with 120 market stalls and heaps of festive entertainment, including fairground rides, birds of prey displays, carol singing and a big brass band.
A parade will kick off the occasion, travelling the length of the town with an appearance from Santa and his reindeer as well as live music, comedy acts, steam punks and, so we’re told, an adorable troupe of Bernese mountain dogs. The day of the festival will also be the last chance to see the 150 trees decorated by local organisations at Beverley Minster's annual Christmas Tree Festival.
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Nick Coultish, the local cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, said: ‘Beverley Festival of Christmas is the flagship tourism event for our region and is an important date in the calendar for businesses and traders.
‘It is always a hugely popular event, with visitors from all over the UK coming to enjoy the festive stalls and entertainment. The event will also provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy at such a wonderful time of the year.’
The festival will run from 10am to 4pm, and more information on the day’s entertainment and road closures will be released closer to the event.
ICYMI: The atmospheric British festive fair that is officially the second best Christmas market in Europe.
Plus: The 12 best Christmas markets in the UK for magical festive shopping.
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