info@bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk 07935 979949

An excited Christmas Town elf looking through a window surrounded by sparkling lights

Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town
2026

3 to 6 December 2026 Bishop Auckland Market Place

Unlimited Attractions Pass £5 to £10.

£5 Thursday · £7.50 Friday · £10 Saturday & Sunday

Bishop Auckland Christmas Town returns to the Market Place from 3 to 6 December 2026. Gather your favourite people for festive rides, sparkling lights and Christmas cheer in County Durham.

Golden Pass prices

THU 3 DEC£5

FRI 4 DEC£7.50

SAT 5 DEC£10

SUN 6 DEC£10

Unlimited access with your Golden Pass

What’s included in your Golden Pass

The illuminated Ferris Wheel beside Durham Cathedral, photographed at a previous location — Ferris Wheel
See Bishop Auckland from above

As many times as you like

What type of Christmas Town
will you have?

Looking for family Christmas events in the North East? Enjoy a festive day together, with unlimited access to the included attractions with your Golden Pass.

Two adults and two children smiling together beneath the lights at Christmas Town

THURSDAY ATTRACTIONS£20for a family of four

THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER

Four people.
All the attractions.

Four Golden Passes. Unlimited rides and all the included extras.

Santa’s Grotto booked separately.

A smiling Christmas Town elf at the Grotto

SANTA’S GROTTO£5per child

A SEPARATE LITTLE ADVENTURE

Santa’s Grotto
in Bishop Auckland

Big wishes. A Santa moment. Make your Christmas Town visit extra special by adding a Grotto Pass to your Golden Pass.

A family visiting Santa in the Christmas Town Grotto, surrounded by Christmas trees and warm lights

ALL-IN FOR£342 adults + 2 children

ATTRACTIONS + SANTA’S GROTTO

The whole kit
and caboodle.

Four Golden Passes, two child Grotto Passes and two Adult Grotto Passes. One properly festive Thursday.

Food and drink sold separately.

Friends enjoying the warm atmosphere beneath the lights inside a Christmas Town Tipi

TIPI INCLUDED IN
YOUR GOLDEN PASS£10per person

TIPI ENTRY INCLUDED WITH YOUR GOLDEN PASS

Meet you
in the Tipis

A game of curling, live music, good company and 10% off at the bar.

Save on every round. Tipi entry is subject to capacity.

Book in two easy steps

Pick your day
THU3DEC FRI4DEC SAT5DEC SUN6DEC
Choose your Passes
Golden PassAttractions and tipis
Grotto PassGolden Pass add-on only

We expect Passes to sell out. The only way to be sure you’ve secured yours is to book in advance.

Book Your Pass Pass prices may increase at the event.

ALWAYS FREE TO ENJOY

Your town.
All dressed up.

Exploring Christmas markets in Bishop Auckland? Wander our Christmas market, find something delicious and enjoy the lights. Christmas Town is free to enter.

No such thing as a silly question

Is Christmas Town free to enter?

Yes. You can explore the Christmas market, buy food and drink and enjoy the atmosphere without a Pass. A Golden Pass gives you access to the included attractions.

What does a Golden Pass include?

Unlimited rides on the Ferris Wheel, traditional Helter Skelter, Twister and Fun House, plus the Mystery Attraction, curling lane, Tipi entry and 10% off at all Christmas Town bars. Santa’s Grotto requires an additional Grotto Pass. Food and drink are purchased separately.

How much are Golden Passes?

Thursday £5, Friday £7.50, Saturday £10 and Sunday £10. Choose the day you want to visit when booking. These are the new day prices, with no early-bird deadline.

Can I use my Pass on all four days?

Your Golden Pass is for the day selected when booking. Choose a separate Golden Pass for each day you want to enjoy the included attractions.

Does everyone in our group need a Pass?

You do not need a Pass simply to visit the market and enjoy the atmosphere. Anyone using the included attractions needs a Golden Pass. Children aged 8 and under must ride the Twister and Ferris Wheel with an accompanying adult, who also needs a Golden Pass.

Everyone entering Santa’s Grotto needs a Golden Pass and the appropriate Grotto Pass, except children aged 2 and under accompanying their family without receiving a gift.

Is Santa’s Grotto included?

Santa’s Grotto is an add-on to your Golden Pass, priced at £5 per child. Choose Grotto Passes when booking. A Golden Pass is required for each person entering, alongside their Grotto Pass.

Accompanying adults and older siblings who are not receiving a gift need an Adult Grotto Pass at £2 each, in addition to their Golden Pass. Children aged 2 and under may accompany their family without either Pass if they are not receiving a gift.

What time do I visit the Grotto?

You can visit the Grotto at any time during its opening hours on the date of your Pass. Please allow plenty of time for the queue so your party can visit before the Grotto closes.

Thursday 3 December: 4pm to 8pm
Friday 4 December: 4pm to 9pm
Saturday 5 December: 10am to 8pm
Sunday 6 December: 10am to 6pm

All children and adults in your booking party will enter the Grotto and see Santa together.

Do I need a Pass for the Tipis?

Tipi entry is included with your Golden Pass and is subject to capacity. You may need to queue when the Tipis are full. A Golden Pass does not reserve a seat or guarantee immediate entry. Under-18s are not permitted in the Tipis after 8pm.

Are there age or height restrictions on the rides?

Children aged 3 and over can enjoy all the attractions. Children aged 8 and under must ride the Twister and Ferris Wheel with an accompanying adult. Please follow the ride operators’ instructions.

Children aged 2 and under can accompany their family into the Grotto without a Pass, but will not receive a gift. To enjoy their own Grotto visit and receive a gift, they will need a Golden Pass and a £5 child Grotto Pass.

Are PA Passes available?

Please contact info@bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk about a personal assistant (PA) Pass and any support you need for your visit. We will explain the eligibility process and what information is needed. Please wait for our instructions before sending disability evidence.

What are the opening hours?

Thursday 3 December: 4pm to 8pm
Friday 4 December: 4pm to 9pm
Saturday 5 December: 10am to 8pm
Sunday 6 December: 10am to 6pm

The Tipis are open ’til late. Under-18s are not permitted after 8pm.

Where does Christmas Town 2026 take place?

Christmas Town takes place in Bishop Auckland Market Place and the surrounding town-centre area, County Durham, from 3 to 6 December 2026. For North Bondgate car park, use DL14 7PG. Get directions.

How do I collect my Pass?

Collect your Pass from the on-site box office. Have your digital booking confirmation ready to show the team. We recommend arriving early to allow time for collection and avoid queues.

Can I buy Passes on the day?

We have a limited allocation of Passes for each day. Any remaining Passes will be available to buy at the on-site box office, but we expect strong demand, so booking in advance is essential. Pass prices may be higher at the box office.

Can I change my day or get a refund?

Passes cannot be refunded or exchanged if your plans change, so please check your chosen day before booking. This does not affect your statutory rights, including any right to a refund if the event is cancelled.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Christmas Town includes outdoor attractions, so dress for the weather and check event updates before travelling.

How do I ask about accessibility?

Email info@bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk with the practical assistance you need. Please avoid including medical documents in your initial enquiry.

How can I get updates?

Join the Baccanalia mailing list for Christmas Town announcements and wider event updates, or follow the Christmas Town Facebook page. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time.

Visitors exploring the Christmas Town market at night

3 TO 6 DECEMBER 2026 · BISHOP AUCKLAND

Your Christmas
starts here.

Planning your Christmas events in Bishop Auckland? Make Christmas Town 2026 part of your festive calendar. Pick your day, gather your people and book your Passes.

Book Your Pass