Christmas Markets in Gosforth

Gosforth does not have a big Christmas market of its own, and honestly it does not need one. The city centre's market is ten minutes down the Metro line, Durham and North Shields are an easy day out, and the High Street itself does a quieter version of the same job: independent shops, a few useful food stops, and the occasional market in a churchyard.

This guide covers what is happening locally, what is within easy reach, and which 2026 dates are actually confirmed as of mid-October.

All Saints Farmers Market, West Avenue

The nearest thing Gosforth has to a festive market is the farmers market in the grounds of All Saints Church on West Avenue, just off the High Street (NE3 4ES).

The church has confirmed a market for Saturday 21 November 2026, 10am to 2pm. Expect producer stalls selling cheese, bread, beer, honey and meat, free live music, and re-use stalls for kitchen and tableware, with proceeds supporting church funds and the Samaritans. It is a small, friendly community market rather than a commercial event, which is a large part of its appeal.

No December date has been listed yet, so the November market is the one to plan around if you want local cheese and bread in hand before the rush. Our Gosforth Farmers Market guide has more on parking and what to expect.

Best for:

Best for: stocking up on cheese, bread and local beer for the Christmas table without leaving Gosforth.

St Oswald's Hospice Christmas Market

St Oswald's Hospice on Regent Avenue has held a Christmas market in its own grounds in past years, with stalls in a marquee and the indoor lounge, a Santa's grotto, and money raised for the hospice. The hospice has not announced a 2026 market, so check its website or ask in the St Oswald's Hospice Shops at 189 High Street before you plan around it.

Christmas shopping on the High Street

If the point of a Christmas market is small, unusual presents, Gosforth's independents already cover a lot of the ground.

yumLush in Gosforth Shopping Centre stocks cards and gifts, including work by local makers, and The Sweety Box in the same centre does pick and mix, fudge and luxury chocolates. House of Kiki Boutique on Ashburton Road sells jewellery, accessories and gifts.

For the food side, Carruthers & Kent on Elmfield Road has a large wine range and a cheese and charcuterie counter, and Greenwell's of Gosforth on Ashburton Road covers fruit, veg, honey and deli goods. Flowercraft on the High Street is the place for seasonal flowers and plants.

Our guide to the best independent shops in Gosforth goes through the full run.

Newcastle Christmas Market

The big one is in town. Newcastle Christmas Market runs from Thursday 19 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, according to the city's business improvement district, NE1. It spreads along Grey Street and Grainger Street, around Grey's Monument and down Nelson Street, with over 70 traders, most of them based within 20 miles of the city. The Christmas Village returns to Old Eldon Square with a carousel and a Ferris wheel, and the Christmas lights switch-on is on Thursday 12 November.

From Regent Centre, South Gosforth or Ilford Road it is roughly ten minutes on the Metro to Monument, which drops you in the middle of the stalls. Daily opening hours had not been published at the time of writing.

While you are in town, the Grainger Market is a five-minute walk away and indoors, which counts for a lot in December.

Best for:

Best for: the full mulled wine and chalets experience, with the Metro home afterwards.

Quayside and Jesmond markets

The Quayside Sunday Market runs every Sunday along the river, and the city council says it opens 9am to 4pm on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas, with handmade goods, local products and street food. Christmas week can affect the schedule, so check the council's market page.

Jesmond Food Market on Armstrong Bridge is the closest regular market to Gosforth, usually on the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10am to 3pm. November's markets are on the 7th and 21st. December dates and any Christmas special had not been confirmed at the time of writing, so check with the organisers, Local Heroes.

A day out: Durham and North Shields

Durham Christmas Festival is on Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December 2026. The ticketed Craft and Producers' Marquee on Palace Green opens 9am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am to 4.30pm on Sunday, with tickets available in advance or on the door. The train from Newcastle Central takes around a quarter of an hour.

North Shields Christmas Market is on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 in Northumberland Square and Howard Street, free to get in, with around 70 stalls and fairground rides. Opening times for 2026 have not been published. The same weekend you could add Tynemouth Market, which trades indoors at Tynemouth station every Saturday and Sunday.

For pantomimes, light trails and the rest of the region's festive calendar, see Christmas in the North East.

What is not confirmed yet

As of mid-October, these had not been published for 2026:

• A December farmers market at All Saints
• A St Oswald's Hospice Christmas market
• Daily opening hours for Newcastle Christmas Market
• Jesmond Food Market's December dates
• North Shields Christmas Market opening times

We will update this guide as dates are announced.

Know a Gosforth Christmas fair or makers' market we have missed? Get in touch.