Bishop Auckland transforms across the festive season, with the historic Market Place at the centre of a programme of Christmas markets, light switch-ons, street entertainment and seasonal events.
Step into a festive winter wonderland as Bishop Auckland transforms into Christmas Town one of the North East’s most magical family Christmas events. The town centre comes alive with sparkling lights, themed displays, artisan markets, and seasonal entertainment for all ages.
What to expect: festive market stalls selling local produce, crafts and gifts; the town Christmas lights; live music and street performers; and family activities across the Market Place and surrounding streets. The town’s Christmas offer works alongside AGLOW at Auckland Palace and the wider Auckland Project attractions, making a full day or evening out.
🎁 Traditional Christmas market with gifts, crafts, local produce & festive treats
🎄 Spectacular light installations and beautifully decorated streets
🎅 Santa’s Grotto & children’s activities
🎶 Live music, choirs & street performers bringing the town to life
✨ Ice rink, funfair rides & festive attractions
🍫 Hot chocolate huts, mulled wine stands & delicious street food
🏰 Close to Auckland Castle and the Market Place
Whether you’re Christmas shopping, enjoying festive family fun, or soaking in the seasonal atmosphere, Bishop Auckland Christmas Town delivers a joyful, heart-warming start to December.
Nearby attractions: combine with Auckland Castle, the Mining Art Gallery, the Spanish Gallery and Auckland Tower all within walking distance of the Market Place.
Parking: free parking at North Bondgate (DL14 7PG), which also serves AGLOW.
Where to stay: The Barn Oakenshaw is minutes from Bishop Auckland a six-acre exclusive-use estate sleeping up to 16, with three wood-fired hot tubs, private parking and full self-catering for groups.
Kynren is a spectacular open-air night show staged each summer in Bishop Auckland, telling 2,000 years of English history across a vast lakeside stage with 1,000+ cast members, live horses, pyrotechnics and water displays.
2026 season: selected Saturday evenings, 18 July – 12 September. Shows start at dusk and run around 90 minutes.
Planning your visit: arrive early — gates open well before showtime and car parks fill quickly. Bring layers; the arena gets cold once the sun drops. Parking is free and well signposted, with shuttle buses to the arena. Book tickets in advance, as Saturday nights sell out.
Where to stay near Kynren: The Barn Oakenshaw is a six-acre exclusive-use estate under 20 minutes from the Kynren arena, sleeping up to 16 across the main residence and a Finnish log cabin. With three wood-fired hot tubs, private parking and full self-catering, it suits family groups and reunions combining Kynren with Auckland Castle, Beamish or the Durham Dales. Late finishes are easy when you’re not driving far.
Wolsingham Show is England’s oldest agricultural show and County Durham’s biggest open-air country event, held each September in the heart of Weardale.
2026 dates: Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 September.
Saturday — Agricultural Day: livestock classes, major show jumping, the craft tent, vintage vehicles, birds of prey displays, dog agility, an artisan food market, strongman competition and live music.
Sunday — Country Fair Day: KC dog show, ferret racing, horticulture classes, alpacas and ponies, marquee displays and more show jumping.
Practical tips: parking is on grass, so sturdy footwear matters after rain. Cash is useful for smaller trade stands. It’s a full day — arrive mid-morning to see the main rings.
Staying nearby: The Barn Oakenshaw sits in the County Durham countryside within easy reach of Wolsingham, sleeping up to 16 with three wood-fired hot tubs. Many groups make a weekend of it, pairing Wolsingham with Stanhope Show the following week.
Stanhope Show is Weardale’s premier agricultural show and the traditional finale to County Durham’s country show season, held on the showfield beside the Wear each September.
2026 dates: Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September.
What’s on: cattle, sheep and horse classes across multiple rings, show jumping, sheepdog trials, vintage machinery, industrial and horticultural tents, local food and craft stalls, funfair rides and live entertainment across both days.
Practical tips: Stanhope is a small dales town, so arrive early for the best parking. Weardale weather turns quickly — bring waterproofs whatever the forecast. The industrial tent, with its baking, produce and handicraft classes, is worth an hour on its own.
Where to stay: The Barn Oakenshaw is an exclusive-use countryside estate in County Durham, sleeping up to 16 with three wood-fired hot tubs, private parking and full self-catering. After a long day on the showfield, a hot tub under the stars is a good way to end it.
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