Canterbury Christmas Market
When: Thu 12 Nov – Thu 24 Dec 2026 Opens in 33 days
Daily for 43 days; closes 4pm on Christmas Eve
Canterbury, Kent
Rochester Christmas Market
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 November 2026 (First weekend) Opens in 48 days
Fri 12pm–9pm; Sat 10am–9pm; Sun 10am–6pm (2026)
Rochester Castle Gardens, Rochester, Kent · South East England
Kent's largest free-entry Christmas market, held over three weekends in the gardens below Rochester's Norman castle keep.
Medway Council stages this market in Rochester Castle Gardens, with the castle's 11th-century keep as a backdrop. It runs over three consecutive weekends, Friday to Sunday, with more than 120 stalls focused on gifts and food you won't find on the high street, including local, sustainable and artisan products.
There is a Bavarian-style food and drink village, live entertainment on the bandstand and a family funfair. The council says the market attracts around 250,000 visitors, and the middle weekend coincides with the Dickensian Christmas Festival in the town.
Dogs on leads are welcome, though the market gets busy. Quiet shopping sessions are held at set times for visitors who need a calmer visit. Parking in central Rochester is limited; the station is about five minutes' walk away and coach parking must be pre-booked.
Dates by season
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | First weekend: Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov 2026 | Coming up Add to calendar (Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov 2026) |
| Second weekend: Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec 2026Dickensian Christmas Festival weekend (5–6 Dec) | Coming up Add to calendar (Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec 2026) |
|
| Third weekend: Fri 11 – Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Coming up Add to calendar (Fri 11 – Sun 13 Dec 2026) |
|
| 2025–26 | First weekend: Fri 28 – Sun 30 Nov 2025 | Held |
| Second weekend: Fri 5 – Sun 7 Dec 2025Dickensian Christmas Festival weekend | Held | |
| Third weekend: Fri 12 – Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Held |
Dates are taken from the market’s own website or official announcements and were last checked on 6 October 2026. Plans can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel. Spotted a change? Tell us.
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