Beverley Christmas Festival: All you need to know and how to get there

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…which means the Beverley Festival of Christmas is just around the corner.

Proudly supported for the fifth year running by The Beverley Arms, the annual event will return on Sunday 8 December, bringing a diverse range of Victorian-themed market stalls, as well as fairground rides, face painting, food and beverage and street entertainment.

Stalls brimming with festive gifts will take over Saturday Market, Wednesday Market and North Bar Within from 10am - 4pm, together with plenty of family entertainment. North Bar’s Georgian Quarter will also feature entirely East Yorkshire businesses and traders along with an ice sculpture.

At 10am, Santa and his reindeer will set off in their sleigh from Wednesday Market as part of the parade, greeting the crowds through Butcher Row and Toll Gavel on their way to Saturday Market, where they will stay until about 1.30pm.

There will also be festivities taking place on the day at Flemingate shopping centre,(Festive Weekend), Beverley Minster, (Christmas Tree Festival), St Mary’s Church, The Guildhall, Toll Gavel Church and East Riding Theatre.

The weekly Saturday Market on 7 December will feature a festive theme.

How to get there

With road closures in place and limited parking in the town centre, visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport (Beverley Bus Station – approx. 2 minute walk to Saturday Market & Beverley Train Station – approx. 5 minute walk to Wednesday Market) however spaces will be available on Norwood, Grayburn Lane, Grovehill, Flemingate, Butcher Row & Lord Roberts Rd car parks. For more information visit: https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/environment/roads-streets-traffic-and-parking/parking/car-park-finder/

Limited Blue Badge parking will also be available in Grayburn Lane and East Riding of Yorkshire Council Car park off Champney Rd (opposite the Treasure House).

Parking suspensions will be in operation in Saturday Market from 18.00 on Saturday 7 December and 02:00 on Sunday 8 December in Wednesday Market and North Bar. School Lane Car park will also be closed from 02:00am on Sunday 8th December as it will house coaches traveling to the region for the Festival.

The taxi rank will remain in operation on Saturday 7th December in Saturday Market and will then move to Cross St on Sunday 8th December during the times of the Festival of Christmas.

A free park and ride service will run from Beverley Racecourse on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December with the first bus departing from the racecourse at 9.00am and buses running every 15 - 20 minutes to and from the drop-off point just outside North Bar on Wylies Rd. The last bus will return to the racecourse at 5pm each day.

Alternatively, walking from the park and ride – and taking in a scenic Westwood walk – takes about 20 minutes.

Free Public Wi-Fi is also available throughout the town for visitors to access through the Smart County Programme.

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We look forward to welcoming more than 50,000 people to Beverley for the Festival of Christmas, our flagship tourism event of the year.

“The Festival of Christmas is the largest one-day Christmas market in the region and provides residents and businesses the opportunity to buy a range of Christmas gifts at the most wonderful time of the year.

“The market provides a huge economic benefit to the town as well as showcase some amazing businesses, not only in the markets but also those on the high street.”

Danny Martin, marketing director at Daniel Thwaites, which owns The Beverley Arms, said: “Once again, we’re excited to take part in The Festival of Christmas and help bring an exceptional experience to the town of Beverley.

‘’This a key time for local businesses in the build up to Christmas and we hope to see lots of people making the most of the festive celebrations.”

Beverley Festival of Christmas brochures are available from venues across the town, including the tourist information centre temporarily based on Cross Street and will be available on the day from Hull & East Yorkshire volunteers.

For more information on traders attending the market, road closures and parking suspensions, visit: https://www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk/home/

For the latest updates, follow Visit East Yorkshire on social media: https://www.facebook.com/events/beverley-saturday-market/beverley-festival-of-christmas-2024-official/864762722384790/