The best guide to Herefordshire’s Christmas Markets and Festive Fayres this year.
HEREFORD CITY
HEREFORD FESTIVE MARKETS Thursdays & Fridays through December
Shoppers are in for a magical time at Hereford’s Christmas Markets with around 30 to 40 stalls each day situated in the heart of Hereford, all in sight of the giant Christmas tree.
There will be a wealth of festive treats and gifts on offer, including quality local and regional products, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, unique gifts, decorations and those sometimes tricky but essential stocking fillers. The usual selection of traditional market stall lines from authentic independent traders will also be in Hereford with everything you need.
Don’t forget to sample the delicious hot street food and drinks – the perfect way to keep warm while enjoying the market.
This year, High Town and Commercial Street will be home to these special Christmas markets on Thursdays and Fridays, December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, open from 9am to 4pm.
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS FAIR 17 December
Over forty stallholders collect for their annual Christmas Fair in the beautiful surroundings of Hereford Cathedral. Featuring homemade produce, handcrafted items and plenty of gift ideas from small independent makers.
At 12 noon there will be carol singing in Cathedral Close – what could be more festive!
HEREFORD LATE NIGHT SHOPPING & FREE PARKING Wednesdays 7, 14, 21 December
No need to suck up all your weekends shopping, slip in to Hereford after work or the school run on these Wednesdays and many of the shops will be open past their usual 5pm closing.
Plus, as it is the season of goodwill, you’ll be able to park for free in Herefordshire Council car parks and on-street in the city centre from 4pm-9pm on those Wednesdays in December. Click here for a list of which car parks are free from 4pm.
LEOMINSTER
LEOMINSTER VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET 10 December
Corn Square, Broad Street and the town centre will be filled with stalls selling handmade and locally produced gifts, food and drink for your loved ones.
Enjoy street food, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts or why not go for a horse and carriage ride around the town.
Let yourselves be entertained by Punch and Judy, Morris dancers, live seasonal music, fairground organs, the sound of traction engines and don’t be surprised if you spot real Victorians in the streets and alleyways for this truly Dickensian event.
The Street Market will be officially opened by H R H Queen Victoria at 11am.
Free parking.
AARDVARK CHRISTMAS FAYRE (Brampton Bryan) 4 December
Round off your Christmas shopping with unusual and original gifts from local stalls of vintage, crafts and more, with live music, delicious mince pies and mulled wine, and festive treats in the café.
Amongst other entertainment, there will be live music by the Dutch Lewis Trio, who return to play from their Christmas Songbook from 11am-2pm, and a very special Royal Surprise!!
Café refreshments will include hot food and Christmassy treats, mince pies and a complimentary glass of mulled wine.
Free parking and free entry.
OLD CHAPEL GALLERY (Pembridge) – Winter Curiosities Exhibition until 31 December
Open from Saturday November 5, discover a dazzling collection of hand picked, hand made delights as you shop for unique British made presents in the calm and tranquil atmosphere of the gallery.
Find contemporary fine art, quality craft, textiles, jewellery, ceramics and more in this celebration of the festive season.
HAY ON WYE
HAY MARKETS – every Thursday
Trading for over 700 years, Hay Market Day is a vibrant local market held in the centre of Hay-on-Wye every Thursday.
With 40 independent traders bringing the best in local and seasonal produce, fresh fish, meat and game, artisan bread and cakes, local arts and crafts, homewares and gifts, antiques and vintage, plants and more!
Held every Thursday year-round, 9am-2.30pm, in Memorial Square, Cheese Market, Buttermarket and around the Clock Tower.
HAY WINTER WEEKEND MARKET 26 & 27 November
A special two-day weekend market of street food, local producers, makers and flea traders on the square, held to coincide with the Hay Festival Winter Weekend which is this year hosted at the newly opened Hay Castle.
There are also markets being held on both days in the Cheese Market and Buttermarket halls, with Mad Hatter’s Craft Market on the Saturday and Fairtrade Hay Winter Fair on the Sunday.
HAY ON WYE CHRISTMAS FAYRE 10 December
Over 60 traders join Hay’s independent high street to bring you unique Christmas gifts, local crafts, food and drink.
With singing from the Hay Shantymen, traditional carols, mulled drinks, hot food, twinkly lights and a children’s Christmas trail throughout Hay organised by Bethesda Church.
KINGTON
Kington weekly Friday market offers a choice of local food, produce and crafts from 9am to 1pm.
The monthly Art, Craft and Vintage Saturday Market runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm on the third Saturday of every month. Here you will find local artisans selling their work, some actually making their work as you watch and taking commissions for bespoke pieces. You’ll find a great variety of gift ideas as well as practical and beautiful objects for your home.
Kington’s markets are held in the Market Hall, the neighbouring Place de Marines, and the adjoining Coach House, all under cover.
KINGTON WINTER FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 3 December
Kington’s annual food and drink festival features the very best of what the borders has to offer. Now its 15th year it will boast over 100 stalls hand picked to give the best variety of producers, from charcuterie to patisserie to fresh meat including lamb, pork and goat to chocolate, oils and then the perfect kitchen wear to cook it in.
This year’s festival is spread over 5 different venues from the market hall and coach house to the Kington centre at the opposite end of the High Street with a fabulous festive feel and atmosphere, great music and vibe.
BROMYARD
CHRISTMAS AT CRUMPLEBURY 17-19 December
Something for the whole family with an enchanted woodland Christmas trail for the little ones, meeting farm animal friends before finding Santa in his candle-lit grotto handing out gifts.
Enjoy Chef’s nibbles, cocktails, fizz and beers infront of the roaring fires in the Sunken Terrace and Drinking Trough bars.
Then shop galore in the dazzling Christmas Market in the Grand Hall.
ROSS ON WYE
THE NEW INN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIR 23 & 24 November
Drinks, canapes and light lunching accompanies the Preview Evening and Christmas Fair at The New Inn restaurant and pub, renowned for its delicious dining. A great way to start off your festive shopping.
ROSS ON WYE CHRISTMAS FAIR 27 November with celebrity guest
Coinciding with the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights, and a festive Santa’s grotto, shop your way through over 70 stalls selling handmade arts and crafts plus delicious artisan food and drink including decorations, candles, bath bombs, ceramics, jewellery, cheese, chutneys, hampers, brownies and blankets.
LEDBURY
THE HEREFORDSHIRE GUILD OF CRAFTSMEN CHRISTMAS SHOW 2-17 December
The historic Market House in Ledbury will be transformed into a festive emporium of hand made gifts when the Herefordshire Guild of Craftsmen take up residence for their annual Christmas show.
Open every day except Sundays and admission is free.
BARTON COURT’S CHRISTMAS MARKET 4 December
To coincide with Santa’s visit, the team at Barton Court at Colwall have gathered together a range of suppliers of wonderful gifts to buy for friends and family this Christmas.
Meet the makers and visit Barton Court’s very own little shop too, full of vintage treasures and antique bits and pieces.
If you’re not visiting Santa and just want to indulge in the shopping, there’s no need to book, just rock up and stock up. Free entry.
Buying from independent shops and artisan makers ensures that every penny stays within those communities, making them stronger and more successful – besides who wants to have the same as everyone else.
Make your Christmas truly unique from Herefordshire this year.
For more festive events and seasonal inspiration look at our dedicated Christmas What’s On guide and Yuletide blogs.
