York Christmas Market fills Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square with chalets from mid-November until just before Christmas, organised by Make It York. It is one of the busiest times of the year in the city, so it pays to sort where you are staying and where the car goes before you think about mulled wine. This guide sticks to the practical side: for stalls and opening hours, the official Visit York Christmas pages are the place to check.
When to go
For 2026 the market runs from Thursday 12 November to Monday 21 December, open Wednesday to Monday from 10.30am to 7pm and closed on Tuesdays, according to Make It York. Weekends in late November and December are the busiest. A midweek stay from Wednesday gives you market days with more space, and a Tuesday is a good day for the Minster, the walls and the museums instead.
Where to stay
Stay inside the walls and you can walk to the market and back as often as you like, which matters when the evenings are dark and cold. From our flat in the Skeldergate area, Parliament Street is about 7 minutes' walk, the Shambles about 8 and the Minster about 13. The south-west side of the centre, around Skeldergate and Micklegate, is also a little calmer in the evening than the streets right next to the stalls. Book early: December weekends go first.
How to park during the market
On market days there are restrictions on vehicles in the footstreet area, so don't try to drive close to the stalls. For day visits, Park and Ride is the easy option: six sites, free parking and a £4.00 adult return, and First Bus runs more frequent services in the run-up to Christmas. Overnight parking is not allowed at Park and Ride sites, though. Staying over, you will need either a council car park, at £22.50 to £25.00 per 24 hours at Nunnery Lane by Pay By Phone, or accommodation with its own space. Our guide to parking in York city centre has the full prices and sources.
Our flat comes with a secure, dedicated parking space, so you can park on arrival and forget the car until you leave. Sources: iTravel York, Park and Ride fares; iTravel York, Park and Ride; First Bus, festive Park and Ride timetable; Nunnery Lane car park.
Tips
- Book dinner ahead on December weekends. York restaurants fill up fast in market season.
- The Shambles Market and Food Court stay open daily, including Tuesdays.
- Pair the market with a late-afternoon walk on the walls, but remember the gates start closing from about 3.30pm in winter. See our York walls walk guide.
- Arriving by train? The station is about 12 minutes' walk from the Skeldergate area.
Book a festive stay
Within the Walls is a 1 bedroom flat for two adults inside the city walls, with secure parking, a kitchen and Wi-Fi. Send us your market dates and book direct, or see our weekend plan for two.
Sources: Make It York: York Christmas Market 2026 dates; Visit York: Christmas in York