# 'Keep' Christmastide Market 2026

> 'Keep' Christmastide Market runs 18 to 20 December 2026 in Castle Hedingham, near Halstead. Opening times, where it is and entry cost, checked against the organiser on 11 October 2026.

Source: https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/hedingham-castle/

Castle Hedingham, near Halstead, [Essex](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/areas/essex/)

Runs Friday 18 December to Sunday 20 December 2026

| Dates | Friday 18 December to Sunday 20 December 2026 (3 open days) |
| --- | --- |
| Days Closed | None listed: open every day of its run |
| Opening Times | Friday 18 December: **4pm to 10pm** Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December: **10am to 10pm** Last entry at 21:00 |
| Where | The grounds and Norman keep of Hedingham Castle CO9 3DJ [Open in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.9925,0.601) |
| Entry | Free to enter. Entrance tickets are free but must be obtained online or at the gate; booking ahead is advised. The illuminations trail and the Santa visit (£15 per child) are charged separately. No dogs |
| Organiser | Hedingham Castle. [Official page](https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/keep-christmastide-market) |

## Checked Against the Source

These dates and times come from the organiser's own page, not from another guide.

- [Hedingham Castle](https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/keep-christmastide-market), checked 11 October 2026

Organisers sometimes change hours or close early in bad weather. On the day, check the [official page](https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/keep-christmastide-market). Spotted something out of date? [Tell us](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/contact/).

## 'Keep' Christmastide Market: Quick Answers

### When does 'Keep' Christmastide Market start in 2026?

It opens on Friday 18 December 2026.

### When does 'Keep' Christmastide Market end?

The last day is Sunday 20 December 2026.

### What time does 'Keep' Christmastide Market open and close?

Friday 18 December 4pm to 10pm; Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 10am to 10pm. Last entry at 21:00.

### Is 'Keep' Christmastide Market open every day?

Yes. The organiser lists no closed days between 18 Dec and 20 Dec.

### Is 'Keep' Christmastide Market free to enter?

Yes. Entrance tickets are free but must be obtained online or at the gate; booking ahead is advised. The illuminations trail and the Santa visit (£15 per child) are charged separately. No dogs.

### Where is 'Keep' Christmastide Market?

The grounds and Norman keep of Hedingham Castle, Castle Hedingham, near Halstead CO9 3DJ.

## About 'Keep' Christmastide Market

A three-day market of gifts and food stalls with music beside the 12th-century keep, held alongside the castle's illuminated trail.

[Add the Dates to Your Calendar](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/hedingham-castle/dates.ics)

## Where Is 'Keep' Christmastide Market?

The grounds and Norman keep of Hedingham Castle, Castle Hedingham, near Halstead CO9 3DJ. The other dots are nearby markets.

## Meeting Santa at 'Keep' Christmastide Market

| Called | Dwelling of St Nicholas (visit from Santa) |
| --- | --- |
| When | 18 to 20 Dec 2026 |
| Where | At the Christmas market in the grounds of Hedingham Castle, by the Norman keep |
| Price | £15 a child. The Santa ticket is extra to the free market entrance ticket |
| Booking | Booking needed. [Organiser's booking page](https://hedinghamcastle.tygit.com/shop/launch/pk/3574bfcb94ba289d9fc33297c79a8590) |

Santa appears here as St Nicholas; his tickets must be bought ahead, while the market entrance ticket is free and includes the keep and parking.

Source: [Hedingham Castle](https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/keep-christmastide-market), checked 12 October 2026. [All markets with a grotto](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/santas-grotto/).

## Where to Stay Near 'Keep' Christmastide Market

**Staying the night?** See hotels and rooms near the stalls on a map, priced for Saturday 19 December.

Map by Stay22. [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/)

## Have You Been to 'Keep' Christmastide Market?

Tell other visitors whether it was worth the trip. One vote per market, no account needed.

## Other Christmas Markets Nearby

[Colchester Christmas Market  Colchester, Essex  6 Dec 2026  15 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/colchester/) [Saffron Walden Indoor Christmas Market  Saffron Walden, Essex  20 Nov to 5 Dec 2026  Open Fridays and Saturdays only. Closed on Fri 27 Nov, Sat 28 Nov  16 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/saffron-walden/) [Essex County Christmas Fair at Boreham House  Boreham, Essex  13 to 15 Nov 2026  17 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/boreham-house/) [St Edmundsbury Cathedral Christmas Market  Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk  26 to 28 Nov 2026  18 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/bury-st-edmunds/) [Light Up Maldon  Maldon, Essex  26 Nov 2026  18 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/markets/maldon/)

See all [Christmas markets near Ipswich](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/near/ipswich/). More in [East of England](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/regions/east-of-england/), or see [every market's 2026 dates](https://bestchristmasmarkets.co.uk/dates/).