Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market 2026

Lincoln station, on St Mary's Street, is managed by East Midlands Railway and has lifts and step-free access to all platforms. It is at the bottom of the hill and the cathedral is at the top: the cathedral says the Lincoln Transport Hub, where trains and buses arrive, is a 20-minute walk away. In a straight line the station is a little over half a mile from the cathedral (worked out from the coordinates), but the way up is steep. The cathedral suggests the Walk & Ride 'Steep Hill Shuttle' bus, which has 13 stops across the city, as the quickest way up the hill.

Lincoln's park and ride runs from the Waitrose car park on Searby Road, Monday to Saturday, so it covers all three market days. It is operated by Lincoln BIG with Stagecoach East Midlands and Waitrose. Parking is free from 7am to 7pm and the adult day return is £3.50, paid on the bus (read October 2026); accompanied children travel free. Buses run up to every 15 minutes and there is a request stop on Northgate, next to the cathedral. Overnight parking is not allowed, and the free parking ends at 7pm, before the twilight sessions finish, so it suits the daytime sessions best.

The cathedral has no car park of its own and sends visitors to City of Lincoln Council's, several of which are uphill near the cathedral. Castle Hill is tiny; Westgate, The Lawn on Union Road, Langworthgate and St Paul's Lane are the others on that side of the city. They share one tariff: £2.30 for an hour, £8.10 for four hours and £10.70 for up to 24 hours, with a flat £5.60 evening charge from 6pm to 8am that suits the twilight sessions (read October 2026). St Paul's Lane has a three-hour limit. Blue Badge holders get double time: pay for one hour and stay for two.

The cathedral says it has step-free and ramp access throughout, though some floor surfaces are uneven. Accessible toilets are in the Cloisters and there is an adult changing facility in the Visitor Centre. It expects the market to be one of its busiest events of the year and asks visitors to leave buggies at home if they can. Wheelchair and mobility aid users are welcome, but some areas will be more crowded than usual. Queues are possible at the door, and anyone who cannot stand for long is asked to speak to a member of staff. Only assistance dogs are allowed in during the market.

The cathedral has other Christmas events either side of the market. Its shop holds a Christmas Extravaganza evening on Wednesday 18 November 2026, 5pm to 8pm. Carols by Candlelight, sung by the cathedral choir in the candle-lit nave, is on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December at 7pm, with tickets at £20 and £15. The Snowman with Live Orchestra is on 12 and 13 December. During the market itself the cathedral is offering roof tours of 45 to 60 minutes in the west end, which involve a steep staircase and need flat shoes.

The cathedral is in uphill Lincoln, and the Bailgate and Castle Square area around it is the place to stay if you want to reach the market in a few minutes on foot. The lower city centre, around the High Street, the Brayford and the station, is about 20 minutes' walk away and the climb back up is steep. From downhill, the Walk & Ride shuttle bus saves the hill.