Preston, Lancashire
Preston Christmas Market 2026
There Is No Separate Christmas Market Here
Preston has no Christmas market in its 2026 programme. The Flag Market instead hosts the lights switch-on on Saturday 21 November and then Preston On Ice, a real ice rink with fairground rides, food and drink stands, a bar and Father Christmas, from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. The covered Preston Markets hold Christmas events with a free Santa's grotto on 12 and 19 December.
| Where | The Flag Market, the square in front of the Harris in Preston city centre Open in Maps |
|---|---|
| Organiser | Preston City Council (Visit Preston) and Preston BID. Official page |
Closest Christmas Markets to Preston
These are the nearest markets with confirmed 2026 dates, closest first. Distances are in a straight line from Preston.
Hoghton Tower Christmas Gift Market
Hoghton, Lancashire
28 to 29 Nov 2026
5 miles away
Worden Hall Christmas Craft Market
Leyland, Lancashire
5 to 6 Dec 2026
6 miles away
Smithills Farm Christmas Markets
Bolton, Greater Manchester
21 to 29 Nov 2026
Open 21 to 22 Nov and 28 to 29 Nov only
15 miles away
Southport Christmas Market Cabins
Southport, Merseyside
4 to 20 Dec 2026
Open 4 to 6 Dec, 10 to 13 Dec and 17 to 20 Dec only
15 miles away
Christmas By The Sea
Blackpool, Lancashire
20 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027
15 miles away
Christmas in Colne (lights switch-on and festive market)
Colne, Lancashire
28 Nov 2026
23 miles away
Preston Christmas Market: Quick Answers
Is there a Christmas market at Preston?
No. Preston has no Christmas market in its 2026 programme.
Map
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Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenFreeMap.
Santa's Grotto at Preston
| Called | Santa's Grotto (Meet Santa for Free) |
|---|---|
| Where | At Preston Christmas On Ice on the Flag Market in the city centre |
| Price | Free. Meeting Santa is free; ice skating is charged separately |
The organiser says meeting Santa at the rink is free but does not give the days he is there. A separate free Santa's Grotto runs inside the covered Preston Markets on Saturdays 12 and 19 December, with half-hour appearances on the hour from 11am to 2pm.
Visits to Santa at the bigger markets sell out weeks ahead, and times change. Check the organiser's page before you promise anyone.
Source: Preston's Christmas on Ice (event organiser; linked from Visit Preston), checked 12 October 2026. All markets with a grotto.
More in North West, or see every market's 2026 dates.