Dog-Friendly Christmas Markets 2026
16 dog-friendly Christmas markets in the UK, all with 2026 dates confirmed by their organisers. The first to open is Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, on Thursday 5 November.
Most organisers say nothing about dogs. These are the 16 markets whose organiser states that pet dogs may come, with the rule each one gives; 3 more say no. For any market not listed here, ask the organiser before you travel. Even where dogs are welcome, several organisers warn that the crowds do not suit every dog.
What Each Organiser Says
| Market | Rule on Dogs | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham, West Midlands | Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome; the organiser suggests avoiding busy weekend evenings. | 5 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
| Chatsworth Christmas Market Bakewell, East Midlands | Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at the market, which Chatsworth warns can get very busy. | 7 Nov to 13 Dec 2026 |
| Bournemouth Christmas Market Bournemouth, South West | Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in many of the outdoor areas; some attractions may not admit them. | 12 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 |
| Nottingham Winter Wonderland Nottingham, East Midlands | Dogs are allowed in the outside areas, though the organiser encourages you to leave pets at home because it gets very busy. | 12 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 |
| Blenheim Palace Christmas Market Woodstock, South East | Dogs are permitted in the Great Courtyard, where the market is, but not inside the palace, and on the light trail only on set dog-friendly dates. | 13 Nov to 20 Dec 2026 |
| Christmas in Cambridge Cambridge, East of England | Dogs are allowed in the outside areas, though the organiser would rather you left them at home because the site gets very busy. | 13 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 |
| Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market Exeter, South West | Dogs on leads are permitted in the open-air areas; only assistance dogs may go inside the cathedral. | 13 Nov to 13 Dec 2026 |
| Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair Sandringham, East of England | Dogs on leads are allowed. | 13 to 15 Nov 2026 |
| Christmas in Oxford Oxford, South East | Dogs are allowed on a lead at all times; the organiser warns that it can be very busy, especially at weekends. | 21 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 |
| Mayfair Christmas Market London, London | Pets can come but must be kept on a lead and away from the live reindeer; the organiser warns that it can become very crowded. | 26 to 28 Nov 2026 |
| Queens Hall Narberth Christmas Market Narberth, Wales | Dogs are allowed. | 27 to 29 Nov 2026 |
| Rochester Christmas Market Rochester, South East | Dogs are allowed on a lead; Visit Medway adds that the market can get busy and may not suit every pet. | 27 Nov to 13 Dec 2026 |
| Knaresborough Christmas Market Knaresborough, Yorkshire | The organiser calls the town dog friendly and dogs can ride the park and ride buses, but warns that the market will be busy, with fireworks on the Sunday afternoon. | 5 to 6 Dec 2026 |
| Normanby Hall Christmas Market Scunthorpe, East Midlands | Dogs on leads are allowed. | 5 to 6 Dec 2026 |
| Holkham Christmas Market Holkham, near Wells-next-the-Sea, East of England | Dogs on leads are allowed at the outdoor stalls only. | 11 to 13 Dec 2026 |
| Beverley Festival of Christmas Beverley, Yorkshire | Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome; the organiser asks owners to keep them close in the crowds. | 13 Dec 2026 |
Markets That Do Not Admit Dogs
- Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market, Lincoln: Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the cathedral during the market.
- 'Keep' Christmastide Market, Castle Hedingham, near Halstead: No dogs.
- Knebworth Christmas Fair, Knebworth: Dogs are not admitted.
Assistance dogs are a separate matter: several organisers say on their pages that they are welcome.
None open this weekend (17 and 18 October 2026). Next to open: Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, on Thursday 5 November 2026.
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Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenFreeMap.
Staying the night? See hotels in Bakewell, Birmingham, Nottingham, Rochester and Cambridge, priced for a night when the market there is open. affiliate links
Questions
When do dog-friendly Christmas markets start in 2026?
The first in this guide is Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which opens on Thursday 5 November 2026. The last to close is Christmas in Cambridge, on Sunday 3 January 2027.
Can you take a dog to a Christmas market?
It depends on the market. Of the 19 in this guide whose organiser states a rule, 16 allow pet dogs, nearly always on a lead and often in the outdoor areas only, and 3 do not. The rest say nothing, so ask before you go.
Do dog-friendly Christmas markets charge for entry?
Of the 16 listed here, 1 need a ticket or paid entry and 14 are free to walk into, going by their organisers' pages; the rest have not said. Each market's page gives the price where it has been published.
Other types: Christmas Fairs and Fayres, Victorian and Dickensian Christmas Markets, Christmas Craft Fairs and Makers' Markets, The Biggest Christmas Markets in the UK, Indoor Christmas Markets, Christmas Food Markets and Farmers' Markets, National Trust Christmas Markets, German-Style Christmas Markets in the UK, Christmas Markets at Cathedrals and Abbeys, Christmas Markets at Stately Homes and Castles, Christmas Markets with an Ice Rink. Or find the markets nearest your postcode. How we check dates.