On Air Now

More Music Drive

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Durham Christmas Festival is Back!

Preparations are under way for Durham Christmas Festival 2025 which will once again bring hundreds of small businesses, many from across the North East, in to the heart of Durham city for three days, from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December.

As well as the Christmas shopping opportunities in two festival markets, there will be plenty of seasonal performances and events to enjoy throughout the city, including the Children’s Lantern Parade which this year will take place on the Sunday of the Festival.

Andrea Cairns, of Durham Christmas Festival, commented: “The highlight is always the Craft & Producers’ Marquee* on Palace Green, which this year has a mix of favourite stall holders and new faces.  We’re expanding the Streetfood Market on Palace Green, between the Marquee and Durham Cathedral.  There will be some seating available, and we’ll be organising various performances in this area across the weekend. 

“And with the Children’s Lantern Parade on Sunday afternoon, the festival will come to a perfect close as up to 200 children carry their lanterns from the Market Place up to Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas Service.  This is always a wonderful family-focussed part of the festival, and many people have told us that, for them, it signifies the real start of the Christmas period.”

*There is an entry charge of £5 per person for the Craft & Producers’ Marquee on Palace Green.  A 50p discount per person is available when entry is bought in advance via our website, www.durhamchristmasfestival.com .

For full details of the festival, see www.durhamchristmasfestival.com.  The Children’s Lantern Parade will depart from Durham Market Place at 3pm, arriving at 3.30pm at Durham Cathedral.  Lanterns can now be reserved via the website.

More from From Durham OnAir

Listen on the Go

Listen on the go or at home with our free smart phone app for iOS and Android devices!

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play
  • Just ask Amazon Alexa

OnAir Today

  • More Music Drive

    5:00pm - 7:00pm

    It's time for even MORE tunes on your More Music Drive! Get home with the best soundtrack going in the North East!

  • The Best Disco in Town - With Jonathan Charles

    7:00pm - 9:00pm

    Re-visiting the best 12 Inch singles from the classic days of Disco. Jonathan Charles plays music exclusively on Vinyl celebrating the sound of Disco.

  • Alex Sweeney's Soul Cellar

    9:00pm - 11:00pm

    Alex brings you the best in Soul music from across the decades.

  • Durham After Dark

    11:00pm - 4:00am

    Relaxing music and laid back chat. Ease into the night with North East conversation and soft night time tunes.