Charming UK market town that turns into a Christmas wonderland with a magical market and ice rink

A lively market town in the North East is set to sparkle this December. Known as the gateway to the Durham Dales,

This hidden gem is a beautiful place all year round, but it’s especially magical once the Christmas celebrations begin.

It might feel a little early to start humming festive tunes, but as October slips away, it’s a reminder that Christmas is just around the corner.

Bishop Auckland’s much-loved Christmas Town event will return from December 4–7, bringing plenty of joy and cheer.

Families can look forward to stepping into a world of festive wonder, filled with twinkling lights, cheerful market stalls, live performances and a visit from Santa himself. It promises four days packed with magic and excitement for everyone.

The event is free to enter, but for £10, visitors can grab a Golden Ticket, which includes unlimited ice skating, fairground rides, access to the Giant Tipis and all the live entertainment inside.

You can also add a visit to Santa’s Grotto for just £4 per child and £1 per adult.

There’s also a £5 “Tipis and Tidings” pass, which gives you priority access to the Tipis, live music and shows, plus a special Christmas Town keepsake cup to take home.

Photo © David Rogers (cc-by-sa/2.0)

The festive fun doesn’t stop there. From November 21 to December 31, nearby Auckland Palace, once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, will be hosting a spectacular illuminated trail.

According to The Auckland Project website: “One of the largest light displays in the country,

AGLOW features a 1.5-mile trail filled with dazzling illuminations, Christmas sparkle and one of the tallest Christmas trees in the North – standing over 30 metres high!”

Even if you visit Bishop Auckland before the Christmas lights switch on, there’s still plenty to enjoy.

From exploring the Palace itself to visiting the town’s many galleries and independent shops, it’s a wonderful place to soak up the charm of the season.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

Download the official APP!

Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.

Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.