Christmas is always a fabulous time in the North East because there’s so many incredible events. From huge markets to festive craft workshops and everything in between, there’s always something going on at this time of the year. And one hugely popular event is back for 2024 – the Bishop Auckland Christmas Town! In this blog post, I’ve got absolutely everything you need to know about this event, so keep reading for more info and to book your tickets!
What is Bishop Auckland Christmas Town?
The Christmas Town is a fabulously festive event that’s produced by Baccanalia and Bridge Creative. The event takes over Bishop Auckland Market Place to turn it into a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. I’m talking about giant tipi bars, traditional fairground rides, an ice rink and so much more. This is the fourth year that Bishop Auckland Christmas Town has ran and it’s guaranteed to be even more popular than previous years!
The event brings a whole host of activities and things to do, which you can find out more about further down the page.
When is the event on?
Bishop Auckland Christmas Town is on in the Market Place from Friday 29th November to Sunday 8th December 2024. This means there will be 10 whole days of festive fun to get involved with and this is the first time that the event has been extended to 10 days!
How much are tickets?
Entry to Bishop Auckland Christmas Town is completely free of charge and you don’t need to book a ticket to get into the site. That means you can visit as many times as you like over the 10 day period! However, some of the activities and things to do require paid tickets. These can be booked in advance on the Christmas Town website.
Where can I park for Bishop Auckland Christmas Town?
The official car park for Bishop Auckland Christmas Town is the Newgate Centre Car Park (DL14 7JQ). This car park will be open until 9pm throughout the event. North Bondgate Car Park and Kingsway Square Car Park will also be open 24 hours a day.
I’d recommend using public transport where you can because AGLOW and Christmas at the Palace are also on during the Christmas Town event. Because of that, the car parks will likely get very busy. Roads will also be closed in the Market Place which may also increase congestion.
If you’d rather get the train instead, the station is a 10-15 minute walk away from the Market Place. The station is accessible via the Saltburn, Middlesbrough, Darlington line, which stops at 16 stops on its journey. For those travelling from Durham, changing at Darlington will allow you to travel to Bishop Auckland.
What’s on as part of the Christmas Town?
There are a massive range of events and activities on as part of the Christmas Town. You can see the full list on the website, but here’s some of my highlights:
Santa’s Grotto
Of course, no Christmas Town is complete without a Santa’s Grotto! This is a warm and whimsical world where you’ll be transported to the North Pole in the heart of Bishop Auckland. You’ll get to meet Santa, hear his stories and receive a gift. Tickets cost £15 for one child, two for £28 and three for £39. Book your tickets here.
Merry Makers Workshop
If you’re in the mood to get creative, you’ll love the Merry Makers Workshop. In here, you will be led by local artist, Joanne Howard, where, between sips of Prosecco and chatter, you’ll craft a canvas befitting Christmas royalty. This workshops will last around 2 hours and will take place in the upstairs of Mrs. M in the Market Place. Tickets cost £32.50 per person and you can book here.
Ice rink
You can slide into winter on the Bishop Auckland Christmas Town ice rink! This synthetic rink is set against the backdrop of the twinkling Christmas village, so you’ll feel just like you’re in a festive film. A limited number of skate aids will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the ice rink are available for both peak (Friday-Sunday) and off-peak (Monday-Thursday) times. Peak time tickets cost £6.50 per child and £8 per adult. Off-peak time tickets cost £5.50 per child and £7 per adult. Book your tickets here.
An Evening with Nana Funk in the Tipi Bar
Christmas Town fave, Nana Funk, is making a grand return for 2024. She’s bringing her much-loved quick wit comedy, musical numbers and much more to warm our cockles. The show will start at 8.30pm and will last approximately 90 minutes. The show is suitable for ages 16+. Tickets cost £15 per person and you can book here.
Shake It Off Live Band in the Tipi Bar
If you missed out on the Eras tour earlier this year, you might be interested in this. Shake It Off features a live band putting a rocked-up spin on Taylor’s iconic hits. Swifties can sing, dance, and celebrate together in the tipi bar for a night of unforgettable music and fun, all with a Christmassy backdrop. The show will start at 8.30pm and will last around one hour. Tickets cost £12 per person and you can book here.
Traditional fairground rides
There’s nothing more magical at a Christmas market than seeing a carousel in full glow or a huge ferris wheel peeking over the top of the tipis. Bishop Auckland Christmas Town has both! You can get a bird’s eye view or gallop around on a carousel horse. Peak time tickets cost £5 per person and off-peak time tickets cost £4 per person. Book your tickets here.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of things to do at Bishop Auckland Christmas Town! Check out the full list and all the details on their website.
Is Bishop Auckland Christmas Town accessible?
Most of the event will be accessible, however, some of the activities, like the traditional fairground rides, will not be. Accessible toilets will be available inside Mrs. M, No.42, Bishop Auckland Town Hall and at the Christmas Village. If you have any other access questions, please get in touch with Baccanalia here.
Is the event dog-friendly?
Dogs are welcome at the Christmas Town, but they must be kept on a lead. However, it may get busy, so it’s worth considering whether you really need to bring your dog or whether there is someone who can look after them while you’re out.
This event is shaping up to be a real highlight of the North East Christmas calendar! Will you be visiting Bishop Auckland Christmas Town?
I was gifted tickets to the Christmas Town launch in exchange for a blog post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.