Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market 2026: Dates, Tickets and Visitor Guide

Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market runs from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December 2026, inside Lincoln Cathedral. It is a ticketed market with timed sessions, and tickets cost £5.48 as listed on the cathedral’s official Eventbrite page.

One thing to be clear about first: this is not the return of the famous old Lincoln Christmas Market. That market — the 250-stall, four-day street market — was cancelled permanently by Lincoln City Council after 2022 on crowd-safety grounds, and a bid to bring it back was rejected. It is not returning in 2026. The 2026 event is a separate, smaller market held inside the Cathedral.

Timed sessions

Entry is by timed session, and each ticket is valid for one session only, with no re-entry. The sessions are: Thursday 3 December from 7pm to 10pm; Friday 4 December from 9.30am to 10pm; and Saturday 5 December from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Advance booking is strongly recommended — sessions may sell out, and only a limited number of tickets are available from the box office on the day.

Inside the Cathedral

The market stalls are set out in the nave, the Chapter House and the cloisters, with outdoor traders and a food court on Dean’s Green outside.

On entry there are security checks and bag searches. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Cathedral. Refreshments are available on Dean’s Green and in the Chapter House, and there is step-free and ramp access throughout.

Tickets

Tickets cost £5.48 as listed on the cathedral’s official Eventbrite page. All attendees over 18 months need their own ticket — there is no free entry for young children above that age.

Note that £5.48 is the price shown on the Eventbrite checkout; the cathedral’s own headline price is not published separately, so the figure may include the Eventbrite booking fee.

Getting there

Park & Ride runs from Waitrose on Searby Road (cars and motorcycles only), with an adult day return of £3.50.

Also in Lincoln: Lincoln Castle Illuminated

If you are visiting Lincoln for the Christmas market, Lincoln Castle Illuminated runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026, on Wednesdays to Sundays (plus Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December). Grounds admission is £4 per person, with under-5s free. It is a separate event from the Cathedral market, verified on the Lincolnshire County Council site.

Tips for your visit

• Book in advance — sessions may sell out, and box-office tickets on the day are limited.
• Each ticket is for one timed session only, with no re-entry, so arrive within your session time.
• All attendees over 18 months need their own ticket.
• This is a new, smaller market inside the Cathedral — it is not the old street market returning.
• Dates, times and ticket details can change at short notice, so check the official Lincoln Cathedral pages before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

When is Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market 2026?

Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December 2026.

How much are tickets?

£5.48 per ticket as listed on the cathedral’s official Eventbrite page. All attendees over 18 months need their own ticket.

Is the old Lincoln Christmas Market back in 2026?

No. The traditional street market was cancelled permanently after 2022 and is not returning. The 2026 event is a separate, smaller, ticketed market inside Lincoln Cathedral.

Where is the market?

Inside Lincoln Cathedral, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PX — stalls in the nave, Chapter House and cloisters, with outdoor traders and a food court on Dean’s Green.

Can I re-enter on the same ticket?

No. Tickets are valid for one timed session only, with no re-entry.