Christmas in Guildford 2026: Markets, Fairs & Dates
Reviewed by Wanderistan editorial team · Last updated Jul 27, 2026
Guildford runs its Christmas season across several separate markets and fairs rather than one central square — Guildford Cathedral's hilltop fair, a German-style mini market at the Guildhall on the High Street, and a run of farmers' and craft markets through November and December.
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Quick answer
Visit Surrey (the official tourism site) has already published specific 2026 dates for several of these — unusually early and complete for a UK town of Guildford's size, and the reason this guide can give confirmed dates rather than a historical pattern for most of its listings.
Guildford Christmas 2026 — confirmed dates
Confidence: confirmed for all of the above, per Visit Surrey's official listings as of late July 2026 — an unusually complete early publication. Visit Surrey itself still cautions that "opening dates and times may change," so a closer-to-the-date check is still sensible.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Guildford Cathedral Christmas Fair | 20–21 Nov 2026, 10am–4pm (£3 entry) | Guildford Cathedral |
| Festive Market (Dapper & Suave) | 21–22 Nov 2026, 10am–6pm | The Guildford Pavilion |
| Christmas Youth Business Showcase Market | 28 Nov 2026, 09:30–15:00 | Guildford (venue tbc) |
| German Christmas Mini Market | 29 Nov 2026 | The Guildhall, High Street |
| Guildford Christmas Farmers' Market | 1 Dec 2026, from 10:00 | Guildford High Street |
| Christmas Arts and Makers Market | 12 Dec 2026, 10:00–16:00 | Guildford (venue tbc) |
| Christmas Antiques and Vintage Market | 13 Dec 2026, from 10:00 | Guildford High Street |
| Christmas Farmers' Market (Dec) | 15 Dec 2026, 10:00–15:00 | Guildford High Street |
Planning a Christmas day out in Guildford
- The High Street events (farmers' markets, the antiques and vintage market) are free to browse and run from the top of the town near the Guildhall down toward the river.
- Guildford Cathedral's fair sits on Stag Hill, a walkable but uphill 15–20 minutes from the town centre — worth combining with a look inside the Cathedral itself.
- Guildford is a 35-minute direct train from London Waterloo, making it a realistic half-day or full-day Christmas market trip from London without an overnight stay.
- Does Guildford have a German-style Christmas market in 2026?
- A German Christmas Mini Market runs at the Guildhall on Guildford High Street on 29 November 2026, alongside the town's own farmers' and craft markets through November and December.
- Is there a Christmas market at Guildford Cathedral?
- Yes — the Guildford Cathedral Christmas Fair runs 20–21 November 2026, 10am–4pm, with £3 entry and over 50 stalls, plus the Cathedral shop and café.
- How do I get to Guildford for Christmas shopping from London?
- Direct trains from London Waterloo to Guildford take about 35 minutes, making it an easy day trip for the High Street markets and the Cathedral fair.
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