Lincoln Christmas Market

Lincoln’s Christmas Market: cancelled again for 2025, but the story continues

Lincoln’s Christmas Market drew huge crowds for forty seasons, but the council’s 2025 events plan still leaves the traditional market off the calendar. Below you’ll find the latest status, the costs visitors used to expect, tips for getting into the city, and a tribute to the traders who made the market unforgettable.

Skip to latest updates View historic stall guide

The Lincoln Christmas Market - Cathedral backdrop

The best Xmas Market © thelincolnchristmasmarket.co.uk

When is the Lincoln Christmas Market 2025?

There is no Lincoln Christmas Market scheduled for 2025. City of Lincoln Council cancelled the event in 2023 and, despite public calls for its return, has doubled down on smaller city-wide activities instead of reinstating the traditional uphill market weekend.

Historically, Lincoln’s market ran on the first full weekend of December and pulled in more than 250,000 visitors with its cathedral backdrop, castle courtyards and independent traders. The market’s absence leaves a sizeable gap for festive trips to the region.

We’ll keep tracking council updates so you don’t miss any hint of a comeback. Until then, you can still plan a Lincoln winter break—complete with cathedral services, castle illuminations and the indie businesses that flourished around the market footprint.

How much is the Lincoln Christmas Market?

The pricing information below reflects how things worked before the market was cancelled. With no 2025 event planned, these details are here for reference only.

Lincoln Castle entrance to the Christmas Market

The perfect setting © thelincolnchristmasmarket.co.uk

Entrance was free. Your spending came down to the irresistible food, mulled wine and hand-picked gifts dotted around the uphill quarter.

The Bishop’s Palace occasionally charged a small fee when English Heritage opened it as part of the market. With restoration work continuing, its availability for future events remains uncertain.

Lincoln Castle—home to the illuminated wall walk and festive traders—also offered free entry during the market. When open, the after-dark wall walk carried an additional ticket.

Cash was essential. Many stallholders now take cards, but queues for cash machines were a common sight.

Park & ride tickets varied by time of day, passenger age and group size. We’ve kept a snapshot of the pricing structure below.

Park & Ride (and parking)

The details below are preserved from the last running of the market and are provided for historical reference only while the 2025 event remains cancelled.

Lincolnshire Showground to Lincoln Christmas Market

The Lincolnshire Showground was the main hub for the official park & ride service. You could plug LN2 2NA into your sat nav (Gate 1 entrance) or follow the plentiful diversion signs as you approached the city.

Parking

Parking in the uphill area was never permitted during market days. All cars were directed to the Showground park & ride, which handled cars, coaches and accessible vehicles.

The postcode for the main parking field was LN1 2ZF, but drivers were always advised to heed signage as they neared Lincoln. Accessible transport ran from the same site, using vehicles with wheelchair lifts.

Park & ride buses dropped shoppers close to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, leaving a short festive walk into the market footprint.

Santa greeting visitors at Lincoln Christmas Market

Santa spotted at the market © thelincolnchristmasmarket.co.uk

Looking for places to stay, eat or explore while you’re in Lincoln?

Head over to Enjoy Lincoln for hand-picked accommodation, restaurants and seasonal events.

Where to stay

Hotels, guesthouses & cosy B&Bs

Where to eat & drink

From mulled wine stops to fine dining

More Christmas things to do

City events, trails and festive days out

Previous guide of stalls for Lincoln Christmas Market (now cancelled)

Before the plug was pulled, the market stretched across the cathedral quarter with themed zones. Here’s a preserved snapshot of stallholders and makers from the last running of the event—a handy who’s-who if you’re tracking down favourite traders online.