Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is a

Christmas market A Christmas market, also known as ''Christkindlmarkt'' (literally: ''Christ Child Market'', but the term "Christkind" usually refers to an angel-like "spirit of Christmas" rather than literally the Christ Child), ''Christkindlesmarkt'', ''Chris ...

held each year in the grounds of

Winchester Cathedral The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity,Historic England. "Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity (1095509)". ''National Heritage List for England''. Retrieved 8 September 2014. Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Swithun, commonly known as Winches ...

, in the city of Winchester in the English county of

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English cities on its south coast, Southampton and Portsmouth, Hampshire ...

. Typically the market operates from the middle of November until a few days before

Christmas Day Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...

. The market was founded in 2006, and has operated every year since with the exception of 2020, when it was cancelled due to the

coronavirus pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identifie ...

. The market hosts around 120 German-inspired chalets, selling a range of art and craft items, seasonal gifts, food and drink. Originally these were complemented by an outdoor

ice rink An ice rink (or ice skating rink) is a frozen body of water and/or an artificial sheet of ice created using hardened chemicals where people can ice skate or play winter sports. Ice rinks are also used for exhibitions, contests and ice shows. The ...

, but from 2021 that was replaced by a performance stage that hosts a variety of performances. Access to the market is free of change and booking is not required, but queues may develop at busy times.

References

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External links

Christmas Market page on Winchester Cathedral web site

Annual events in England Christmas markets in the United Kingdom Crafts Recurring events established in 2006 Retail markets in England 2006 establishments in England Winchester