Christmas markets in Berkshire: 2026 dates, hours and picks
Christmas markets in Berkshire for 2026: Reading, Newbury, Hampstead Norreys, Ascot, Cookham and more, with dates, hours, entry and honest tips.
Martina Vicente GilJournalist
· 4 min read
Berkshire is not a county of enormous Christmas fairs. Its biggest market by far is the one on Reading’s Broad Street, and beyond that you are looking at village fairs, garden-centre events, church halls and the odd country-house sale. That suits me fine. The christmas markets in Berkshire reward people who like to browse a few dozen stalls and go home with something specific, not people who want a continental spectacle.
Travel times from London are not given in the sources I used, so check those yourself. Also note the dates: because today is mid-November, a few of these have already happened or are about to end.
Reading Christmas Market, Reading
From 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, although one guide lists 15 November to 4 January. It is on Broad Street (RG1 2BA). Hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. Entry is free.
Decorated stalls line the street, selling bratwurst, waffles, crepes and chestnuts, with independent traders among them. It is a high-street market, and a good one. The long hours and the long season are its real strengths. You can go after work, and you can go again.
Reading Town Hall Christmas Market, Reading
One day, 21 November 2026, at Blagrave Street (RG1 1QH). Entry is free and the venue is fully accessible.
The stalls are indoors, in the Victorian Town Hall, across the Soane Space, museum and concert hall foyer. The museum shop is open too. If the weather is poor, this is the better of the two Reading options. Pair it with the street market for a full Saturday.
Newbury Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival, Newbury
One day, 14 November 2026, in the town centre. It is free.
It combines a food and gift market with a Living Nativity, live music, Santa’s grotto and character workshops. This is a family day more than a shopping trip. If you have young children, it is the most complete option in the county. If you are shopping alone, it will feel busy.
Hampstead Norreys Candlelit Market, Hampstead Norreys
On 7 November 2026, from 3pm to 7pm, at Manor Courtyard (RG18 0TD). It is free.
This has already passed for 2026, but it is worth knowing about. It has more than 40 artisan stalls, live music, mulled wine and free craft activities. It was an evening-only market, so you needed to arrive early to see it in daylight. Mark it for next year.
Christmas Fair at Ascot, Ascot
From 12 to 15 November 2026, at Ascot Racecourse. Tickets start from £5.
About 150 companies sell gifts, food and accessories. It is the nearest Berkshire has to a big shopping fair. It ends on 15 November, so you can still catch it if you move quickly, but you will be paying to shop. If you prefer free browsing, choose Reading.
Cookham Christmas Street Fayre, Cookham
6 December 2026, on Cookham High Street. The programme includes art, crafts, handmade gifts, fun fair rides and carols.
A classic village street fayre. It is a sweet little event rather than a big day out, and I would match it with a stroll through Cookham.
Retreat at Elcot Park Christmas Market, Newbury
24 and 25 November 2026, at Elcot Park (RG20 8NJ). It is free.
More than 40 luxury stalls, with artisans and festive food. It sits on the high-end side of the county’s offer, so expect crafts and gifts rather than street food. Weekday dates mean it suits people with flexible diaries.
Sindlesham Court Christmas Market, Wokingham
5 December 2026, on Mole Road (RG41 5EA). More than 50 stalls and a cafe. Entry is free.
A straightforward community shopping trip. The cafe is handy when your fingers go numb.
What to do about timing
Hampstead Norreys is evening only, 3pm to 7pm, and it has already finished. Ascot is ticketed and ends on 15 November. Reading has the longest hours and season.
I would book Reading for a December weekend, then add Cookham on 6 December or Sindlesham on 5 December depending on which village you prefer. Treat the one-day events as add-ons. They are pleasant, but each is over in an afternoon, so a trip built only on them can easily go wrong if the weather turns or the date slips past you. Reading, with its two months of trading, is the safe base. For a quieter midweek visit, Elcot Park on 24 and 25 November falls on a Tuesday and Wednesday.
Windsor has an ice rink at Alexandra Gardens, Windsor on Ice, from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, but I found no confirmed market there for 2026. I have left Windsor and Henley out, since only 2025 dates turned up.
Food and drink
Reading serves bratwurst, waffles, crepes and chestnuts. At Hampstead Norreys there was mulled wine and apple juice. For the other markets, I found no food details, so check each organiser.
Christmas markets in Berkshire: frequently asked questions
Are the Berkshire markets free?
Most are free, including Reading, Cookham, Newbury and Elcot Park. The Christmas Fair at Ascot is the main exception, with tickets from £5.
Which market has the longest opening hours?
Reading, with 10:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.
Where can I buy handmade gifts?
Elcot Park has more than 40 stalls of artisans, Sindlesham Court has over 50 stalls, and Ascot has about 150 companies.
If you want a serious shopping trip and do not mind paying, take Ascot while it lasts. For everything else, Reading is the easy choice.
Written by
Martina Vicente Gil
Journalist. Martina Vicente Gil is a travel journalist, communicator and content creator specialising in tourism, culture and lifestyle. With a long career writing route chronicles and travel guides, her…
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