The New Murrey and Blue blog

This is early notice, I know, but there is a reason for this, as you’ll read at the end. The Canterbury Christmas Fair will be held again this year, BUT, for the first time in 211 years it will be expanding into Canterbury Cathedral’s grounds.

A Christmas market was first held in the precincts 600 years ago, after a Royal grant in 1383 by King Richard II. It ran for centuries until being abandoned in 1813 because of general misconduct and various unwelcome goings-on. There have been fairs since then, of course, but not in the cathedral precincts, so the fair of 2024 is going to be very special.

“….Already in the early stages of planning, the city will be illuminated with more than six miles of twinkling festive lights, and more than 118,000 LEDs, to decorate Canterbury’s medieval streets and buildings….The market launches on November 15 and will welcome more than 150 stallholders in over 90 huts….” Entry to the precincts is free.

Now for the reason I’m posting this so early. Bookings for the fair’s activities will start on 1st October 2024 and can be made at this link: https://canterburychristmasmarket.co.uk/

It promises to be quite something, so if you’re within reach, please attend and absorb the matchless medieval atmosphere along with the Christmas excitement.

For more information see here https://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/christmas-market-to-return-at-landmark-200-years-after-it-311021/ and here https://www.canterbury.co.uk/events/canterbury-christmas-market-125026/