Weald and Downland's Christmas market is 21 and 22 November, Fishbourne Roman Palace 5 and 6 December, the Novium 13 December. City market dates to come.

Three Christmas markets around Chichester already have 2026 dates, and the city centre’s own street market does not yet. The biggest is the Weald and Downland Living Museum’s, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, and it is ticketed. Chichester District Council ran its festive market on North Street and East Street over two December weekends last year; it has not announced this year’s.

The quick answer

  • Weald and Downland Living Museum: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, 10am to 4pm, up to 100 stalls, £20 adults, advance booking essential.
  • Fishbourne Roman Palace: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 10am to 4pm, £5 adults, children free.
  • The Novium Museum: indoor market Sunday 13 December, 10am to 2pm, free.

Checked on 25 September 2026.

Christmas markets with 2026 dates

Market Date Times Price
Weald and Downland Living Museum Sat 21 and Sun 22 November 10am to 4pm Adults £20, ages 5 to 17 £10, under 5 free
Fishbourne Roman Palace Sat 5 and Sun 6 December 10am to 4pm Adults £5, children free
The Novium Museum Sun 13 December 10am to 2pm Free

Weald and Downland Living Museum, 21 and 22 November

Up to 100 festive stalls, seasonal food and drink and entertainment across the open-air museum. It is ticketed and advance booking is essential: adults £20, children aged 5 to 17 £10, under-5s free, and disabled visitors £10 with one carer free. Museum members do not get in free but receive 10% off with a code.

Getting there matters here. The museum says parking will be at Goodwood Racecourse, with a free park-and-ride bus to the museum through the day, and only limited Blue Badge parking on site. It also names the Route 60 bus from Chichester or Midhurst. No dogs except assistance dogs, even though the museum is normally dog friendly.

Note a possible clash. Chichester’s Christmas lights switch-on was on Saturday 23 November 2024 and Saturday 22 November 2025. If the pattern holds it will be Saturday 21 November, the market’s first day. The 2026 date is not confirmed; see our switch-on page.

Fishbourne Roman Palace, 5 and 6 December

Stalls from local makers, artists and community groups, a programme of local bands and choirs (act times “confirmed closer to the day”), and the Raven-Tor living history group showing winter celebrations from the Stone Age to a wartime Christmas. Adults £5, children free; members of the Sussex Archaeological Society free. Tickets are not refundable.

The Novium Museum, 13 December

An indoor market of local artists and craftspeople, free to enter along with the museum itself. The museum also runs a free festive “gonk trail” through December.

The city centre festive market: not announced yet

Chichester District Council organised last year’s street market. From its release of 17 November 2025:

  • Where: North Street and East Street.
  • When: Saturday 6, Sunday 7, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025.
  • Hours: Saturdays 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 4pm.
  • Stalls: homewares, cheeses, gin and liqueurs, honey mead, chocolate, jewellery, plants, artwork and handmade crafts.

Wind has disrupted the market two years running. The council cancelled the Saturday 6 December 2025 market the day before, because high winds would make the gazebos unstable; Sunday went ahead. In 2024, when an outside operator ran a longer market with around 50 stalls, its opening weekend of 7 and 8 December was postponed to Monday 9 December for forecast high winds. If a market day looks windy, check the council’s news page that morning.

The 2025 market sat alongside the council’s Priory Park programme, a panto at The Guildhall, and a lights installation on the Cathedral Bell Tower. None of that is announced for 2026 yet.

Late shopping by candlelight

The Weald and Downland Living Museum holds a Carols by Candlelight evening on Thursday 10 December, 5pm to 8pm, with the museum shop open late. Adults £10, children £5. Details on the event page.

Parking for the markets

Last December the council gave a third hour free on weekends through MiPermit in most of its car parks, and free Sunday parking at Avenue de Chartres. The 2026 offer is not announced. Details on our Christmas travel page and our parking in Chichester guide.

Still to be confirmed

  • Chichester District Council’s 2026 festive market dates (announced 17 November last year).
  • Stallholders and act times for Fishbourne.
  • Any Chichester BID market alongside the switch-on.