Salisbury City Council has laid out its full festive programme for 2026, and the whole thing kicks off on Friday 20 November. That day, the Market Place hosts 'Christmas Begins' from 1pm to 8.30pm, a free family event with live music, entertainment, festive stalls and food and drink. From there, the city settles into its Christmas rhythm, with the main attractions running right through to the end of December and into early January.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Salisbury and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The centrepiece is 'Christmas on the Square' in Guildhall Square, which opens on 20 November and runs until 31 December. It's a festive pop-up with Santa's Grotto, food, a bar, live music, entertainment and retail chalets, and entry is free, though some activities cost extra. The retail huts run 11am to 6pm, the bar 11am to 10pm, and the street food 11am to 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 8pm Thursday to Saturday and 6pm on Sundays. A useful note on the dates: the huts, bar and street food only run until 24 December, so the market side of things winds down before the wider event continues on the 25th and 26th. Santa's Grotto runs from 20 November to 24 December, where families meet Santa, take a photo and get a wrapped gift for each child, with tickets appearing soon on Ticketsource and advance booking recommended. For a slower pace, the Sunday Festive Markets take over the Market Place on 29 November, 6, 13 and 20 December from 10am to 4pm, with local traders and unique goods. And if you enjoy a wander, the Salisbury Christmas Trail runs from 20 November to 4 January, with decorated installations around the streets and a prize up for grabs; maps are available from 20 November at the Salisbury Information Centre and Salisbury Cathedral, with a digital version on the council website.
The Cathedral, as always, is a big part of the season. The Twilight Tower Tours run from 21 November to 2 January, with a climb of 332 steps to the base of the Spire for views over the Christmas lights, at 3.15pm and 4.45pm daily; advance booking is essential as walk-up tickets aren't guaranteed, and it's not suitable for children under seven or anyone under 1.2m. On 27 November, the 'From Darkness to Light' Advent Procession sees over 1,000 candles lit inside the medieval interior, free with doors opening an hour before each service. The Festive Late Night Opening on 10 December lets you explore after dark with live music in the Spire Crossing, including the Salisbury Cathedral Staff Choir, the Kate Edgar Singers and a come-and-sing-along session, plus a new free silent mini disco in Trinity Chapel. Rounding it off are the Christmas Organ Extravaganza on 11 December, Carols by Candlelight on 22 and 23 December at 7pm, and the evening services on Christmas Eve. A few other dates to keep in mind: the Salisbury Cathedral School Christmas Fair on 21 November, the Font Service in Advent on 29 November, and the Epiphany events in January.
Beyond the centre, there's a free circular Reindeer Trail from 18 November to 24 December, with Santa's reindeer hidden in hand-painted window illustrations and maps at the Information Centre. 'Beauty and the Beast' runs from 28 November to 10 January in the Salisburyshire gardens, and on 12 December there's a free community Christmas window painting afternoon in the Old George Mall. Between the market, the square, the trail and the Cathedral, there's plenty to fill the next few weeks.
Published Date
30 October 2026
