The organisers of Durham Christmas Festival have announced some changes to the annual Christmas Festival, which is due to be held in Durham from Friday 1^st to Sunday 3^rd December, 2023.

 Colin Wilkes MBE, on behalf Durham Christmas Festival organisers, Durham Markets Company and  Durham University, said: “Since the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult, both logistically and resource-wise, to manage a split site with markets on Palace Green and in Durham Cathedral Cloisters.  Therefore, the difficult decision has been taken to concentrate the retail offer of the festival in the large marquee on Palace Green for Durham Christmas Festival 2023.”

He added: “It is important to us that the festival is run as effectively and efficiently as possible and that the independent local businesses that choose to come and trade here are served well by the event locations. This move relieves some of the pressure on all concerned while at the same time allowing visitors to the city to enjoy both the festival, and the splendour of the Cathedral with its Carols for All services and everything else it has to offer in the lead up to Christmas.”

Mr Wilkes confirmed there will still be the Traditional Festive Outdoor Market in Durham Market Place as well as the independent traders housed within the Market Hall.

Festival organisers will to continue working closely with Durham Cathedral on one of the festival highlights, The Children’s Lantern Procession, where children and their families parade from the Market Place to Durham Cathedral to the St Nicholas Service.

Expressions of interest to trade at this year’s event will soon be available to download from the festival website – www.durhamchristmasfestival.com .