The sights, sounds and flavours of Christmas will fill The Bishop’s Palace this November as around 70 local makers, craftspeople and food and drink producers gather for a weekend packed with festive shopping, seasonal treats and Christmas cheer. 

Taking place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November, the two-day market is a chance to get ahead with Christmas shopping, find gifts that are a little different and enjoy some early festive cheer in the spectacular surroundings of the medieval Palace. 

The historic Palace rooms will be transformed into a treasure trove of handmade gifts, with stalls showcasing everything from ceramics, pottery and silver jewellery to stained glass, lino-cut prints, pressed flowers, wooden toys and Christmas garlands. 

With so much made by independent craftspeople, the market is also an opportunity to choose presents with a story behind them, meet some of the people who make them and support local skills and small businesses in the run-up to Christmas. 

New for 2026 will be a dedicated food and drink marquee, bringing together a tempting selection of local and specialist producers and giving visitors the chance to stock up for the festive season – or enjoy a few treats there and then. 

The marquee will be packed with Christmas larder inspiration, including locally produced cheeses and meats, cakes, brownies and rocky road, beautifully iced biscuits, chocolates, apple juice, preserves, marmalades and jellies. 

There will also be artisan drinks including gin, rum and cream liqueurs, alongside vinegars and Lebanese specialities. 

With an emphasis on independent producers, locally sourced ingredients and food made closer to home, the new marquee celebrates the wealth of produce available from the region while helping to keep food miles down. 

Adding to the atmosphere on Saturday 14th November, Wells City Band will perform from 12 noon until 2pm, bringing the sound of Christmas to the Palace as visitors browse. 

Merryn Kidd, CEO of The Palace Trust, said: “Our Artisan Market is always such a lovely way to begin the Christmas season. There’s something very special about seeing the Palace filled with local makers and all the beautiful things they have created. 

“This year we’re particularly excited about our new food and drink marquee. Whether you want to get organised with your Christmas shopping, find something delicious for the festive table or simply come along and enjoy that first feeling of Christmas, it should be a wonderful weekend.” 

Tickets cost £9 (£7.50 after 2pm) and include entry to the Christmas Artisan Market, plus the medieval Palace and the 14 acres of RHS Partner Gardens, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to make a day of their visit. 

The Christmas Artisan Market is also a fundraising event for The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens. The historic site is operated by The Palace Trust, a registered charity which receives no statutory funding. Income from events and visits helps the charity care for the Palace, gardens and collections so they can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. 

The Christmas Artisan Market takes place from 10am–4pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November 2026. More information can be found here.