6 Essential Things to Know about Wells Christmas Markets

The Wells City Christmas Market (Somerset)

The main Wells Christmas market is a large single-day event organised by Somerset Council. In 2023 it was held on 16th December and drew hundreds of visitors to the city centre, and it has consistently fallen in mid-December. The 2026 date has not been confirmed at time of writing — check the official Wells Christmas at Wells page for the confirmed date as it approaches. Entry to the Market Place is free for all visitors.

The market fills the historic Market Place and the Bishop's Eye with over 100 stalls. Local Mendip producers supply the majority of food stalls, with West Country ciders, artisan cheeses, and traditional mince pies featuring heavily. The city's medieval streets are at their most festive during this event, with the Cathedral lit up and carol singers stationed around the square. Crowds peak between 11:00 and 14:00, so arriving before 10:00 gives you a calmer start.

According to the Somerset Council 2023 report, the event was described as a sparkling success with hundreds enjoying the festivities across the day. The format has remained consistent year on year: free entry, a broad mix of food and gift stalls, and live entertainment in the square. This is the event most visitors picture when they search for "Wells Christmas market."

The Wells Community Centre Christmas Market (Epsom, Surrey)

This is a separate event entirely, located at The Wells Community Centre on Spa Drive in Epsom, Surrey — not Somerset. It is expected on a Sunday in late November 2026, from 11:00 to 15:00 (the 2025 edition ran on Sunday 30th November); confirm the date on the organiser's page before you travel. Entry is completely free. The market is organised by the Epsom Wells Community Association and is aimed squarely at local families looking for handmade gifts from nearby makers.

Stalls focus on handcrafted gifts and seasonal crafts. There will be live music and food on site, creating a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere rather than a large-scale tourist event. A notable practical detail: visitors can pre-order a 5ft or 6ft Christmas tree through the centre by emailing Anna@epsomwellscommunityassociation.org before the day, or place an order at the event itself. At the 2025 edition, trees were available to collect from the centre in early December — timed neatly for decorating before the main holiday weekend; confirm the 2026 collection window with the organiser.

If you are based in Surrey and searching for a local community market rather than a tourism event, this is the right Wells. The Wells Community Centre page has contact details for the organiser. Do not mistake Epsom (Surrey postcode KT17–KT19) for Wells in Somerset (BA5) — the two cities are roughly 185 km apart.

The Christmas Market at the Farm (Wells, Oklahoma)

Wells Christmas Trees in rural Oklahoma hosts an annual farm market in early autumn. The 6th annual event took place on 5th October 2024, running as a one-day seasonal fair tied to the farm's Christmas tree operation. Admission is $6 per person. The market features local vendors selling handmade items, seasonal produce, and gifts in a country setting well before the main holiday rush.

This event is primarily for visitors already in the Oklahoma area rather than international travellers. The early October timing — well ahead of the UK events — makes it a useful option for shoppers who want to get Christmas purchasing done before the season peaks. Check Wells Christmas Trees' local listings for the confirmed 2026 date, as the farm sets its schedule annually based on harvest timing.

Essential Visitor Information: Parking and Travel

Parking in Wells, Somerset is the most common practical concern for market visitors. The most central car parks are Union Street and Whiting Way — both within a short walk of the Market Place and the Bishop's Palace. Arriving before 09:30 is strongly recommended on market days, as spaces fill rapidly by mid-morning. The Wells.gov.uk site links to the city's parking map for the latest charges and opening hours.

Visitors travelling by public transport can reach Wells from Bristol or Bath by First Bus services. The nearest railway stations are Castle Cary (about 12 km east) and Weston-super-Mare (about 22 km west), both connected to Wells by local bus. For the Artisan Market at the Bishop's Palace, the entrance is on the Cathedral Green — a short level walk from any of the central car parks. The City Christmas Market in the Market Place is immediately adjacent to the main bus stops on Sadler Street.

For the Epsom event, The Wells Community Centre on Spa Drive has its own local parking. Epsom rail station is about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride. If you are driving to Epsom, the postcode for the centre is KT18 5AT. Double-check your sat-nav is routing to Epsom (Surrey) and not Wells (Somerset) — a mistake that is more common than it sounds given the shared name.

How to Make the Most of Your Festive Visit

For the Bishop's Palace Artisan Market, book tickets online before travelling — the event has sold out in previous years and on-the-door availability is not guaranteed. If you hold a Friends of the Palace membership, bring proof as it secures free entry. Wear sturdy flat-soled shoes: the Palace's medieval floors and garden paths are uneven, and November in Somerset is typically wet underfoot. Budget extra time for the chapel music sessions — the 13th-century acoustic makes them a genuine highlight beyond the shopping.

For the main city market in December, the best small Christmas markets tip applies here too: go early and stay for lunch. The Market Place restaurants fill quickly once the market opens, so either book a lunch table in advance or bring a thermos. The Cathedral is open during market hours and offers a warm, calm retreat from the crowds — it costs nothing to enter and the nave is genuinely spectacular decorated for Christmas.

Across all the Somerset events, the Wells city centre is compact and entirely walkable. The Artisan Market and the Cathedral Green are less than five minutes on foot from the Market Place. Combining a visit to both the Bishop's Palace gardens and the city market (on separate dates) is the most complete way to experience what Wells offers at Christmas. Many independent shops along the High Street and Sadler Street also stay open extended hours during market weekends, making the whole centre a worthwhile browse.