Everything you need to know about Glastonbury’s Christmas Street Market taking place on Saturday 25th November
Ostensibly it’s a Christmas street market, but actually, it’s so much more. Live music, good food, mulled cider and a great vibe. I will keep adding information to this guide as it comes out, but for updates on the day go to the Frost Fayre Facebook Page.
The Frost Fayre is officially opened by the Mayor of Glastonbury at the Melodrome Stage (top of High Street) at 12 noon, followed by music on 5 live stages dotted around the town and all-day street entertainment. Head to the Market Cross at 4pm for Christmas Carols with Choir for Good and Glastonbury Brass, followed by the official “lights on” for the Market Square Christmas Tree at 5pm. The event officially ends at 6pm, but there will be plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and make merry in the Town’s pubs and venues afterwards.
It’s a good idea to bring some cash with you, not all stalls can take cards, sometimes the card readers stop working and on busy days the cash machines in town run out of money, so please bear that in mind.
Parking
There will be a road closure in place from 8am to 8pm, This will affect these roads: The entire length of the High St, Magdalene Street and the Market Place. Northload St from the Market Place to the junction with Feversham Lane, Benedict Street from Magdalene Street to the entrance to Abbots Court (so just past the Arthur). Archer’s Way from the High Street to Butt Close.
This is a very well-attended event, so if you are coming get here early and park responsibly! If you can, use public transport, cycle or car share. Otherwise, park in St Dunstan’s School car park (BA6 9BY) Herbie’s Field (BA6 9LF) (weather permitting) or one of the town car parks if you get here early enough. Other car parks may be available on the day – I will update this information when I hear more. Whatever you do, please do not park in residential areas.
Please note that St Dunstans’s Car Park (next to the Town Hall) will be closed to the public from midnight Friday 24th to Midnight Saturday 25th November as it will be home to the children’s fairground and some stalls.
Park and Ride from Herbies Field (BA6 9LF) to the entrance of St Johns Car Park (8.30am – 6.30pm) Herbies Field car park closes at 7pm.
The parking facilities will be adapted according to demand and circumstances, so please follow the Frost Fayre Facebook Page for up-to-date announcements.
Music
All-day buskers, at the Busk Stop (outside St John’s Church) and live street entertainment. Street Trinity Hand Bells performing throughout the day in St John’s Churchyard. On the Market Cross there will be Christmas Carols with Choir for Good and Glastonbury Brass at 4pm, before the switching on of the Town’s Christmas Tree Lights.
Live Performances from our 5 stages (Benedict Street, Magdalene Street, Northload Street, Archers Way and the Meladrome Stage at the top of the High Street:
Melodrome Stage
12pm Opening by Her Worship the Mayor
12.15 – 12.45 pm Choirs for Good
1 – 1.45 pm Cousins, Brothers, Twins
1.55 – 2.25 pm Mystic of Avalon
2.30 – 3 pm Avalonian Free State Choir
3.05pm – 3.55 pm Gurt Dog
4 – 4.45 pm Stevie P from Animal Krackers
5 – 6pm Kangaroo Moon
Archer’s Way (off the High St)
12.15-12.45 pm Wyvern Bagman Morris
12.55-1.25 pm Xmas Puppet Show
1.35-2.05 pm Choirs for Good
2.15-2.45 pm Dragon Drummers
2.55-3.25 pm Glastonbury Border Morris
3.30 pm-4 pm Wells Brass Band
Arimathea Stage, St John’s Church in the High Street:
12:00 PM The Rocking Angels
12:30 PM The Glastonbury Male Voice Choir
1:10 PM Wynter Reign
1:55 PM Celtic Spaceship
2:40 PM Rob Bray & Tom Widdicombe
3:25 PM The Avalonian Free State Choir
4:10 PM Rossi’s Piano Wizardry
4:45 PM Jenny Bliss Bennett & Friends
GFM Stage – Northload St
12 to 12.30pm The Ukes of Avalon
12.45 to 1.15 pm Desmon’s Dawn
1.30 to 2pm Harris Mason
2.15 to 2.45 John ROss
3 to 3.30pm Stevie Nicole
3.45 to 4.15 Alan Day
Dave Sanger’s Solar Powered Horsedrawn Stage,
Magdalene Street
11 am Scarlet Sometimes
Noon Ruth Wilson
12.30 pm Keith Horler
1.30 pm Dan Bygrave
2 pm De Ja Vu
2.30 pm Linos
3 pm Angel Nash
3.30 pm Jon and Simon Cousins
4 pm Pok
4.30 pm Moonshine Malarkey
5.30 pm Sanger Stage Show Band
Markets and Shopping
There will be outside stalls along the whole length of the High Street, plus Magdalene St, Northload Street and Benedict Street.
There will be inside stalls at the Town Hall, The Avalon Club, Abbey House, St Benedict’s Church, St John’s Church and the United Reformed Church
The Assembly Rooms will be hosting an Arts, Crafts and Holistic Market from 10am to 4pm in their wonderfully atmospheric hall. No disabled access I’m afraid.
Don’t forget the shops too! All the High Street shops, cafes and pubs will be open for Frost Fayre and they would all appreciate your custom.
A special shout out to the Glastonbury Information Centre, in St Dunstans’s House, Magdalene Street, who have some fantastic Christmas gift items (many of them locally made) in both the TIC and Pilgrim Information Centre
Normal For Glastonbury Books and Merchandise at Frost Fayre
My books, Crap Views of the Tor 2024 Calendars and new Glastonbury Tote Bags are all be available from Unit 3, The Gauntlet, in the High Street. If you’d like a dedicated and signed copy of my book, or the calendar, I will be in Unit 3 from 1pm to 2pm on Frost Fayre Day, so come and say hello! My books and calendars are also available from Dicketts Stationers in the High Street and other Glastonbury retailers.
Free Entry to the Abbey and Abbey House
Abbey House will be open to visitors as part of Glastonbury Frost Fayre 2023! There will be a Medieval market in the beautiful gardens of Abbey House as well as stalls and a second-hand book sale inside. Visitors during Glastonbury Frost Fayre on Saturday 25th November will also be able to access Glastonbury Abbey completely free with lights and entertainment to see throughout Frost Fayre Day. Also visiting Abbey House this Frost Fayre… Santa! (See below for more details and to book.) Abbey House and its gardens will open at 11am and will close to all visitors at 6.30pm.
Glastonbury Tribunal Open
The Glastonbury Medieval Tribunal building will be open during the Frost Fayre. There will be stalls inside and refreshments available in the garden. Unfortunately, the upstairs won’t be open to the public on this occasion but it’s a great opportunity to come and look inside this wonderful building. Glastonbury Tribunal is a fine, late 15th-century stone townhouse with an early Tudor façade and panelled interiors, once thought to have been the courtroom of Glastonbury Abbey.
Children’s Activities
Children’s activities with Children’s World in the Small Hall of the Town Hall. There will be Craft activities in the morning, followed by a Tor Theatre production and then a Christmas sing-along performance and finishing off with a children’s disco.
There will be children’s Fairground rides in St Dunstans Car Park
Visit Santa at Glastonbury’s Abbey House
For each child a visit with Santa will involve:
- Write a letter to Santa (or bring your own with you) which we will post to the north pole.
- Decorate one of: a cookie, gingerbread man, reindeer or melted snowman.
- Make reindeer food.
- Decorate a snowflake.
- Make a Christmas tree decoration.
- A short story with Mother Christmas and an elf before the big moment of meeting Santa where each child will also receive a gift.
There will also be photo opportunities while at Abbey House and each visit with Santa will be photographed and then emailed to you after the event.
The whole experience will take approximately 1 hour, with 40 minutes for activities and 20 minutes to visit Santa. Tickets are £12.50 click here for more info and to book.
Glastonbury United Reformed Church – Stalls, Santa and More
Evening Events and Eating Out
Glastonbury’s Pubs and Eateries will be putting on special events for the day and the evening. For example, it’s a great opportunity to try out the fantastic Middle Eastern Menu at the award-winning Queen of Cups, but you will need to book in advance. During the day they will have a New Bristol Brewery stall outside along with takeaway food offering.
After the 2021 Frost Fayre I ended up in front of a roaring fire with friends at the Rifleman’s Arms, this year ‘Lost Revellers’ will bring their wild and original folk fusion to the Rifleman’s, starting 9pm (free entry). www.lostrevellers.com
For an idea of what to expect take a look at my post from 2018 and Gabriel’s video of last year’s event:
For updates go to the Frost Fayre Facebook Page.
All photos copyright Vicki Steward of Normal For Glastonbury.
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Great article, all in one place so thanks.
Thanks Ian, glad you like it.
This is so helpful, thank you 🙏
You are welcome!
had a great day thanks to all that set up the fare
Glad you enjoyed it!