Christmas Markets UKThe 2026 season, market by market

Drumlanrig Castle Christmas Market

Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December 2026 Opens in 55 days

Friday is an evening launch night; Saturday and Sunday daytime shopping. Times and prices to be announced

Fri 4 Dec evening launch night; Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec daytime (exact times not yet published for 2026). In 2025: Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–4pm

Heated marquee on the oval lawn, Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway · Scotland

MakersFood & drinkCastle & estateSanta’s grottoLate night Ticketed entry

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The pink sandstone towers of Drumlanrig Castle above clipped topiary cones and lawns under a blue sky
Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill, where the Christmas market is held in a marquee on the castle lawn (photo 2013) — Photo: KFCSpike, CC BY-SA 3.0

A weekend Christmas market in a heated marquee in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, the Duke of Buccleuch's pink sandstone castle near Thornhill in Dumfriesshire.

Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill in Nithsdale, holds its Christmas market in a large heated marquee on the castle's oval lawn. Local traders sell crafts, gifts, bespoke creations and food and drink, and the castle's garden team sells handmade Christmas wreaths.

The Castle Tearoom serves a Christmas menu, and there is outdoor catering and drinks stalls around the grounds. In 2025 there was also face painting, a school choir, horse-drawn carriage rides on the Sunday and a pre-bookable Santa's Grotto and Breakfast with Santa; for 2026 the castle says children's activities and Santa's visits will be announced later.

For 2026 the market grows to three days, opening with an evening launch night on Friday 4 December followed by daytime shopping on the Saturday and Sunday. Dogs are not allowed inside the marquee, but dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds. In 2025 entry was charged per car and included the gardens and grounds.

Dates by season

SeasonDatesStatus
2026–27 Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec 2026Friday is an evening launch night; Saturday and Sunday daytime shopping. Times and prices to be announced Coming up
Add to calendar (Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec 2026)
2025–26 Sat 6 – Sun 7 Dec 2025Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–4pm; £5 per car Held

Dates are taken from the market’s own website or official announcements and were last checked on 6 October 2026. Plans can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel. Spotted a change? Tell us.

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