How to Be a Trader at Newcastle’s Christmas Market

Why should I trade at Newcastle’s Christmas Market?

The Christmas Market is a quintessential part of the festive season in Newcastle that we’re working hard to make bigger and better every year – and the proof is in the (Christmas) pudding!

Over the last two years, the number of visits to the markets has doubled to well over two million and we’re steadily expanding the number of traders each year too, alongside creating a Christmas Market experience that’s truly reflective of the best businesses in the city and wider North East region. We’ve also seen its reputation grow both regionally and nationally as a Christmas Market that’s doing something a bit different.

So, if you’d like to showcase your business to both a regional and national audience then trading at Newcastle’s Christmas Market is something you should definitely consider!

How much does it cost?

We’re completely transparent regarding trader costs and all fees can be found in the Christmas Market Trader Pack.

Do I need to pay the full amount up front?

Nope! If your application is successful, we will take a deposit to secure your chalet which is 10% of the chalet hire cost. Full payment must be made withing 30 days of the markets closing.

What’s included in my pitch fee?

Each trader gets their own dedicated chalet with the option to adapt it into an open plan design – allowing customers to come inside and view your products – or a countertop set-up featuring an open hatch and tabletop service. Traders will need to bring any extra tables and stands for their own products.

All traders receive a Welcome Pack, access to trader-exclusive Wi-Fi, 24-hour security and an invitation to Newcastle’s Christmas Market Traders Awards.

Christmas Market traders benefit from a targeted marketing campaign too, with support across NE1’s social media channels and Get into Newcastle website, alongside a trader listing on Newcastle’s dedicated Christmas website which receives an average of 200,000 page views per festive season.

Do I have to trade for the full five weeks?

Not at all! Following feedback from past events, we now offer plenty of flexibility and traders can trade for as little or as many weeks as they prefer – meaning trading at Newcastle’s Christmas Market is affordable even for smaller businesses.

However, potential traders should be aware that they are not able to trade solely on weekends – the shortest duration a trader can trade for is one full week.

Can I choose my location at the Christmas Market?

Traders are more than welcome to add any location preferences in their application form, but the final decision comes down to the Christmas Market Selection Panel which spends a considerable amount of time making sure stalls across the market complement each other – so rest assured that that the location you’re assigned to will be best for you and your business.

Do I need to unload my chalet every night?

No – as there is security on site 24 hours a day there is no need to unload products from your chalet every night. However, traders are advised not to leave cash onsite overnight.

What makes a good stall holder?

We’ve found that traders that have a festive special, a product connected to Newcastle or the North East, and exclusive items only available at the Christmas Market tend to attract a lot of visitor footfall and purchases. Similarly, market visitors love ready-made gift packs – guess it makes the dreaded Christmas present wrapping session a whole lot easier!

What should I include in my application to give myself the best chance of being selected?

If you really want to make your application stand out then you’ll need to include a clear description of what you intend to sell at Newcastle’s Christmas Markets, a selection of good quality photos of your products and your website address and/or social media handles.

We love a unique selling point too, so if you’ve won any awards, if you’ve been trading for many years or if you’re selling something tasty based on your grandma’s secret recipe then please let us know!

When do trader applications close?

The deadline for trader applications is midday on Friday 27^th March 2026.

When will I be informed if my application was successful?

The Christmas Market Selection Panel will be working hard over the next few months to assess each and every application received and successful market traders will be informed by mid-May 2026.

Newcastle’s Christmas Market is perfect for showcasing your business and products during the busy festive season, so if you’d like to express your interest then fill out the trader form before applications close on Friday 27^th March 2026.

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