Once Upon a Christmas Town
Every December, Bishop Auckland transforms into a place of wonder, where twinkling lights line the streets and the air is filled with the scent of festive treats. Families gather in the market place, laughter rises from the rides, music drifts from the Tipis, and Santa waits to hear Christmas wishes in his grotto. What began as a dream to bring big festive magic to the heart of the North has grown into a tradition loved by thousands – a town that, for four magical days, becomes the Christmas Capital of the North.
✨ How the Magic Began...
Behind the Christmas Lights
Christmas Town began in 2021, created by two local community organisations – Baccanalia and Bridge Creative – both CICs with events at their heart as a way of bringing people together and celebrating the aspirations of our communities.
What started as a spark of festive magic has grown each year, drawing more visitors, adding new experiences, and becoming brighter, bigger and more enchanting with every offering.
Christmas Town is a not-for-profit event, with all proceeds reinvested into the community and back into the festival, helping us create even more magic year after year. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Bishop Auckland Town Council who have generously supported the event since its inception.
Today, Christmas Town is a much-loved tradition that continues to put people and community at the centre of the celebration.
Our Social Impact
Christmas Town isn’t just about festive fun – it’s about creating a positive impact in our community and making the event inclusive for everyone, from boosting the local economy and creating real paid jobs for local disabled people, to giving away free tickets to local community groups to hand out to those who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. See some of our key stats below.
