Booking for Father Christmas
To avoid queuing slots for Father Christmas will be available to book and online from 1st November. Father Christmas will be in a special grotto full of Christmas sparkles in the Abbey where he will have time to chat to each child and hand out small presents. Although there will be no charge for booking your slot we are asking that families pay what they can afford on the day. Elves will not only dance but take cash or credit cards at the door to the grotto!
In line with our commitment to the environment, presents will be good quality 2nd hand books & toys, reindeer food and a christmas gingerbread person.
Pre-order your wreath, Christmas cake or Christmas cards
Book your Christmas wreath, cake or cards in advance this year, pay online and collect at the market or in the week after from the Abbey office
Wreaths
Beautiful wreaths created by a professional florist: standard 12”. £40, large 14” £45
Abbey Tea Room Cakes
Delicious cakes made by our tea room bakers: 7” marzipan top, fully iced & decorated, brandy soaked fruit & fed.
Abbey Christmas Cards
A pack of 10 cards with white envelopes
Size: 14.8cm x 10.5cm (A6)
£4.50
The Abbey Christmas Tree painted by Sophia Stewart Liberty. The picture is surrounded by a narrow white border printed on satin 350gsm card. The message inside is “Happy Christmas”
Size: 14.8cm x 21cm (A5)
£6
Dorchester Abbey Christmas Market Saturday 29th November 2025
Over 40 stalls full of gifts and Christmas food, with wreaths to order or take away, all surrounded by the smell of Bratwurst and mulled wine and Christmas music supplied by local choirs and musicians. As always, the highlight of the Market is the Tea Room stall packed full of home made Christmas cakes and food to take away as gifts!
Always a brilliant live music lineup! Everything from jazz to brass to carols for you to join in, all playing Christmassy stuff to help get you in the mood while you shop
Or just get a cup of tea & a mince pie and take the weight off while you listen.
10-11.30am The Thames Brass Quartet
11.45-12.15 The Wittenham Singers
12.30-12.50pm Dorchester Abbey Choir
1-3pm Cholsey Silver Band
3.15-4pm Abingdon Handbell ringers
Dear stallholders: All our stalls are taken for 2025, but if you fill in the form below you can go on the waiting list and we will contact you if anyone drops out
Stallholder applications can be made using the form below. All stallholders are asked for 10% commission on sales and a prize for the raffle. As tables are in such high demand and space limited, an additional extra charge of £20 will be made for a second table.
Stalls are always oversubscribed so are selected based on previous year’s sales and to ensure a range of goods across the market. If similar applications are made, then it’s first come first served. Any questions? Email fundraising@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
Below is a video of our 2024 stalls just to get you in the Christmassy mood! Get a coffee and pull up a chair to plan your Christmas shopping!
