Markets

Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the premier tourist destinations in the country and the town’s markets play an important role in promoting the town as a tourist attraction.

Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council contract LSD Promotions Marketplace Ltd to provide the markets held in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.  The Councils welcome your views and comments concerning the markets; please contact them at info-markets@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Christmas Markets 2025

The new look Christmas Markets are back for 2025. The dates for this years event will be:

Weekend 1 – 29th/30th November

Weekend 2 – 6th/7th December

Reserve Weekend – 13th/14th December (please note this weekend will only be used if one of the other 2 weekends is forced to cancel due to inclement weather)

Traditional Retail Market 

Enter the super shopping world of the weird and wonderful with a range of stalls that include local makers, street food, cool junk, vintage & rare finds.  Every Friday on Rother Street.

Urban Mix Market

Producers & occasional farmers adding their own healthy twist to the urban mix, plus an on-trend range of artisan food stalls.  Wise buys to suit all tastes & styles every Saturday on Rother Street.

Waterside UpMarket

Stratford-upon-Avon’s premier Sunday market, known as the Upmarket.   Also open Bank Holiday Mondays. The Upmarket offers top quality products, gift ideas, treats & sweets, handcrafted items, designer jewellery, all types of artwork, wooden toys, clothing, delicious street food and occasional street entertainers and characters to delight the children.   Stroll & browse along a backdrop of elegance, enjoy a treasure trove of expert vendors, local makers, crafters & artists, the loaded stalls make up this charming and splendid market with something for everyone.

For all enquiries, contact LSD Promotions Marketplace Ltd via telephone 01384 877336 or email admin@lsdpromotions.com

National Young Traders Market Final

Operators of traditional retail markets across England are working together to offer trading opportunities and business support to young entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 30.  It is a collaborative approach to nurturing young talent, advocating market trading as a business model and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to trade on the nation’s traditional retail markets.

Dates: Friday 22 August and Saturday 23 August 2025

Watch on Youtube

Market History

Following the suppression of the Guild of the Holy Cross, King Edward VI granted a charter of incorporation to Stratford-upon-Avon on 28 June 1553. The charter conferred on the inhabitants a borough constitution comprising the right to hold, and collect tolls from, a weekly Thursday market and two annual fairs.

At that time, most country dwellers wishing to exchange their farm produce for items they could not make for themselves depended almost entirely on towns within a radius of five miles or so.   As a result, places like Stratford-upon-Avon had fairs and a weekly market because it was particularly well-placed to serve as a market centre, due to the important crossing of the River Avon where several routes converged.

In 1819 under the authorisation of George III the Charter Market was changed to a Friday, the reason for the change was to avoid competition with markets in other nearby towns.

A vibrant and busy market still thrives in Stratford-upon-Avon today.  The traditional Charter market is held in Rother Market every Friday with upward of forty traders.

To read more about the Friday Charter Market, as well as the Saturday and Sunday Markets – please visit the LSD Promotions website.