Durham Cathedral is preparing to fill its Cloisters with 60 decorated Christmas trees for the first Durham Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival, a new festive event running from Friday 4 December 2026 until Monday 4 January 2027.
The cathedral is inviting businesses, schools, charities, social enterprises and community groups from across Durham and the North East to take part by decorating a tree. Organisers say the festival will celebrate creativity, community and hope, with each tree telling the story of the organisation behind it.
The display will be open during normal cathedral opening hours and will form part of Durham Cathedral’s entry-by-donation offer. It is intended to create a welcoming seasonal experience for visitors during Advent and Christmas.
Who can take part and how much it costs
Commercial organisations can book a place for £500, inclusive of VAT. That fee covers the cost of the organisation’s own tree and helps sponsor a second tree for a school, charity or community organisation.
Businesses can suggest a school or charity they would particularly like to support, although the cathedral said final participation will remain subject to that organisation agreeing to take part. Places for schools, charities, social enterprises and community groups are free because they will be funded through business sponsorship.
Organisations must book by 9am on Monday 26 October 2026. Places are limited and the cathedral expects demand to be high, so early applications are encouraged. Bookings can be made through the Microsoft Form linked on Durham Cathedral’s festival information page.
What participating organisations will receive
Each organisation will receive a 6 to 7 foot Christmas tree in a secure stand, LED lights and an A3 poster stand for information about its work. Participants will also be asked to provide their contact details, logo and a short description of the organisation for display alongside the tree.
Trees will be available for decorating between Wednesday 25 November and Thursday 3 December 2026, from 9am to 5pm. Once a place has been confirmed, each organisation will select a preferred decorating slot. Every group will be offered a two-hour slot for up to five team members.
The cathedral is encouraging participants to make their tree reflect their organisation’s values, community, history or chosen festive theme. Because the festival will take place in a sacred setting, decorations must be appropriate and respectful. Recycled, natural or reusable materials are strongly encouraged.
Durham Cathedral has said that, although every care will be taken, it cannot accept responsibility for decorations that are lost or damaged during the festival.
Hospitality option and reasons to get involved
Organisations wanting to make their decorating visit a larger team occasion can ask about a bespoke out-of-hours hospitality package from 6pm. Options may include refreshments such as mulled wine and mince pies, or a more formal dining experience in the Chapter House.
During normal opening hours, the Cloister will offer seasonal music nearby, while the Cathedral Café will serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate and festive treats. Organisations interested in the hospitality package can indicate this on the booking form.
The cathedral says the festival will offer charities, schools and community groups a chance to raise awareness, reach new audiences and celebrate their work. Businesses will be able to support the city and region, demonstrate their values and join a shared Christmas experience.
The event also gives visitors an opportunity to see the work and identity of organisations from across the region in one display. Durham Cathedral welcomed more than 25,000 visitors in December last year, according to the festival announcement.
Anyone with questions about taking part can contact Durham Cathedral at [email protected]. The cathedral’s announcement was published on Wednesday 12 August 2026.