Middleton-in-Teesdale is preparing for one of its busiest events of the festive season as the final Farmers & Indie Market of 2025 arrives at the auction mart on Saturday (December 20) with more than 70 traders confirmed.
Running from 9am at Middleton Auction Mart, the event marks the close of a hugely successful year for the fast-growing market, which has expanded dramatically since launching just 18 months ago.
What began with about 50 stalls now regularly attracts 70+ food producers, makers, and artisan creators, along with visitors travelling from across the North.
Organiser Naomi Katze said the Christmas markets are always a highlight, adding: “The Christmas market is a special one. Traders bring their best festive products and there’s a real buzz around the place. It’s a lovely way to round off the year.”
The event continues to draw visitors from across Leeds, Newcastle, Hartlepool, Cumbria and beyond, with organisers noting the positive knock-on effect for cafés, pubs, shops and other businesses in the town.
Naomi says December’s market will offer the traditional farmers’ market experience on a bigger, more festive scale, with stallholders selling:
- Fresh meat, fish and seafood
- Artisan breads and locally grown vegetables
- International cuisine
- Cakes, bakes and sweet treats
- Beer, cider and local spirits
- Olives, charcuterie and dairy products, including raw milk, cheese and eggs
- Honey, jams, chutneys and preserves
- Vegan, vegetarian and free-from options
- And, of course, scotch eggs
Outside catering will include Horsepitality Barista Coffee, Yorkshire Waiter toasties, Crepes Expectations, and fresh seafood from Edward Collin Fishmerchants of Eyemouth.
This year’s festive edition will also feature the popular “Bar in the Pens”, providing a seasonal atmosphere among the historic mart’s cattle pens.
The event has also undergone a rebrand, now known as Gather North Farmers & Indie Market, which can be found on Facebook: facebook.com/gathernorthfm and its website www.gathernorthevents.co.uk.
The December event also showcases the growing Indie Market, introduced earlier this year following demand from local artists and makers.
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Visitors will find handmade crafts, unique last-minute gifts, art, homewares and festive creations from independent North-East creatives.
Naomi added: “It’s brilliant for the place. We’re pleased with how it’s going, and it’s great to see Middleton so thriving when the market is on. I hope 2026 can be just as successful.”
Event details
- Date: Saturday, December 20
- Time: From 9am
- Location: Middleton Auction Mart, DL12 0PJ
- Entry: Free
- Parking: Plenty available, organisers ask visitors to park safely and avoid gateways and the nearby bridge.
- The market takes place on the fourth Saturday of every month, with a short break in January before returning in February 2026.
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