The countdown to Christmas officially begins in Newmarket this November, as Presents Galore, one of East Anglia’s largest and longest-running Christmas fairs, returns to the Rowley Mile Racecourse for three days of festive shopping, entertainment, and community spirit.
From Friday 28th to Sunday 30th November, the iconic racecourse will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with more than 120 boutique stalls offering everything from artisan gifts, beauty, clothing and childrenswear to seasonal food and drink. For many across the region, Presents Galore has become the unofficial start of the festive season – and this year promises to be the biggest yet.
Opening times:
Friday 28th November - 4pm - 8pm | VIP reception 8pm - 10pm
Saturday 29th November - 10am - 5pm
Sunday 30th November - 10am - 4pm
A standout new addition for 2025 is the VIP Evening on Friday night, when visitors can swap shopping bags for bubbles and canapés. The evening’s headline guest is Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM, Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and a pioneering figure in British policing. She’ll join BBC Cambridgeshire’s Chris Mann for an exclusive conversation on leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers – before taking questions from the audience. VIP tickets are extremely limited so be sure to secure yours.
The fair will also shine a spotlight on fresh talent through its showcase of this year’s West Suffolk Young Trader Competition finalists, giving visitors the chance to discover and support the region’s most promising entrepreneurs. Combined with the handpicked stalls, it makes Presents Galore a one-stop destination for those looking for thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
But it’s not just about shopping. Each year, the event raises an extraordinary amount for local charities, with £65,000 donated in 2024 alone. This year’s proceeds will benefit three causes at the heart of the community: Cambridge Children’s Hospital, pioneering integrated care for young people; the Newmarket Charitable Foundation, dedicated to improving life in the town; and the National Horseracing Museum, safeguarding the sport’s rich heritage.
Tickets are priced at £8 in advance online, £10 on the door, and £6 for Blue Light Card holders. Children under 16 go free with an accompanying adult. Tickets can be booked via www.presentsgalore.org or purchased in person at the National Horseracing Museum Gift Shop in Newmarket.
With its festive atmosphere, dazzling stalls, and community focus, Presents Galore 2025 looks set to be the ultimate seasonal shopping experience – and the perfect way to start the season.