Festive Cheer As Belfast Market Returns

Christmas is coming and that means just one thing - the Christmas Market is on the way once again to Belfast.

Market Place [Europe] the organisers of the Market are thrilled to once again be bringing the Belfast Christmas Market back to the City on the 19 November for four weeks.

Almost as important a part of the Festive season to many as the big guy in the red suit, this year the Belfast Christmas Market will take place between Saturday 19th November and Monday 19th December in the grounds of the City Hall.

Injecting a blaze of kaleidoscopic European and International colour to the city’s seasonal retail experience this year with traders from as far afield as Peru and Ecuador in South America to Russia and Lapland to Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Holland, Germany, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Thailand and Kenya. Joining our visiting traders will be local Blacksmith Aaron Leach, winner of the First Pitch Plus young business competition. After a grueling selection process Aaron was selected to be sponsored by Market Place to trade at the market for it’s duration, followed by a week at Victoria Square and a weekly pitch at a leading market in the Belfast area

Aaron said: "This is such a great opportunity for me. The Market offers the chance to demonstrate my skills whilst building a loyal customer base. Where else would I have exposure to such a vast number of potential customers? I am looking forward to being part of the infamous Market too."

Among the retail theatre taking place each day, visitors will be able to avail of the now infamous culinary delights including a range of products such as cheeses, olives, Italian nougat, Belgian chocolates, French tarts, (made on site by a fantastic Breton Patisserie) Mouthwatering foods will be available for customers to sample and buy as they wander around the Yuletide market - giant Bratwurst sold from a traditional Schwenkgrille, Spanish Paella, exotic and rare meats from around the World such as Alligator, Impala, Kangaroo and Wild Boar. For those who enjoy Crepes one of the best Creperies in Europe will be selling both the sweet crepes and savoury Galettes alternatively the Dutch equivalent the Pofitjes (or mini pancakes) will be served with a variety of toppings. And of course bringing a great splash of colour is the Dutch Bulb and Plant Garden selling a fabulous array of bulbs, trees, shrubs, garden ornaments and bird feeders.

For Market Place Europe it’s also about giving back to the community that becomes their temporary home.

This year the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice are set to benefit as they take charge of Santa’s Grotto, with Santa officially arriving on Monday 21 November at 11am.

Ellen Hillen Corporate and Trust Fundraiser said: "The gift of the grotto is a very generous and greatly appreciated one. With over a million visitors to the Belfast Christmas Market we know that we will be able to raise much needed funds for the Children’s Hospice as well as generating awareness of our services and other fundraising activities. The Market is such a fun place to be that we, and Santa are greatly looking forward to our time there."

During the last three years Market Place, has been providing schools, colleges and young people with the opportunity to build on a range of educational initiatives by organising visits and events at the multi-cultural Belfast Christmas Market, proving that learning can be fun.

Guided educational tours offers students young and old, the opportunity to brush up on their language skills and geographical knowledge, try a vast range of food from across the globe and experience international cultures all within the confines of the Market.

(GK)