Christmas Market extended by popular demand
St Albans Christmas Market is returning for the fifth year in a row and has been extended by four days to meet rising popular demand.
The continental-style market will start at 10am on Saturday 25 November with the City Centre’s Christmas lights being switched on the following day.
It will run every day for four weeks until Saturday 23 December with the extension being a response to feedback from the public.
Last year the market attracted the largest number of visitors since it was launched in 2013 with 118,000 people attending over 25 days. That was a rise of 15% on the previous year.
The atmospheric market, organised by St Albans City and District Council, will be again located in the walled Vintry Garden beside the Cathedral.
Around 40 wooden chalets will sell a wide range of festive gifts, stocking fillers and decorations as well as arts and crafts.
Another feature which made a successful debut last year is “a street” of designer-makers from each Thursday to Sunday.
This will give a chance for small businesses, many of them start-ups, to promote their innovative and often home-made products.
At the heart of the market will be a live entertainment venue surrounded by a food court where people can take a break from shopping.
The food court will sell many seasonal favourites including hot chocolate, mulled wine, Bratwurst sausages and craft beer as well as other treats.
A line-up of local acts will perform in the Tinseltown Tipi – a beautiful, festive space lit with twinkling fairy lights.
It will be the venue for musicians, dance troupes, magicians, fire eaters and other circus performers. There will also be some surprise DJs and creative workshops for all ages to enjoy.
Santa’s Grotto will be open every day apart from Mondays and there will also be a giant snow globe where people can have a family photograph taken.
Another new venture is an online poll to find the “Best-Dressed Chalet”. Visitors can vote for their favourite on: https://www.enjoystalbans.com/things-to-do/
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community and Business, said: “The Christmas Market is now well established as a major festive attraction. Previously, it shut a week or so before Christmas Day and we have extended it this year after listening to the feedback.
“This means it will run right up until the day before Christmas Eve, giving people extra time to soak up the market’s special atmosphere and buy some last-minute gifts.
“The market opening will be on the same weekend as the Christmas Lights Switch-on to get the festive season off to a very exciting start in St Albans.”
The opening times are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday: 11am to 6pm; Thursday: 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday: 10am to 6pm.
The entertainment is funded by the Council and is organised by St Albans Arts Team, part of sport and leisure contractors 1Life.
Security guards will continually monitor the market 24/7 and keep a look out for any suspicious activity.
St Albans BID – a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to improve the City Centre – will have a chalet at the market to promote their activities.
They are also running the Nutcracker Trail, a competition for youngsters to find the names of 15 soldiers and kings located around the City and villages. For more details see: www.stalbansbid.com
Picture: scene from last year’s Christmas Market.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community for St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 07956 220264; email: Cllr.B.Read@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer,
St Albans City & District Council
Tel: 01727 296130; email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk