Festive crowds help launch St Albans’ Christmas market
St Albans Mayor officially opened St Albans’ Christmas market in the Vintry Garden on Thursday 26 November supported by an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,000 people.
Calvo the juggler, the Christmas Nutkins and the ever-popular Bjorn the Bear entertained the crowd. Live music was provided by Dauphin, the folk rock Celtic country blues band, and festive tunes from St Albans City Band and Alex and the Christmas Lights.
The Christmas market, organised by St Albans City and District Council, is located in St Albans’ Vintry Garden, Sumpter Yard, outside the Cathedral.
It is open from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 20 December inclusive. Opening times are:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 11am – 6pm
Thursdays: 11am – 8pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 10am – 6pm.
More than 50 stalls are selling clothing, gifts, homewares, novelties, food and drink along Jingle Bell Boulevard and Rudolph Row. Around 90,000 visitors are expected over the three weeks of the Christmas market.
Delicious hot food is available, from bratwurst to duck pancakes, and the dedicated market bar and entertainment plaza make great places to relax.
Activities to enjoy at the market include:
• Santa’s grotto: children can visit Santa to have a chat and a gift. Tuesdays to Fridays 1pm-6pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm; £5 per child;
• Drop in to make a free star decoration from recycled materials; children can take part in a free recycling Christmas decorations workshop on Fridays;
• Face painting is offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays;
• Children’s craft workshops from Artshed are back by popular demand on Saturdays and Sundays; £3 per child.
Cllr Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the opening of our third Christmas market in its wonderful location near St Albans Cathedral. The Vintry Gardens are a wonderful sight now, with over 50 chalets decorated with fairy lights and greenery.
“Why not come along to buy presents or just to meet up with friends for festive food and drink? If you can visit more than once you will find that every day is different. Stall-holders change regularly and there are different activities for adults and children.”
Cllr Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism, St Albans City and District Council, said: “I am looking forward to what will be a wonderful Christmas market.
“Don’t forget that a lot of the chalets change each week, bringing a wide range of options to choose from. Why not call back regularly to see what’s on offer?”
St Albans Charter Market in St Peter's Street, St Albans, is also a great place to buy Christmas presents and food. It is open every Wednesday and Saturday, with additional markets every day from Friday 18 December to Thursday 24 December inclusive.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Salih Gaygusuz
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Councillor contact:
Cllr Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 07956 220264
Contact for the press:
Ruth Boyer, Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819316
E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil
Notes:
More information is available on the website https://www.enjoystalbans.com/