St Albans’ European-style Christmas Market is opening on Thursday 27 November. On Friday 28th November there will be an opening celebration for all the family, from 5pm – 8pm, at which the Mayor will officially open the market.
The festivities will include magical frozen, icy guests, with local businesses serving up refreshments in the City centre. The central shopping areas of Market Place and Christopher Place are opening late and beginning to look a LOT like Christmas.
Bjorn the polar bear is back by popular demand, and is sure to delight the children and grown-ups alike. He will be joined Mr Snowman, the Ice Queen riding her mythical Snow Creature, Ice Fairies in fabulous illuminated costumes and a close-up magician.
All this to the accompaniment of live festive music on the Market Place stage, starting at 5pm.
For little ones there will be icicle-making and festive balloon modelling as well, and the opportunity for all the family to get into the spirit of Christmas.
The Mayor will open the market officially at 7pm by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. Then it’s time to get started on the Christmas shopping at the market, which this year is coming back even bigger and better than last year.
Liz Marcy, Christmas Market manager, says: “Around 45,000 visitors came to St Albans last year to enjoy the first traditional German-style Christmas Market and discover our wonderful City centre. This year we will have more chalets and entertainment, and traders are open later, so the market should attract even more visitors.”
The festive market will run from 27 November to 21 December. It takes place in the stunning ancient quarter of the City, in the shadow of the Cathedral. It is also just a stone’s throw from the oldest pub in the country, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.
There will be gifts for everyone: music CDs for children, with the songs personalised with the child’s name, wooden toys from Slovakia, Spanish cookware and Polish pottery. There are stylish home accessories and fragrant festive wreathes also available at some of the most exclusive London stores. Shoppers will also find jewellery, clothing, fashion accessories, and a wide range of Christmas decorations.
The food and drink offering will be second to none, with a huge selection of fare. There will be German-style bratwurst and black forest ham, pulled-pork sandwiches, brownies and luxurious hot chocolate. Mulled wine and locally brewed beer will be served from a special outdoor bar and from carts dotted about the site.
There will be regular music and entertainment too. The popular ‘Carols on the Hour’ will take place at the Cathedral on the last Saturday of the market – Saturday 20 December. The choristers will delight visitors with a selection of popular carols every hour throughout the day, offering a welcome break from shopping, and a treat for music-lovers. And there will also be live acoustic and a cappella music slots regularly throughout the market, showcasing the talent of indie musicians from around the region and adding some Christmassy magic.
Liz continues: “We have a wonderful picturesque site for the market. We want to offer shoppers produce that is of the highest quality: the sort of beautiful gifts and decorations that people travel up to exclusive London stores to find. But there should be something for everybody, from pocket-money toys and stocking fillers to statement pieces for the home.”
Opening hours are: 11am – 6pm Sunday – Wednesday
11am – 8pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday