Carryduff Christmas Market a great success
Festive spirit flooded the crisp air on Friday 17th December as over 3,000 visitors called upon the old shopping centre car park in Carryduff town centre in support of over 20 local artisan food producers and craftspeople who showcased their products at the first Carryduff Christmas Market, hosted by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.
Festive season in full swing as Carryduff welcomes Christmas Market
With Christmas and fstive celebrations in the air, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was delighted to announce its first Carryduff Christmas Market which ran from 4-8pm.
Visitors enjoyed an array of festive foods, gift ideas, activities and entertainment guaranteed to make the seasonal spirit come alive. Carryduff Christmas Market provided a platform for over 20 local artisan food producers and craftspeople to showcase their unique produce and festive gifts.
Commenting on the Carryduff Christmas Market, Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee said, “It was wonderful to see the festive excitement building in the local community as we prepared to host the first ever Carryduff Christmas Market.
“The local artisan food and craft offering is inspiring, and I am thrilled so see so many keen Lisburn and Castlereagh-based traders taking part. I have no doubt visitors to the market were impressed with the array of locally sourced and handmade products on offer, which I’m sure made wonderful Christmas gifts for friends, family and loved ones.”
The market hosted a wide range of artisan producers, all ready to get those taste buds tingling, including local favourites Spontaneous Deuce and Dough Heads. Other offerings included newcomers to the scene, Blixt Bakery with festive bakes and scrumptious bagels and schoolboy farmer of rare breed pigs, Nicholas Dennison, along with many more festive foodie delights.
There was also an impressive local arts and craft offering, including Badgergate Woodland Crafts, handmade crochet from Crochorla, Lisa’s Buttons n Bows and Squiggles & Sketches all eager to showcase their handmade products to their fellow Carryduff residents.
In addition to the local artisan food offering, visitors were welcomed by the enticing smells from the ever-popular local street-food scene. A delicious offering of gourmet street-food and drinks was on offer with new food tribe Urban Street Grub, trading alongside the ever-popular Dough Heads, and Tribal Burger. Warming coffees and hot chocolates from Percy’s Coffee and Suitor Coffee was also be available as well as delicious sweet and savoury crepes from Crepes 2 Go.
“As a new business I am delighted to have the opportunity to have showcased Dough Heads style pizzas at the upcoming Carryduff Christmas Market. Markets such as this are extremely important for independent traders and producers, as they provide a wonderful platform for us to showcase our produce and build relationships with the local community.” said Sinead McKendry of Dough Heads.
“We started trading in Carryduff just a few months ago and it is exciting for us to be a part of the Christmas market.”
Wholly embracing the festive spirit, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council pulled out all the stops by calling upon the local community to provide the seasonal entertainment. Local acoustic musicians were on hand to enhance the ambience and entertain visitors, and there was also performances by Norney Henderson School of Irish Dancing and Just Stage It Academy.
Santa Claus also popped in for a visit and children also got hands on with seasonal decoration making with Santa’s elves on call to lend a helping hand.
