The Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market returns with festive food & fun for a second year
As the shops begin to fill with festive goodies and the season’s favourite songs are starting to be heard, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce the return of the Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market this December on Friday 9th December.
From 3pm to 9pm, visitors can expect a magical evening on The Dark Walk leading through to Hillsborough Fort, filled with delectable festive food and drinks to be enjoyed by families and friends from across the county.
There will also be seasonal gift ideas, activities and entertainment for all. The Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market will provide over 55 local artisan food producers, artists and craftspeople a worthy platform to showcase their unique produce and festive gifts.
Commenting on the return of the Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee said: “After an almighty success last year, we are thrilled to host the Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market for the second year running.
“We are excited to welcome the very best of Northern Ireland’s artisans, street food vendors, entertainers and craftspeople back to Royal Hillsborough.
“It is set to be a truly magical evening for both traders and marketgoers alike. In addition, many of Royal Hillsborough’s independent shops and cafes will be open late to join in with the festivities.
“So make sure you explore what they have to offer before or after your stop off at the Christmas market.”
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has ensured there will be a real community feel to this year’s Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market by inviting local musicians and school choirs along to provide the festive entertainment.
The sounds of the Downshire Primary School Choir will be on hand to open proceedings and welcome visitors to the twinkly setting of The Dark Walk.
Children can also meet Santa’s elves and help them make a whole host of fabulous Christmas decorations. There will even be a visit from the big man, Santa himself, so now is the time to start behaving to ensure you make the ‘nice list’, in time for the market!
If you’re a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’ then you are in for a treat with the wide range of artisan producers taking part including local favourites:
The Daily Apron, Spontaneous Deuce, Jack’s Fudge, Ispini Deli and Tom & Ollie. Among the diverse range of foods on offer, you’ll find seasonal chutneys and preserves, speciality cheeses, charcuterie and speciality meats, organic teas, juices and much more to give you your festive fill.
There will also be an impressive line-up of artists and designer craftspeople along The Dark Walk showcasing arts and crafts, curated collections of homewares, sustainable living gifts, antiques and collectibles.
Local arts and crafts producers will include locally made health and beauty products from Plumpy Balms, Mrs Rganics and Wild about soaps with artists, Watts Illustration, Ruth Osborne Art, Amira Paints among others.
Marketgoers will also have a wide choice of popular local street-food vendors to explore as they make their way through to the Hillsborough Fort area.
Delicious aromas will be floating through the winter air from a range of gourmet street-food and drink vendors.
These include Pig Out, Pizza Table, RetRo’s Grilled Cheese, Ballyriff Buffalo, Simply Scampi and Tribal Burger, with warming and delightfully festive coffees and hot chocolates from Lokis Coffee and others.
It doesn’t stop at Royal Hillsborough for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council this Christmas.
If Hillsborough is not accessible for you, the Council will also be hosting two further community Christmas markets in Dundonald and Carryduff.
Although each will be on a smaller scale to Royal Hillsborough, market-goers can expect the same high quality and festive cheer from the artisan producers, craftspeople, entertainment and street food vendors in attendance.
