Final preparations are being made for the third Harrogate Christmas Market, which takes place over the last weekend of November 2014.
Expanded for 2014, this year’s Christmas Market will feature up to 200 traders, across a larger site and with wider aisles to accommodate the expected crowds.
- The Market runs from Thursday, 27 November 2014 to Sunday, 30 November 2014
There will be a new visitor guide available on local buses, in shops and businesses in the town centre, and from stewards throughout the Christmas Market. A free shuttle bus service will run from the Christmas Market, on St Mary’s Walk, to Harrogate Bus Station, as frequently as every 10 minutes over the four days.
The Market runs from Thursday, 27 November to Sunday, 30 November, with an estimated 50,000 visitors expected. Around 100 coaches are also expected to bring people into Harrogate to visit the Christmas Market, do their festive shopping with local businesses and enjoy the town’s hospitality.
Brian Dunsby, who leads the organisation’s committee of volunteers, said: This year has been our busiest to date – and we haven’t even opened yet!
We have increased the stall numbers as far as we could, but there was still far more demand from traders than we were able to accommodate and we sold out some time ago.
We have been able to focus more than ever on selecting stallholders who offer high quality, hand-made and home-made products and produce from Yorkshire and the North of England.
As well as the stalls offering food, drink, crafts, gifts and decorations, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained. A children’s funfair will have rides for just £1 each, the busking area will spread festive music along the aisles, and Santa will be in residence in his grotto throughout the weekend, with live reindeer outside.
Mr Dunsby added: The Christmas Market brings more shoppers into Harrogate and supports local businesses at what is a very important time of year. Our motto is ‘shop locally, celebrate locally’ and we hope everyone will show their support for Harrogate’s shops and services this Christmas.
As well as bringing a boost to the local economy, Harrogate Christmas Market aims to support the wider community.
It is run on a voluntary, not-for-profit basis, with any surplus being donated to local not-for-profit organisations and events which attract visitors and support businesses in Harrogate, including the annual Harrogate Christmas Lights appeal.
For more information, visit www.harrogatechristmasmarket.org
