[A]n eleven-day Christmas Market will be held in Carlisle between Thursday 23 November and Sunday 3 December.
Organised by Carlisle City Council, the open-air market will be held in the city centre pedestrianised area and will be made up of local producers and businesses.
Around 30 stalls will make up the market each day. Trading will be between 9am – 5pm Monday – Wednesday; 9am – 7pm on Thursdays, 9am – 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays; and between 11am and 4pm on Sundays.
Stalls include: Bella Paella; Beyond Brave Vintage; Big Pan Cuisine; Brigston & Co; Cacao Co; Cake District & Little Scarf Comp; Candy Van; Carwinley Preserves; Chillikoko; Country Fare; Country Flavour; Countrystyle Fruit & Veg; Cumbrian Newspapers; David Phillips Photography; Edinburgh Outdoor Clothing; Fairy Sawdust; Goodbye Norma Jean; Hallsford Catering; Hallsford Farm Product; Highlander Country Clothing; Java Crafts; Jo’s Little People; Lakeland Fragrances; Lakeland Steaks; Mini Donut Pod; Ness Clothing; Pink Sheep Candyfloss; Scandic Foods; Something Precious; The Candy Bar; The Cocktail Bar; The Co Co Company; The Little Bakery; Carlisle Tourist Information Centre gifts including State Management merchandise; and TOATally.
A Made in Cumbria Farmers’ Market will also be taking part on Saturday 2 December.
Live entertainment will also be held on the following days:
- Thursday 23 November – St Stephen’s Brass band: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
- Saturday 25 November – Flame Oz Calvos (contact jugglers) street entertainment: 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm
- Thursday 30 November – Carlisle Youth Concert Band: 5pm – 5.30pm and 6.30pm – 7pm
- Saturday 2 December – Icicle Queens (stilt walker) street entertainment: 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.
Other events planned for Carlisle city centre over the festive period include a Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto. Tickets are now on sale for a magical Santa’s grotto in Carlisle city centre.
Organised by Carlisle City Council, the Santa’s Grotto will be based in a magical marquee, outside the Old Town Hall, between Saturday 16 and Thursday 21 December. It will be open between 11am and 4pm (Saturday – Wednesday) and 11am and 8pm (Thursday).
The Winter Wonderland will be a sparkling festive extravaganza and will include woodland creatures and Santa’s little helpers. Visitors will be able to get their photo taken on a ski lift and get your photo to take home free of charge.
Children can also meet Santa in a glittering grotto. Entry for the grotto is £5 per child and will include a special Christmas gift from Santa. Tickets for the Santa’s Grotto are now on sale from the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. Remember to bring your letter to Santa, to post in the special post box on the day!
Other Carlisle festive events include:
Christmas Lights Switch-On
Carlisle city centre – Sunday 19 November, 2pm – 5.30pm
A packed family entertainment programme to suit all ages. The Christmas Lights Switch-On stage will be in place outside the Old Town Hall and will play host to a fabulous afternoon of free open-air entertainment. Join the countdown to Christmas and the festive lights switch on at 5pm.
Late Night Shopping
Every Thursday between 23 November and Thursday 21 December.
A special offer is available for shoppers visiting Carlisle this festive season. Carlisle City Council is providing FREE parking after 3pm on the following Thursdays: 23 and 30 November & 7, 14 and 21 December in the following city centre car parks: Bitts Park; Caldew Riverside; Castle; Civic Centre; Lowther Street; Paddy’s Market; The Sands Centre; Viaduct and West Walls.
