Royal Hillsborough rolls out the red carpet for the return of its annual Christmas Market

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will welcome marketgoers for an evening of festive shopping taking place in the heart of the village from 3pm to 9pm.

Visitors can expect late night shopping throughout the village and a magical evening on The Dark Walk leading through to Hillsborough Fort, where the sights, sounds and smells of festive music and warming spiced drinks will fill the air.

The Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market will showcase unique produce and festive gifts from over 60 local artisan food producers, artists and designer craftspeople from Lisburn and Castlereagh, joined by peers from across Northern Ireland. The high-quality range of seasonal food and drink, art and unique craft and handmade skincare will be complemented by an array of seasonal activities and entertainment. The market is set to showcase the true essence of just what Northern Ireland’s small businesses have to offer this Christmas.

Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Regeneration & Growth Committee, Councillor John Laverty BEM said: “We’re thrilled to welcome back our series of Christmas markets for another exciting year.

"The Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market is undoubtedly a key date in the Northern Ireland Christmas market calendar, and we are expecting visitors from across Northern Ireland to arrive in Royal Hillsborough to join in on the festivities. As always, we encourage visitors to come along and support local on the run up the Christmas. The display of artisan producers, craftspeople and traders will be selected from some of Northern Ireland’s best small businesses, many of which are award-winning in their field.”

There will be something to suit all tastes at this year’s Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market. If our local artisan delights tickle your taste buds then you are in for a treat with the wide range of producers taking part including, Kin & Folk, Hinch Distillery, Tori’s Coffee, Cakes and Bakes, Chala Chai, Tom & Ollie and many more for creating an enviable festive feast.

"If you’re in the mood for a bite to eat while you shop, then you will be spoilt for choice with the street food offering on the night. Some of the region’s best known street food vendors will set up shop in Royal Hillsborough for one night only, including The Gardener’s Kitchen, Pizza Table, Tribal Burger, The Curious Farmer and Pig Out, among others.”

If you’re in search for some gifting ideas, you will not be disappointed. This year’s Christmas market will showcase an impressive line-up of independent businesses along The Dark Walk. The diverse range of local designers, makers and curators will include Mondays Child, Plumpy Balms, Wendy Ward Design and Cohen & Co. to name just a few.

As always, the Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market will have a real community feel to it and as well as browsing the local stalls in the market, visitors can also take in the village as a whole as many local businesses will open their doors late to join in on the festivities. Local musicians and school choirs including voices from Downshire Primary School and Friends’ School Brass Ensemble have also been invited along to entertain marketgoers as they shop.

Children will have the chance to meet Santa’s elves and help them make a whole host of fabulous Christmas decorations and who knows, if everyone is behaving themselves, there may even be a visit from Santa himself!

The Christmas markets don’t just start and end with Royal Hillsborough – if Hillsborough is not accessible for you, the council will also be hosting Christmas markets in Lisburn, Dundonald and Carryduff, with each market showcasing around 30 traders. Marketgoers can expect the same high quality and festive cheer from an equally diverse mix of artisan producers, craftspeople, entertainment and street food vendors.

All Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Christmas markets are free to attend with the Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market taking place on Friday, December 8 from 3pm-9pm. The Carryduff Christmas Market will take place at the Parish of Drumbo & Carryduff, Knockbracken Drive, on Thursday, November 30. This will be followed by the Lisburn Christmas Twilight Market taking place on Market Square as part of the annual Light Festival on Friday, December 1. Finally, the Dundonald Christmas Market will take place on Thursday, December 14 at Comber Road Square – all markets will trade from 4pm-8pm.