Since its humble beginnings in 1982 with only 11 stalls, Lincoln’s traditional German Christmas Market has thrived and is now more than twenty times its original size. With the cancellation of last year’s market due to bad weather conditions, Lincoln’s 2011 Christmas Market is back and raring to go, Holly Parker, Events Officer at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “We are hoping the market will attract more than the previous years record of 150,000 people over the course of the weekend.”
With over 250 stalls are filled with a variety of hand made jewellery, wooden toys, hand painted glass, ceramics, photographs and local art there’s bound to be something for everyone. If you are looking to find unique and quirky Christmas gifts for your friends and family you can be sureyou’ve come to the right place! Or how about just treating yourself to a bottle of fine wine made in Lincoln’s twin town Neustadt an der Weinstrasse in Germany.
This year the streets will not only be filled with stalls but by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company and Lincoln Mystery Plays, performing some of our much loved traditional stories, such as Christmas Carol and The 12 Days of Christmas. Holly Parker, Events Officer at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “There’s nothing like wandering through the stunning historic quarter of Lincoln to the sound of Christmas carols floating through the air, and stopping to watch traditional festive tales played out in the street.”
If family fun is at the top of the agenda then don’t forget to take a trip to the fairground onWestgate and try out the traditional funfair rides. Or if your looking for a little more of a relaxing fun for the children why not head over to the Lawn to the children’s Winter Wonderland, where there will be lots of festive fun for all! There’s also the new addition of Ruddocks craft marquee over in Westgate, so if you feel like getting messy and making your own Christmas crackers or decoration why not stop by to see what you can create. Holly Parker, Events Officer of Lincoln Council, said: “With this partnership there will be lots of exciting entertainment for the children.”
Top 5 Tips
1- Dress for the occasion- the mix between the cold winter nights and Lincoln’s cobbled streets can end in disaster without the right shoes!
2- Park and Ride- this is always the best option it will save you time and money.
3- Time- make sure you give yourself plenty of time to wander round and see all the Christmas splendour that Lincoln’s Market has to offer.
4- Crowds- if you are not a fan of being surrounded by a horde of Christmas shoppers, with the working week not quite over the best times to come are on Thursday
evening, and Friday morning.
5- Got lost? – To save panicking and time set up a meeting point with your friends and family, somewhere memorable. There will also be stewards and policemen available if
children do end up lost.
6- Where is everything? – Don’t forget to take the map found at the back of the magazine; this will save you time getting round the market.
7- Keeping warm- get into the Christmas spirit and grab a glass of mulled wine to keep you warm, or drop by the food caught if you fancy a hot chocolate!
8- About the area- if you want to have lunch inside somewhere warm, drop in to the visitors information centre in castle square for advice on where’s best to go.
9- One way system- follow the signs and you should manage to see everything Lincoln’s Christmas market has to offer.
10- Don’t miss out- take your time walking and make the most of your day, by slowly making your way through the market taking in all the Christmas spirit it has to offer.
Opening Times
Thursday 1st December- 4-9:30pm
Friday 2nd December- 10-9:30pm
Saturday 3rd December- 10-9:30pm
Sunday 4th December- 10-7pm
Number to call if you have any questions for the Christmas Market team: 01522 873503
