The North Shields Christmas Market takes place during one weekend in December (usually around 7/8 December) in Northumberland Square. It's FREE to visit and is loosely Victorian-themed although I think as the years have gone on, the tradition of stallholders dressing up has declined a little. It's free to visit and I think it's the best Christmas Market in the North East. We've been visiting for over 15 years now and it's always one of the highlights of the festive calendar. Keep an eye on the Visit North Tyneside events page for details of upcoming events. We visited last weekend (apologies if you missed this years and now have to wait a whole year to visit) and thought it was better than ever. My top tip is to get there early and avoid the crowds for your shopping, pop your bags in your car then return and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment/a bite to eat. Here are 10 reasons I love this market:
1 - Over 100 friendly local traders
There are over 100 local traders in attendance and lots of favourites made an appearance in 2018. The likes of The Brownie Bar, Northumberland Cheese, Northumbrian Smokehouse, Black Storm Brewery, Geordie Bangers and lots of micro businesses too selling small-batch jams and chutneys or handmade gifts and jewellery. All of the traders we chatted with were so friendly and happy and I love that quite often, you are buying from the person who has physically made the product and are therefore passionate about their products and happy to answer any kind of questions. When buying foodie gifts I always make a point of asking what they'd recommend I pair it with and the stallholders usually provide some cracking suggestions.
2 - There's a mini fairground
Just to the side of the market is a mini fairground. Most rides are around the £2 mark and supplied by Turner's Funfair. This is a great way to bribe the kids and always lots of fun. You're never too old for a merry-go-round or ride on the ferris wheel.
3 - Festive cliches
If you're looking for any festive cliches, North Shields Christmas Market has them all. There are roast chestnuts to buy, mulled wine stalls, Christmas churros and hog roast sandwiches for sale. Oh and I spotted a German sausage stall this year too.
4 - Food gift heaven
This year Steve and I have decided to make our grandparents up little hampers of foodie treats and North Shields Christmas Market is the ideal place to stock up on gifts like this. You'll find cheeses, cured meats, pates, artisan chocolates, mince pies, savoury pies, sausages, jams, chutneys, homemade fudge, sweets, coffee and more for sale. It's foodie heaven.
5 - Try before you buy
There's plenty of opportunities to try before you buy at North Shields Christmas Market - more so than any other market I've visited before. If you'd like a sample and can't see one, just ask and most are happy to oblige. Please only ask for a sample if you are genuinely interested in buying though - it does my head in when you see people just taking all the freebies with no intention of buying. We tried some delicious cheeses, toffee vodka and chocolates. Yum!
6 - One-stop shop for Christmas prep
If you still need to buy some bits and bobs for your own Christmas celebrations, North Shields Christmas Market has you covered. I picked up these fabulous cookie mixes for Christmas Eve and there are wreaths for sale, decorations to buy as well as sauces, meats, Christmas cakes and puddings, mince pies, condiments and more.
7 - Meet local distilleries and breweries
In 2018 there seemed to be more alcohol stalls than ever before. I love that our small, local distilleries are given a platform to sell like this and it's a great chance to have a try, meet the producers and stock up your bar for Christmas.
8 - Free entry and a full programme of entertainment
North Shields Christmas Market is free to visit and there's a full programme of entertainment included (collect a guide to what's on from one of the stewards). There's generally always carol singing in the bandstand from a range of local schools, alpacas to meet and stroke and birds of prey to meet too. In previous years I've seen Punch and Judy shows, character visits and live Ice Sculpting and the Beacon Centre next door usually gets involved and provides a free craft area and Father Christmas to visit too.
9 - Easy to get to/park
We've always managed to park on the adjacent streets and there's plenty of street parking. This is either free or there's a very minimal charge. Other options include the (paid) multi-story in the Beacon Centre which is just across the road. North Shields is super easy to get to by bus (or even ferry) and there's a Metro Station a short stroll away too.
10 - You're supporting a small local business
Most of all, when you buy from a trader at North Sheilds Christmas Market, it's pretty much always a local business. I've noticed a few complaints about other markets being bought in and all selling the same rubbish - that is definitely not the case here and every sale counts/makes a difference to the local economy.
Have you visited North Shields Christmas Market? If not, I'd highly recommend looking out for next year's date and popping it in your diary.
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I have never actually been to North Shields xmas market before, I really should visit next year x
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely one of the best - I'd highly recommend xx
DeleteDefinitely need to give this one a go next year, it always looks so good!
ReplyDeleteYou'd love it but get there early to avoid the crowds x
DeleteDoes anyone know the flavoured cheese company that has a stall . I love the cheeses especially black pepper, tomato and basil ,chilli , I think it was something farm if you know I’d be grateful.Thanks
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