The final touches are being put in place at Belfast City Hall which can only mean one thing - Christmas has arrived in the city.
Belfast Christmas Market is the centre of festive celebrations and it is finally time to welcome back traders from across the world for almost five weeks in the heart of the city.
With more than a million people expected to visit the Belfast Christmas Market in 2022, opening weekend will no doubt be a busy one for the public hoping to grab a drink in the beer tent or browse the retail stalls.
Read more: Belfast Christmas Market ranked one of best in UK by top travel magazine
If you are planning on visiting the market this weekend, here is what you need to know:
What dates are the Belfast Christmas Market?
The market opens tomorrow (Saturday, November 19) at noon and will run until Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 6pm.
Opening hours:
- Monday – Wednesday, 10am – 8pm
- Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 10pm
- Sunday, 12noon – 6pm
What is the weather to be like for the Belfast Christmas Market opening?
According to the Met Office, Saturday is to start with a dry and bright morning with fog patches soon dispersing.
Becoming cloudy in the afternoon with a band of rain extending eastwards later in the afternoon and evening.
In Belfast, maximum temperatures to reach 8C with lows of 6C.
Is there parking at the Belfast Christmas Market?
There are a number of 24-hour car parks across Belfast City Centre within a short walking distance of the Christmas market.
Parking is available at the below car parks:
- Q-Park Saint Anne's Square – 24hrs
- Q-Park Victoria Square – 24hrs
- Corporation Square – 24hrs
- Cromac Street – 24hrs
- Corporation Street – 24hrs
- Dunbarr Street – 24hrs
- Exchange Street – 24hrs
- Frederick Street – 24hrs
- Kent Street – 24hrs
There are also a number of on-street paid parking spaces in and around the vicinity of the Belfast City Hall. More information here.
What to expect this year
Support for local food and craft has increased with a number of St George’s Market traders joining in this year. Some local favourites will also be returning including Pappas Minerals and Tapitas, Rossi’s Ice Cream and the Toasted Marshmallow stall.
As well as even more local flavour, the Market still offers something a little bit different with 21 nationalities from all over the world bringing all sorts of unusual foods and gift ideas.
This includes crêpes from France, Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolates, an exotic selection of ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers, giant bratwurst from the iconic Schwenkgrill, Spanish paella and sweets from Italy.
Visitors can also treat themselves to the well-known 'Hug in a Mug' of Gluhwein from the prize-winning Kochem vineyard located in the Mosel Valley, Germany, or end the day in one of the bars serving local and continental drinks to get even more into the Christmas spirit.
This year the food court at the Market with bench-style seating makes a return, as does the carousel and vintage Helter Skelter, offering views across the market.
Road closures
On November 19, 'Christmas in Belfast' will get underway with an evening of seasonal celebrations marking the start of the council's ongoing festive programme.
The activities will take place in Donegall Place, Royal Avenue and a selection of adjoining streets from 6pm until 9pm.
Donegall Place, Royal Avenue and connecting streets will be closed to traffic for the duration of the event.
However, the main routes around the event site such as Donegall Square North, will remain open to traffic throughout.
Given some road closures are in place, allow time for your journey.
Visit www.translink.co.uk for updates on all their services.
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