Nottingham's Winter Wonderland has been attracting large crowds since it opened a few weeks ago. Saturday, November 25, was a particularly busy day at the popular event, with car parks in the city almost full to capacity.
With that in mind, we spoke to stallholders at the popular event held in Market Square in Nottingham city centre to get their views on the best times to go along for anyone wanting to go at a slightly quieter time. The market will open from 11am on weekdays and 10am at weekends.
Magic Mead stall holder, Jane Myrie, 64, has been at of the Christmas market for the past five years, recommended that the best time to come is between 2pm to 5pm.
She explained: "It’s super busy at the weekend and you can’t look around. As a trader you can’t talk to the customers properly to explain the product. So for me as a trader midweek is the best, probably between two and five. The least busiest is the week but the busiest is at the weekend.”
Gift stalls at the event open until 5.30pm but the food and drink outlets are open during the evening. The last booking slot for the ice rink is 9.45pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday and 10pm Friday and Saturday. On Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve bookings will close at the early time of 6.45pm. The big wheel is also open until late except on those dates. The bars will be stay open until 11pm.
Jess Morse, Fryes Teak Furniture stall says the weekends and evening times are the perfect time to get the winter wonderland buzz.
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Jess, whose stall sells a variety of door stoppers, wine bottle holders and more, said: “Yesterday was hectic, Friday and yesterday have been busy. The weekend is always the buzz, and in the evening when people have finished work and school.”
Sean Johns, 37, of Imajineers, a brand new stall for the Winter Wonderland, which sells a range of customised items, the most popular item being a personalised bauble. Mr Johns told Nottinghamshire Live that the stall has been really busy.
“It’s been tiring. I have only been here for a week and it’s generally busiest when the weather is dry. Lunch time is quite busy. Monday was the quietest day when it rained. Lunchtime and after work are the busiest.
“We've got lots of customised items, we've got a niche of what people want. Lots of people want customised Christmas presents.”
The introduction of the huge aerial skate rink has been seen as a large draw this year.
Alison Deans stall holder at Geeky Hallows, which sells items such as keyrings, necklaces and pocket watches, is back at the winter wonderland for the second time and says the reason it’s so busy this year is due to the ice rink.
The 54-year-old said: “It’s because of the ice rink, this is the first year it's been back since I’ve done it so I can't compare. Because the ice rink is back there’s been a massive draw of people.
“It’s quiet in the mornings, from lunchtime it gets busy. It’s been really good.”
Juicy Glass stall holder, Lucy Hall, who owns a local art business in Sherwood, says there is a buzz this year compared to last year.
Lucy said: “It’s been very busy, people are coming from shows and there’s a real buzz about it this year. Loads of people are coming from out of town, there’s a lot of shows going on at the concert hall.
“If you want the buzz of winter wonderland come late afternoon evenings, the lights and the music. It’s always a real buzz. The difference is really really remarkable.”
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