Festive fun awaits at Sheffield’s most popular Christmas Market
Seasonal festivities will delight in Sheffield, as a warm Dickensian welcome awaits visitors to Kelham Island Museum’s annual Victorian Christmas Market.
With more festive fun and entertainment than ever before, the popular Christmas market returns on Saturday 5th December (10am – 7pm) and Sunday 6th December (10am – 5pm). Visitors can soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Christmas as they gather under atmospheric gas lamps and wander cobbled streets to enjoy over 120 bustling market stalls, festive entertainment and warming food and drinks.
Niki Connolly, events and marketing manager at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said, “We are very excited to announce the line-up for this year’s Christmas Market as we work extremely hard to bring additional festive cheer to Kelham Island, and this year is no exception.”
An estimated 15,000 visitors are expected to flock to this year’s market, which is sure to delight with an array of colourful market stalls bearing gifts to suit every pocket, traditional brass (and silver) bands to lift the spirits, and delicious food stalls to warm up the revellers, there really is something for everyone.
Niki continued, “A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes in order to deliver the event and every year it feels special to open the doors to the public and watch the Christmas fun begin.”
KELHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET UNCOVERED – (a few things you may not know about Kelham Island Museum Christmas Market)
- 8 – different types of crafts and skills demonstrations taking place over the weekend
- 23 – years old (The first market took place in 1995.)
- 40 – volunteers from Sheffield Hallam University are needed help to set up and deliver excellent customer service every year
- 52 – weeks before the actual market takes place that staff start working on planning and delivery
- 60 – metres of bunting hang above the cobbled streets
- 95(%) – increase in the numbers of visitors from when the market first started in 1995
- 300 – performers entertain crowds over the weekend
- 640 – baubles hanging in and around the museum to add festive cheer
- 500 – children coming to visit Santa in his Santa HQ
And finally… The market is ‘the most important’ weekend in the Museums calendar, as profits contribute significantly to the running and upkeep at the museum for the rest of the year.
The market will also boast a traditional fairground, a live entertainment stage and a Santa’s Grotto complete with reindeer. The main Music Hall stage will host a fabulous programme of entertainment including Brass Bands, Choirs and carol singers, and the popular Buskers’ Corner welcomes a wide range of entertaining performers.
Visitors will also be able to rub shoulders with a host of Dickensian Living History characters including the snow queen and the ever popular Victorian pickpockets. A host of traditional crafts and skills will be showcased throughout the two-day event, including Sheffield Lacemakers and Hallamshire Guild ofWeavers, Spinners & Dyers and a Blacksmith’s Forge.
Admission charge is £6 for adults and accompanied children are free (£2 charge for Grotto entry). For more information, see www.simt.co.uk facebook.com/kelhamislandmuseum or @KelhamIsland.