Christmas Market pulls in 50,000-plus in first weekend

More than 50,000 visitors flocked to the Belfast Christmas Market during the opening weekend as it returned to the City Hall.

Its arrival this year marks the full return of traders following the pandemic and restrictions that curtailed previous years.

The market has now been coming to the city centre for 17 years and offers a wide variety of festive flavours, fashion and crafts to enjoy.

Belfast Christmas Market, which has just been named the UK’s Best Christmas Market by Conde Nast, attracts visitors from across Europe and the UK and has become a significant contributor to the local economy.

Regularly attracting over one million visitors it contributes an annual economic impact to the city of in and around £75m.

Research shows that visitors arriving from the Republic of Ireland are increasing year on year and now make up just over 25% of total visitors.

After the opening on Saturday to huge crowds, market manager Andy Pidgeon said: “So much work goes into organising and setting up the Christmas Market, so it’s absolutely fantastic to see all the hard work paying off, with visitors and traders soaking up the vibrant, festive atmosphere that the Market provides.”

Research shows that visitors arriving from the Republic of Ireland are increasing year on year and now make up just over 25% of total visitors.

Festive food and drink  is served up from 10am to 8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the market remains open until 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

On Sundays it opens at 12 noon and closes at 6pm.