Magherafelt Christmas Market returns to the town on Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25, offering a weekend of festive food, fun and fireworks.
The market, which is organised by Mid Ulster District Council, will take place on Market Street, showcasing more than 30 artisan food and craft stalls.
You can enjoy browsing and sampling the locally produced food and drink, or take time to unwind in the hospitality marquee, where you can experience a craft beer, hot mulled wine or even just sit and relax.
There will be lots of Christmas crafts for sale in the craft marquee and local bands, schools and community organisations will perform on the stage over the weekend.
Alongside this there will be plenty of free entertainment including face painting, balloon modellers, interactive craft stations, walkabout characters and more.
The Bridewell will also host plenty of festive fun over the weekend. Arts and crafts workshops, storytelling by Mrs Claus and Santa’s Grotto will take place from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and from 1.30pm to 6pm on the Sunday.
This year’s light switch on will take place on Saturday 24th during a spectacular Christmas themed street party on Broad Street. The street party will start at 6.30pm and Santa, joined by a Samba band, will perform the switch on at 7.45pm.
A spectacular fireworks display will then light up the night sky before the street party finishes at 8.30pm. Local band Anna’s Number will be on stage to 10pm.
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Sean McPeake, is looking forward to the buzz the Market brings to the town.
“The Magherafelt Christmas Market is one of the Council’s most popular events, consistently bringing huge crowds to the town. Magherafelt is famed for its independent retail offering so what a brilliant opportunity to showcase this to the discerning Christmas shopper.
“The fact that the switch on will take place during the Christmas Market weekend in the form of a celebratory street party only enhances the event and heightens the festive atmosphere in the town.”
From Saturday, November 24 for a six week period, car parking charges in off street pay and display car parks will be reduced to 10p for the first three hours.
Diversions will be in place during the street party and for the duration of the market.
For more information on the market and all Christmas events in Mid Ulster, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/christmas.