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29
Nov
Harrogate Christmas Fayre gets underway today
A 17-day Christmas market featuring stalls, a giant Ferris wheel and a road train gets underway in Harrogate today.
The Harrogate Christmas Fayre is being held for the fourth consecutive year.
It will be open from 10am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4.30pm on Sundays until it closes on December 15.
Market Place, the Tamesde company that operates the market, has spent several days setting up the fayre, which will feature up to 40 traders from countries such as the Netherlands, France, Ecuador and Greece, along with traders from Harrogate and North Yorkshire.
The company said in a statement the market was “a great place to pick up some unique gifts that you won’t find on the high street”.
Market manager Andy Pidgen added:
Our research highlights the positive impact our events have on town centre economies, with last year’s market providing a significant annual boost in trade according to Harrogate’s hotel managers. Beyond the economic impact, it’s wonderful to see families, friends, and groups enjoying themselves and embracing the festive atmosphere.
There are around 40 stalls at this year's Fayre
The Candy Cane Express road train will transport market-goers around town each Friday through to Sunday during the fayre and the 32-metre Ferris wheel will provide day and night views of Harrogate.
The event is supported by Visit North Yorkshire, which is part of North Yorkshire Council, and Harrogate Business Improvement District
An artisan festive market organised separately by the company Little Bird will also operate in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens this weekend and on the subsequent two weekends.
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Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which is a joint venture between Market Place and North Yorkshire Council, is the fourth to be staged since the previous locally-organised Harrogate Christmas Market was denied a licence to operate on Montpeller Hill.
Harrogate Christmas Market was held annually on Montpellier Hill from 2012 to 2019 until it was halted by covid. It had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend in 2021 when Harrogate Borough Council refused to grant a licence.
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