Carlisle Christmas Market opens for business

(Date of issue: Monday, 23 November 2009)

Carlisle’s popular Christmas Market is set to return this Christmas.

Following the success of last year’s event, the 2009 Market will be held between Wednesday, 2 December and Sunday, 6 December. Staged within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area, the event will include around 50 stalls from around the World. Shoppers will be able to sample culinary and hand crafted goods from as far a field as South Africa, India, China and many European countries.

Building on the success of previous Continental Markets, which have attracted thousands of visitors to the city centre, the event will be open late each day except Sunday, and will remain open till 9pm for Thursday late night shopping.

Made In Cumbria will join the market between Friday, 4 December and Saturday, 5 December. Each day will see different Made In Cumbria traders.

The market will operate alongside the city’s Victorian Market Hall, which offers a wide-range of traditional, local traders.

Cllr Mike Mitchelson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said:

"The Christmas Market is one of the highlights of this year’s festive events programme. It will help raise the profile of the city as an attractive visitor destination and will provide another popular event for residents too."

Organised by Carlisle City Council, the city's decorations include a sparkling ten metre tall tree and a traditional Nativity scene in the city centre, alongside illuminations around key city landmarks - including the Citadel and Castle.