Santa arrived at the Belfast Christmas Market this morning on a fleet of Belfast Bikes, with his friends from the Children’s Cancer Unit and u105 radio presenter Denise Watson all; his big message was that Christmas is about giving a little back.
Children from Fane Street Primary School, winners of a video competition, got the opportunity to welcome the big man in red to the Market as part of their prize. After greeting the children, Santa made his way to the Giving Tree, set up by Giving Northern Ireland to encourage people to support local charities, nineteen of which have already come forward to be involved. 
This year Santa’s grotto has been generously gifted by Market Place to the Lord Mayor’s charity of choice The Children’s Cancer Unit. The charity was set up to support the work of the existing unit and staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in providing care for children with cancer and blood disorders. This includes funding equipment and resources such as staff training and research.
The grotto will be open for the following times:
- Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm
- Saturday 10am - 7pm
- Sunday 1pm - 6pm
Allan Hartwell, Christmas Market Manager said:
“We are always keen to support local charities and this year we are delighted to welcome back Giving Northern Ireland with their Giving Tree initiative and of course the Children’s Cancer Unit.
Christmas is about giving, just as Santa reminded us this morning; not only does it feel good but it really does make a difference in the lives of many. Ever since our first grotto at the market we have donated it to the Lord Mayor’s charity and over the years each have raised tens of thousands of pounds, enabling them to continue with their great work. We are very proud that we have been a part of that.”
This year Belfast Christmas Market winner of the ‘UK Best Large Specialist Market 2015’ award will be open until Sunday 20 December where a festive village of over 90 wooden chalets will serve up traditional continental Christmas fayre alongside local food and crafts.
Once again this year over one million visitors will be spoilt for choice with a huge variety of authentic continental goodies including: crepes from France, Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolates, an exotic selection of ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers, giant bratwurst from the iconic Schwenkgrille, Spanish paella and nougat from Italy. Visitors can take a culinary trip around the world before relaxing in one of the bars, serving drinks from around the world until late into the evening.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, said:
“The annual Christmas Market is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our city’s calendar, and one of our most popular tourist attractions. Its arrival, along with the switching on of the Christmas Lights, is the signal that the festive season is well and truly underway.”
The market is keen to encourage all visitors so the Belfast Christmas Market Buddy Scheme initiative has been developed. The scheme aims to extend a warm festive welcome to those who may need extra assistance to help them fully enjoy the market or prefer to visit when it’s less noisy and busy. After a relaxing stroll in the brisk winter chill, visitors and their Buddies are invited to enjoy complimentary tea and coffee served in the Laverys beer tent as part of the scheme. The scheme runs from 10am-12pm Monday-Wednesday for the duration of the market.Christmas isn’t complete without the laughter of excited children that every family will hear if they visit the famous Santa’s Grotto. The Children’s Cancer Unit grotto will be open every day for the duration of the Market with the elves and Santa working hard to generate much-needed income for the charity.
Now that its roots are firmly planted in the festive village, the Giving Tree will host a number of charities for three hours at a time with each encouraging the public to take time out from their busy shopping and make pledges of ‘time, talent or treasure’ to a charity. The purpose of the tree is also to help support and celebrate the #GivingTuesdayNI campaign which has linked up with countries across the world to spread the message that it’s good to give. The tree, which has been donated by Belfast Christmas Market trader Dutch Flowers On Tour, will be located beside their stall in the grounds of Belfast City Hall from November 23 to December 18.To keep up to date with what’s happening at the Christmas Market and for information any of the initiatives, follow the official Facebook page at Belfast Continental Christmas Market. Don’t miss the chance to make this Christmas an extra special one.
Belfast Christmas Market will be at the City Hall until 6 pm on Sunday 20 December.
Monday- Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm (Bars until 9:00pm)
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Bars until 11:00pm)
Sunday: 01:00pm – 6:00pm
Komentar
Posting Komentar