Grainger market in Newcastle was recently open for late night shopping in an exclusive Grainger…
Visiting the Christmas Market in Belfast
Visiting the Christmas market in Belfast is a great way to discover food from all over the world and pick up some Christmas presents.
I love to visit the Christmas markets and normally make a visit to the Newcastle Christmas market every year. That visit usually coincides with a viewing of Fenwicks windows which are a brilliant animated musical display that brings joy to Northumberland Street. Sadly this year I haven’t managed to make a visit, due to illness and having to fly over to Belfast unexpectedly.
I was only in Belfast a very short time, literally one day. While I was there I managed to pop into the Christmas Market in Belfast. It was interesting to compare the two markets, Newcastle market is in the shadow of Grey’s monument. Belfast Christmas market is set up outside Belfast City Hall.
Belfast City Hall is in Donegal Square right in the centre of town and next to the bus stations. It is a Victorian building which was completed in 1906 and is now used for registering births, marriages and deaths among other things.
Seen from across the road Belfast Christmas market looks like a small Christmas village, the view of wooden huts and the aroma of cooking entices you in.
Wandering round the market there are all manner of interesting stalls. These are overshadowed by the city hall and the statues which are in the grounds, which at times feel surreal. The atmosphere is festive and continental with stalls from Europe selling their wares.
Food stalls can be found with offerings from around the world. You will not go hungry at this market. We found churros, which are delicious hot and steaming fresh from the pan. There were also noodles, crepes being cooked on griddles in front of us, big steaming pans of paella and German sausages being cooked on a hanging griddle. The aroma made me hungry as I wandered round.
There were plenty of stalls selling sweets, some of which offered local products like fudge made in Belfast. There were more exotic offerings like Turkish delight which could be selected piece by piece like a pick and mix. These came in exotic flavours like orange and rose rolled.
French pastries were on offer, hand baked this morning, filled with fruit and custard and glistening with glaze. We also found cheeses from France, different flavours of olives and a German stall selling different varieties of Bratwurst.
If food is not your thing there are plenty of crafts to look at. Candles made locally in Castlehill, exotic jumpers from Peru made from llama wool, wooden carved bears and robins which were gorgeous to look at. Some of these would have been difficult to carry home.
If you wanted to stop and have a drink you could enjoy mulled wine or beer in an exotic wooden shelter. We even found Santa’s grotto, guarded carefully by nutcrackers.
It was lovely to visit the Christmas market in Belfast and spend a while browsing around the different stalls. Visiting the markets always makes me feel that Christmas is round the corner and it is time to get the decorations out. Have you been to a Christmas market this year? What was it like?
lucie says
Im so envious you got to visit the christmas markets in belfast! So beautiful!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
They are definitely worth a visit, so much to see. I was tempted to spend loads
Samantha Rickelton says
Ah Belfast Christmas market looks just as nice (if not better) than Newcastle’s so I don’t think you missed out 😀
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Would still have liked to have seen Newcastles, I really must get to Fenwicks windows
Galina V says
I love Christmas markets, so festive and exciting. Glad you managed to have a little time to visit one in Belfast.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I love visiting them too, always so much to discover
Eileen Teo says
Love to visit Belfast on one of the days. It look fun. walking through the christmas market and drink mulled wine is the best!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I agree re the drinking mulled wine! Belfast is a lovely city, so much to see
Cheryl Pasquier says
I always love the atmosphere of Christmas markets with all the sights and smells. Glad you managed to get a visit in, despite the slightly manic trip xxx
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It was a bit manic but we needed to pick up some bits in town anyway so visited on the way past. Glad I did, it was lovely