Festive spirit and Gluhwein – Belfast Christmas Market launches next week

Melissa Carton

I love Christmas markets.

Every year once November rolls around I’ve got my eyes peeled for Christmas markets and fairs to get me into the festive vibes.

Nothing gets me in the mood for the holidays quite like a glass of mulled wine and buying handmade gifts for loved ones. Of course if there’s a mince pie going too I won’t pass that up either.

If like myself you’re already buzzing with Christmas spirit then you’ll be delighted to know that the Belfast Christmas markets open next week and it sounds amazing.

The market’s 20 chalets will host over 90 traders selling delicious food, jewellery, clothing and crafts.

The food court, with bench style seating, also makes a welcome return, as does the vintage helter skelter offering stunning views right across the market and the much loved carousel.

Visitors to the market can treat themselves to the well known Hug in a Mug of Gluhwein and end the day in one of the bars serving local and continental drinks to get even more into the Christmas spirit.

In partnership with the NOW Group, the market now has two new brilliant initiatives for people with accessibility challenges.

On the Donegall Square East side of the market, a quiet room has been created to offer a calm space when the Market becomes just a little too much. In addition, market traders have received awareness training about the JAM Card.

The JAM Card, which stands for ‘Just A Minute’, is a social innovation from NOW Group that offers a discreet way for users to tell people that sometimes they need a little extra time and patience. The JAM Card is available in the quiet room at the Market as a credit card sized card and also as downloadable app for smartphones.