lifestyle

Cardiff steps into Christmas

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Written by Courtney Evans

The cold and dark nights have started to appear meaning the summer is over for another year. It’s the time of year again where dads are sent up the loft to get the decorations, cupboards are full of food and Christmas songs are played on the radio.

Christmas adverts have started to appear on the TV, shops are packed with toys on the shelfs and Christmas markets have started opening their doors.

Many plan a visit to Cardiff with friends and family to start the celebrations of Christmas for the entertainment and the seasonal treats.

Cardiff Christmas market is one of the many held around the UK during the festive season. Supporting artists and craft people who are looking to promote and sell their work.

The market is sited in the Heart of the City Centre and has been organised and run for 20 years by the Crafts Folk. Craft Folk organise craft fairs and festivals across South Wales, supporting artists and crafts people to sell their work to customers rather than just friends and family.

In 2015, the city was rated one of the top cities in the UK where people enjoyed visiting a Christmas market. Jane Hall, operations manager for Cardiff’s market said: “The Christmas market was set up at the request of the City Centre retailers and also each year we have more and more applications to take part. 

We have also seen an increase in visitors not only to the City Centre but also to our Christmas market with more coach companies adding us as a destination for Christmas shopping.

“We are committed to ensuring that true arts and crafts are given a platform, through our events, from which to sell their work.  We believe that if you don’t support all our makers then traditional crafts will be lost.”

The products sold at the market cannot be found in any shops on the high streets, they are specific to each person creating them. The market holds a selection of stalls which has increase over the years from 50 up to 85 this year with more than 200 exhibitors talking part.

The organisers ensure there is a mix of unusual, quirky Christmas gifts on offer for shoppers. Visitors can also treat themselves to festive food, alcohol and the entertainment.  

During the Christmas season, Cardiff is packed with seasonal entertainment, Winter Wonderland, Santa’s grotto, Christmas shopping and of course the market. Cardiff brings many people each year to engage with the celebratory atmosphere of Christmas.