Reindeer return to Hexham Christmas market

As usual, the town centre will be full activities for all the family. Over 70 stalls, including the regulars at the Hexham Farmers' Market, will fill the Market Place and Beaumont Street, which is closed to traffic for the day.

There will be plenty to eat and drink, as well as a huge choice of unique Christmas gifts and goodies, including pottery, jewellery, soaps and fudge, children's clothes and games, and alpaca products. This year, the alpacas will be there as well to entertain and amuse.

The Abbey Fair takes place on the same day, while the Old Gaol, which will be open from 11am to 4pm, will provide an insight into a Tudor Christmas.

There will be face painting at the Hexham Courant and a climbing wall in the Abbey Cloister. Local schools and other choirs and bands will be performing during the event joined this year by the local Morris dancers - the Hexhamshire Lads and Lasses.

The Christmas Market itself takes place between 9am and 3pm and a free shuttle bus will be operating around the town between the Mart and the town centre.

Partnership officer Tamsin Beevor said: "This event has now become well established in the town's calendar. We hope that it will be bigger and better than ever this year. Visitors come from all over the region and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the town."

Next Friday, 27th November, will see the lights switched on.

Meanwhile, a special Christmas version of the Hadrian's Wall Farmer's Market will be held on Sunday December 13 in Greenhead.

This friendly village market is held every second Sunday of the month from 10am to 2pm. The organisers say their Christmas special will feature a veritable cornucopia of seasonal foods and crafts direct from local producers in Northumberland, Cumbria and South West Scotland.

From ales and alpaca wool to wholemeal bread and wreaths, you'll find gifts and gorgeous food galore. What's more, you can get an excellent Sunday lunch at the Greenhead Hotel or the Blenkinsopp Castle Inn or a light meal at the Old Forge Tea Room.

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