Louth and Lincoln Christmas Markets Lincoln Christmas Market 3 Dec 2009 to 6 Dec 2009 Thursday 3rd December 2009 - Opening Day Friday 4th December 2009 Saturday 5th December 2009 Sunday 6th December 2009 - Last day Louth Christmas Market TBC for 2009  Provisional Sunday 6th December 2009 Lincoln Christmas Market Venue Details: Lincoln - Uphill Shopping Area Lincoln Lincolnshire Contact: Dedicated hotline number on 01522 873400 E-mail: tourism@lincoln.gov.uk Other Information: As one of the biggest events of its type in Europe, Lincoln Christmas Market continues to draw both hundreds of thousands of visitors and hundreds of stallholders, from across the UK and abroad. With over 300 stalls, visitors can expect to find an array of quality hand-crafted goods, gifts, locally produced specialist foods and entertainment set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lincoln’s magnificent Cathedral and Castle. Visitors can still find popular favourites including twice winner of ‘Best Stall’, Scandinavian Craft, hand carved wooden toys, exquisite jewelry, hand blown glass, photography, paintings, ceramics, mulled wine, cakes and preserves, roasted chestnuts, hand tooled leather, candles and so much more! Lincoln Christmas Market is not just about stalls and shopping. Cathedral bells, Carolers in Victorian costume, brass bands and millions of twinkling lights, not to mention the scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts all adds to the magical atmosphere which makes Lincoln Christmas Market like no other. info courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council. More Information from our Archive Below -  Previous years Christmas Markets in Louth and Lincoln  Louth Christmas Market 2008 Sunday 7th December     Louth Christmas market is sure to be a hit again this year. Don't expect the vast crowds of the Lincoln Christmas market but be prepared to receive a much warmer welcome which will surpass its city neighbour.  The Louth market is non profit making with all proceeds to charity ( organised by Lions and local rotary) . Time from 10 am (get in early to get a parking space) Louth Christmas Market Top Tips -  Have a cup of tea or a meal at Perkins Pantry or Chuzzlewits Tea Rooms Warm fire and Ale at the Masons Arms, Whyte Swan or Wheatsheaf Eating out in Louth - You're spoilt for choice. Try Serendipity for a 7 course taster menu, Woolpack Pub for traditional English grub with super Lincolnshire produce, Mr Chips for melt in the mouth haddock and chips or Tai Pan for excellent Chinese food.  There are also 2 Turkish restaurants, 2 Indians, 2 Italians and a Thai restaurant. Don't forget the shops - Forbes boutique, Dragonfly and Eves and Ranshaw are not to be missed Stay weekend self catering at All Seasons - Its in the top 10 in England and self catering holiday of the year for the East Midlands in 2006 - 2007 Get out and do some walking - excellent walks along the canal or around Louth and into the Wolds for some stunning views. Do not miss a walk along Westgate fields and into Hubbards Hills. For an exceptional meal drive to Covenham and eat at the Millhouse.  This stunning thatched property from 16th century has been transformed into a modern restaurant with an exciting menu for a truly memorable lunch or diner. The salads are fantastic but the portions are gigantic so ensure you finish off your meal with a walk around the village as you'll be stuffed. (After lunch why not drive up to the reservoir and have a breezy stroll along the waters edge, the views are wonderful)   Lincoln Christmas Market 2008  Thurs 4th to Sun 7th December 2008 Thursday 4th December 4pm - 9:30pm Friday 5th December 10am - 9:30pm Saturday 6th December 10am - 9:30pm Sunday 7th December 10am - 7pm Thought to be the biggest market of its type in Europe, visitors can expect to find a mix of quality hand-crafted goods, gifts, locally produced specialist foods and entertainment, set against the backdrop of Lincoln's magnificent cathedral and castle. For those seeking distinctive Christmas gifts, shoppers should take time to explore the multitude of craft stalls. With everything from ceramics and woodcarvings, to glassware, jewellery, wooden toys, sculptures, mirrors and hand-wrought iron, there are ample opportunities to find that special gift. Visitors should find something for every taste and budget. Some stalls are unique to Lincoln and Lincolnshire; others travel the globe to trade at Lincoln's Christmas Market. Lincoln Christmas Market Top Tips -  Lincoln has 1/4 million visitors so why not stay in Louth just 50 minutes away? Stay the weekend self catering at All Seasons or have a midweek break and catch the opening Thursday. Ensure you see the Cathedral - one of Europes finest gothic cathedrals Visit the castle and take in the Magna Carta Don't forget the Collection and Ushers Gallery  Accommodation for Lincoln Christmas Market   Lincoln Christmas Market Mid Week Break Mon 1st December 4 Nights 1 Bedroom Penthouse - £230 Lincoln Christmas Market Mid Week Break Mon 1st December 4 Nights 1 Bedroom 4 Star Double -  £260 Lincoln Christmas Market Mid Week Break Mon 1st December 4 Nights 1 Bedroom 5 Star Twin - £290 Lincoln Christmas Market Mid Week Break Mon 1st December 4 Nights 2 Bedroom Twin and Double - £390 Lincoln Christmas Market Mid Week Break Mon 1st December 4 Nights 3 Bedroom 2x Doubles + 1 twin - £540 Click Here to check Availability for above dates Lincoln Christmas Market Weekend  Break Fri 5th December 3 Nights 1 Bedroom Penthouse - £230 Lincoln Christmas Market Weekend  Break Fri 5th December 3 Nights 1 Bedroom 4 Star Double -  £260 Lincoln Christmas Market Weekend  Break Fri 5th December 3 Nights 1 Bedroom 5 Star Twin - £290 Lincoln Christmas Market Weekend  Break Fri 5th December 3 Nights 2 Bedroom Twin and Double - £390 Lincoln Christmas Market Weekend  Break Fri 5th December 3 Nights 3 Bedroom 2x Doubles + 1 twin - £540 Click Here to check Availability for above dates Please Note - There is no supplement to pay at All Seasons for staying during the Lincoln Christmas market, all prices quoted above are our standard prices Dates to remember:- Lincoln Christmas Market 2007 - December 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th  Lincoln Christmas Market 2008 - December  4th, 5th, 6th and 7th  Lincoln xmas market is sure to busy so book your accommodation now to avoid disappointment and get to one of Europes finest Christmas markets in 2008 For more information contact: Christmas Market Enquiry Line Tel: 01522 873400   The 2006 Lincoln Christmas Market It all started 24 years ago with the first Lincoln Christmas Market in 1982 being a somewhat modest affair by today's standard. From those days of a few stalls in Castle Square, the market now takes over most of the Cathedral Quarter of Lincoln. In fact, there were just 14 stalls then, compared to well over 300 now. Get a taste of Lincoln's Christmas Market with our web film.  Play Lincoln Christmas Market Film > Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer For some, it's the most important event in the City's calendar as it brings over 150,000 visitors to Lincoln. These visitors often return at other times in the year when they realise what Lincoln has to offer. Traveling to Lincoln and parking during the market: Remember to listen to BBC Radio Lincolnshire 94.9 FM, 104.7 FM or 1368 AM for all the latest travel and traffic news as you approach the city. During the period of Lincoln's Christmas Market visitor numbers swell with thousands journeying to see the largest Christmas Market of its type in Europe. We have all the travel information you need here... Lincoln Christmas Market Travel Information > All the latest from the BBC Lincolnshire travel pages > Advice when at the market: On safety grounds, dogs are not allowed (except guide/hearing dogs)  in the Christmas Market area. Due to heavy crowds and cobbled streets, pushchairs, buggies, and wheeled shopping trolleys are not recommended. Most of the Market is outdoors and December can be cold and damp so dress appropriately, and make sure you take regular warm drinks and food, especially if diabetic. The walk between the Market area and the city centre is via the appropriately named Steep Hill. A shuttle bus does operate between the two but its capacity is limited. There is a one way system operating in Lincoln Castle (see map below). Those with mobility difficulties are reminded that the Market takes place on the cobbled streets of uphill Lincoln, with uneven surfaces in a number of areas. Ramps are provided in the Castle to aid access. The Market can be very crowded with visitors, particularly on Saturday and Sunday. A visit to the Market on Thursday evening or Friday may make your experience more enjoyable.   Link to Lincoln Christmas Market Information Links to Lincoln Christmas Market websites Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Xmas  Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market Lincoln Christmas Market 2007   Christmas Market Travel Information During the period of Lincoln's Christmas Market visitor numbers swell with thousands journeying to see the largest Christmas Market of its type in Europe. We have all the travel information you need here... By Rail: Some additional services and special trains operate during the market. Contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 for timetable information. The railway station is in the High Street quarter and it is a 15 minutes walk up Steep Hill to the Christmas Market. By Car: Follow the signs to Lincoln and pick up the yellow signs for "Christmas Market cars" on all main approach roads. Parking is extremely difficult in the Christmas Market area and is it is recommended that all visitors use the dedicated park and ride service located at the Lincolnshire Showground on the north side of the City, just off the A15. By Bus: Buses operate on a continuous 'fill-up-and-go' basis dropping off and collecting from the Museum of Lincolnshire Life on the edge of the Christmas Market. Buses begin 30 minutes before the market opens and the last bus is 30 minutes after the market closes. Cost £8.00 per car, irrespective of numbers of passengers. Disabled Park and Ride There is no disabled parking in the immediate vicinity of the Market but a dedicated disabled park and ride service is available at the main park and ride site entry to which is on production of a valid blue badge. Follow signs for "disabled parking" to the Lincolnshire Showground, and special tail-lift buses adapted for wheel chair use provide the onward journey to and from the Market. Blue badge holders may also use the regular park and ride bus service if able. The disabled park and ride times are as above, and the Market drop off and pick up point is on Rasen Lane opposite the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. Cost £5.00 per car on display of a valid blue badge. Those with mobility difficulties are reminded that the Market takes place on the cobbled streets of uphill Lincoln, with uneven surfaces in a number of areas. Ramps are provided in the Castle to aid access. The Market can be very crowded with visitors, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays. A visit to the Market on Thursday evening or Friday may make your experience more enjoyable. Things you didn't know about the Christmas Market As anyone who visits the Christmas Market knows, the event is huge. We have some facts you may not know and will be amazed when you find out: Discover more here. Take a look at our interesting facts listed below: Number of visitors - 160,000 - 180,000. Meters of temporary flooring - 3,190 metres (over two miles!!). Number of local stalls - 115  Number of stalls overall - Over 300. Number of coaches visiting the 2004 event - 799. The number of cars using the Park and Ride service - 9436. Number of electric sockets installed especially - 498. Hours taken to install all the electrics - 830. The number of Reindeers on the Santa's Express ride - 8. Number of days spent organising - 365!!! (a whole year). It's the 25th Christmas Market in 2006, which is a huge achievement. The Lincoln Christmas Market began in 1982 with just 14 stalls. About 30,000 leaflets are distributed to let people  know about the market. The market generates around £10 million for the local economy. It is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. There will be several new stores this year. The Lincoln Christmas Market takes its inspiration from its German twin-town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Guidance for Traders to  Lincoln Christmas Market 2008 The City of Lincoln Council has been working with residents, visitors, local businesses, coach operators and you, our traders, to ask for your thoughts on the event. Since the 2007 market they have been working hard to collate and analyse the information from the many surveys completed during and following last year’s event. Thank you very much to those of you who took the time to complete the stallholder’s questionnaire. We received lots of constructive feedback and we are now working on evolving this feedback into a range of improvements, in response to the survey work undertaken. More details on this will be available at the application stage. One of the first things we are doing is bringing the application process forward so we will be able to make offers to you earlier. Look out for our application packs in early April.     Key Dates Application Pack Available Early April This will automatically be sent to past traders and all those on our mailing list     Application Deadline  May 26th 2008     Offer Letters Late June     Facts 160 – 170,000 visitors over four days   330 trading sites available   Special trains – including the Orient Express   Over 800 coach trips   Over 8,500 visitors by car   Attracts an array of visitors from all over the UK and international countries. Stall Selection Competition for a site a Lincoln Is high, that’s why we are careful about the stalls we select. Our selection criteria is designed to: Create a balanced market for visitors, with a range of goods at a range of prices   Encourage handcrafted, original, home produced and specialist goods which enhance the seasonal nature of the event   Provide a balance between established stallholders and new traders   Promote Lincoln and Lincolnshire based businesses, especially where similar products are available from several applicants   International, particularly German traders, who travel exclusively for Lincoln Christmas Market offering unique products reflecting our origins as a German Market The application form can be downloaded by Application Form 2008 below.  There are two parts to the application form both of which must be filled in for your application to be considered.  Please read the Stallholder Information carefully to assist you in completing your application form.  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Felicity - Events Officer contact details can be found in related contacts section under Events Team. Lincoln Christmas Market Stallholder Information 2008 Lincoln Christmas Market Application Form 2008 Lincoln Christmas Market Area Map 2008 Timeline for Application Process Return application form to us by:- Monday 26th May 2008 Offer letters will be sent out after:- Friday 20th June 2008 Offer acceptance deadline:- Friday 18th July 2008 Invoices sent out after:- Monday 4th August 2008 Last payment date:- Friday 29th August 2008 If you would like a copy in an alternative format (large print or electronically) or a different language, please contact the Events Team on 01522 873503 or email stalls@lincoln.gov.uk Information on the Lincoln Christmas market for traders is from City of Lincoln website which is  :- http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=10906&sec_id=3052   SITE MAP