The beloved Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market is back, ready to transform The Dark Walk at Hillsborough Fort into a stunning festive avenue of stalls, entertainment and street food.
This year's event is running over two magical evenings: Friday 12th December from 3pm-9pm and Saturday 13th December from 12pm-6pm.
Get ready for an incredible weekend of local artisans on The Dark Walk showcasing gourmet food, craft, art, live music and family fun, all set against the historic backdrop of Hillsborough Fort.
Friday, December 12th: Opening Night Celebration (3pm - 9pm)
The market's first night is a lively mix of shopping, street food, performances from local talent and fun for kids with Santa due to visit for a walkabout. With over 60 traders there’s something for everyone.
Festive stalls
For unique holiday shopping, the Arts & Crafts village is a must-see. You'll find unique treasures including ceramics & pottery (with lots of special Christmas ornaments), art and prints (including cards and cushions), jewellery and accessories, home fragrance & gifts, gifts for pets, and much more. Lots of locally made products that will be perfect for stocking fillers and beautiful Christmas presents.
You can also stock up your pantry and bar as you explore the wide range of food and drink stalls. Find artisan spirits like gin, rum and whiskey from local distilleries, speciality tea and Coffee, cheese and deli products (including charcuterie and smoked salmon), sweet treats, farm produce and preserves and lots of delicious festive bakes.
Find local businesses from Lisburn & Castlereagh including Suki Tea, Hinch Distillery, Tori’s coffee cakes and bakes, Rosie McNeill Cakes, Little Popcorn Shop, Eastern Bagels, The Pie Shop, The Daily Apron and Moon Gelato. There will be lots of gorgeousness to discover too in the art and craft village with newcomers to Royal Hillsborough including Lesley Magowan Ceramics, Ali Parks, Dainty Thrills and Lareindeer who will join returning artist Amber Jordan Design and many more from across Northern Ireland!
As well as lots of stalls, there will be plenty to eat with our range of street food vendors. They’ll be helping to keep you warm and fed with a feast of global eats (like burritos, tacos, and artisan pizza), comfort food from crepes to chowder as well as lots of desserts like hot bubble waffles, and indulgent slow-cooked hot chocolate.
Entertainment Highlights
Hillsborough Fort Warders in full ceremonial uniform - they will also have their customised figurines for sale.
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Local Voices: Enjoy the festive sounds of Downshire Primary School
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Live Music: Groove to performances by Ben Cutler Music and Rhubarb Ukes.
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Family Fun: Look out for Santa walkabouts and let the kids join in the interactive Fun with Drums sessions.
Saturday 13th December: 12-6pm
Festive stalls
On Saturday, the festivities continue with another day of local traders.
Find unique wood crafts from Beechill Bespoke Furniture and handcrafted jewellery from Simply N Jewellery and Dainty Thrills. Barkelicious Bakes will be there both days with homemade artisan dog treats and gifts.
A market wouldn’t be the same without delicious baked goods and there will be so much moreishness for you to choose from. Choose wisely as you’ll be tempted from more than one of the bakeries including Lisburn’s Little Cake Works and The Daily Apron, Royal Hillsborough’s own Tori’s Coffee Cakes & Bakes and guest bakeries from neighbouring areas including Krumb Bakery and The Fluffy Meringue.
The festivities continue on Saturday with a lineup of musicians and beloved Christmas characters.
Entertainment Highlights:
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Live Music: Enjoy captivating performances from Finn Rivers Music, Stones from David and Rock Choir South Belfast and Lisburn finishing the day out!
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Family Fun: The little ones will love the return of Fun with Drums and charming MRS CLAUS & ELF walkabouts throughout the evening.
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Hillsborough Fort Warders in full ceremonial uniform - they will also have their customised figurines for sale.
Don't miss this opportunity to shop local, support your Lisburn & Castlereagh and Northern Irish artisans, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere at one of Northern Ireland's most beautiful and historic Christmas market settings.
We look forward to celebrating the season with you at Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market!
All details correct at time of publishing.
Our entertainment programme
Friday 12th December
3pm-8pm Santa Walkabout
3pm - 3.30pm Downshire Primary School
Friends School Lisburn
Ben Cutler Music
4pm - 8pm Fun with Drums
6.30pm - 7.30pm Rhubarb Ukes
7.30pm - close Ben Cutler Music
Saturday 13th December
12pm - 2pm Finn Rivers Music
2pm - 4pm Stones from David
4.30pm - close Rock Choir South Belfast & Lisburn
12pm - 4pm Fun with Drums
12pm - 4pm Mrs Claus & Elf walkabout
Traders on Friday 12th December
Artisan Food & Drink on The Dark Walk
Amberline Preserves
Autumn Harvest
Burren Balsamics
Corleggy Cheese
Crawfords Rock
Gold & Browne’s
Habanero Steve’s
Hinch Distillery
Indie Fude
Jack’s Fudge
Krumb Bakery
Lecale Harvest
Little Popcorn Shop
Oakfield Honey
Papas Mineral Company
Rosie McNeill Cakes
Stonebridge Farm
The Copeland Distillery
The Curly Pigs
The Daily Apron
The Garden Friend
The Local
The Oystercatcher
The Pie Shop, Moira
Tinholt’s Tasties
Tori's Coffee Bakes and cakes
Suki Tea
Art & Craft
Ali Parks
Alison Hanvey Ceramics
Amber Jordan Design
B Blane Designs
Beechill Bespoke Furniture
Black Sheep Pottery
Bough & Burr Pottery
Cohen & Co
Dainty Thrills
Deborah Campbell Artist
Ewe to Yarn
Fiddle Fig
Gemma Blakely Art
Just Dandy
Lareindeer
Lesley Magowan Ceramics
Peter Paints Pictures
Rebecca May Jewellery
Redsmith’s Forge
Seven Makes
Thomas Powell Pottery
Vine Haugh Ceramics
Seasonal flowers and foliage
Gracehill Flowers
Sustainable Living, Beauty & Candles on The Dark Walk
Aggie & I Soy Candles
Galgorm Melts
HoneyComb Cabin
Franchine Young Ireland
Plumpy Balms
Wildaboutsoaps
Pet Treats and Toys
Barkelicious Bakes
Woof Woof Barkery
Books
Still I Rise Diversity Storytelling
Street Food & Hot Drinks
Ballydown Milk
Bethel's Kitchen
Burrito Bar
Castlescreen organic Farm
Coop Coffee
Eastern Bagel
Indie Fude Raclette
Lokis Coffee
Jackson Roze
Moon Gelato
Pizza Street
The Crepe Makers
The Curious Farmer
The Lamb Van
Traders Saturday 13th Saturday
Artisan Food & Drink
Amberline Preserves
Apple Tree Farm
Burren Balsamics
Corleggy Cheese
Crawfords Rock
Fluffy Meringue
Hinch Distillery
Indie Fude
Jack’s Fudge
Jackson Roze
Krumb Bakery
Little Cake Works
Little Popcorn Shop
Monto’s Chocolates
Noreen's Nettles
Peggy’s Family Farm
Pot Hill Apiary
Red Dog Artisan Food
Rosie McNeill Cakes
Shorthorn Kitchen
Suki Tea
The Copeland Distillery
The Curly Pigs
The Daily Apron
The Oystercatcher
The Pie Shop, Moira
Tori’s Coffee, Bakes and cakes
Art & Craft
Ali Parks
Alison Hanvey Ceramics
Amber Jordan Design
B Blane Design
Beechill Bespoke Furniture
Cohen & Co
Dainty Thrills
Deborah Campbell Artist
Ertha Pottery
Fiddle Fig
Gemma Blakely Art
Jane Mathers Art
Just Dandy
Martin Walsh Art
Reuben’s Rural Crafts
Sarah & Mart’s Art
Seven Makes
Simply N Jewellery
Thomas Powell Pottery
Vine Haugh Ceramics
Seasonal flowers and foliage
Gracehill Flowers
Sustainable Living, Beauty & Candles on The Dark Walk
Buick House Candles
HoneyComb Cabin
Franchine Young Ireland
Plumpy Balms
Wildaboutsoaps
Pet Treats & Toys
Barkelicious Bakes
Street Food & Hot Drinks
Ballydown Milk
Bethel's Kitchen
Burrito Bar
Castlescreen organic Farm
Eastern Bagel
Indie Fude Raclette
Lokis Coffee
Jackson Roze
Moon Gelato
Pizza Street
The Crepe Makers
The Curious Farmer
The Grey Lady
The Lamb Van
