Blogmas: What To Expect From Newcastle Christmas Market This Year
The Newcastle Christmas market is back, albeit a lot smaller than previous years, but after none at all last year it’s good to have it back. The market stalls line the top of Grey Street by Monument, and around the corner on Grainger Street.
It arrived on Thursday 2nd December and will be here until just before Christmas. I had a brief look round on Thursday when I was in town for dinner and then again Saturday morning. When I shared a pic the questions I got were mainly on what the stalls are, and if the bar is there. So here’s everything you need to know about the Newcastle Christmas market this year.
Firstly, it is small. There’s no two ways about it, there’s about 20 stalls max. Two years ago everyone complained that it was too big and full of rubbish, so it’s definitely an improvement on that.
Food & Drink stalls at Newcastle Christmas Market
The street food stalls are mainly in a row outside of Lloyds bank on Grey Street. There’s Acropolis Greek food, Caribbean Cuisine, Deli Churros and Fat Panda Bing chinese.
There is of course the German sausage hot dog tower, with three flavours plain, cheese or chilli all for £6. I had one and it was delicious although I do think £6 is ridiculous for the half a bun it comes in.
Drinks wise there’s a mulled wine and roast chestnut van, a hot chocolate stand which was great – loads of flavours and you can get the works with cream and marshmallows.
There isn’t the big ski bar which was there a couple of years ago sadly, and this was a question I’ve been asked a lot on Instagram. There is a bar but it’s just one of the normal Christmas huts and the seating is very minimal beside it.
Just around the corner opposite French Connection La Petite Creperie have a stall, and there is also O’Donnells moonshine spirits too. The Brownie Bar have a stall along Grainger street and they look as delicious as ever.
The queues for all the food and drink stalls were by far the longest, so if you want anything be prepared to wait for it! Sadly the Yorkshire pudding wraps and the paella stalls aren’t there this year which I know will disappoint some people.
Gift and Craft Stalls
The aim of the market this year was to focus on local businesses, and the gift and craft stalls are very much like that.
Firebrick Brewery from Blaydon on Tyne can be found in front of Monument, so can the Eco Stall selling environmentally friendly gifts. Chocolate Kiss who you’ll have probably seen at other north east markets throughout the year also have a stall.
There were a couple of kitchenware sellers with mini tapas plates, chopping and cheese boards, and a few knitwear/winter accessories stalls with woolly hats, scarves and gloves. Finally the florist one that’s always there selling Christmas trees, wreaths and all sorts of plants is there too.
By far the busiest spots are the food stalls where the queues have always been big, both times I’ve been. It’s these queues that cause the tighter crowds of people but other than that there’s plenty space to wander around and look at each one. They’ve also put some safety barriers up on both sides too.
Overall it’s worth a visit, but it won’t take you long to have a good look round as it is small. It’s still better than that year it was full of crap all the way up Northumberland Street.
Combine it in to a visit with Fenwicks window, some Christmas shopping, or even before going on to a bar/restaurant. Even though it looks nice all lit up with the lights when it gets dark, I preferred it through the day as it was absolutely baltic on Thursday night.
Don’t forget to pop into Central Arcade to see the decorations in there it always looks so pretty.
I think it’s always good to support local businesses and events, and it does feel very festive having a mulled wine under the lights. It’s likely to get criticism for being so small, but I think it’s to be expected this year it sounds like most markets across the country are smaller. Many come from across Europe where there are currently more restrictions so sadly we are still feeling the effects this Christmas.
But it’s an improvement on nothing last year. Have fun if you do visit Newcastle Christmas market this year.
Other posts you might like:
South Causey Inn Christmas market
Over 70 things to do in December