Wetherby town centre will become a hive of activity on Sunday 8th December 2024 when the long-established annual 'Dickensian Christmas Market and Craft Fayre' will take pride of place.

​This increasingly popular event, now with the restyled 'Artisan Market', will thrill the crowds with its multiple festive attractions and vast array of products and crafts on sale.  The organisers - Wetherby District Lions Club and 'Little Bird Markets' - will see the Market Place and The Shambles packed with local artisan traders and charity stalls showcasing their handmade goods and products.  A really brisk trade at the Craft Fayre event in the Town Hall will be thanks to 'Bee-Crafty Market' who will be assisting us by bringing along their stallholders; the whole event was 'buzzing'!

​The event, which began at 9am, and will be officially opened an hour later by a celebrity presenter from ITV's 'Calendar News' and Wetherby Town Mayor Councillor Dawn Payne.  Santa will arrive after the short speeches to the delight of the  long queues of families and their children who will be forming  outside his seasonally decorated grotto.

​Throughout the day festive music will be provided by Wetherby Silver Band, Collingham Music Association, Wetherby Musical Theatre Group Choir, the Yorkshire Voices and the school choirs of St Josephs and Crossley Street with many local charities having stalls at the market displaying their local festive wares.

​“We work hard to make the 'Dickensian Christmas Market' the one event that really brings Wetherby people of all ages together in the most festive setting", says Wetherby Lions President, Martin Doxey.  “Last year’s event did not disappoint and proved what a great community we have in Wetherby, and how well they support local causes.”

Wetherby Lions also presented their annual 'Wetherby Townsperson of the Year Award' at the event; the winner announced on the day was Kazia Knight.   Go to our webpage here to vote for next year’s recipient.