Christmas markets are a firm staple in the festive calendar. From steaming cups of gluhwein to cosy grottoes and handmade trinkets, there’s a lot to look forward to when your local festive market comes to town. But this year one city in the Midlands is changing things up.
Lincoln’s Christmas market has been running since all the way back in 1982 but this year it has closed in favour of a collection of smaller events. The switch-up is down to the festive fair just being too damn popular.
In 2022, the market attracted over 320,000 visitors and the City of Lincoln Council feared that if numbers were any higher this year, it could become dangerous.
The council is still committed to bringing the Christmas spirit, though. Instead ‘Christmas in Lincoln’ will see the city host a series of event across December. Plans include a performance by stilt firewalkers, an ice trail and a small medieval Christmas market in St Mary le Wigford church selling quirky and hand-crafted gifts plus, of course, the all-important mulled wine.
However, not all locals are impressed with the new set-up.
Paul Catlow, a local hotel owner, told the Mirror: ‘There was no consultation whatsoever so it was a complete surprise and I don’t know anybody in the hotel world who was consulted. I think blown-up monsters and an ice trail are never going to replace the revenue the market generated.’
If you’ll miss Lincoln's market, there are plenty of other places you can soak up some festive magic. Wherever you are, Time Out has a Christmas market guide, from the best ones in the world and Europe to the finest in the UK and London.
Did you see that this northern English county has been named one of the world’s best places to visit in 2024?
Plus: Coca-Cola’s iconic Christmas truck tour is returning to the UK for Christmas 2023.
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