It’s the most wonderful time of the year once again as festivities touch down in Belfast with the annual arrival of the Christmas market.
As the event opens its doors on Saturday, visitors will be able to enjoy the wonderful variety each chalet has to offer.
The Belfast Telegraph spoke with first-time vendors and some of the more experienced ones, to find out a bit more about the people behind the stalls.
Emma Goodman (36) is taking part in the market for the first time after winning a competition for local entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland to secure a stall for Christmas.
Emma Goodman
She sells luxury dog accessories which she designs herself and incorporates her engineering background into her creations.
“I got a phone call at the end of August and was told I’d won. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would, but it’s amazing. I have an engineering background so I have incorporated that into the dog accessories to make them that bit extra.
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“I make sure the material is high quality down to the detail in the print and comfort. It’s all about the dogs and making sure they are comfortable. I do everything from leads, collars, bandanas, matching poop bag holders and different styles of harnesses.
“I can already feel the buzz of the city now just being down here. It’s all about meeting the people and just having that Christmas vibe and feeling and experiencing it.”
Kirby (left) and Kim
US-born Kim and Kirby, both 31, run a caricature stall called Snickerdoodle and have had a stall at the market for the past six years.
The couple tour their business all around the world drawing comically exaggerated animations of market-goers.
Kirby explained what he finds special about being at the Christmas Market in Belfast.
“You wouldn’t get something like this in the States. It feels so cosy, people are so nice about the drawings and inquisitive too. Most people talk to us about what we do.” Kim also hailed the people of Belfast for their chatty nature and how much they enjoy the experience of getting their picture drawn.
Kim said: “One nice thing about here is that people don’t go on their phones. I think the culture here is really inquisitive, there’s a lot of conversation. It’s more of a hangout than like just ‘draw me’. Couples here have a tendency to talk to each other and enjoy the experience, they’re just really happy to be here.”
Abdul Tefnas (56) sells various crafts made of wood and marble such as figurines, chessboards and crystals all handmade in Morocco. This will be his 12th year providing stocking fillers for Belfast’s Christmas Market shoppers but he has previously set up stalls in Enniskillen, Cookstown and Newtownards.
Abdul Tefnas
“Belfast is very different,” he explained. “We’ve noticed that people in Belfast really appreciate handcrafted stuff. What we like about it is the people. It’s a big town but you don’t feel it. It’s not like London or Manchester where people are always rushing.
“They’re very pleasant and nice people — I’ve never had anything bad. When we come to Belfast and Ireland, we are always very excited, honestly”
Abdul recalled one of his most memorable experiences since he first began trading here.
“I had a customer, I think last year, who was from here but she was talking to me in Moroccan! She said she lived in Marrakesh and had the same business as me over there.”
Shauna Fox
Shauna Fox (27) is an artist based in Bangor specialising in landscape paintings of Northern Ireland and the Republic for over a decade.
She said she is both excited and nervous at her first time setting up a stall at the market in Belfast.
“It’s surreal even being here. I go to the Christmas Market every year with my mum and sister. I remember last year I was walking around the market and saw someone who was my age and also an artist.”
Shauna decided to reach out to various people before sending in an application and eventually getting a stall.
“That was the first time I thought that maybe I could do this. I made it my mission to see if I could be part of the market.
“This time last year I was really wanting to do this, now I actually am. I’m really proud of myself for even being here and doing what I said I was actually going to do.
“It’s manifestation as well as a lot of hard work.”
Santa’s Post Office elves joined by his little helpers Rachel Evans (6), Stephanie Whyte (7), Peter Evans (4), and Ownie Evans (9)
Meanwhile, children across Northern Ireland can pick up their pens and pencils to write their letters to Santa as the official Post Office opens for the season this weekend.
Belfast One has been tasked by Santa to host his official Post Office at 2 Royal Avenue where the elves, brought to life by c21 Theatre Company, are on hand to make the experience magical, helping children bring their Christmas dreams to life.
The Christmas Market will officially open from noon on November 16 and run until 6pm on Friday, December 22. Families can stop by Santa’s at 2 Royal Avenue between 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and 4pm-8pm on selected Thursdays and Fridays.