Sheffield Christmas Markets to return with a special festive weekend to look forward to

Sheffield’s Christmas markets are back and full to the brim with festive treats and gifts for everyone to enjoy, including an extra special weekend of festivities planned.

Sheffield’s Festive Weekend will take place on the first weekend of the Christmas Markets and the city will play host to street entertainment including brass bands, choirs, street dance artists and an outdoor cinema screen which will be showing Christmas films throughout the weekend.

Due to ongoing transformative works on Fargate to improve and develop the city centre, Christmas in Sheffield will look a little different from usual this year.  It will not be possible to safely host a Christmas lights switch on event, therefore, to make sure people can celebrate Christmas in style, the Council will be hosting a whole weekend of festivities, with lights put up across the city centre and plenty of Christmas-themed activities taking place across the city for all to enjoy.

Councillor Minesh Parekh, Deputy Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee said:

"Sheffield is the place to be at Christmas time, with so much to enjoy. This year, the city will be hosting a two-day Festive Weekend on Saturday 18th and 19th November, to celebrate Christmas in style.

"Big changes to Sheffield’s city centre—including transforming Fargate and Pinstone street—have led us to explore new opportunities to ensure our Christmas celebrations will be better than ever.

“We’re excited to showcase our changing city centre throughout the Christmas period, and to be hosting this new, whole-weekend event.”

Notes to Editors:

• Recent attendance levels at the event have been in the area of 35,000 – 40,000.
• Other locations were considered as alternatives – The Peace Gardens, Barkers Pool and Tudor as individual locations do not give the capacity site numbers needed for the event.
• The Moor is not available due to the fact over 60% of the Christmas Market and Big Wheel will already be in operation.
• The Christmas Market will operate from 16th November – 24th December (Bars will be open until 2^nd January 2024)
  • Opening hours: 10am - 8pm everyday (Bars open until 11pm)

Why isn’t it possible to host the Christmas lights switch on?

The decision to not hold a Christmas lights switch-on event has been taken due to crowd safety concerns and much consideration. Experts advised that due to the Future High Streets Fund works currently taking place at the top of Fargate, entry and exit routes to and from Barkers Pool are compromised.

What work is happening on Fargate?

Work is underway to transform the public space on Fargate, including new seating, lighting and Grey to Green inspired planting, an underground bin system and a sustainable urban drainage. This is part of wider works taking place across the city centre to improve the vision and appeal of Sheffield’s city centre.