News Update – 21 March 2022

Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd has successfully organised the Harrogate Christmas Market® on Montpellier Hill for 8 years.  As a result of Covid, we have been unable to arrange the Christmas Market for the past 2 years.

The Harrogate Christmas Market® team have decided not to organise future markets in Harrogate. We thank all our super local volunteers, voluntary organisations, local contractors and traders for all their support over the years.

Our Christmas Markets have attracted over 80,000 visitors per year and supported the local economy by £2.7m per year, attracting over 187 coaches from around the country and nearly 200 local traders selling local produce or products. Harrogate Christmas Market® has provided financial support to several local charities and good causes amounting to over £90,000 over the last 5 years.

We wish those taking up the challenge of providing a good quality Christmas Market in Harrogate all the best as we know how hard it is to create something that is truly appreciated by visitors and traders and which supports local businesses.

 

 

 

THE 2021 HARROGATE CHRISTMAS MARKET ON MONTPELLIER HILL HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The organisers hope it will return in 2022 – read latest News Release below

– and background to why in the HCM Blog

15th September 2021

HARROGATE CHRISTMAS MARKET – BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS

After several months of consideration since we submitted our Event Plan on 5th May 2021, the Harrogate Borough Council Executive Officers have refused to issue a licence for Harrogate Christmas Market 2021.  We tried very hard to resolve their concerns over issues raised by the emergency services and parks department, without success.

The Council say that they want us off Montpellier Hill but they would not suggest any suitable alternative.   So we have reviewed 12 other possible locations but none are suitable for expected 200 stalls, 150+ coaches and tens of thousands of visitors.  We now have no choice but to say with regret that the original Harrogate Christmas Market for 2021 is definitely cancelled for this year.

A meeting of the Harrogate Christmas Market Group on 13th September reviewed the situation and the options going forward.  The meeting decided unanimously to plan ahead for a Harrogate Christmas Market 2022 at the traditional location on Montpellier Hill with hopefully more space for stalls and visitors.   We intend to resolve all the remaining Council concerns before reapplying for a licence early in 2022.

The Harrogate Christmas Market is unique in the country.  It is family oriented, with locally sourced products and traders.  We are now appealing for more business supporters and volunteers to enlarge our working team.   

John Fox,  one of the original  founders of the Harrogate Christmas Market, said  “It was an extremely positive meeting.  We are planning to organise a Harrogate Christmas Market in 2022 because we strongly believe we should support local businesses in the town centre at a critical time of year for them.  It is estimated that the Market brings in £2.4m per year.” 

Brian L Dunsby, OBE, Organiser
HARROGATE CHRISTMAS MARKET LTD.
Tel: 01423 879208 or 870025.  Mobile 07836 537512
Email: organiser@HarrogateChristmasMarket.org

Since 2012 the Harrogate Christmas Market has been held on The Stray in the historic Montpellier Quarter of Harrogate town centre. This four-day festive market is normally filled with high quality Yorkshire products with nearly 200 stalls selling everything from Yorkshire cheeses and chutneys to handmade gifts and Christmas decorations.

Harrogate’s vibrant town centre has fabulous shopping, cafe culture, fine cuisine, grand and cosy hotels as well as a glamorous heritage as a European spa town. Search out fabulous independent shopping and welcoming communities in Commercial Street, Cold Bath Road and Kings Road, just to mention a few. 

Find out more about where to stay and what to do in the Harrogate District at Visit Harrogate and The Harrogate Guide. 

Harrogate’s award-winning Christmas Market has become renowned for the quality and variety of products on offer.

With about 200 traders selling mostly Yorkshire products, there is something for everyone:

– Delicious Yorkshire food, drinks & confectionery

– Hand-made toys, clothes, hats & accessories

– Unique crafts, gifts and Christmas decorations

– Traditional mulled wine, roast chestnuts and more!

Contact the

Harrogate Christmas

Market Team