Countdown to Bath Christmas market begins

We’re less than 1 week out from the return of the hugely popular Bath Christmas Market, and to get residents in the Bath and North East Somerset area in the festive spirit, we’re throwing a special preview evening on November 23. This top-ten European market will have more than 170 amazing stalls spread across the city centre, making it one of the biggest Bath Christmas Markets to date.

On Wednesday, November 23, we’ll be opening our doors early, from 5pm to 7pm, so residents can come and check out all the great festive gifts and delicious food and drink on offer.

And to sweeten the deal, stallholders will be offering discounts from Mondays to Fridays to anyone who shows their Discovery Card during the preview evening or during the Christmas market. Discounts vary by trader, but usually include 10% off or money off if you spend over a certain amount. You can find details of any discounts offered under each individual trader’s listing on the Bath Christmas Market website. Bath Christmas Market celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will run for 18 days from November 24 to December 11 as part of the wider ‘Bath at Christmas’ events.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising residents and visitors to the market to plan their journeys in advance and where they can access live information about public transport, including three different Park and Ride services, and car parking. Motorists are asked to note that Royal Avenue will be closed to public traffic during the event. Variable message signs will be in place for the duration of the market to let motorists know how full car parks are on approach. Live occupancy levels are available at most car parks and can be checked online here

Extra staff will also be on hand with ticket machines at Park & Ride sites to speed up boarding. Buses will be running for longer hours into the evening throughout the market. Parking at the Park and Ride sites is free if taking the service into or out of the city.

Useful links to help people plan their journeys are: All the on and off-street parking in Bath First Bus’s journey planner Information on Park & Ride sites

GWR ticket booker to visit Bath by train

Councillor Kevin Guy, council Leader, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing both residents and visitors from further afield returning to this year’s Bath Christmas Market. The residents’ preview evening is the perfect opportunity to meander through the market streets before bigger crowds start to gather and enjoy a festive evening for the whole family, so please do join us.

“It’s fantastic that the market is so popular and we are keen to welcome an increased number of visitors to see everything our World Heritage city has to offer. However, I’d like to highlight the public transport and parking options there are available. Bath is well-served by bus services including three different Park and Ride services and by regular train services, and our car parks in the city are well signposted with occupancy levels updated in real time.” This year the market will also debut Christmas Carts on a three or four day let to twenty local micro-businesses, which for many of the traders will provide an opportunity to launch their fledgling businesses.

Sustainability is important to the market which has an emphasis on local artisan, locally produced food and good quality products. Single-use plastics are not permitted and all stallholders must use environmentally-friendly biodegradable alternatives to common single-use plastic products such as product packaging, bags, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.