Get into the festive spirit as Cantley Park’s first Christmas Market is set to light up the event field this winter. The Christmas Market is free to attend and will take place in-person from Wednesday 24 November until Friday 24 December 2021. There will be outdoor market huts selling delicious food and drinks, plus a variety of gifts, offering borough residents the perfect opportunity to shop for Christmas presents, whilst supporting local businesses.
Last year’s Christmas Market took place virtually and was a huge success for both exhibitors and residents. This year’s market is expected to be twice as popular with the additional footfall from Cantley Park’s recently opened café, 3G sports pitch and Wokingham’s first ice skating rink, which will be situated within the event field during the duration of the Christmas Market.
Wokingham Borough Council is seeking local businesses, including those who make Christmas cards, gifts and toys, food and drink suppliers, and arts and craft vendors to exhibit at the Christmas Market by registering their interest here.
Executive member for environment and leisure Cllr Parry Batth said: “As we approach the autumnal months, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. The past eighteen months have shown us the importance of shopping locally, and what better way to support growth in our local economy and help build business by attending Cantley Park’s Christmas Market.
“Whether you are a baker, jewellery maker or Christmas gift designer, we want to see as many vendors as possible selling local gifts and produce at the Christmas Market. We are anticipating that there will be plenty of interest in exhibiting at the event, particularly helped by the increased visitors from the ice skating rink, and I am encouraging vendors to book their market huts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
Exhibit at the Christmas Market
There will be eleven outdoor market huts, available in an open plan (recommended for retail) or closed format (recommended for food and drink preparation). Each exhibitor will have a 3.2m x 2m hut equipped with power and adorned in a festive garland with festoon lights. Local businesses can choose to exhibit weekly or for the duration of the event (four weeks).
The weekly cost for commercial exhibitors is £1,820, non-commercial exhibitors is £420 and food and drink vendors is £500. The Christmas Market will be marketed and promoted to residents in Wokingham borough and the surrounding areas.
Festive fun at Cantley Park
An ice skating rink will be situated within Cantley Park’s event field from 12 November 2021 until 7 January 2022, from 12pm to 8pm. Provided by Chippa Events, the synthetic 13m x 19m ice rink will be available for all residents to use, turning Cantley Park’s event field into a magical winter wonderland.
Residents can attend the Christmas Market for free, with an option to purchase tickets for the ice skating rink separately. Cantley Park’s market hut will be positioned nearby selling a variety of delicious food and drink, including mince pies and glasses of mulled wine to get families into the Christmas spirit.
To exhibit at the Christmas Market, please register your interest here
