A Very Blackpool Christmas

This Christmas season, Blackpool's High Street Heritage Action Zone is taking the stress out of buying gifts for your loved one by bringing together 50 local independent traders under one roof for Blackpool’s biggest Christmas market. And with family entertainment and crafty workshops to take part in too, it promises to bring joy and gladness back into the Christmas shopping experience.

On 30th November the Winter Gardens Pavilion will be transformed into a festive marketplace with stalls selling handmade crafts, original artwork, artisan jewellery and homeware and so much more. The stalls are hosted by Blackpool makers and artists selling their unique products, meaning you’ll be supporting local independent traders and purchasing sustainable gifts that are good for the planet and much of it good for your pocket too.

This is the third annual Blackpool Christmas Creative Market hosted by the High Street Heritage Action Zone which aims to use Blackpool’s high street heritage as a catalyst for bringing new and diverse uses to the town centre.

Many of those artists are returning for the Christmas Creative Market, including Jayne Stevenson, whose beautiful depictions of local landmarks are always a favourite, Stuart Tarpey-Canvas Creations- who has creative portraits of all your favourite characters and public figures, and Sarah Pugsley’s prints, made under the moniker Coxyart and inspired by Fylde Coast landmarks, make a perfect gift for anyone who’s rightly proud of our vibrant hometown.

There will be tonnes of inspiration for stocking fillers for children, with traders including Josh Ford – aka The Bearded Sewist – selling his handmade plushies, Hex Gregson-Hexagram Designs-with their Studio Ghibli inspired crocheted characters and Emily Moore-Foxhat - who will have cute stickers and accessories which are sure to put smiles on faces.

Specialist teas, ceramics, 3D printed crafts, toiletries, candles, one of a kind homeware and much more.

Textiles, meanwhile, will be well covered with everything from vintage clothes, hand-knitted baby clothes, hair accessories, tote bags and homeware such as cushions and blankets.

Alongside this eclectic range of stalls, three local creatives will be hosting sustainability-themed workshops – inviting visitors to drop in and try their hand at making something christmassy themselves.

Lisa Wigham from the Two A.M. Press will be running a letterpressing workshop, where participants can upcycle used greeting cards, adding personalised messages for their loved ones.

Sam Mawdsley will be running one of her ever-popular craft sessions, where participants young and old will be able to make a custom decoration for their Christmas tree using recycled materials.

“Join us for a festive handmade workshop where creativity meets sustainability. Together, we’ll craft unique treasures to cherish and celebrate for years to come”

Using recycled scrap clay, Chelsea Ladish from Odie’s Pottery will host ceramic decoration painting workshops, giving participants the chance to create something unique and personal to take home with them.

There’ll also be plenty to entertain the children while you shop for them at Blackpool Creative Christmas Market. Street theatre performers will be providing entertainment and we have musical offerings from Rhy Grooves and the Park Academy Brass Band to enjoy as well. 

“We’re bringing Christmas shopping back to the high street but putting sustainability at the heart of it while supporting 50 independent local traders. There’s the added bonus of being able to do all your shopping in one place on one day while having the opportunity to feel part of our town’s vibrant creative community and entertain the family at the same time with some really fun activities.

“This event is made all the more special by being hosted in one of Blackpool’s most beautiful venues and we want to thank the Winter Gardens Trust for their support and for hosting this event with us. 

“We’re positive you’ll leave our market filled with the yuletide spirit and with your Christmas shopping wrapped up in time for you to soak up the rest of the festive season.”