Sheffield Christmas Markets make their return today
The Christmas markets and lights return despite £18 million budget cuts.
Sheffield Christmas markets have reopened today for the festive season and will be running until the end of December. The markets are open from 10 am-6 pm Sunday-Thursday, and until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
There are over 50 log cabin stalls lining Fargate, the Peace Gardens and the Moor. The markets offer two alpine bars, a range of food stalls, including Yorkshire pudding wraps and churros, and plenty of independent shop stalls.
There will also be a big wheel, which offers scenic views of the market, and a Santa’s grotto.
The Christmas light switch-on also takes place this week, on Sunday 20th November. The switch-on will be a whole afternoon event with street entertainers, choirs and dancers performing from 2 pm. The illuminations will begin at 6 pm and will be seen from Barkers Pool to the Town Hall.
Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, of the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said: “Councils are facing at least £2.4 billion in extra cost pressures this year as a result of inflation, energy costs and projected increases to the National Living Wage.”
There will be slight changes to Sheffield’s Christmas lights this year due to £18 million budget cuts. Sheffield City Council said that Christmas lighting-up times will be reduced by 4.5 hours per day compared to previous years. This means the city centre lights will go on from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Other local councils, such as Manchester and Leeds, were also forced to cancel or cut back on Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas events due to budget cuts and the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Vernon-Jackson said: “Councils know how important it is for communities to have opportunities to come together and share experiences, meet friends and family and have fun together, and will do what they can to ensure they continue.
