Soak up Victorian Sheffield atmosphere at popular Kelham Island Museum Christmas market

The popular market returns on Saturday, November 30 from 10am-7pm and Sunday, December 1, 10am-5pm.

Visitors can soak up the atmosphere under gas lamps and wander cobbled streets to enjoy over 100 bustling market stalls, festive entertainment and warming food and drinks.

Emphasis is placed on Sheffield-made and handmade goods and the promotion of traditional crafts and skills and local creatives, artisans and performers.

Festive themed market quarters include:

• Sheffield, Made - traditional crafts and skills from local artists, craftspeople and artisans

This area includes Sheffield Lacemakers, blacksmiths forge and Little Mesters Stan Shaw and Pete Goss. Local makers and artisans include glassworkers, ceramicists, printmakers, potters, jewellers, silversmiths and metalworkers, illustrators and artists of Sheffield scenes. The market supports Freeman College and Academy of Makers and welcomes community and charity stalls.

• All that Glitters - unique homeware, gifts and jewellery - perfect for stocking fillers and surprises. This area is home to a wide range of gifts from jewellery, wooden toys and books to local photographers and artists, handmade soaps, candles, textiles and prints.

• Christmas Shop - handmade greetings cards, tinsel and decorative treasures to get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up. From reindeer food to Christmas Eve boxes and vintage decorations.

• Festive Food - tastes from around the world, featuring traditional hog roast, wood fired pizzas, Bavarian sausages, burritos, burgers and crepes. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, a gin bar and themed sweet treats, cupcakes, homemade preserves and traditional spice. The Millowners Arms pub is serving a range of beverages and the new Island café/bar will be open in time for the event!

Dickensian-themed entertainment offers a traditional fairground with dodgems, a Victorian Music Hall Stage with brass bands, choirs, folk singers and variety acts and wandering living history Dickensian characters – plus a snow queen on stilts, hurdy gurdy player and mischievous Victorian pickpockets!

See the mighty River Don Engine in steam on the hour, every hour and take a short ride on the museum’s Kelham Flyer miniature traction engine.

Youngsters will be entertained in Santa’s Workshop as they help the elves prepare for their busiest time of year. Festive crafts include make your own Christmas stocking and traditional toys.

Meet Santa himself in his grotto, now located in Little Mesters Lane. Families can have fun taking souvenir photos on a new S’elf’ie Sleigh.

Gemma Holden, marketing co-ordinator at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our Victorian Christmas Market.

“We know it’s the ‘start of Christmas’ for many people in Sheffield and we are thrilled to bring back favourites like the fairground for 2019. Visitors can expect lots of unique shopping opportunities, magical entertainment and family friendly fun!”

Admission charge is £6 for adults and accompanied under-16s get in free. A £3 charge applies to the Santa’s Grotto. A small charge may apply to some activities suxch as fairground rides. Tickets are available on the day of the event. Assistance dogs only.

For more information see www.simt.co.uk, facebook.com/kelhamislandmuseum or @KelhamIsland on Twitter.