Countdown to Christmas officially under way in Sheffield as thousands attend new city centre celebration

The countdown to Christmas is officially under way in Sheffield.

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The city centre Christmas Market opened earlier this week, including the ever popular double decker Alpine Lodge bar in the Peace Gardens, which has been busy all weekend.

For the first time in more than a decade, Sheffield has an ice rink in Tudor Square over the festive season.

And new for this year is a snow slide on Surrey Street.

The big wheel has returned and can be found on The Moor.

Market stalls selling food, drinks and gifts stretch from Fargate, past the Town Hall and Peace Gardens to The Moor.

Yorkshire pudding wraps, mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate and churros are among the treats on offer.

It is bigger than ever in the hope of attracting the crowds to help create a magical Christmas atmosphere and to support local businesses.

The market runs up to and including Christmas Eve.

The opening Christmas weekend culminated, for the first time ever, in a Christmas celebration event for families on Devonshire Green, bringing a new festive lights spectacle to that part of the city centre.

The free, ticketed event, featured live music and entertainment.

An Abba tribute band got the crowd singing along ahead of the official lights switch-on.

There was face painting for children and light-up toys which added to the festive atmosphere.

Food stalls selling tacos, pizza, donuts, burgers and waffles proved popular as well as mulled wine.

Sheffield woman, Dolah, from Banner Cross, attended the Devonshire Green Christmas event with her partner and another couple.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, there’s lots of people here. Everybody has come together. It’s brilliant.”

Andy, from Stocksbridge, said: “For a free event, it’s really good. It gets communities together and brings everyone out.”

The popular Victorian Christmas Market returns to Sheffield's Kelham Island over the weekend of December 5 and 6.

Over 80 market stalls, under atmospheric gas lamps, will sell an array of Sheffield-made wares, gifts and seasonal goods, plus a programme of festive entertainment is planned.

There will be a Santa’s grotto, children's fairground rides and games, and a ‘Selfie Sleigh’ for photos.

Local brass bands, musicians, choirs and carollers will entertain visitors.

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