Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ
Way up Bristol where the air gets cold, there’s a place selling gifts that all need to be sold – it’s a real famous market all dressed up in lights, with tons of festive stalls selling lots of delights – it’s the little St Nicks Market (little St Nicks), it’s the little St Nicks Market (little St Nicks) – Oo oo ooooo, Merry Christmas St Nicks.
Christmas comes this time each year to St Nicholas Market in Bristol. With more than 60 stalls selling a treasure trove of gifts, from fashion and accessories to books and records, as well as a reputation for serving some of the best food in this city already known for its world-class food and drink scene, this historic market is truly the place to come for an unforgettable festive shopping experience this Christmas.
Established in 1743, visitors fly in from far and wide to experience what is widely regarded as the most beloved market in Bristol, and this year, St Nicks is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a very special guest indeed, known for his rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, beard as white as snow, and belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowlful of jelly.
Just two weeks from today on Friday 6th December, jump in your reindeer-drawn sleigh and descend upon St Nicholas Market for the special St Nicholas Day edition of St Nick’s famous Night Market. While you’re wrapped up in your cosiest winter clothes and shopping for local, artisanal, handmade gifts, warm your spirits with mulled cider, Christmassy cocktails, and festive street food before joining in with the Christmas carols and meeting St Nicholas himself.
Bring all your friends and family and help to spread Christmas joy by supporting small, local businesses. Kicking off with carol singing from St Nick’s Church on The Registry Office steps, the night promises to start the festive season in style and even gives you the finest opportunity to wrap up your Christmas shopping early, with a festive market selling unique crafts and tasty edible treats that make the ideal stocking fillers.
After the carol singing, kids from one to 92 will have the exciting opportunity to meet Santa Claus himself in his special grotto inside the church, where there will also be a ton of child-friendly crafts to get involved in, including candle decoration and Christmas card making.
If you’re mostly planning on stopping by for the festive food – and if you’re visiting this blog there’s a high possibility – the market certainly won’t disappoint. As well as the usual world-class street food offering, boasting an impressive selection of different cuisines from all across the planet which will certainly keep the globe-trotting Santa satisfied, there will also be a few festive additions.
Try a ‘Christmas Kelis’ from Espensen Spirits – a boozy milkshake with rhubarb and custard vodka – or warm up with a Christmas dinner wrap. There will also be grilled four-cheese mac and cheeses from Alp Mac, Indonesian specialities from Enggi’s Kitchen, vegan-friendly jackfruit nuggets from Two Broke Girls, along with hot churros, gourmet burgers, warming stews, and much much more.
St Nicholas Indoor Market is open every day from Sunday 17th November until Christmas Eve, with Christmas themed outdoor markets open every day from 10am to 5pm, from Wednesday 11th December until Christmas Eve. The outdoor Christmas stall will be open alongside their regular Vegan and Wellbeing Market (Monday 11am to 2.30pm), Street Food Market (Tuesday and Friday 11am to 2.30pm), and Bristol Farmers’ and Producers’ Market (Wednesday 9.30am to 2.30pm).
St Nicks Night Markets’ St Nicholas Day Edition is taking place on Friday 6th December and is open from 5pm to 10pm.
Read our rundown of the many food and drink options at St Nicholas Market here, and be sure to look out for St Nicks Market in our soon to be released Bristol Food & Drink Guide 2019.
