There are two family-friendly events in Fenland which are free to attend
There’s less than a month left to go now until the big day, and for many, Christmas shopping will be well underway. If you’re struggling to know what to buy for people, then exploring the stalls at a Christmas market may be enough to spark your inspiration.
And whilst some Christmas markets require you to pay for a ticket to enter, there are two happening in Cambridgeshire which are free to visit, making them ideal spots for last-minute festive plans. The first of the free markets will be in March on December 7 between 10am and 3pm. The following weekend on December 14, Wisbech will host a winter fayre from 10am until 3pm.
Both events promise to be filled with stalls, seasonal food and entertainment for all the family.
March Christmas Market
March will be throwing itself into the festive spirit with 190 stalls selling a range of gifts, crafts and produce. Along with a spot of shopping, visitors can enjoy hot festive food, live entertainment, free children’s rides, a Santa’s grotto and an indoor craft market.
The stalls and attractions will be spread across Broad Street, High Street and March Market Place. The craft fair will be inside March Library on City Road. March Museum will also be open, and the free children’s rides and Santa’s grotto will be in the Market Place. Stalls and attractions will also be in St Peter’s Church on the High Street.
Cllr Jan French, chair of March Events Committee, said: “March Christmas Market promises to be a wonderful occasion once again and we can’t wait to see the community coming together in the town centre to embrace the festive season and all the joy it entails. I’d like to thank the local businesses who sponsor the event as well as all involved in enabling and supporting it.”
A number of road closures will be in operation in March, to allow for the market to take place. These restrictions will be in place from 5.30am until 7.30pm on Decemebr 7 for the following routes: Acre Road, Broad Street, City Road, Elwyn Road, George Street, Grays Lane, High Street, Market Place, Nene Parade.
Free parking will be available at Fenland District Council’s City Road and Darthill Road car parks. You can also park for free at Fenland Hall in County Road. Alternatively, the train station is only one mile from the town centre.
Wisbech Christmas Fayre
Wisbech town centre will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland on December 14. There will be 80 stalls offering a range of gifts and tasty seasonal food as well as live music and dance, children’s attractions, an indoor craft fair and plenty of family activities.
The festive event will spread across the Market Place, High Street, The Crescent, library, museum and Horsefair Shopping Centre. Inside the old Argos in Horsefair, free science activities will be taking place whilst on Market Street, there will be a miniature ride-on train at £1.50 per ride.
Inside Wisbech Library on Ely Place is where you will find the craft fayre and over in the Wisbech Museum, you will find historical Christmas food displays and tasting.
As with the March Christmas market, Wisbech will also have some road closures in place. These will be in place from 5am until 7pm on the day of the event along the following roads: Bridge St, York Row, Post Office Lane, The Crescent, Ely Place, Castle Square, Castle Mews and Union Place, Hill St, Union St, Market Place, High St, Little Church St, Church Terrace.
Free car parking will be available at the council’s car parks in Chapel Road, Somers Road and Church Terrace. You can also park for free all day at Horsefair Shopping Centre car park.
