Cork to host continental-style Christmas market
The city’s Bishop Lucey Park will be transformed into a “winter wonderland” and the Grand Parade will be lined with food stalls to entice people into the city.
Carol singers, festive lighting displays and a Santa’s grotto are also planned.
The market is due to open in late November and run every weekend until Christmas.
It will be run along similar lines to world-famous Christmas markets in Germany and will feature tie-in cookery demonstrations in the English Market.
It will be promoted as part of a national TV advertising campaign due to screen later this month, highlighting all the city has to offer.
The market is being organised by Cork City Marketing Partnership and Cork-based strategic marketing company H+A Connect.
They hope to build on this year’s event and develop and expand the project over the next three years.
But funding support from city businesses is needed if the event is to succeed, a spokesperson for the marketing partnership said.
Many people currently travel to cities like Amsterdam and Cologne for Christmas festivals, she said.
“Cork’s festival will be realised if the city’s business community come up with the funds.”
City manager Joe Gavin is supporting the initiative and has urged the city’s business community to help make the plans happen.
“This is a great initiative that will help drive people to Cork boosting the economy,” he said.
“It is up to all of us to support this activity and help make it happen.”
Cork Marketing Partnership is drawing up a brochure to promote the city and shopping over Christmas.
Any business, schools or theatres planning Christmas activities across the city in the month of December should contact 021 4317895 for inclusion in the brochure.
