Northamptonshire’s huge new Christmas market ‘will soon be the UK’s biggest’
A major Christmas event in Northamptonshire has sold out weeks before opening – with organisers now setting their sights on creating the biggest festive market in the UK.
Christmas in the Park will take over Santa Pod Raceway on December 5 and 6, featuring more than 200 stalls, attractions and activities across the weekend.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the two-day event, which will combine Christmas shopping, food, live entertainment and family attractions.
However, with admission tickets already sold out more than six weeks in advance, organisers are now looking beyond this year's celebrations and planning a much larger event in 2027.
Their long-term ambition is to establish Christmas in the Park as the UK's biggest Christmas market, attracting visitors from across the country.
Among this year's attractions will be a Christmas circus featuring a programme of performers and acts, with thousands expected to attend shows throughout the weekend.
Visitors will also have opportunities to meet Father Christmas, see real reindeer, enjoy appearances from the Grinch and toast marshmallows.
Social media personality Spudman, who has built an audience of millions through his street food content, will also make a special guest appearance.
Organisers say they wanted to create an event offering more than a conventional Christmas market, combining festive shopping with entertainment and activities for families.
A spokesman said: “We knew there was demand for something like this in Northamptonshire, but the response has been incredible. To sell out this far in advance of Christmas has been amazing, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has bought tickets.
“We wanted to create something much bigger than a traditional Christmas market. Somewhere families could come for the whole day, enjoy some brilliant food, watch live entertainment, do their Christmas shopping and really get into the Christmas spirit.”
Looking ahead, the spokesman confirmed that plans were already being developed to expand the event considerably next year.
“Our ambition is to make Christmas in the Park the UK’s biggest Christmas market, and we’re really excited about what we've got planned,” he added.
The event will run from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, December 5, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, December 6.
Organisers hope it will become a regular fixture in Northamptonshire's Christmas calendar.