Time for a road trip – The Belfast Christmas Market launches next week

I love Christmas markets.

Every year once November rolls around I have my eyes peeled for Christmas markets and fairs for those all-important festive vibes. Nothing gets me in the mood for the holidays quite like a glass of mulled wine and buying handmade gifts for loved ones. And if there's a mince pie going, I won't pass that up either. If you're already buzzing with Christmas spirit, much like myself, you'll be delighted to know that the Belfast Christmas markets open next week and it sounds amazing. The market's 20 chalets will host over 90 traders selling delicious food, jewellery, clothing and crafts. The food court, with bench-style seating, also makes a welcome return, as does the vintage helter-skelter offering stunning views right across the market and the much-loved carousel. Visitors to the market can treat themselves to the well-known Hug in a Mug of Gluhwein and end the day in one of the bars serving local and continental drinks. In partnership with the NOW Group, the market now has two new brilliant initiatives for people with accessibility challenges. On the Donegall Square East side of the market, a quiet room has been created to offer a calm space when the Market becomes just a little too much. In addition, market traders have received awareness training about the JAM Card. The JAM Card, which stands for ‘Just A Minute’, is a social innovation from NOW Group that offers a discreet way for users to tell people that sometimes they need a little extra time and patience. The JAM Card is available in the quiet room at the Market as a credit card sized card and also as a downloadable app for smartphones. The Belfast Christmas Market will launch next week at Belfast City Hall on Saturday, November 16. It will then run right up until Sunday, December 22. If you're looking for something fun and festive to do with the family next week, you can't do any better than the Belfast Christmas Market. Opening hours throughout November and December are as follows: Monday – Wednesday 10 am – 8 pm Thursday – Saturday 10 am – 10 pm Sunday 12 noon – 6 pm