Matlock’s festive market is 20 years old

Christmas Cheer: Dave Melling and John Cragie of Newcastle pictured on their Singing Santa stall at the Matlock Victorian Market.

The ever–popular Matlock Victorian Christmas Market will return to Hall Leys Park for its 20th anniversary from Friday, December 5, to Sunday, December 7.

There will be more than 200 stalls selling items such as traditional crafts, local produce, Christmas gifts and festive refreshments, as well as a food court.

On Saturday and Sunday Circuswhiz will be staging circus workshops in a large inflatable circus ring.

On Saturday there will also be a procession through the streets of Matlock featuring Father Christmas in a coach and horses from Red House Stables, Darley Dale, leading to the Christmas lights switch-on at 4.45pm by Radio Derby presenter Ian Sky.

There will be family entertainment including a juggler, fire-eater, clown and carnival band. On Friday the Salvation Army Band will be playing throughout the day.

Zoologist James McKay will be in attendance on all three days with his display of owls. There will also be displays from the Seaforth Highland Band and The Honey Bells.

Ellie Osborne, 10, from Matlock, will be singing on the bandstand along with West End performer Mark Handley, who has appeared on the West End stage, and Father Christmas will be in his grotto on Saturday and Sunday

Councillor Geoff Stevens, chairman of the organising committee, a partnership between Matlock Town Council and the Matlock Business Group, said “The event which started with only ten stalls has now grown into an event with around two hundred stalls and attractions.”