For the second year in a row, the UK’s oldest Christmas market has been cancelled — and in it’s place will be an ‘Ice Adventure’ which has received some criticism from locals
The UK’s oldest Christmas market has been axed for 2024 and replaced with an ice adventure.
The Lincoln Christmas Market has been mothballed by the City of Lincoln Council and has been replaced with an ice sculpture trail.The hugely successful Christmas market had been running for 40 years and gained more than a quarter of a million visitors annually. However, now the market has been cancelled, with the council saying it wasn’t in its interest to continue running it due to the associated costs and the hardwork it required.
Despite huge objections and many locals wishing the market would continue, it has not returned this year.
Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Via Facebook, Caroline Slater said: “We were looking to visit Lincoln this year for the Christmas market. Just found out it’s been cancelled – gutted! People travel in from miles around to good traditional Christmas markets. That helps the local economy. They won’t do the same for the other small festivals scattered across the year.”
When the market was first cancelled last year, another Facebook user, Sarah said: “So the Lincoln Labour Council has indefinitely cancelled the Lincoln Christmas Market—the oldest market in the country because they said it was “too popular” and had become a safety risk.”
While the Christmas market in Lincoln may be gone, there will be a new ‘Ice Adventure’ in Lincoln. The event showcases ice sculptures, alongside other festive activities. It is free to attend and will take place on December 7-8. The trail consists of 16 ice sculptures, in various locations across the city centre, open from 11am to 5pm. During the event, there will also be entertainment including carol singers, ice carving demonstrations, circus performers, an LED dragon streamer, choirs and bands.
There will also be a small market, the Lincoln Makers Market and FFN’s Gluhwein stall (mulled wine).
Councillor Joshua Wells, portfolio holder for inclusive economic growth, said the council was “thrilled” to be bringing back the event, adding “Lincoln’s scenic streets are the perfect setting” to celebrate Christmas, reports the BBC.
He added: “Our goal is to make this festive season unforgettable, with significant investment in beautiful lights, sculptures, carollers, alongside the wider festive offering this season.”
‘Ice Adventure’ was introduced last year, after the council decided to stop hosting the annual Christmas market. However, the introduction of the ice trail has been criticised by some fans of the Christmas market. One user commented on Facebook: “Is this the best idea they can come up with since cancelling the Christmas market?”
Another user, Wendy, commented on the location of part of the trail: “Why on earth does it always have to be up hill in castle square? Don’t the council think of the locals who have trouble getting up there or have mobility problems.”
Elsewhere in Lincoln other events are due to take place in the coming weeks including the Christmas light switch on (28 Nov), the castle lights switch on (from 29 Nov) and a Christmas light trail (from 28 Nov).
