Christmas Artisan Market will turn Rochdale town centre into festive winter wonderland for all the family

Date published: 23 November 2023

Rochdale town centre is set to become a festive winter wonderland for the Christmas edition of the Riverside Artisan Market on 30 November.

The Artisan Market is the monthly highlight of Rochdale’s event calendar with the latest promising to be a real Christmas Cracker to kickstart the holiday season.

All the stops have been pulled out for 30 November, with more than 35 independent stalls offering the north west’s very best hand-crafted food products and unique treasures – perfect for the ideal Christmas present without the last-minute rush!

Good food and drink form the cornerstone of Christmas, and there’s no time like the present to stock up on local produce for the festive period from bespoke food and drink suppliers.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without your favourite festive tunes from a traditional brass band, which will form a backdrop of entertainment throughout the evening.

For the kids, there will be face painting, and Father Christmas will be making a quick pitstop in Rochdale town centre ahead of his busiest night of the year.  

A spokesperson for Father Christmas said: “When Father Christmas heard about the Festive Artisan Market he jumped at the chance to get involved, so you better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why— Father Christmas is coming to Rochdale town." 

Everyone who gets to meet Father Christmas will leave with a gift, plus have the opportunity to have their photo taken with him in his grotto. 

Be prepared to meet the one and only Mr Grinch, who has been specially invited by Santa to join the festivities.

Beware as he is very naughty and sly!

Paul Ambrose, BID Manager, said: “The BID’s Artisan Market is extremely popular and this year we are delighted to bring a festive version of it, which will highlight some fantastic homegrown traders and producers and it will be an opportunity for people to come together in a vibrant and festive atmosphere where they can eat, drink, shop and with friends and family.

“We can’t wait to welcome you!”

The Christmas edition of the Riverside Artisan Market is not to be missed: 4-8pm on Thursday 30 November at Riverside Walk, Rochdale town centre.