Belfast Christmas Market has attracted 50,000 people in its first two days of opening.
The popular market at Belfast City Hall opened its gates to the public on Saturday, November 19 and saw thousands of eager shoppers queue to be the first to experience it.
Back for its 17th year, the Christmas Market shows no signs of dwindling in popularity as indicated from its opening weekend.
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Andy Pidgeon, Market Manager said: ‘’So much work goes into organising and setting up the Christmas Market, so it’s absolutely fantastic to see all the hard work paying off, with visitors and traders soaking up the vibrant, festive atmosphere that the Market provides.’’
Dolores Ryan and granddaughter Anna-Rose Ryan, who travelled all the way from Dublin for the opening, were the first people in the queue on Saturday.
Belfast Christmas Market, which has just been named the UK’s Best Christmas Market by Conde Nast, attracts visitors from across Europe and the UK and has become a significant contributor to the local economy.
Regularly attracting over one million visitors it contributes an annual economic impact to the city of in and around £75m.
Research shows that visitors arriving from the Republic of Ireland are increasing year on year and now make up just over 25% of total visitors.
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