As the euphoria of the hugely enjoyable Deepdale Festival begins to fade, thoughts in Burnham Deepdale turn towards the dreaded C word, the festive season and of course Deepdale Christmas Market. There are less than 50 days until more than 150 artisans and producers join the shops & café of Dalegate Market for a weekend of all things Christmas, the official start to the festive season on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast.
Now in its 11th year, Deepdale Christmas Market is as much part of the Christmas tradition, as mince pies and chocolate coins. The artisans and producers gather with produce they’ve spent the last few months producing, and visitors return with their Christmas lists, looking for favourite stalls and discovering new additions they’ve not seen before.
“The hardest part of organising Deepdale Christmas Market is choosing the stalls each year. There are so many choices to be made and limited space. That constant dilemma of deciding which stalls to repeat from previous years and making space to allow new stalls to join us. It’s a giant jigsaw that Jason and I spend many hours debating and adjusting. We are really pleased with the variety of stalls we are hosting this year, so much choice and quality.” said Estelle Townshend, one of the market’s organisers.
Santas 
Crew in Christmas Jumpers 
Reindeer
As in previous years there are the three large marquees around the Dalegate Market site, filled with Christmas presents, decorations, food and drink – Dalegate Tent, Walkway Tent and Orchard Tent. Around those tents there are outside stalls, entertainment stages, and street food vendors, creating the festive village that is Deepdale Christmas Market.
But Dalegate Market isn’t the only site of Deepdale Christmas Market. Immediately next door both Deepdale Backpackers & Camping and St Mary’s Church throw open their doors to stall holders and visitors, creating two large areas for stalls, and extra places to eat and drink. The inside space of the Brick Barn, the charity café in the kitchen of Deepdale Backpackers Hostel, the stalls amongst the pews of St Mary’s Church.
With everything open from 10am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there is plenty of time to wander the site, exploring each area, and taking the time to check out the wonderful array of produce on sale. Favourite comments from customers include ‘been round 3 times and seen different things every time’, ‘never been in the church before, what a wonderful place’ and ‘hadn’t realised so much of the market would be undercover’.
Choir singing carols 
Reindeer & tree 
Bah humbug!
“Burnham Deepdale is a wonderfully bustling hub of the North Norfolk Coast throughout the year, visitors picking up their essential provisions, enjoying the independent shops, grabbing a bite to eat at the café, or staying over on the campsite or in the backpackers hostel. Many of the artisans and producers you’ll see at the Deepdale Christmas Market join us throughout the year in our pop up shops and at our other big market event, the Deepdale Spring Market in late March. But there is something very special about the Christmas Market and the fact that we get so many artisans and producers in one place for a lovely festive celebration. Huge thanks to everyone who supports us each year, and to all the team who help us put this event on. Fingers crossed we can raise as much for charity as we did in 2018, when we raised over £10,000.” said Jason Borthwick, the other market’s organiser.
“Oh and don’t forget to join us for the Christmas Jumper Flash Mob on Sunday 1st December at 2.30pm in the Backpackers Courtyard! Really looking forward to seeing the range of jumpers this year, we’ve had some quality ones in previous years.” continued Jason
As usual entry to Deepdale Christmas Market is free, and car parking is also free (please follow the signs), although the RNLI and Hunstanton Lions who are managing the car parking this year would welcome any donations.
All the stalls are open from 10am to 5pm on Friday 29th, Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December.
The full list of artisans and producers attending Deepdale Christmas Market is available on the website: www.deepdalechristmasmarket.co.uk