Shop Local this Christmas in Northumberland and Scottish Borders

Are you looking to shop locally this Christmas? 2018 has seen a huge leap in how, where and when consumers are spending their money. Christmas markets offer a chance to meet local producers and businesses around Northumberland and Scottish Borders, from the big fairs at Paxton House to small village fetes in Spittal.

Shopping at local Christmas events allows you to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas in your community. Supporting local businesses is important at this time of year as consumer purchasing is at its highest point; this is highlighted by the Shop Local First campaign. Making changes to do your shopping locally at Christmas can change your shopping habits throughout the rest of the year.

Many local businesses are busy at Christmas time including local butchers, garden centres and greengrocers where we can stock up on locally grown ingredients for our meals during the holiday period so it’s important to think about other businesses that need our support this time of year.

This Christmas I Pledge To:

1. Shop Local.
2. Eat Local.
3. Spend Local.
4. Enjoy Local.

It takes you to start a trend.

7 Reasons To Shop Locally This Christmas

1. Spending money locally boosts the local economy
2. It’s more ethical and more environmentally friendly
3. Discover unique gifts
4. You’re more likely to get better service and advice on products. Nothing compares to face-to-face service.
5. You can get a good deal with no hidden costs or delivery charges.
6. Avoid the madness and crowds
7. Develop relationships in your community

Christmas events start from next week around Northumberland and Scottish Borders. The events include opportunities for Christmas shopping, entertainment, Christmas light switch-on evenings and parades.

Christmas in Northumberland

The Great Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre

Thursday 8th, Friday 9th, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th November

From 10 am – 4 pm, this free event at Brocksbushes Farm is a great day out for all the family. There will be marquees containing stalls of crafts, gifts and refreshments. The tea room and farm shop will also be open.

On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December, there will also be a Christmas Tasting weekend.

Whitehouse Farm Winter Market

Friday 16th November 11 am – 3 pm, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November 10 am – 4 pm

The 2nd Winter Market at Whitehouse Farm, near Morpeth, boasts over 40 local businesses from Northumbrian artisan producers. There is also a selection of activities including:

• Face painting
• Free access to play areas
• Christmas Elf Trail
• Groom a Festive Pony

Some activities have an additional cost. There is also a chance to have children’s letters to Santa delivered by the Christmas Owl who will return with personalised replies for all children. This must be booked in advance.

 Christmas at The Alnwick Garden

Starting Saturday 17th November with events happening until Sunday 6th January.

Highlights include:

•  The Grand Lantern Parade: Saturday 24th November
• Christmas Belles: Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd, Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd December
• Ice Skating: From Saturday 17th November till Sunday 6th January
• The Snow Lion: Meet him on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th December
• The Christmas Market: On weekends from Saturday 17th November till Sunday 23rd December 10 am – 5 pm.

Alnwick Christmas Lights Switch On

Friday 23rd November

Starts at 7 pm at Alnwick Market Place.

Manor Walks’ Christmas Light Switch On

Saturday 24th November

Starting at 10 am, there are plenty of characters who will greet visitors including Star Wars characters and princesses. There will be arts and crafts stalls, funfair rides and festive music. Lights will be switched on by Santa. Free entry.

Hexham Christmas Fair

Saturday 24th  – Sunday 25th November 10 am – 4 pm

Now in its 10th year, The Christmas Fair at Hexham has over 130 stalls of crafts, gifts and food. Find it at Wentworth Leisure Centre. Free entry.

Ford Christmas Market

25th November 11 am – 3.30 pm

Over 50 stalls selling local food and gift suggestions. There is a selection of food available including a locally-reared hog roast. For the kids there will be funfair rides and a chance to meet Santa and his donkeys. Free entry.

Ashington Christmas Light Switch On & Christmas Market

Thursday 29th November 1 pm – 7 pm

A family event which includes live music, kids entertainment and an opportunity to meet Santa. There will also be stalls selling crafts, gifts and food. Stick around to see the Christmas light switch on. Entry is free.

Spittal Christmas Fete

Saturday 1st December 10.30 am – 2 pm

Hosted by Spittal Improvement Trust holding a Christmas Fete in Berwick United Reform Church. Entry is free. There will be stalls, raffle, home baking and refreshments.

Ellingham Hall Family Christmas Fair

Sunday 2nd December 11 am – 4 pm

Suitable for all the family! There will be an assortment of stalls offering a selection of foods, gifts and crafts. For the kids, there is a ticketed Santa and Slime Experience costing £15.95 each for a full day of activities. You can take a horse and carriage ride, explore the grounds of Ellingham and enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies.

Christmas in Corbridge

Monday 3rd December 4 pm – 9 pm

A popular Christmas shopping event which includes a variety of stalls, street food, entertainment and the last day of the Corbridge Christmas Tree Festival. Santa will also be there.

Hexham Christmas Market and Abbey Fair

Friday 7th December 2 pm – 7 pm Saturday 8th December 9 am – 3 pm

There will be over 70 stalls along Beaumont Street. Meet Santa’s reindeer in the park. The Abbey will be open on Saturday with a lot of stalls to look at.

Berwick Christmas Market

Sunday 9th December 11 am – 4 pm

Along Marygate, there will be a wide variety of stalls from local producers, street food, mulled wine and funfair rides. There will also be musical entertainment. Inside the Town Hall, there are small craft stalls, face painting, a tea room and the opportunity to meet Santa and receive a gift.

Hay Farm Traditional Christmas Fayre

Sunday 16th December 10 am -4 pm

Although the centre is closed in December, they open especially for the Christmas Fayre. It’s a great chance to catch up with Christmas shopping. There will be food and craft stalls and a chance to meet Santa. Also, meet the animals at Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre and support their work by purchasing some of their homemade chutneys and jams for a Christmas gift. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

Christmas in Scottish Borders

Christmas Shopping at Abbotsford

Friday 9th November 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm

Enjoy a festive drink and a 20% discount on purchases at Abbotsford Visitor Centre.

Duns Christmas Market

Wednesday 21st November 10 am – 4 pm

Organised by A Heart for Duns. There will a selection of craft stalls and refreshments.

Christmas Shopping Evening Denholm Village Hall

Wednesday 21st – Thursday 22nd  November 6.30 pm – 9 pm

Selling lots of ideas for Christmas. Free entry.

St Abbs Christmas Market

Friday 23rd November 10 am – 3 pm

Ideal for discovering unusual and individual Christmas gift ideas and decorations for everyone at the Ebba Centre. Free entry.

A Little Norham Christmas

Friday 23rd November 6 pm – 9 pm

A fundraising event as well as a chance to do some Christmas shopping and enjoy a glass of fizz.  Tickets are £5 each and include a glass of prosecco/ soft drink and canapes. Over 18s only. Proceeds go to Berwick Cancer Cars and Northern Soul Kitchen.

Christmas Craft Fair Coldingham

Sat 24th November 10 am – 2 pm

An indoor market selling local produce and many gift ideas and a coffee morning being held. Free entry.

Christmas Fayre at The Haining, Selkirk

24th November 10.30 am – 4 pm

Entry by donation. Stalls selling crafts and gifts. Entertainment includes live music and Santa.

Kelso Christmas Lights

Sat 24th November 5 pm – 7.30 pm

An event suitable for all the family. There will be children’s entertainment including funfair rides and a visit to Santa’s Grotto. Live music will be performed by local community groups. Entry is free but all donations will be kindly received to support next year’s Christmas event.

Refreshments including Gluwein, soup and mince pies.

Christmas light switch on at 7.00pm.

Traquair Christmas Opening

24- 25th November  10.30 am – 4 pm

The house will be decorated in a Victorian Christmas fashion and there will be stalls throughout the house. Outside, live music will be performed by local choirs and the Silver band. Kids can visit Santa’s Grotto and enjoy entertainment such as the puppet show.

Refreshments will be served from the Garden Cafe including traditional treats such as roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.

Entry £1.00 minimum donation. All proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

Newtown St Boswells Christmas Event

Sunday 25th November 2018

The event includes Christmas lights switch on. Starting at 2 pm – 4.30 pm offering a selection of stalls, refreshments, raffle and kids entertainment. Recommencing 6 pm – 8 pm after the Santa parade from Milestone Garden Centre. Entry by donation.

Christmas Craft Fair – The Border Hotel

Thursday 29th November 2 pm – 7 pm

Come along and have a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie while choosing your Christmas Gifts from local crafters

Entry by donation.

The Border Hotel is in Kirk Yetholm, about 8 miles from Kelso.

Jedburgh Winter Festival

Friday 30th November

Jedburgh is having its Christmas Lights switch-on from 5 p.m till late at the Town Hall. Santa will be escorted up the High Street on a sleigh by the pipe band with the Winter Princess. The Princess will then switch on the lights and Oxnam Valley Voices Choir will sing Christmas carols.

Children can meet Santa after the lights at his grotto in the Town Hall and receive a gift. There will be stalls selling gifts,  local crafts and food.

Christmas Craft Fair – Lochcarron Visitor Centre

Saturday 1st December

Lochcarron Visitor Centre, in Selkirk, will be hosting their Christmas Craft Fair from 9 am- 5 pm. There will be a craft fair and a clearance area to bag a bargain gift. Then, for the little ones, there will be a visit from Santa.

Galashiels Christmas Market and Lights Switch On

Saturday 1st December

Starts at 11 am with lots of stalls around the town selling crafts and Christmas gifts.

Lights switched on at 5 pm.

Langholm Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday 1st December

A day out for all the family including market stalls, kids funfair rides, festive food and entertainment. Also, a chance to see Santa and his reindeer!

Hawick Christmas Parade & Lights

Saturday 1st December from 2.30 pm

Local craft stalls and refreshments available. Music entertainment begins at 3.45 pm and finishes at 5.30 pm when Santa arrives to turn on the Christmas tree lights.

Paxton House Christmas Cracker

Saturday 1st December 11 am – 4 pm Sunday 2nd December 11 am – 4 pm

A great opportunity to visit this Palladian mansion. As well as browsing many local stalls, you can enjoy mulled wine and viewing the house and grounds at Paxton.

Tickets are £3 and free for kids.

Jedburgh Christmas Market

Sunday 2nd Dec 11 am – 2 pm

Christmas Market with live music from the Jedforest Instrumental Band and Jedburgh Pipe Band

Coldstream Christmas Light Up

Sunday 2nd December 4 pm – 6.30 pm

Santa will parade down the High Street and will greet children at the Community Centre. Mince pies and mulled wine available. Free entry.

Peebles Christmas Lights Switch on

Friday 6th December

There will be a Christmas market with many local producers and the Christmas lights will be switched on.

Melrose Christmas Parade

Saturday 8th December

Starts at 6 pm at Melrose Co-op Store. Followed by carol singing in the square.

Keep it Jolly

Have a great time visiting local Christmas markets and events around the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Share your favourite local businesses and purchases with us on social media. Follow Foodful on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.