One of Belfast’s Biggest Independent Christmas Markets Moves to New venue
Vault Artist Studio’s Christmas market, one of Belfast’s largest independent Christmas Markets, returns on 2-3 December (12-5pm) to a stunning venue: Carlisle Memorial Church in north Belfast, thanks to a new partnership with Belfast Buildings Trust (BBT).
Over the course of the weekend, the festive market will feature 70+ stalls per day of Belfast’s best independent artists selling everything from jewellery, original paintings and fine art prints, ceramics and porcelain, books and zines, t-shirts and totes, fashion accessories, cards, macramé, candles, apparel, textiles, vintage items and antiques, and much more. It is a chance to pick up a gift for a loved one (or to treat yourself) that you won’t find elsewhere – and to ease yourself into the Christmas period in a spectacular setting.
Vault’s performing arts line-up of roving performers, our in-house DJ, and of course our much-loved Christmas Elves, will be on hand to keep you entertained and informed. The hugely-popular raffle will run on both days.
Meanwhile several food stalls and trucks will provide Filipino spring rolls, vegan snacks, and poutine. There will be stalls selling hot chocolate, tea and coffee and the American Bar will provide drinks – your chance to drink in church! Dogs on leads allowed.
The popular market’s future had been up in the air as the group relocated to two new premises, in Victoria Street and the old Shankill Mission Building, neither of which had the capacity to host the two-day event that has grown significantly over recent years.
However, Carlisle Memorial will house this year’s market as part of a new partnership led by Belfast Buildings Trust and involving Vault Artist Studios. Vault Chairperson, Sinéad O’Neill Nicholl said:
"We’re delighted to partner with Belfast Buildings Trust, an organisation with whom we share many aims, and to work in this part of the city for the first time. The Christmas Market is our first collaboration with BBT as it explores the future of the amazing Carlisle Memorial Church, and we’re already partnering on other projects for early in 2024.”
Shane Quinn, Development Director of BBT, said:
“Our work at Belfast Buildings Trust is all about using and reusing what makes Belfast special. It’s especially good, then, to work with the team at Vault, given their uniqueness to the city. The Vault Christmas Market is part of us working, along with others, to put creativity at the heart of how we reuse Belfast's historic buildings.”
Vault Artist Studios, comprised of over 100 multi-disciplinary artists all based in Belfast, is delighted to stage this free event, open to all, and are looking forward to mounting further events in the building throughout 2024 as it deepens its partnership with BBT.
Further information
Vault Xmas Market runs from 2-3 December, 12:00 – 5:00 pm at Carlisle Memorial Church.
The former church is at 8 Carlisle Circus, Belfast, BT14 6AT.
The area is well served by public transport; parking is available at the Mater Hospital, Kent St, and Millfield.
Notes to editors:
Vault Artist Studios is the largest provider of affordable multi-disciplinary studios in NI.
Belfast Buildings Trust delivers physical, social, and economic regeneration by using and reusing what makes Belfast special.
