18 November 2011
The festive period is fast approaching and the Caerphilly county borough borough is hosting a magnificent events programme this year.
With Christmas Markets taking place at our key town centres, lantern parades flooding through numerous towns and villages and Christmas festivities taking over the attractions. The excitement cannot be contained with a programme bursting at the seams! A full events listing can be found at www.caerphilly.gov.uk/christmas or contact the Visit Caerphilly Centre on 029 2088 0011.
To name just some of the events kick starting the festivities, on 3rd & 4th December why not come along to the bustling town of Blackwood to experience a delightful Christmas Market.
There will be plenty to see and do with a variety of food & craft stalls to look for that unusual Christmas gift, children's funfair rides and stalls all located along the High Street. There will be traditional entertainment within the town centre to get us in the festive mood with Father Christmas and his real reindeers being a highlight. Watch the little ones faces beam with delight as they meet the special man himself.
Swiftly moving into the second weekend of December embrace yourself for some medieval fun and frolics. On 10th and 11th December foodies will be in their element as the annual Caerphilly Medieval Christmas Fayre fills Caerphilly town centre and castle with stands overflowing with seasonal produce fit for a king's table. Visitors can browse the medieval market, filled with authentic traders, or sup ale in the medieval tavern. Watch out for the pickpockets, beggars, scoundrels and thieves, join in with the hue and cry and when one is caught, it's the stocks for them!
As the spirit of a medieval Christmas settles on Caerphilly's unique and colourful town, there will be an abundance of attractions for visitors of all ages to see. Food and craft stalls line the high street and castle walls, with over 120 high quality traders displaying their wares. Fun activities and entertainment will enhance the annual fayre bringing fantastic colour and excitement to caerphilly with a special visit from Father Christmas.
Standard admission charges apply on entrance to the castle, one of the Great Medieval castles of Western Europe, although much of the entertainment around the town is free. This event is growing every year with visitors from near and far, so make sure you join in the fun!
The final weekend before Christmas offers so much for people of all ages. On 17th December, Bargoed will host a traditional on-street Christmas Market with local craft, charity & seasonal food stalls. The event will include various street entertainers, children's entertainment & Santa's Grotto. Returning by popular demand for 2012 is the fantastic outdoor ice rink, for the second year running this is a fantastic addition to the Market, helping to create that fantastic festive feeling! The ice rink will be in town from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th December offering more opportunities for visitors to show off their talents, following on from last years one day stint!
All town centres offer an excellent selection of shops, so rest assured - you will find all you are looking for in one location when you visit these fun filled markets. Town centre retailers are also embracing the trading opportunities by participating in a Special Offers scheme. With a variety of special offers and discounts posters being displayed in shop windows for each event, shoppers will see their Christmas spending go a little further. An added bonus this year is the 2hrs free parking in all pay and display car parks across the County Borough between the 10th - 24th December.
During each weekend in December don't forget to pop into Caerphilly Leisure Centre to make a lantern ready to take part in the River Of Light Lantern Parade on 22nd December. There are a number of parades and workshops taking place throughout the county borough this winter. Visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/christmas for further details
Don't leave Caerphilly County Borough this Christmas, there is too much going on!
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