Even Father Christmas will be taking up residence in St Albans for the three weeks, until December 21, as a specially built St Albans residence - complete with grotto inside - to provide him with accommodation throughout his stay in the City.

Even though living in St Albans can be pricey, Father Christmas is determined to live in the centre of the City, with his elves, for the first time ever, in order to meet as many of the area's children as possible. And he is hoping to meet thousands of them as his castle will be open to visitors from every day of the week except Mondays (his day off) from 1pm - 6pm, and late closing at 8pm on Thursdays.

Tickets for his grotto can be bought in a special ticket office which will be located in Waxhouse Gate too. They will cost £5 and all children up to the age of 8 years old are welcome.

Parents will be able to partake of a glass of very special Gluhwein as they wait to see him, as the St Albans Christmas Market will be the only one in the UK serving up German Feuerzangenbowle: a version of mulled wine where a sugar cane is melted with flaming rum over the mulled wine in the bowl. This is quite fitting as the Vintry Garden was originally a vineyard to the monastic Abbey. 

There will be plenty of other food and drink to warm the cockles too, as the green triangle in Sumpter Yard becomes a Foodie's delight - dedicated to food and drink chalets serving up a range of delicious Christmas fayre including Bratwurst sausages, mulled wine, gingerbread and chestnuts.

"This will be our first Christmas Market," says Lesli Good, Culture & Heritage Services Manager, St Albans City & District Council "but after 1,000 years of a regular street market, we know a thing or two about markets, and it will be special." With the cathedral forming the backdrop for this 24-day event, the market will be home to up to 40 traditional wooden chalets selling traditional German Christmas decorations and luxury gifts for all the family, as well as the food and drink offering.

Music will be the heart and soul of the St Albans Christmas Market and the Cathedral's festive events in the run-up to Christmas, with a daily programme of entertainment with a diverse take on Christmas tunes, from Cathedral choristers singing carols around the clock on Saturday 21st; to rock choirs by candlelight and the St Albans Operatic Society providing songs and music Dickensian style. 

There will also be the chance to go on a guided walk around the City, starting at the Town Hall at 2pm on each of the Saturdays of the Christmas Market.

The guide will explain the history of many of our best known Christmas traditions, as well as some of the history of St Albans city, and the walk will end at the Christmas Market itself. 

The launch of the Christmas Market will be celebrated on 28th November at Market Place with a number of special festive visitors to the town centre.  
The celebration will kick off at 5pm and go on til about 8pm.  

Not to be missed is a giant polar bear, which will be making an appearance at the entrance to Christopher Place at 6pm and 7.30pm, and there will also be ice walkers, Christmas light jugglers and festive fairies making the short journey from Market Place to the Christmas Market. 

St Albans holds the record for having the longest, regularly held market in the same location. Records clearly show that the market has been in same location in the city centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays for more than 1,000 years. 

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Localism and Community Engagement at St Albans City and District Council said: "We are delighted to be holding our first German-inspired Christmas Market this year. We are very proud of our famous ancient twice-weekly market, which attracts thousands of people to the city each week. We have had markets in St Albans for over 1,000 years. Our Christmas market in the grounds of St Albans Cathedral promises to be a magical Christmas experience." 

For more info, go to www.enjoystalbans.com

St Albans Christmas Market Launch day
Thursday 28th November 5pm - 8pm
On the first day of the market, Thursday 28th November, from 5pm there will be some special visitors coming to St Albans to celebrate the launch of the new Christmas Market. A magical polar bear, called Bjorn, will be the star attraction, and he will be at the entrance to Christopher Place at 6pm adn 7.30pm.

Joining him there, and then making their way down to the market at the Vintry Garden will be a wintery, magical procession, including seven-feet tall ice-people towering over everyone, an amazing light-juggling show, many Jack Frost characters from local Trestle theatre group, and some fun festive fairies.

The launch event will be a festive evening for all the family, with local businesses like Merchants getting into the Christmas spirit and opening late to serve hot chocolate and mulled wine on the streets, and The Boot serving up mulled Cider and wild boar sausages by the Clock Tower.

Hotel package options
There are a number of hotels to stay in that cater for different budgets, these include:

Less than £100 per night
The White Hart Hotel is a boutique property that dates back to the 15th century. Double rooms with en suite start at £89

Less than £150 per night
Sopwell House Hotel and Country Club just outside the city centre, was the former Georgian country residence of Lord Mountbatten. Prices start at £129 per room per night.St Michael's Manor Hotel, located in the old town is also a boutique hotel in country-house style with stunning views over the city-centre park. Prices start at £135 per room per night

Less than £300 per night
The Grove in nearby Chandlers Cross (10 miles from St Albans) with prices from £285 per room per night

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For press information please contact:
Angie Cronin
Tel: 07970810302
Email: angie@loudbird.co.uk