The ‘Spirit of Christmas’ will again be visiting Jersey this December in the form of the Genuine Jersey Christmas markets. This year’s markets will host a wide community of local arts and craft producers, with food and beverages being sold exclusively by Genuine Jersey members.
Shoppers can browse candlelit stalls, laden with homemade Jersey crafts. Enjoy mulled cider and sausages, cupcakes, hot chocolate and other delicious fare as you soak up the festive atmosphere in the beautifully lit Royal Square in the heart of St Helier.
The Spirit of Christmas markets will be taking place over two weekends from Thursday 7th December to Sunday 10th December and Thursday 14th December to Sunday 17th December and have been organised by the Genuine Jersey Products Association as part of the Parish of St Helier’s annual Fete de Noue celebrations.
Stall holders and producers will be selling all manner of crafts and artisan products ranging from ceramics, jewellery, soft toys, wooden artefacts, art and photography to candles, wreaths and Christmas decorations.
Street food vendors will be on hand to provide visitors with a hearty meal, including local producers La Robeline who will be selling mulled cider and homemade Saucisse alongside its Normandy style “Cidre bouché” their own Eau de Vie, “L’Esprit dé Jèrri” and “La Pomm’thie” – an apple calva. Other caterers include Gemma Bartlett from Wild Health, who creates delicious, real food made from local, and where possible wild produce, and Emily Walker in her Pink Panda van specialising in Vietnamese, Korean, and Malaysian street food.
For the first time the markets will also be decorated by Genuine Jersey member, Wilde Thyme. Established in 2013 by Clara Barthorp, Wild Thyme is a unique floral design studio, specialising in creating innovative and wild floral arrangements for weddings and events. Clara will be decorating the site with lanterns, candles and locally sourced foliage.
The Royal Square, which will be traditionally lit up over the festive season, will welcome brass bands and choirs to perform over the course of the weekend, ensuring the markets will be a feast for all of the senses.
John Garton, CEO of Genuine Jersey, said: “for many of our Members, Christmas is the most important time of year to showcase their talent and locally produced work. The Association has worked hard to make the markets the best we have yet seen and we hope that it becomes the first port of call for Christmas shoppers. Everybody who attends this event will be able to choose from the widest range of Genuine Jersey goods available and deliver a slice of Jersey to loved ones at Christmas time.”
Visitors to the Spirit of Christmas markets will now be able to find their way easily to festivities taking place at Fort Regent thanks to a dedicated shuttle service.
Jo Mousdale, Fort Regent Centre Manager, said: “To better connect the Festive Fort Event and the Ice-Rink to the Markets and St Helier town centre I am pleased to advise that Fort Regent will be arranging a shuttlebus service between the Royal Square and our event from 7th to 10th December and again from 14th to the 24th December.
“More details about the Shuttlebus and what you can expect at Festive Fort will be announced before December.”
