Christmas Markets
The magical season of a traditional festive market can't be beaten, especially in Powys. Here’s a selection of our favourite Christmas markets in Powys to help you get in the festive spirit. From the hugely popular Winter Fair held in Builth Wells to the hustle and bustle of Brecon With Bells On; our towns across the county play festive host to a variety of local craftsmen and women, some excellent food and drink producers and might even include a lively selection of local musicians.
Brecon With Bells On
Saturday 17th November
Free Entry (12 noon - 6:30pm)
Now in it’s second year and organised by Brecon Town Council don’t miss this Christmas extravaganza taking place throughout Brecon town centre. Get festive with the Christmas Market, and discover games, street food and entertainment bring alive this historic market town. Father Christmas will of course be in his twinkly grotto and at 6pm the town's Christmas lights will be turned on by celebrity Neil Morrisey!
Hay Festival Winter Weekend
Friday 23rd November 2018 (6pm)
Cheese Market/Memorial
Free Entry
See Hay transformed into a winter wonderland brimming with festive cheer as the Christmas Lights are switched on. A lantern procession from Hay Public Library brings a special guest to the Cheese Market, to the sounds of children singing carols, where you will find chestnuts roasting, mince pies and mulled wine, and more than 20 local business stalls in the marquee.
Winter Fair
Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th November
Builth Wells Showground
Free Entry after 4pm – Check website for tickets prices https://rwas.ticketsrv.co.uk/
Late night shopping on Monday night with FREE entry after 4pm
FREE spectacular fireworks display on Monday evening
Cookery, produce, handicraft, poultry, horticulture, floral art and meat products competitions as well as Christmas gifts, the well loved Food Hall as well as Santa’s Grotto. Gates open from 8am.
Newtown Christmas Market
Friday 28th November (4pm till late) Newtown Town Centre
Free Entry Start the evening off with Newtown Christmas food and craft market and enjoy street entertainment, music and even a fun fair on Broad Street. Have a wander through the charity stalls in Bear Lanes before meeting some reindeers and then listening to some very merry Christmas carols around the Christmas Tree with Newtown Silver Band. Father Christmas will also be the special guest switching on the Christmas lights.
Aberglasney’s Winter Fair
Friday 30th Nov - Sun 2nd Dec 2018
Friday 11:00 - 16:30, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 - 16:30.
Admission: Adults £8.50, Children up to 16 years free.
Warm up with mulled wine or spiced apple juice and a mince pie, which are included with entry. With 100 stalls offering a wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations, art, crafts, woollens, home ware, toiletries and clothing: you’ll be sure to find some special things for you and yours. Delicious local artisan food and drink will be available to take home or eat on the day with tables, benches and an open fire under the Cloisters. With seasonal music and choirs for you to enjoy as well, don’t forget to visit Santa’s Grotto on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm (£4). All proceeds raised will help with the continued maintenance, restoration and operation of the Mansion and Gardens.
Builth Christmas Fair
Sunday 1st December (from 2pm onwards)
Strand Street, Builth Wells
Free Entry
The shops will be open for trade, local choirs shall be singing carols, there will be bell ringers and of course Santa! Strand Street will be closed off at to house local craft stalls and the impressive Christmas town lights will be switched on.
Welshpool Winter Festival
Saturday 1st December (10am – 6pm)
Welshpool Town Hall
Free Entry
Welshpool Town Council are holding their wonderful Winter Festival once again this year. We will have both indoor craft stalls in the Town Hall as well as a street market. A day out for the whole family to enjoy!
Bleddfa Christmas Crafts and Gifts Fair
Sunday 3rd December until Friday 22nd December
Bleddfa Centre
Free Entry
There will be cards, decorations, lighting, ceramics, pottery, textiles, jewellery, garments, and much more on sale, all hand-crafted by local artists. The Old School House Gallery will have stalls brimming with high-quality, hand-crafted items that would make special Christmas gifts for your friends and family - or yourself, of course! The Reading Room cafe will also be open, serving hot drinks, soup, and festive treats – to help you to recover from the shopping!
The fair will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 5pm, from Sunday 3rd December.
Llanandras Christmas Fayre
Friday 4th December (4pm)
Presteigne High Street
Free Entry
Presteigne Chamber of Trade warmly invites you to enjoy mulled wine, hot dogs and mince pies at the Llanandras Christmas Fayre being held on Presteigne High Street. There will be singing from the Little Peoples’ Playgroup who have decorated the big Christmas tree with their recycled decorations and there will be free craft making sessions with recycled materials available. Cheer in Santa’s arrival by horse drawn carriage and enjoy the switching on of the lights by the Carnival Queen. There’s also a magical Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping market stalls, circus skills workshop & balloon-figure making as well as featuring the exciting Fool and The Dragon show with pyrotechnics!
Christmas Craft Fayre at Elan Valley
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th December
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Free Entry
Our Visitor Centre is packed with local crafters and artists offering handmade jewellery, wildlife art, wooden crafts, paintings, craft demonstrations, up-cycled products, and traditional Welsh crafts. Open daily at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm.
Machynlleth Christmas Celebrations
Saturday 20th December
Y Plas, Machynlleth
Free Entry but some charges for activities.
A giant snowman bouncy castle will be one of the attractions at this Christmas fund-raising event for Future Play, Machynlleth. The snowman is more than 50-feet tall, and 30-feet in diameter, and will be in the grounds of Y Plas. There will also be a Disney themed ‘Frozen Ball’ at 1pm and 4pm, as well as festive Christmas carols and Christmas market stalls. This event also features a sponsored Toddler & Junior Santa Run, 11am start by the Plas gates - sponsor forms are available from the Plas (£1 each). Money raised by the giant snowman and the sponsored junior Santa run will go towards a new children’s playground at Y Plas, which will cost around £100,000