Lincoln Christmas Market programme announced

The official opening ceremony for this year’s Lincoln Christmas Market will take place on Thursday, December 6 on the Cathedral steps.

The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Karen Lee, will officially declare the market open at 6.30pm, followed by a special Christmas blessing delivered by the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral.

Crowds will then be treated to a performance by the Schuhplattler Gruppe, which has been performing for 23 years in the UK and beyond.

The lederhosen clad group is thought to be the only one of its kind in England and TV appearances have included Blue Peter, Let Me Entertain You and Britain’s Got Talent.

That will set the scene for a programme of music and entertainment as a backdrop to the four days of festive celebrations from December 6 to 9.

The City of Lincoln Council’s Events Officer Holly Parker said: “”We have a varied programme of entertainment which never stops throughout the four days of the market.

“”A new focal point for this will be the introduction for the first time of a stage set up at St Paul in the Bail to host a rolling programme of entertainment to suit all tastes.

“The Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be at the heart of the programme with their performances of A Christmas Carol and St Nicholas.

“Also featuring prominently will be Bishop Grosseteste, who will be giving a number of performances including Seasonal Shakespeare. The Lindsay Rural Players promise something a little more frivolous with their panto performances.”

Seasonal songs will be performed by Phil Gray while the Salvation Army Band will bring a traditional feel to proceedings.

The Showroom, Broadbent Singers, Newlife Choir and Boston Grammar School Jazz Band complete a varied line-up on stage.

Look out for Victorian gentlemen bearing gifts of mistletoe in the Bailgate courtesy of Chapterhouse Theatre Company and the same period theme is the setting for Bird&Bee and their Harmony machine in the shadows of the cathedral.

Younger visitors have their own Kids Craft Tent hosted by Ruddocks of Lincoln just inside the Lawn complex where, for just £2, children aged 4-9 can enjoy making Christmas crackers, cards or tree hangings.

No market would be complete without the sounds of a fairground organ and the magnificent 1890 German-built example provided by AR Ruth & Son is as impressive to see as it is to hear; catch it near the Christmas Bazaar marquee in the Lawn.

The Da Capo Singers promise to add to the atmosphere created by the backdrop of the Cathedral when they perform in Exchequergate.