September 10, 2018 10.16 am This story is over 66 months old

Ruddocks to transform into Christmas Moroccan market

There is lots going on in Lincoln for Christmas
Ruddocks of Lincoln

The former Ruddocks of Lincoln shop on High Street will be transformed into a Moroccan market for Christmas.

A new Moroccan Souk will open on November 15, giving people an insight into the country’s ceramics, wood, metal, leather and other products and how they are made.

People will be able to buy highly individual gifts at the market, which will stay open until December 31.

As previously reported, one of the city’s oldest family businesses, Ruddocks of Lincoln, closed its doors in April 2017.

Thor’s Tipi Bar

A winter wonderland will return in plenty time ahead of the Christmas period as Thor’s tipi bar prepares to come back to Lincoln’s Cornhill from Friday, November 9 until Monday, December 3.

Other attractions

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A visit by those much-loved Reindeer, who travel down from the Cairngorms to meet their old friends will be among the other festive attractions this year.

The Reindeer will arrive in Lincoln on Thursday, November 29, where they can be seen close-up by families before doing a special parade from St Marks Shopping Centre to City Square.

There will also be sparkling Christmas lights and three fun Switch-On ceremonies, a traditional Lantern Parade and Carol Service and a Christmas Emporium.

The Switch-On ceremonies will take place at St Marks Shopping Centre, in the central High Street and in the Waterside Shopping Centre on November 23, with details still being finalised, but families need to be in Lincoln from 5pm to 7.30pm.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

On Thursday, December 13 local schoolchildren will take part in the parade from Cornhill to Castle Hill, where there will be a carol service.

People will be able to browse and buy presents at the Christmas Emporium in the grounds of Lincoln Castle between December 15 and 22, and a light show is also being planned.

The world famous Christmas Market, between December 6 to 9, and other smaller markets will also pull in the festive crowds.

There is also the Christmas Makers’ Markets which will take place in three locations:

Christmas Makers’ Markets. These are taking place in three locations:

  • Castle Hill – November 2 and December 1, from 10am to 5pm
  • High Street on every Friday in November and December and on Saturdays, November 10 and December 15 from 10am to 5pm
  • St Martin’s Square on December 8 and 9 (10am-9pm) and on December 10 (until 7pm)

There is also a Christmas Brocante Market on December 1 at St Marks Shopping Centre from 9am-4pm.

Late night shopping & parking

Lincoln will be getting in the festive spirit again this year.

City retailers will stay open “after normal hours” for late-night shopping until 8pm on November 23 and 29, as well as December 6 and 13.

Further late-night shopping sprees, this time until 9pm, will take place on December 20, 21 and 22.

There will be free Christmas Parking at the City of Lincoln Council St Marks Shopping Centre during the festive period.

The City of Lincoln Council Pay and Display deal means free evening parking on all late night-shopping dates between 4pm and 9.30pm.  This is also available at the new Central Car Park.

Free evening parking will also be available at St Marks Shopping Centre from September 10 from 6pm to 6am daily and on Friday, November 23 from 4pm.

Lincoln BIG Events & Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong said: “It may only be September, but this year there’s so much happening, that we have started planning as early as possible.

“However, we wanted to give local families, as well as festive visitors, a flavour of some of the fabulous events we are working on together with our partners.”