December 3, 2018 3.51 pm This story is over 63 months old

Five things you should know about the 2018 Lincoln Christmas Market

Here from the organisers

The countdown is on to the 36th Lincoln Christmas Market, with 250,000 people expected to visit the city.

Preparations are already underway in the castle grounds as hundreds of new and returning stallholders prepare for one of the busiest events on the city’s annual calendar.

The market has changed dramatically since it began with just 11 stalls.

Simon Colburn, Assistant Director for Health and Environmental Services and Events and Culture Officer Sammy Pengelly, from the City of Lincoln Council dropped by to The Lincolnite offices to talk about what to expect.

The top five takeaways:

  • There will be plenty of new sections of the market this year including a stall selling Yorkshire Pudding wraps and a new bar area at The Lawn with a large selection of gins to sample.
  • Security will be robust with armed police patrolling the area across the four days. There will also be security teams manning CCTV cameras and road blocks will ensure new stricter no-vehicle rules are followed.
  • Parking restrictions have been stepped up a notch again this year. Residents and businesses in an outer ring around the market will need to display passes to park in designated zones. There will be strictly no vehicle access within the inner ring. A free park and ride service from the Lincolnshire Showground has been offered to those affected.
  • The event will be made possible with hundreds of stewards as well as several dozen police officers and support staff behind the scenes.
  • Organisers have made some changes to the way they analyse weather forecast warnings and communicate decisions following the cancellation of the final day of the 2017 market. If they were met with the same set of warnings they’d “make the same decision again”, added Simon Colburn.

Find out more about market highlights, full road restrictions, travel and top tips for exploring in The Lincolnite’s super guide here.