Secrets of the Christmas Market

Secrets Of The Christmas Market is a feelgood festive show about a place in the UK that does Christmas differently – Belfast. The Northern Irish capital is unimpeded by Brexit red tape, and as a result, it is thriving. Thanks to the city’s great warmth and sense of community, the Belfast Christmas Market is celebrating its 20th year. It is arguably the world’s most diverse Christmas Market, but it’s global group of traders definitely make it the UK’s most interesting offering.

With 1.2 million visitors, 106 independent stallholders and a larger than life behind-the-scenes team, there are plenty of great characters to follow. At market HQ Esther, the formidable head of PR and Queen Bee of the market, and her team are in constant contact with all the traders coming into the city from abroad, while the job of assembling and constructing the market falls on Mervin, a self-confessed Christmas grinch.

The show also meets the traders, who have come from around the world. The opening weekend of the market is Dickenisan themed, and ALL traders are encouraged to dress as Victorians. For some of the stallholders, the costumes are a bit of a culture clash, but usually once they get into the spirit, it all adds to the sense of occasion and elation of another year of brilliant festive craic and celebration.

With the international vendors making the city their home for the duration of the market, the show also gets their take on Belfast and showcases some of the unexpected friendships between locals and returning vendors.