Christmas in the Village 2018

What an absolute cracker of a day at Christmas in the Village 2018 in our lovely little village! On 25 November the village lit up with festive cheer and the turn out was simply fantastic. Everywhere you looked there were smiling faces, twinkling lights, and the hum of people enjoying the start of the Christmas season.

The village was buzzing with stalls of all shapes and sizes. From sweet, sticky doughnuts to hands-on demonstrations of first aid, there was something for everyone. And yes, Santa himself made a special appearance to meet the children, thanks to the good folks at Brady's of Shankill. The children were thrilled, as you can imagine!

 

It wasn’t just about treats and tinsel, though. Some stands brought real heart to the day. The Suicide of Survive stall offered colourful Christmas goodies while also spreading awareness about mental health support – always an important message – and their raffle promised some seriously tempting hampers. Meanwhile, the Shankill & Ballybrack CFR corner gave visitors the chance to learn life-saving CPR techniques, practical skills that could make all the difference. Over at SAGE Shankill kids and adults alike got to craft tiny bee-houses, showing that Christmas is as much about giving back as it is about enjoying ourselves.

These were just a handful of the stands, each one adding to the festive spirit and community warmth that Shankill is famous for. The mix of fun, learning, and charity reminded everyone why we love celebrating together.

The Birds and the Teas

Shankill Football Club

If you missed out this year, make a note for next time. Christmas in the Village keeps growing, getting merrier and more magical each year. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season, connect with neighbours, and soak up a bit of true community spirit.