Crinken Christmas Market – A Heartwarming Start to the Season

Last Saturday, 22 November (10:00am to 3:00pm), Crinken Church was alive with festive warmth and community spirit at the church’s Christmas Market. It was a lovely reminder that Christmas isn’t just about shopping, but about coming together, enjoying life, and celebrating our shared connections.

From delightful Christmas decorations to handmade clothes and bags, the stalls were wonderfully varied and yes, there were packets of “snowman soup” to buy, too! The market was clearly well organised, and every stall showed real care and craftsmanship. 

             

But more than the items for sale, what stood out was the people. Conversations flowed naturally with vendors and visitors alike. There was a genuine friendliness in the air, as though old neighbours and new faces were meeting simply to enjoy the day.

There’s also good news on the wider festive front: the Crinken Church Christmas Tree Festival is coming back (5-7 December 2025). It’s lovely to think of the festival returning and bringing its festive warmth back with it. You can read about the earlier festival held back in 2015 on this blog: Christmas Cheer in the Village. 

And also coming up soon, the Church is organising a Lantern Workshop and Walk on 13 December at 4pm, a perfect way to add a little more light and magic to the season.

Spending the afternoon at the market left me feeling uplifted. In the rush of the season, it was a beautiful reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, not the gloss or the commercial push, but community, kindness, and togetherness.

Here’s hoping the rest of the season brings more moments like this, and that we keep carrying this genuine Christmas spirit with us in all we do.

Shankill Sparkles: Your Guide to a Magical Christmas in the Village!

 🎄✨ Experience the Magic of Shankill’s Christmas in the Village! ✨🎄

As the festive season approaches, Shankill is set to sparkle with not one but four marvellous Christmas events to mark in your diary.

First up, on Saturday 22 November (10:00am–3:00pm) at Crinken Church, there will be a joyous Arts · Craft · Food Christmas Market—the perfect early-season outing, packed with handmade gifts, delicious treats and community cheer. The festive poster below says it all (source: Facebook - Shankill Open Forum).

Then, looking ahead, the festive season continues on 30 November 2025 with the much-loved Christmas in the Village Festival bringing sparkle, community spirit, and seasonal cheer to the heart of the village. Visitors can look forward to festive market stalls, local crafts, delicious food, and — of course — the chance to visit Santa himself! It’s a wonderful day out for families and a highlight of the local winter calendar.

🎟️ Tickets for Santa visits are available now — secure yours here.

Those interested in booking a stall at this popular community event can find contact details on the poster below (source: Brady's of Shankill Facebook page).

In addition, St. Anne’s Parish will be hosting its own festive event on 30 November, a traditional Christmas fair, offering even more opportunities to support local causes and enjoy the holiday spirit. For more details, visit St. Anne’s Parish Shankill or check the posters below (source: St. Anne's Parish website).

Returning once again is the much-loved Crinken Church Christmas Tree Festival, running from 5th to 7th December 2025. In 2015, the festival has featured over 40 creatively decorated trees, each one decorated by a community group, school or business from the area telling a piece of the Christmas story through a Bible verse.

Whether you’re browsing for that special gift, sampling festive flavours, or simply soaking up the lights and laughter, there’s something for everyone right here in Shankill. Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the season locally!