The festive season is upon us and Malton is ready to take it by the reins with the return of the town’s Christmas Festival this weekend,

Hosted by Visit Malton, the two-day Christmas food and gift market is returning tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday in the town centre streets of Yorkshire’s Food Capital.

This year, a new ‘market hall’ marquee is being introduced with a range of traders undercover to shelter from the wintry elements – and with over 100 foodie and non-food gift stalls expected at the festival.

Visitors can also expect a fabulous weekend of fun, filled with live performances and family entertainment to suit all ages. Christmas classics and traditional music will be filling the streets courtesy of Malton’s local brass bands and choirs, plus there will be children’s activities provided by Be Amazing Arts.

As has become a Christmas tradition in Malton, visitors will once again get the chance to tour Malton’s picturesque Market Place for free on the festive land train. If that wasn’t enough, Emerald the Elf will be making her debut this year in an interactive Santa show complete with Santa’s Grotto in the Milton Rooms. For just £5, your little ones can join Emerald the Elf as she gets ready for the most be-yule-tiful time of year!

The Malton Christmas Festival will be endorsing the town’s reputation as ‘Yorkshire’s Food Capital,’ with lots of mouthwatering street food for guests to indulge in. Local producers will be serving up mulled wine, figgy puddings, traditional turkey, goose, and award-winning macarons from Malton’s Master Pâtissier – so plenty to treat your elves to as you engage with all that the Malton Christmas festival has to offer!.

Mark Brayshaw, Head of Visit Malton said: “I am delighted that the annual tradition of our renowned Christmas Festival continues this year and we look forward to giving visitors a warm Yorkshire welcome in December. The festival is the perfect opportunity for us to show off and celebrate everything our much-loved market town has to offer, and to promote and support local businesses who will be showcasing their culinary creations, tasty treats and creative craftmanship. It’s the perfect way to kick off the most magical month and this will undoubtedly be a weekend to remember.”

Entry to the Malton Christmas Festival is free, and the event will be taking place within the town’s Market Place (YO17 7LX), from 9am-3.30pm. There will be a free shuttle bus service running from a park & ride site on the edge of town, with a small parking charge of £5 per car. Alternatively, public transport via train or the Coastliner bus is just a 10 minute walk away – transportation advice can be found on the Visit Malton website.

For more information, please visit: https://www.visitmalton.com/malton-christmas-festival