Christmas at Tara Lodge Belfast is in full festive swing & Belfast is decked in a blanket of twinkling lights and Christmas cheer! Whether you are visiting us for a festive shopping break, to sample an authentic Bratwurst & warming Gluwein from the Continental Market, or to shout from the roof tops ‘He’s behind you!’ we have it all! As one of the top 5 European City Break destinations, Belfast has pulled on its geek chic, bobbled Christmas jumper & embraced the festive season with open arms! So what’s there to do in the run up to the ‘big man’ arriving? Tara Lodge has listed below our top 5 picks of things to do in Belfast to get you into the Christmas spirit!
Let us know what you’ve been up on the run up to Christmas, get tweeting us on @taralodge4star and Facebooking us about your Christmas adventures at Tara Lodge, Belfast!
- The Continental Christmas Market
The ever popular Belfast Christmas Market is back from 12 noon on Saturday 15 November offering a range of unique gifts, gourmet food and drink to cater for the savviest of shoppers! There is something for every one of all ages, you will enjoy a fantastic range of food, beverages, crafts and decorations from all over Europe. Children will also enjoy sending off their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole. Each child who posts their letter will receive an individual response from Santa himself. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the market before it leaves for another year on 21st December.
- St Georges Market
St Georges Market which is without doubt an institution in itself, built in 1890-1896 it is one of Belfast City’s oldest attractions, not only due to the magnificent building itself but the many personalities that work within its walls. Since its £4.5m refurbishment in 1997, this charming Victorian building offers one of the most vibrant and colourful destinations for locals & tourists alike. The atmosphere is always friendly & relaxed with the fragrance of foods from around the globe simmering away in the background. If it’s just kicking back for a lazy Sunday Morning coffee, catching up with friends over the ‘to die for’ raspberry & pistachio tart or routing through the numerous craft and antique stalls, St Georges Variety Market is the place for you. St George’s Market will be extending its opening hours again this Christmas, giving market visitors even more time to purchase that all important special gift!
- The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck
For many, the festive season doesn’t begin until the Coca-Cola ‘Holidays Are Coming’ advert airs across TV screens; and this year, the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck will pay a special visit to Northern Ireland with a stop planned for the Belfast SSE Arena on Wednesday 16 December 2015. The famously festive Coca-Cola Christmas Truck will stop off in Belfast from 12pm – 8pm and in addition to seeing it up close, crowds will be entertained throughout the experience with a variety of games including giant ‘ice-block jenga’ and festive ‘pass the parcel’. Families will also have the opportunity to capture a photo souvenir with the truck as it lights up in a winter wonderland setting while enjoying a choice of Coca-Cola or Diet Coke. Ever since the Coca-Cola Christmas truck first appeared on screens in November 1995, it has become a regular feature of festive TV schedules in more than 100 different countries. It is universally recognised as a personal countdown to Christmas. In addition to the much-loved advert featuring the Christmas Truck, Coca-Cola will also air its ‘Give a Little Happiness’ TV advert, encouraging people to spread festive cheer throughout the holiday season.
- Winter Skate at the SSE Arena
Whether you dance on ice like Christopher Dean or simply scramble around like Bambi, this is your chance to ice skate at the home of the Belfast Giants! Each ice skating session lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes (except for those sessions on Belfast Giant’s game days – 29th Dec, 30th Dec and 2nd Jan 2016). These sessions will be 2 hours. You can also get a Site Pass consisting of Ice Skating, a visit to W5 AND a Belfast Giants game! For more information go to www.ssearenabelfast.com
- See Santa at Belfast Zoo 12th & 13th of December
Belfast Zoological Gardens is preparing for a different kind of arrival this festive season, as Santa Claus is set to descend on Cavehill. Experience the true magic of Christmas by visiting Santa and his little helpers. They will be presenting gifts to ZOOPER boys and girls in the Christmas grotto and each child will also receive a photograph as a special memento of their visit to Santa. You can join in the festive fun with:
- festive face painting
- Christmas crafts
- help to wrap and deliver Christmas presents for the chimpanzees
- help decorate Christmas trees with some treats for the Asian elephants
- pick up some ‘zoovenirs’ and gifts at the NI Crafting Collective Fair
- write a letter to Santa Claus
- and enjoy all of the special animal feeding times. With all of your favourite animals, a little festive cheer and a visit from Santa, Belfast Zoo will ensure that your family enjoy a Christmas adventure that they’ll never forget! Activities start from 10.30am and last admission to the zoo is at 2.30pm.
If you are thinking of visiting Belfast to soak up the festive spirit why not make your base the multi award winning, 4 star boutique hotel, Tara Lodge! Book an overnight stay in Tripadvisors official number 1. Hotel in Belfast. We have a wide range of Belfast hotel deals, offers & Christmas packages available to suit all. Tara Lodge is one of the very few Hotels in Belfast with parking, totally free & on-site.
Our rates are all-inclusive & include free high speed Wi-Fi, our mouth-watering a la carte breakfast & that all-important free Belfast City Centre Parking! Simply click on the following link to check out the best boutique hotel in Belfast, as voted by Tripadvisor reviewers! https://www.taralodge.com/. Or contact our reservations team on 02890 590900 or email us at info@taralodge.com
Tara Lodge, Belfast 