Larne Christmas Craft Village

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, in partnership with Larne Business Forum, was delighted to host a Christmas Community and Craft Village in Larne town centre over the weekend – providing three full days of festive shopping and seasonal sparkle.

Funded by the Department for Communities through the Town Centres Revitalisation Project with a focus on animating the High Street – Broadway transformed into a winter wonderland, showcasing the best of local community groups and artisan producers, and offered visitors a truly special shopping experience in the lead-up to the festive season.

Visitors to the Christmas Village discovered a carefully curated selection of artisan gifts, handcrafted items and unique products from local producers. The festive huts along Broadway created an enchanting atmosphere where shoppers found the perfect Christmas presents whilst supporting local businesses and community groups.

Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons MLA commended: “I realise what an important time of year this is for local traders and businesses. In supporting this project, my department recognised it as an opportunity to create a positive and enticing festive experience to attract visitors and shoppers into the heart of Larne town centre.  The Community and Craft Village has helped create a great buzz and a wonderful atmosphere, in addition to our recent funding to the Council for the new Christmas tree. I would encourage local people to continue to embrace that festive spirit by shopping locally in the run-up to Christmas.”

The initiative aimed to boost local trade during the festive period while providing a platform for community groups and artisans to showcase their work. It also added to the Borough’s growing reputation as a destination for unique shopping experiences and community-focused events.

On the Saturday there was also an immersive experience guided by the chief elf leading visitors through the ‘Chronicles of Larnia’.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, said: “The wonderful Christmas Village and Craft Fair exemplified the vibrant community spirit that makes our Borough so special. It was fantastic to see local artisans and community groups coming together to create this magical festive experience in Larne town centre.”

Brian McRandal, Chair of Larne Business Forum, added: “This collaboration between Council and ourselves demonstrates our shared commitment to creating vibrant, community-focused events that benefit both local businesses and residents alike. The Christmas Village and Craft Fair was a perfect opportunity to discover the incredible talent we have in our area whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere in Larne town centre.”