Ice rink, cinema, funfair, market and Spiegeltent at Christmas Village

The Village will provide the ultimate festive fun experience with a whole host of family friendly activities to suit all ages.

Mayor Brenda Stevenson issued a warm welcome to visitors to come and visit the city at such a magical time.

“I am so looking forward to the opening of the Christmas Village, which is bigger and better than ever this year having moved to our beautiful shared space at Ebrington. “We have lots of additional features in the programme which will appeal to the whole family. I’m particularly delighted to see the return of the Legenderry on Ice which had people flocking to the square last year, and of course the new Festive Funfair.

“The quaint Christmas Market will have plenty of seasonal shopping opportunities with a wide selection of bespoke gifts and shopping fillers. Derry’s buzzing city centre is the perfect place for all your shopping needs, and with so much happening right across the city throughout December, it’s the perfect place to start your Christmas story.”

As well as all the more energetic activities, the Christmas Village this year will also feature a pop up cinema, the Festive Film Factory, with daily screenings for all ages at 12noon, 2.30pm, 5pm and 8pm.

And there will be plenty of entertainment for the grown ups with the addition of a Spiegeltent Bar, the perfect place to sit back and soak up the atmosphere with live music every weekend.

Festival and Events Manager with Derry City Council Karan Leonard said: “This year’s programme has so much to offer with activities for all ages taking place right across the city. The Christmas Village at Ebrington Square is the real highlight of our Festive Time programme, the perfect place for a special family day out - to shop, skate, relax and enjoy the thrills and spills of the Festive Fun Fair.

“The fun continues right across the city with our Festive Frolic events taking place over two weekends in December beginning in the Craft Village, and there will be plenty of musical entertainment, from pantos to Christmas Choirs, and of course the Mayor’s own Christmas Concert on December 21. I would encourage everyone to check out our full Festive Time programme and select your own seasonal highlights.”

Ilex’s Chief Executive Mel Higgins said: “We are thrilled that LegenDerry on Ice is returning to Ebrington Square this year and that it will be enhanced by the Christmas Village. Ebrington continues to become an integral part of the city’s offering.

“We hope lots of families – from near and far – will come to our city this Christmas and enjoy the fantastic festivities and shopping available.”

The Christmas Village at Ebrington will open Monday – Thursday 4pm – 10pm and Friday – Sunday 12noon – 10pm. Don’t miss the opening weekend entertainment this Saturday when the Jazz Gazette Duo will be setting the scene for a Christmas celebration to remember.

For a full programme of all the events taking place throughout Derry this Christmas go to www.festivetime.com