As Snagglepuss would say "Heavens to Murgatroyd". The rip you off blind market has returned with even higher prices than last year. I didn't think that the robber merchants could increase prices this year as they were extortionate last year. I was wrong. I think I was in this market for 10 minutes Christmas past but this year I left after five minutes. Never again. I nearly swallowed my teeth when I saw a plastic skinned hotdog being offered at a stall here at six quid, or $8 equivalent, and then I saw an Americano coffee at another place here at three quid. Three quid for an Americano - no chance. The coffee was being sold without any embarrassment at a wooden cart and if you preferred a hot chocolate here instead then according to the mini blackboard display you'd have to part with four quid. Despite the stonking prices there are no seats here, no comfort here, instead customers just stand in the damp cold and part with nearly an hour of minimum wage for a 20 year old just for a hot chocolate. Now I hope I'm not coming across as mean, but I could go into Castlecourt and get a first class Chinese king prawn meal at Yangtze on the first floor and receive change out of six quid. In fact that's what I did. I could cross the road from this market in under two minutes into the comfortable heat and seats (and toilet) in Hotel Chocolat and enjoy their first class hot chocolate for £3.50. I really, really despise being ripped off. As I wandered the stalls, trader after trader displayed prices that made me suck in my breath and think 'yer having a laugh'. Am I delighted we live in austerity as I'd hate to see the prices here in good times. read more

Continental Christmas Market - Going in - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Belfast, BFS

The Christmas Continental Market arriving at Belfast City Hall always signifies the start of the festive season and approach of Yuletide. Filled with food, mulled wine, olives, sweets, treats, music, merriment and gift ideas, a meander around this market is a must. I go numerous times every year and love to soak up the atmosphere with a cup of warming mulled wine in hand. Yes the stalls are often the same, yes it's often crammed full of people, but it's only on our City Hall doorstep for a few weeks each year so I can forgive all that. I'm a devout advocate of this market for the Christmas spirit, warmth and excitement it brings to Belfast each year. Love it. read more

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I love the Christmas market. I look forward to it every year, it really makes me feel festive. I had a few trips this year, the steins of raspberry beer were delicious! Favourite food was the rocket and blue cheese burger, lovely. Some of the stalls sell things at crazy prices in comparison to what they would cost you elsewhere but some of the unique home made gifts are beautiful. I had the best Christmas night out here with all my friends, no hassle, just a relaxing German beer or 5 with the girls. Only fault is that the snow globe guy wouldn't let us in, he said there were too many of is but there was lots of room, he had the personality of a dead badger. Also, the portaloos are awful too. Dark dirty and no paper. They could do with staff assigned to look after the area but the ones in the beer tent are clean and much better. Good enough excuse to stay in the tent close to the beer. read more

Continental Christmas Market - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Half way through November each year, the grounds of the City Hall are transformed into a magical Christmas market which looks, smells and sounds fabulously festive. In the past, events in Belfast tended to be half hearted versions of events in the rest of the UK, but not any more and certainly not in the case of the Christmas market. From the day it launches until a few days before Christmas when it all disappears again, the market is bustling with visitors. It's styled to look like a little Alpine style village of wooden chalets and has such a festive vibe it's impossible to be in anything but an upbeat festive mood as you walk around. The market offers a huge selection of gifts, food and drinks, as well as Christmas trees, wreaths and plants. My favourites are the chunky costume jewellery and the hand made chocolates, both of which I have given as Christmas presents. Make sure you take your appetite with you when you visit the market as the food on offer is plentiful and delish. It's a foodie heaven, with gourmet burgers, giant pretzels, chocolate fountains and paella being just a few of the highlights. Everything is to go so you can enjoy it as you walk around. There is also a beer tent every yea which is full of good natured tipsy and slightly drunken workers from all of the nearby businesses. A visit to the market is a great way to start your Christmas and can't fail to get you in the festive spirit. There is a Santa's grotto for the kids and the backdrop of the lit up City Hall and trees is just beautiful. read more

Continental Christmas Market - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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It's the same Christmas Market as every year, only this time you now have to deal with kids dragging around those stupid little ground balloons. They seem to be very generous with the free samples this year, so it's good if you're just looking to graze about on a few things before making a final decision. Not really a lot else to say. If you've been once before, you're not missing anything. Well, still nice to go for the Currywurst, and the Gluhwein, oh and the packed beer tent full of people who like paying that little bit extra to justify getting drunk around Christmas. read more

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Nothing says Christmas like a kangaroo burger and a big German sausage! All the same I am a big fan of the Christmas market, it brings some much needed festive cheers to Belfast and perhaps more importantly provides a nice central beer drinking location in late November and early December. I visited said Beer tent on Saturday evening and to my surprise it was much less cramped than in previous years. Usually you can't move without being poked in the eye by a reindeer headband. There's a good choice of ales at the bar - you know the stuff you normally wouldn't drink but you feel dead edgy and experimental because you've just consumed paella out of a plastic carton. One slight improvement they've made in the beer tent is that you can now pay on debit and credit card so there's no need to lump a load of cash about. In all honesty there's a nice feel about the Christmas market and a jolly festive cheer to the beer tent, you might even get an acapella version of jingle bells performed by a group of men on their work Christmas party as we did. read more

Continental Christmas Market - The Continental Market in the shadow of City Hall - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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The Continental Market at city hall used to be a brilliant place to meet up with friends and do a wee shop and drink a wee drink or two. It's just got a bit boring now. it's the same lot of stalls selling the same stuff every year and most don't seem to be local traders. I love St Georges market and the black box market and a would prefer it if the council helped a bunch of local ones doing good stuff in these tough times. I'll still go though, it's just that I wont be buying any pressies there this time :) read more

Love love LOVE the Xmas market! The cherry beer, the Dutch pancakes, the lobster burgers, the churros, the hog roast, the paella, the......ok you get the picture lol read more

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The continental Christmas market is pretty much the same every year, lots of overpriced food, drinks & gifts but it certainly gets you in the festive spirit wandering around drinking mulled wine taking it all in. Lots of delicious smells coming from the stalls but as we already had a dinner reservation we passed on the food and stuck to sampling mulled wine. The first stall we came to (near Donegall Sq West entrance) charged £3.50 for a little plastic cup, the 2nd one (closest to city hall) was £3 for a slightly bigger paper cup and also offered cherry mulled wine & a non alcoholic version. We didn't sample mulled wine from 3rd stall (Donegall Sq east side) but it was only £2.50 so will definitely try it next time read more

Continental Christmas Market - £3 mulled wine available here - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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I love the market when it comes to town, I always have to visit at least once, basically I could eat my way around the world in one visit if my stomach could handle it, and my wallet lol as that's the only problem some of the items be it food or clothing etc can be a bit expensive but I suppose it's only here once a year, def worth a visit every year:) read more

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My girlfriend spent some time in Belfast last Christmas for the first time and this was one of the first places I took here. Knowing her, I knew she would dig the entire Christmas vibe and she had a great time. Every year this market rolls into town and every year it is absolutely packed and everyone seems to have a great time. Its popoularity is probably the only thing that stops it getting a five star rating as it is always so packed that it can get difficult to move and its near impossible to get a seat to sit and have a pint at busy times. The food and drink on offer are far from the norm. You can get emu, kangaroo, crocodile, boar, and every sort of beer, lager and bizarre ale that you can think of. A really fun, filling way to spend and afternoon but don't expect to spend too much time there as there are just too many people. read more

Go to the continental market every year was enjoy my experience here and the atmosphere always gets you in the mood for Christmas. Markets stall owners are very nice to chat with and never rush you in making a decision on your choices. Every trip here always consists of there yummy hot dogs and flavoured beers read more

The Continental Christmas Market at City Hall is a charming and uber Christmasy erm Christmas Market. The stalls offer everything from scarfs to delicious cheeses to Christmas trinkets. I bought some amazing brie here last Christmas and a lovely chorizo sausage for my dad. The market has a real buzz about it at Christmas and it will certainly get you in the Christmas mood. One of the best Christmas markets I've been to. read more

Christmas time around time really isn't complete without a wee trip to the continental market. The variety of tuff on sale here doesn't really change much from year to year, but there is always a sense of excitement around d of the place with the spirit of the season filling people, or more realistically the spirit from either the German beer tent or the mobile Laverys coursing through people's veins! There is a lot of delicious food in here. There are baked good sections brimming with cakes, pastries and the like, churros stands, waffles, snowballs and chocolate stands to mention but a few of the sweet options! On the savoury side there are paella stands, german sausages, a burger stand selling burger of strange animals like kangaroo and an actual hog roast right in the middle! As is expected, prices are high in here, but for the festive sense you get and the great food inside this is a small price to pay! read more

I love the Christmas Market, this is an annual tradition for us and I look forward to it every year. There is a fantastic selection of stalls offering items such as knitted goods, jewellery, decorations, carvings, art, and of course not forgetting the amazing food, and drinks! A must have for me every year is a bratwurst and some festive Gluhwein. At the market just past, however, I decided to try a brie burger. Oh my word, it was amazing! I tried to re-create it myself at home and failed miserably! The reason for the lost star is because the experience has the shine taken off it somewhat by the sheer size of the crowd which makes it sometimes hard to even move! I'll definitely be booking a day off work this year for it so I can go when it's quieter :) read more

It's not Christmas until you have been to the market. Lol Although to be fair St Georges market is on all year round and in my books better. It has way more and a better selection of stalls. To be honest I think many people go to the continental market for the gatherings in the beer tents. Can't really work out why. It can be over crowded,loud and busy. The beer must be to die for or free. (I'm not a beer lover) The food an be expensive and lacking in flavour. Though you can't go wrong with a Rocket and Relish burger (can also e found on the Lisburn road ). I some kettle corn okay. Was nice. Both sweet and salty. The waffles are good. My face is White choc with mallows or nuts on top. The wee Dutch pancakes are lovely also. Though que for them can be pretty long. If I was rich I feel I would have a more enjoyable experience at the market. Lol Get ready to put on the brakes as you shuffle around and view the goodies. It can be very busy. Although I quite like that it makes you slow the speed of life down. read more

So I'm a little bit of a Christmas-aholic. Actually, I'm a full blown Christmas-aholic. In fact, even thinking about Christmas this very minute is making me excited! For the last lot of years, Belfast has been blessed with the Christmas Continental Market and it's been so successful that it's more a part of Christmas now than the turning on of the lights is. It's packed full of stalls pedalling everything from candles to scarves to food. And what food! There is something for everyone here, whether you're into gourmet burgers, pastries, garlic mushrooms (very strong - not ideal for a date - you have been warned!) or if you're that way inclined, kangaroo burgers (haven't tried them myself..can't stop thinking about Skippy long enough...) There is a real buzz about the city when the market is in town. The beer tents in the market are always hiving and have a really good atmosphere. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Belgian bakery that's there every year. They sell these chocolate waffles that are the main reason I put on weight over the festive season! The only thing that prevents me giving it five stars (and it's actually a positive in a weird way) is the fact that most of the time you can't get moving in it, so it can be less than pleasurable to have a stroll around the place. Don't let that stop you though. Just be prepared for crowds when you go and get swept away in a tidal wave of festive spirit. I can't wait for Christmas now... read more

Yeaaa...This market really does give me that Christmas feeling, it stays for about a month and is for sure to put you in the mood to try something new. It is always so busy which is great cause it adds to the joy but sometimes you just wish you had it all to yourself!!! This would have five stars in my book if only it wasn't so expensive. There aren't many food items you can buy and get much change from a fiver and the toilets after a while to get a little gross, but what can you expect form festival portaloos!! Be sure to try the Churros with nutella and the hog roast and then head to one of the beer tents for some wheat beer.Its fun to even go and walk about even if your not buying much. read more

Love the Christmas market every year, although jam packed with people you can hardly get moving, prices are very expensive but fun to go to , mulled wine always nice to get at the market, lots of variety , lots of sweets and food and other trinkets to choose from. Love going here. read more

Plenty to do and see. Dinner, desserts, crafts plants and Christmas events. Worth visiting if your in the city.

The Christmas market is great if you haven't been before, OK if you've been a couple of times, but it probably beginning to feel a bit stale now if you have visited each year since it started. I don't want to be all bah-humbug about it so am happy to point out that over all its pretty good. So what did I mean about getting stale then? Well it's just that the Council organisers have shown a certain lack of imagination since the very first year there has been no change at all to the market. Every year they have the exact same stalls, this is compounded by the exact same lay out. It is as if the organisers stumbled onto an unexpected success and have been afraid to make even the slightest change. The other negative aspect is the price, everything is very expensive. VERY. You do get good quality stuff for your money to be fair. But you can get good quality stuff in many places these days for significantly less. The final negative point is that it gets very overcrowded and cramped in the evenings as people pile in for food and drink after a busy shopping day. Overall though, it doesn't feel properly like Christmas now until you've been. I know I've been more than once already this year, and I'll be back again before Christmas. It would just be nice if they freshened some aspects up, with new stalls, or even at least just moving the same ones they use every year about a bit! read more

Fun each year. Really nice to see some local resturants partaking this year! Lovely seafood from Mourne Seafood on offer :)

At this stage I'm bored of the continental market. The things that made it special(the beer and the food) can be found elsewhere in Belfast now all year round. The lack of even changing where things are located in the market makes its a very dull experience if you've been before. It fills up quickly as well and on a Friday and Saturday is sometimes impossible to get into. Save yourself time and effort and go to st George's market a much better experience read more

Lovely atmosphere. Lived the Christmas music from the speakers. All the stall owners I met were happy to let everyone browse, they weren't pushy. Lots of bins and toilet facilities, very tidy, I didn't see any rubbish thrown around. read more

As soon as the market appears I start to sing 'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas' as this is how it makes me feel - I have to say I only have ever bought food or drink here but walking around it just gets you in the mood for the visit from the big man. If you want a drink you have to get there early as the bars are always full and many people only go to the market to sit in the bars which is ok but doesn't really get you in the mood as walking round eating street food and soaking in the atmosphere - don't just go here for the booze soak up some of the atmosphere as well and then tell me you aren't ready for old St Nick - bet you can't! read more

It's disappointing that there is not something permanent with the same vibe and selection as the continental market. Obv if it was permanent then it wouldn't be a christmas market but you get what i mean. Everything and everyone here becomes a tourist and to have that stuck in the towering office blocks and shops of the city centre is a real treat. An array of stands from all over the world selling everything from wine to hats and paella to christmas trees. There are a variety of peculiar burgers which the kangaroo one was my favourite but I did take a few trips to this places so I've grown accustom to the otherwise strange burger selection. There was also a stand with garlic mushrooms which I grew a little obsessed with. Theres also places to get alcohol in the steins (one litre) which from frequenting Munich, is as much a delight as it is a challenge. Next Christmas I will be the first in and last out. Best thing about Belfast at Christmas time. read more

kangaroo burger. bratwurst and raspberry beer. don't miss at christmas! read more

Love the Christmas market . Really gets you ready for the festive season , best time of the year can't wait until next year .

I always attend the contenantal market when it comes to Belfast not only do you get to taste food that normally wouldn't even think of you get to do a bit of shopping and after all that get to rest your wee feet in one of the beer tents who could ask for more!! read more

Belfast is not really known for its, ahem, culture-or rather, for being 'cultured'. We're known as the mean ugly step sister to the neighbouring cities and towns. But the Continental market, which actually visits 3-4 times a year, has proven a real hit with punters more accustomed to eating dodgy sausages and chips from the dirty burger van than Saurkraut from a German vendor. It has exposed us to different culture and by God does some of this stuff taste good. As well as food, you can also sample the world's beers and mementos, such as the handcrafted wooden figurines sold at the Peruvian craft stall there. 5 stars for beauty, culture and exposing me to something different. read more

Expensive and always bunged. But it does have a lovely Christmas atmosphere and you get get little trinkets that you would normally not get. My daughter got a set of Russian dolls made by the nuns who come every year. Also you get to try the weird meat burgers read more

The atmosphere is amazing and its def worth going for a hot dog and quick drink. However during busy times it can be too crowded and the food can be very expensive. Great for a quick stop or quock look around but if you are planning to taste everything and spend time there, plan to have a big wallet and patience. read more

Continental Market at the City Hall is a great place to start off your Christmas adventure in Belfast. But now I've started too avoid it if i can unless like last week were friends from outside off Belfast wanted to go. My reason for this is pretty much down to cost off things you go to the German Beer Tent or Lavery's Beer Tent and you will pay up too £5 or more for a pint & in the food stales a burger will cost £4 till £5 so as you can guess its not a cheap night out by any means. read more

was at the christmas market last night ,,,,,,,and i am just glad i am not a female ,,,,the toilets are a disgrace. portaloos that are disgustingly dirty and dark,,,,,,,really bad advert for the city, i have been to markets all over europe and never seen anything as bad as this. the market stalls and food are good . philip read more