THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to a traditional Christmas festival.

Durham City’s three-day Christmas festival starts on Friday, December 4 with more than 300 traders expected to set up stall at five different markets scattered across the city and street entertainment throughout the weekend.

The centrepiece of the festival will be a giant marquee with 190 craft and gift stalls on Palace Green; as well as the regional producers’ market in the Cathedral Cloisters and traditional Christmas markets in the Market Place and Millennium Place, and the Victorian Market Hall.

The annual Children’s Lantern Procession will take place on Saturday, December 5, leaving the Market Place at 3.30pm and arriving at Durham Cathedral in time for the St Nicholas Service at 4.10pm.

Among the newcomers to the craft and gift marquee will be Alexandra Mackie, also known as The Blind Soapmaker.

Alexandra, who lost her sight during childhood, has trained in soapmaking, and created her own range of high-quality luxury soaps, bathbombs and toiletries.

She said: “Durham Christmas Festival is the ideal start to the festive season. I’m looking forward to meeting loads of visitors who are out in the markets doing their Christmas shopping.”

The event is jointly organised by Durham Markets Company and Durham University.

Colin Wilkes, Managing Director of Durham Markets, said: “Each year we try to ensure a broad mix of stalls in the markets, so that as many items on the Christmas lists as possible can be ticked off.

“This year we’re welcoming several new businesses, many based in the North-East.

“We’re anticipating a busy three days in Durham.”

Admission to the Palace Green marquee is by ticket, available on the day or at www.durhamchristmasfestival.com.