Winter Wonderland in Nottingham cancelled but Christmas market will go ahead

Winter Wonderland has been cancelled in Nottingham this year, however the city council has confirmed the Christmas market and other festive attractions will go ahead.

The scaled-back festivities comes just months after the Goose Fair and Bonfire Night were cancelled.

The usual Christmas arrangements have been revised to ensure people can enjoy themselves safely, organisers have said.

Last year's market was axed after just one day amid fears of crowds rammed together with a lack of social distancing, despite being under Tier 3 restrictions at the time.

The new-look event follows advice from public health and the Safety Advisory Group for Events which will see attractions spread out across the city rather than all being sited in Old Market Square.

What will Nottingham's Christmas Market look like this year?

Slab Square will remain the centre-of-attention but stalls and activities will also be located in Smithy Row, Long Row and Trinity Square.

The number of market stalls has been reduced, and spaces around them will also be increased to improve circulation and can allow for crowd control.

The city’s traditional 60ft high Norway Spruce Christmas tree, lit with 4,000 twinkling bulbs, will take centre stage in front of the Council House - and there will be a snowflake-inspired lighting display.

What festive attractions will be there?

A giant observation wheel will whisk visitors 33m up into the air, with views over the city’s rooftops.

A traditional carousel will also light up the square for those who may prefer to stay closer to ground level.

A new Après Ski themed pop-up bar will also be located on Old Market Square, while the traditional Helter Skelter bar will return to Smithy Row offering visitors a steaming mug of Glühwein as riders slide down the traditional fairground favourite from above.

What's different with this year's Christmas market in Nottingham?

The festive events will also spread this year to Trinity Square, where a specially-constructed Christmas Village will have a number of food and drink options.

There will also be a Christmas Tree-lined entrance leading to a winter-themed setting that features a number of igloo-style glass domes.

What about Winter Wonderland?

The event organisers have said they had considered plans for a further dispersed Winter Wonderland but added "unfortunately this has not proved possible".

When is the Christmas market in Nottingham?

The Christmas celebrations in Nottingham begin as the lights across the city are switched on.

The attractions will open on Monday 15 November and will run until Friday 31 December.

What have the event organisers and the local council said about the Christmas market?

Cllr Eunice Campbell Clark, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture, and Schools said: "In planning for this event, we have been mindful of the issues at last year’s event.

"We acknowledge it’s important to maintain a balance of keeping people safe and urging caution but also allowing people to enjoy the seasonal festivities.

"Our event plans for Christmas 2021 allows for any amendments or adjustments that may be needed due to Government advice or legislation."

Event organisers, Mellors Group, said they are "pleased to be bringing a Christmas experience to the heart of Nottingham once again".

A spokesperson said: "While we are of course disappointed not be able to bring the entire Winter Wonderland experience to Nottingham this year, the reduced-scale and dispersed offer of events and attraction across the city centre will still ensure that Nottingham remains one of the best seasonal destinations for visitors this Christmas."