Galway’s Local Food & Craft Gift Fair opens this Thursday at Black Box Theatre

Galway’s Black Box Theatre will be a haven of festive cheer this week as the venue comes alive for the annual Local Food and Craft Gift Fair. Beginning this Thursday, November 27th, the festive fair will run throughout the weekend, closing on Tuesday evening, December 2nd. Up to 60 stall holders and exhibitors will showcase their products across the six days, and there’ll be plenty of entertainment to ensure there’s something for all the family.

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On Thursday, Galway Bay FM’s Ronan Lardner will kick off Christmas with a live broadcast from the Black Box from 12noon to 3pm. There’ll be music from the Out of Towners from 4.30pm until 6pm, with the Fair running until 7pm. On Friday, the band will be back with live music from 3.30pm until 6.30pm, and Santa will also be spreading festive cheer from 4pm to 7pm.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Fair will open at 10am, with the Out of Towners playing from 12noon to 6pm and the ever-popular Bernardo the Magician wowing the crowd from 12noon to 4pm. Monday and Tuesday will also see the event open at 10am, with Santa returning from 12noon to 5pm on Monday, and the TLC Choir performing on Tuesday between 12noon and 1pm.

Organised annually by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Galway, the Fair will showcase the very best of the county’s artisan producers and the event is expected to attract up to 15,000 shoppers across the six days.

Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, Caroline McDonagh, said shoppers can look forward to getting their hands on some stunning Christmas gifts and treats. “We have put together a really fantastic line-up of entertainment and exhibitors this year, and we’re delighted that Santa Claus is taking time out of his busy schedule to come and meet the children on both Friday and Monday. There really will be something to suit all tastes and budgets at the Black Box and, for anyone still looking for inspiration for their Christmas shopping list, rest assured, the Local Food and Craft Fair has got you covered.”

Shoppers can expect to find an array of gift ideas from local artists, designers, jewellers, skincare trailblazers, and craftspeople, as well as mouth-watering locally-made food and drinks from some of Galway’s best loved artisan producers. There will also be several food vendors outside the Black Box throughout the six days.

As an added bonus this year, 14 free bus routes will operate from towns all over Galway, taking groups to the Christmas Fair at the Black Box Theatre. Shoppers are advised to book their seats to avoid disappointment. Bookings can be made by calling LEO on 091 509 090 or online at www.localenterprise.ie/Galway/.

Photos by Martina Regan.