Thousands enjoy Christmas celebrations in Melton Mowbray

Organisers of the Christmas Market in Melton Mowbray at the weekend have hailed it a 'resounding success' as they quote 50,000 visitors attending across the weekend.

There were over 120 stalls on hand selling everything from handmade crafts to sweet treats and homemade bakes and Christmas products.

Record numbers of visitors attended the Melton Mowbray Victorian Fair, with over 50,000 visits across the three days. Melton BID, which monitors visitor footfall to the town, recorded a massive 20,000 visits for the Friday switching on of the Christmas Lights, 16,000 for Saturday and 14,000 on Sunday, which is 225% up on the 2023 total of 15,000 across the whole weekend, making it the largest event in the town in recent years.

Fans eagerly await East 17. Photo: NEMM

Along with performances by the new line ups of East 17 and N-Trance over the weekend other local favourite events also took place including the Festival of Wreaths and the St. Mary's Christmas Tree festival which proved as popular as ever raising vital funds for the historic building.

There were no school performances on Friday this year instead replaced by a DJ playing some festive tunes throughout the day before the big switch on in the evening by Father Christmas himself.

Thousands packed in to the Market Square on Friday night for the annual switch on. Photo: NEMM

Leader of Melton Borough Council, Cllr Pip Allnatt, stated that "On behalf of Melton Borough Council, we want to extend our gratitude to everyone who came along and braved the weather to support the Victorian Christmas Light Switch-on, this weekend. The high footfall was unprecedented, achieving a record attendance that exceeded all of our expectations and has given a real boost to our local economy, which was exactly what the town needed at this time of year. It was heart-warming to see so many people enjoying the celebrations and hearing from local businesses about the positive impact.

Robbie Craig performing on stage on Friday. Photo: NEMM

I’d also like to give special thanks to our partners at Melton Mowbray Town Estate and all the organisers, local businesses and staff who worked hard to make sure everything ran smoothly and safely. It was lovely to see the event – including the Christmas Tree Festival – featured on regional news, helping to spread the word about our wonderful town."

James Colclough, manager of Melton BID, said, “Melton BID is pleased to have supported and worked collaboratively with partners in the town to see such a well-attended event delivered. I feel this is a step-change in the way Melton does Christmas and feel positive that this experience can be taken forward to 2026 and made even better for businesses and visitors.”

Joe Livermore from the new East 17 line up on stage on Friday. Photo: NEMM

Demand was so high for stalls thtat it was oversubscribed for 2025 which saw some traders turned away on Saturday morning despite having a booked stall confirmation.

Melton Mowbray Town Estate has confirmed that 100% of traders were rebooked for the 2026 Christmas Market.

Melton Baptist Church also performed ahead of the switch on. Photo: NEMM

Dean Rees, CEO of Melton Mowbray Town Estate added: “I would like to say thank you to everyone involved, Melton Mowbray Borough Council, Melton BID, The Stockyard, a huge thank you to the market traders who filled every pitch we had available, to the shops, cafes and pubs that stayed open to welcome the visitors and most of all to the enormous number of visitors who ignored the weather to enjoy the food, drink, music and fun, over the weekend.”

A tree made for tennis at the Christmas Tree Festival. Photo: NEMM

Christmas fun continues around the Melton Borough in the coming weeks with A Magical Night Before Christmas @ Belvoir Castle. Belvoir Castle, the fairytale Leicestershire home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, will be dressing its impressive Regency State rooms in festive finery this year, as its popular Christmas event reopens after a two-year hiatus. From Saturday 29th November to Tuesday 30th December (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day), A Magical Night Before Christmas at Belvoir Castle will offer its visitors the opportunity to tour the early 19th Century historic home decorated with elaborate and festive adornments.

Also coming up is the MBAS Christmas Fatstock Sale at Melton Mowbray Market on Scalford Road on 6th December from 8am-5pm. The 73rd annual Christmas Fatstock Show & Sale organised by the Melton & Belvoir Agricultural Society (MBAS) will be held at the Melton Mowbray Livestock Market on Saturday 6th December. Coinciding with the Stockyard Christmas Market, we will happily welcome everyone to come along and enjoy a busy show and market day. Come and see an amazing show of Livestock – cattle, sheep, pigs and goats; and produce – cheese, pork pies, sausages, pastries, home baking, junior baking and preserves.

For more information visit www.discovermelton.com