York Markets

Every day is market day in York. They have a permanent space between Parliament Street and the Shambles dedicated to the Newgate Market.






I think that before I visited Europe and the UK, I had a romantic, idealized sense of what a true street market would be. In reality, it's fruit, veggies, flowers, candy, trinkets, purses, belts, underwear, bras, and socks. Even this might sound somewhat interesting, but the majority of the non-edible items are Big Lots kind of quality and make you suspicious of how long they'll work.


On the weekends (and Wednesdays—don't ask why) there are some nicer additions with genuine craftspeople or importers. There are some nice-quality Asian items, jewelry, Nepal-inspired merchandise, and Bolivian leather crafts (I may have gotten that wrong). That's more my kind of market.

Throughout the year, there are special market events that spread into Parliament Street and other squares throughout the city including the Big Green Market featuring sustainable goods, and numerous specialized food and farmers' markets. Every once in a while I see something really shocking like, say, dead birds hanging in a stall. I suppose, in this context, they're referred to as "fowl." Either way, I wasn't too excited about seeing Donald Duck with his feathers and beak still intact. I'm just glad to say I didn't encounter any little beaks peaking out of plastic bags as I wondered through the crowds.


Now that it's the Christmas season, the markets are going into high gear. The city organizes vendors to come at certain times. You have the Children's Christmas Fayre, the St. Nicholas Fayre, the Made in Yorkshire Christmas Craft Fayre, the German Christkindlesmarkt, Barley Hall's Christmas Fayres, and the Christmas Farmers' Market.

We went to the St. Nicholas Fayre this weekend to kick off our seasonal festivities. It was fun—much better than the Food Festival. We had a good time wandering around the different stalls, joining the mass of humanity as it inched its way forward. You have to go with patience. The booth set-up isn't conducive to the size of the crowds. You basically have to sit in line to wait to get a peak at what's inside each stall. As you rejoin the throng of people, you're shoulder to shoulder, back to front with every other person. Pat and I kicked each other several times (accidentally of course) and got run over by a bike and a pram (aka stroller). I just feel lucky to have escaped without accidentally kicking some elderly person's cane out from under them.


There are lots of street performers out at busy times like these which create a nice atmosphere. There was a group playing Christmas carols with bells which was really nice, violins, a guy playing We are the Champions on a trumpet (don't ask), and a couple of shows.

While we were there, we tried our first mince pie which was quite good. We also had a tasty eggnog latte (there are Starbucks everywhere—York has 3) and some warm sugared nuts (insert joke here). The food was actually better than the Food Festival too :) We're enjoying the season so far. Next weekend there's even more stuff going on.