CARDIFF STEPS INTO CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS well and truly started in Cardiff last night after thousands came out to enjoy music and entertainment to kick off the festive period.
Instead of a traditional Christmas lights switch-on, families were treated to a threehour event complete with music, theatrical costumes and an array of colourful lights.
Thousands descended on the capital for the annual Step into Christmas event and the official opening of Winter Wonderland. Christmas characters came to life with the Three Kings, dancing baubles and even a snow lion seen wandering around the capital entertaining parents and children.
Ethine Foulkes , 24, said; “It’s really great. I didn’t know it was happening, but I was walking back through town and you could definitely tell something was going on.
“The street performers have been amazing and it’s been well thought out, the atmosphere as well is brilliant. It’s not too overdone either which is good. It definitely feels like Christmas has started now.”
As the cold weather set in, high spirits were kept up with various musical acts playing traditional Christmas tunes alongside contemporary songs.
Alongside music the air was filled with the aroma of food from German sausages to burgers, as Cardiff Christmas Market returned with more than 200 exhibitors showcasing their goods in 85 wooden huts for 44 days.
Located on The Hayes, one of the main pedestrian areas of the city centre, hundreds sampled all the market has to offer including seasonal food and alcohol as well as crafts from independent Welsh businesses.
Bethan Owen, 24, a worker at Wally’s Cardiff, said: “There’s so much going on, we’ve tried the mulled wine and the roulade and they’re both great.”
The spectacular transformation included various performances across the city centre, featuring traditional festive characters such as elves and Father Christmas and more creative acts such as towering disco-inspired characters covered in glitter and baubles.
Two overseas students who stumbled across the opening said it compared well to celebrations at home.
Konstantin Buschmeier ,28, said: “In Germany we do have a lot of Christmas markets like this, but we don’t have the big openings like this, I think it’s really good here.”
Bristol student Perline Demange, from France, said: “We had no idea it was happening. The music has been great and the atmosphere is good too.”
Step into Christmas also marked the opening of Winter Wonderland on the City Hall lawn which runs to January 7.