The Armagh Georgian Festival, celebrating its 20th year, will take place from November 28 to December 1, marking the start of the Christmas season with a rich programme of events that highlights the city’s Georgian heritage.
Festival-goers can enjoy guided tours, a three-course Highwayman’s Banquet, a mock trial at Armagh Courthouse, and various festive activities including funfair rides, games, and appearances by Santa’s reindeer.
The event features an artisan market with over 130 stalls on Georgian Day, November 30, offering crafts, gifts, and food, alongside a dramatic light show on November 29 and 30 that showcases sustainable practices.
Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Kyle Savage emphasised the festival’s cultural significance and the community’s role in creating an exciting atmosphere, while organizers commit to sustainability initiatives, including reducing plastic waste and using eco-friendly materials.
Roberta Wright one of the founders of Georgian Day sahred: It was created as an opportunity to showcase Armagh, to highlight the wealth of independent retailers in the city and add some Christmas sparkle for visitors. She said, “It’s incredible how far the festival has come since we first launched in 2004. Armagh has such a unique history, a fascinating story to tell, and a community of people who are passionate about the heritage of this place, and our Georgian Festival gives us the perfect platform to showcase everything that makes Armagh the wonderful place it is. Excitement is already building for our 2024 celebration, and I would highly recommend visitors pop by the wide range of independent stores in the city to do some Christmas shopping as they make their way around the exciting activities taking place across the city.”
Gill Robb, Events Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, shared, “Our famous, must-see light show, running on the evenings of Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30, will switch to a more sustainable power source this year, whilst park and ride facilities will also be available on Saturday. We’ve also tried to limit as many single use plastics as possible with stallholders switching to compostable plates, glasses and cutlery, and abiding by our complete ban on plastic bags.”
