The UK's largest outdoor & indoor heated winter market is returning to Freight Island

The Winter festival will feature live entertainment, DJs, performances, street food and a Winter market with alternative Christmas gifting.

By Emma Davidson | 18 October 2022

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The UK’s largest heated winter festival, Winter Island, returns to Escape to Freight Island for the festive season – launching on Saturday 12th November.

Winter Island will transform Freight’s incredible food hall and its festival-inspired outdoor space into a magical winter wonderland, featuring a Christmas tree forest, festive traders and pop-up markets, as well as curated Christmas workshops and entertainment.

A new addition for this year, the festive island will also be complete with a rooftop ice rink – with more details yet to be confirmed!

Known for its diverse line-up of food and drink traders, the likes of; Burgerism, Carnival, Lucky Foot, Voodoo Ray’s, The Smoking Coal, One Star Döner Bar, Mi & Pho, Forever Changes and The Jane Eyre, will all be serving food across the two-month event.

Further excitement for foodies comes from other traders part of the city’s exciting culinary scene, including; Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Great North Pie Co, and chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana, where guests can build their own hot chocolate and treat themselves to a boozy version, too!

In addition, a Mulled Wine Barrell Bar will serve the classic festive beverage, alongside a special Vimto mulled wine. An Après Bar from Grey Goose will also be available for guests to enjoy, plus a brand-new pub-inspired Freight Tap Room serving draft and craft beers.

In true Escape to Freight Island fashion, guests can expect exclusive entertainment and programming, from DJs to live performances and everything in between. 

The UK’s finest selectors have been carefully curated to pump up the festive season, featuring Norman Jay MBE, Greg Wilson, Dele Sosimi, DJ Paulette, Crazy P, Krysko, and a special takeover from Flash at Pikes Ibiza.

Live performances will see spectacular rosters from Massaoke, Hip Hop Karaoke, The House and Garage Orchestra, AMC Gospel Choir, The Incredible 11 and Finesse. Also happening throughout the season, is the Festival of Football, for those who want to keep up with the World Cup where all England games will be shown on the big screen.

Over at the heated outdoor space, Winter Island will host its very own winter market. Perfect for alternative gifting, the winter market will be home to stalls specialising in handcrafting, homewares, ceramics, stationary, gift wraps, cards, screen printing and more

For those who want to get creative, Winter Island has teamed up with various workshop organisers. Wonderhaus, Cork and Canvas and Cork and Clay will offer their signature art classes, alongside others featuring candle and wreath making.

Furthermore, those visiting as a family will enjoy a series of family fun happenings with their own dedicated family zone. Winter Island will host the likes of Santa’s Grotto, pop up pantomimes, cinema club and more, as well as hosted events with Teach Rex, Our Kids Social, Circus House.

Winter Island opens weekly Wednesday to Sunday from Saturday 12th November, and will then be open seven days a week from Wednesday 7th December until Friday 30th December. 

Opening hours are 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 1am Friday, 12pm to 1am Saturday, 12pm to 10pm Sunday.

Booking in advance recommended to secure preferred dates and times for a table. Walk-ups available and subject to availability.

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