Rounding up a fantastic 2023 at Preston Markets
3 January 2024
Thank you for a fantastic year here at Preston Markets. With a range of free events, new stalls and more. Including the anniversary of our wonderful Market Hall, which was built beneath our historic, Victorian canopy five years ago.
Happy new year to you our wonderful customers and thank you for continuing to support your local businesses.
Adrian Livesey celebrates milestone
Market Hall favourite Adrian Livesey began the year with a milestone celebration, 40 years in the trade.
Happy Birthday Preston Market Hall
Although Preston Markets Victorian canopy was completed nearly 150 years ago in 1875, the current Market Hall celebrated it's fifth birthday in 2023.
Another milestone at Preston Markets
Outdoor Market trader Derek grew up at Preston Markets helping at the family stall and running errands for other traders. At the age of 18 Derek took over the business and in 2023 had been trading at Preston Markets for 45 years.
The International Market heads to Preston
In April and again in September, Market Place Europe teamed up with the Preston Markets to bring fine food, drinks and crafts from across the world to Preston city centre.
Preston Street Songs
Teaming up with The Harris, UCLan and Preston Records office, we brought you a fantastic display of Preston's historic songs, originally printed in the 1800s, along with a breathtaking performance of traditional broadside ballads by Jennifer Reid who could be seen earlier in the year in BBC drama, The Gallows Pole.
Easter family fun
We had a fantastic time on Easter Saturday at our free family event with face painting and an exciting treasure hunt.
The Jive Aces
Kicking off our summer events schedule in style, The Jive Aces had the joint swinging.
Continuing on Saturdays throughout August we had an excellent range of entertainment beneath our canopies.
Best of Preston
Showcasing some amazing local talent from solo singers and songwriters to spoken word performers and pianists Best of Preston was a fantastic monthly event.
Rare Breeds
We were Joined by the incredibly well-behaved sheep, Leo and Nirvana from the Foundation for Common Land and Rare Breeds Survival Trust, to learn more about the history and heritage of commoning in England and England's native breeds as part of a year-long series made possible thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, 'Take the Common to Town'.
We also invited local knitting group 'The Knit and Purl Jam' who spent the afternoon spinning wool, knitting and showing off their latest Aardman character creations.
Little Brass
Some fantastic New Orleans style music from Little Brass, livened up this lovely summer's day. They even learnt the Wallace and Gromit theme tune for us.
Paris Bubbles
After a captivating performance in 2022 we invited Paris bubbles back in 2023 and we were not disappointed. They were as popular as ever with their amazing displays.
Pop up Puppets
Local Puppeteers, Pop Up Puppet entertained us with their unique parody puppet performances of classic films.
Wonky Olympics
Two hapless PE teachers kept the little ones entertained when they turned up and recreated the Olympic Games with some cones, hula hoops and a tiny megaphone.
Too Cool for School
School dinner ladies Rita and Frida popped by to cause some chaos and we also received a visit from PE teachers Mr Stretch and Mr Armstrong to make sure everyone was ready for the return to school.
Live Music at The Orchard
An amazing mix of live performances from punk bands to acoustic acts they had it all this summer at our resident craft beer bar, The Orchard. Free, live music every Saturday evening throughout summer.
A visit from Santa
December saw the return of our very popular free Santa's grotto along with face painting and an exciting treasure hunt. We had a fantastic time!
Keep and eye on our what's on calendar and social
We're planning another exciting and fun packed year in 2024. Make sure you don't miss any updates about events, traders and more by checking our events calendar and following @prestonmarkets on Facebook - Preston Markets, Instagram - Preston Markets and X - Preston Markets.
Happy new year!