Christmas is coming to Sheffield, with the city gearing up for its biggest and most action-packed festive season yet.

Festivities will officially get underway on Thursday 12 November, when Sheffield’s popular Christmas markets return to the city centre, bigger than ever and featuring more than 50 cabins.

Celebrating the best of Sheffield’s independent businesses, more than 80 per cent of traders at this year’s markets will be local. The markets will stretch across Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor, bringing festive food, drink, gifts and entertainment to the heart of the city.

The opening weekend will culminate in a Christmas celebration event for families at Devonshire Green, on Sunday 15 November, bringing a new festive lights spectacle to this part of the city centre.

The free, ticketed event will be the first time Devonshire Green has featured within the city’s opening weekend celebrations. Further details, including how to get tickets, will be announced later this month.

And that is just the start of a packed programme running throughout November, December and into January.

For the first time in more than a decade, Sheffield city centre’s Christmas offer will feature an artificial ice rink in Tudor Square, alongside a snow slide on Surrey Street, giving families and visitors even more reasons to enjoy the city during the festive season.

Christmas will reach even further across the city centre this year, with illuminations lighting up Haymarket, Fargate, Barker’s Pool, Surrey Street, Division Street, Pinstone Street, the Peace Gardens and Cambridge Street.

Sheffield’s popular Christmas opening weekend will also return on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, with a packed programme of entertainment and activities.

Visitors can expect street entertainment, children’s characters and craft activities alongside music from local bands and live performances, with something for all ages throughout the weekend.

Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Christmas in Sheffield is always special, but this year we’re making it bigger, brighter and better than ever, with more reasons to come into the city centre and enjoy everything Sheffield has to offer.

“I’m particularly excited that we’ll be bringing a Christmas lights spectacular to Devonshire Green for the first time. It will be a fantastic way to round off our opening weekend and bring even more festive atmosphere to this part of the city centre.

“The return of an artificial ice rink to Tudor Square for the first time in more than a decade is another really exciting addition and, alongside our fantastic Christmas Markets, live entertainment and activities throughout the season, there will be something for everyone.

“This is about creating a brilliant Christmas for Sheffield residents and visitors, while supporting our local businesses and bringing people into the city centre.

“With celebrations running from November right through December and into January, there’s lots to look forward to this Christmas in Sheffield.”

Further details about Sheffield’s Christmas programme, including the Christmas celebration event for families at Devonshire Green and activities taking place throughout the festive season, will be announced over the coming weeks.