Cambridge BID hosts second Festive Fayre shopping experience

This week, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) is once again hosting the annual Festive Fayre - an exclusive late-night Christmas shopping experience within Cambridge’s traditional and picturesque Old Quarter.

This wonderfully atmospheric event –  this Wednesday (6th December), 5pm-8pm – is the perfect opportunity to explore the wealth of largely independent stores onTrinity Street, Green Street, Rose Crescent, All Saints Garden, Peas Hill, Bene’t Street, Kings Parade, Bridge Street and St Mary’s Passage … and bag some unique Christmas gifts.

Market Square stalls - many serving hot food - will be participating for the very first time and staying open late, together with the All Saints Craft Market on Trinity Street.

Shops and stalls alike will be offering special Festive Fayre discounts, promotions and gifts with purchase… and serving up an assortment of tempting treats such as roasted chestnuts, mince pies and mulled wine.

Some of the many discounts offered on the night include:

  • 25% off (plus mulled wine & festive cakes) at Cambridge University Press Bookshop, Trinity Street.
  • 25% off Orla Kiely jewellery and a free Christmas tree decoration with any eternity ring (plus Champagne and mince pies) at Catherine Jones, Bridge Street.
  • 20% off (and free personalisation) at Cambridge Satchel Company, St Mary’s Passage.
  • 20% off at Danish contemporary fashion brand, Noa Noa, King’s Parade.
  • 10% off (plus mulled cider) at Brora, Trinity Street.
  • 10% off (and refreshments) at Anthony menswear, Trinity Street.
  • 10% off dress jewellery (plus mulled wine and mince pies) at Harriet Kelsall, Green Street.
  • 10% off (and Molten Chocolate shots) at Bellinas Chocolat House, Bridge Street.
  • 10% off at Jacks On Trinity, Trinity Street.
  • 10% off (for students) at Origins, Rose Crescent.

Other Festive Fayre perks include:

  • Goodie bags with every purchase at Molton Brown, Rose Cresecent – and there will also be a calligrapher in-store to personalise gifts on the night.
  • Complimentary hand massages, mince pies and prosecco at Crabtree & Evelyn, Rose Crescent.
  • Chocolate tasting and hand massages at Neal’s Yard Remedies.
  • Gingerbread decorating (for kids), knife chopping demonstrations and Fondue demonstrations at Steamer Trader.
  • Free eco-friendly Bear tote bags to anyone who mentions “Bear Hug” when making a purchase at Podarok, Bene't Street - plus mulled cider, mince pies and Christmas spice biscuits.
  • Free sample tastings outside La Raza, Rose Crescent.

To add to the ambience, there will be music and entertainment broadcast from a screen located in Market Square, highlighting the numerous Festive Fayre deals and promotions being run across shops, bars and restaurants in the area.

Two of Cambridge’s best-loved choirs will additionally be performing on the night. The historic choir of Great St Mary’s will perform outside Great St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Passage from 18:45 – 19:15.  The St Bene’t’s Singers will also be performing twice during the evening – from 17:15 -17:45 outside St Bene’t’s Church, Bene’t Street, and from 18:00 -18:30 on the corner of Peas Hill and Bene’t Street.

Ian Sandison, Chairman of Cambridge BID, said: “Festive Fayre is the perfect event to really get you in the Christmas mood as you sample the very best that Cambridge retailers have to offer within the picturesque Old Quarter.”

 Anne Bannell, owner of Jacks On Trinity and one of the main organisers behind the event, added: “This year’s Festive Fayre is set to be bigger and better than last year.  It’s great that Market Square will be staying open with us and that there are more shops offering special promotions and refreshments as well as festive fun and entertainment. It’ll be a lovely evening for all, and just what you need to get that Christmas shopping sorted!”



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