market – New in Cambridge

The Summer Night Market is back on Friday 18 May for a special two day event, with cinema screenings under the stars and an outdoor big screen showing the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live on Saturday 19 May.

Summer Night Market Cambridge — Image credit: Cambridge City Council

There’s been a market in Cambridge since medieval times and a general market still runs every day in Market Square outside the Guildhall, selling street food, fruit and vegetables, books, jewellery and much more besides. Every Sunday there’s an arts, craft and local produce market showcasing original work from some of the area’s talented artists and craftspeople as well as organic produce grown by the region’s farmers. Around two hundred traders ply their wares in the Market over the course of a week and many of them will have stalls at the Summer Night Market. You’ll also find pop up bars and restaurants alongside street food vendors and local charity stallholders.

Screenings on 18 May will be the animated family film “Sing” at 6.30pm, followed by comedy “Meet the Parents” at 8.30pm. Expect a party atmosphere on 19 May, the Royal wedding day, when the market will be decked out in patriotic bunting. Feel free to bring your own flag! Seating will be provided but these events are popular so the advice is to come early to bag your spot or bring your own portable chair.

Summer Night Market cinema Cambridge — Image credit: Cambridge City Council

Dates for Summer Night Markets and outdoor cinema through the summer are:

Friday 22 June, screening “Moana” then “Dirty Dancing”

Friday 20 July, screening “Paddington” then “Grease”

Friday 17 August, screening “Paddington 2” then “The Greatest Showman”

Dan Ritchie, who manages the Market, tells me, “The Summer Night Markets and outdoor cinema are totally free for visitors and traders. It’s great to see a whole mix of people come together … families, friends, visitors and students, all enjoying a really lovely vibe.”

http://www.cambridgebid.co.uk/events

Market Square, Cambridge CB2 3QJ

Cambridge Vegan Market returns to The Guildhall, in the heart of the city, on Sunday 11 March. Sponsored this year by workers’ co-operative Arjuna Wholefoods, the long established Mill Road vegetarian wholefood shop, you’ll find an enormous variety of vegan products, from food to cosmetics to clothing.

Cambridge Vegan Market Cover Photo Mar 2018 — Image credit: Matthew Bradley

I spoke to Lewis Beresford who founded Vegan Markets UK with one very simple aim. “I want to create a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere where everyone, whether they’re vegan, vegetarian or just curious to find out more, can come and see what’s on offer and get to understand the food, the drink and the lifestyle.”

Vegan Market fruit — Image credit: Matthew Bradley

A vegan himself, Lewis knows Cambridge well as he graduated in engineering from Clare College. So it was a natural step to hold his first Vegan Market here in October 2016. It was such a success that Lewis now also runs markets in Oxford, Derby and Nottingham with a couple of other locations currently in the pipeline.

Vegan Market cakes — Image credit: Matthew Bradley

Food stands will include London-based Lola’s Cupcakes with their vegan brownies and cupcakes. There’ll be five hot vegan food stands, amongst which you’ll find Pho with their Vietnamese street food, Indian food from Home Vegan Kitchen and Cambridge’s own Arepa’s Station with their Venezuelan dishes.

Drinks exhibitors will include Green Tea Artisan, showing their range of speciality teas from China, Japan and Nepal. For alcoholic vegan refreshment, head over the road to The Pint Shop on Peas Hill where you’ll be able to enjoy a selection of vegan ales, lagers and ciders.

Vegan Fair Candles — Image credit: Matthew Bradley

There’ll be a range of clothing to check out, all ethically produced and 100% vegan, from producers such as Vegan Deviant with their T shirts featuring quirky slogans. And you’ll find stalls offering ethically produced cosmetics, including Clean and Natural with its 100% natural and organic skin and hair products.

The Vegan Market opens at 10.30am and closes at 4pm. Lewis recommends arriving early as the venue gets very busy through the day. Tickets are available on the door and cost £2 for an adult while children get in free. The first 100 people to arrive will get some free vegan goodies and if you bring your own mug, you’ll even get a free tea or coffee!

http://www.veganmarkets.co.uk

http://www.arjunawholefoods.co.uk

The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge CB2 3QJ