Magical festivities and seasonal joy will once again be created for residents and visitors in Bath with the return of the famous Christmas Market for 2024.

The market will open on Thursday, November 28 and run for 18 days until Sunday, December 15. Residents will be invited to a special preview evening from 5pm to 7pm on November 27.

Results from an independent survey showed the 2023 Bath Christmas Market boosted the economy by an estimated £47 million in associated additional spend, up from £34.3 million in 2022 and £25 million in 2019.

It attracted around 451,000 visitors, compared to an estimated 426,000 in 2022 and 403,000 in 2019.

Researchers also found a high level of visitor satisfaction with respondents awarding the event an average 4.37 out of 5.

The 2023 Christmas Market saw more than 200 traders and 36 charities take part, supporting the fundraising of two of the charities with free chalets.

Applications for stallholders for the 2024 Christmas Market will open on April 3 with information available on the Christmas Market website from the end of March.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: "Last year's Bath Christmas Market was another amazing success bringing a huge economic boost to the city and attracting almost half a million visitors to the city.

"Feedback from traders for 2023 was overwhelmingly positive with some reporting that it was their most successful market so far. With around 75 per cent of last year's stallholders and caterers based in the South West, and more than half of them having a BA postcode, it shows how good the market is for the local economy.

"Bath Christmas Market also benefits local businesses that do not have a permanent presence in the city and helps their growth in the longer term by supporting those considering taking up shop lets.

"Planning for 2024 has already begun and we are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to our beautiful city again this Christmas."

Stu Matson, Director of Bath Carnival, said: "We want to thank the team for supporting the Bath Carnival community project.

"Having a chalet for the duration of the market last year gave us a valuable source of income during November and December; a typically difficult period for community arts organisations.

"Thanks to Bath Christmas Market we have supported six freelance artists, delivered 35 workshops, raised funds for our projects, and engaged with hundreds of local people to increase awareness of the Bath Carnival outreach programme and free events."