By Hannah Wroe Gill
Shops and businesses in Marsden are counting down to not just one but two late night Christmas shopping events – Marsden Festive Nights.
Many shops in the village will be staying open until 8pm on Friday November 29 and Thursday December 12 – so put the date in your diary!
With members of the award-winning Marsden Silver Prize Band playing in the high street from 6pm to 8pm both nights and the quirky and colourful Marsden Christmas lights switched on by the December date, the festive spirit will be in full flow.
Shoppers will be spoilt for choice so here’s our guide to who’s open.
Beginning on Station Road, at the bottom of Peel Street, shoppers will likely first come across Prendi, a charming courtyard café delivering a little slice of Italy, run by Mark and Jules Bedford.
Customers can enjoy a hot drink, hot Italian food and sweet treats (think Roman pizza, arancini, cannoli and biscotti) whilst pre-ordering their Christmas gifts eg biscotti gift boxes and hampers full of Italian inspired delicacies.
Then there’s New Beginnings, just next door. Karen Standrin offers a delightful range of baby clothing including an exclusive brand, Ophelia’s World, which is made in Huddersfield.
She sells wooden and soft toys, dolls and books that would make ideal Christmas presents too.
New Beginnings is also playing host to quiz sheets for a fun trail for families around the centre of Marsden village, with clues relating to Christmas songs and carols hidden in the windows of certain shops.
The trail will run between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday December 12 and 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday December 14 and 15. Sheets cost £1 each and each participant who returns a completed one gets a treat.
The treasure trove that is the Hôrd workshop is also in Swan House and next on the list. Owners Gemma and Jason Gilleard-Booth sell hand-crafted leather goods and gifts that can be personalised off the shelf at no extra cost.
These include tankards, hip flasks, bookmarks, credit card holders and more. Items can also be made to order in a choice of colours such as wallets and journal covers. Orders can be placed in time for Christmas on either night.
Heading up Peel Street afterwards, June Barraclough’s shop ‘Bits and Pieces’ will also be open, selling ladies’ fashions, jewellery, scarves, handbags and cosmetics.
It makes sense to head next to Enjoy Art, run by local artist Kevin Threlfall, on the opposite side of the high street. Their Winter Art exhibition will be on show as well as stylish locally made gifts and cards for sale.
Near the top of Peel Street, Roxanne Jones will then be greeting customers with a glass of fizz and festive nibbles in Lily Blossom Florist.
This would also be the perfect opportunity to pre-order one of her beautiful Christmas flower arrangements or wreaths (wreaths will also be available in the shop). Roxanne stocks a wide selection of gifts too, including candles, scarves, plants, soaps and children’s presents.
Finally, no visit would be complete without a cosy stop at Sass Wellbeing Studio and Coffee House, which is hosting various local makers’ stalls. These will be selling art, candles, home fragrances, aromatherapy products, ceramics and jewellery, as well as having a colour stylist in situ.
Owners Kate and Gino Sassanelli have also welcomed Marsden Scouts into the fold. They’re fundraising for a trip to Peru in 2026 with a football card, selling pencils and a Christmas chocolates hamper raffle.
Every Marsden business mentioned above will be open late on both Friday November 29 and Thursday December 12 until 8pm, apart from Hôrd which will be closing at 7pm.
