A POP-UP farm with all the favourite animals from the nativity will bring the true meaning of Christmas to Bradford’s Oastler Market.

On Saturday December 14 from 11am to 3pm the market will host a traditional nativity animals including sheep, a donkey, goats and a calf, as well as alpacas, all waiting for the arrival of baby Jesus in a nativity scene.

The animals will be at the Market Event Space located in the middle of the market for people to meet, get to know and pet.

The animals all come from Riggmoor Reindeer and Mobile Petting Farm in Harrogate and this will be the first time that the market has hosted an event like this.

Along with the animals there will also be face painting and craft activities between 11am and 3pm and children can visit Santa in his grotto for free where he will be handing out gifts between 10am and 4pm. Members of the Salvation Army will add to the festive atmosphere by singing Christmas carols between 10am and 12pm.

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The real life nativity is part of a programme of events organised by Bradford Markets Service to encourage people to visit markets across the district in the run up to Christmas.

Khansa Tufail, Bradford Council’s Marketing and Promotions Officer for Bradford Markets, said: “We’ve got a great range of Christmas events coming to our Oastler Market to help people celebrate in the run up to the big day.

"The real nativity scene in the market is a wonderful way start off your celebrations for Christmas and we want everyone to come along and say hello to our lovely furry friends.

"These family events are all free and aimed at encouraging more people to visit the market. Our Oastler Market is a great place for people to do their weekly shopping and we would love people to come and discover the fantastic products that they have to offer.”

For more information about Bradford Council’s Markets Service and events in markets in the district visit www.bradfordmarkets.com or follow Bradford Markets on social media.